Constar, the plastic packaging division of Crown Cork & Seal Company, has announced the development of the first PET water package capable of being dispensed through 12-ounce can vending machines.
Developed for Suntory Water Group (Atlanta, Georgia), the 11.5 oz. package is currently sold in the US market.
The container works within height and diameter constraints of can vending machines, while still meeting the capacity requirements of Suntory's existing filling equipment, the company claims. The design was achieved by sourcing a low profile 38mm cap, running on non-traditional blow moulding equipment, and developing a base design to accommodate internal pressure and special capping requirements.
The vending distribution system also introduced new challenges to package integrity, the company said. Along with standard pallet stacking requirements, individual containers are subject to column stacking, on their sides, in vending machines. Constar used finite element analysis (FEA) to optimise container geometry relative to top load, side load and internal pressure requirements.
Don Deubel, director of package development for Constar, noted that the outwardly simple design masks the complexity of its challenge.
"We're seeing the most interest for the new PET vend bottle from schools, where concerns about health and nutrition are leading education officials to rethink soft drink vending," added Cam Glover, product manager for Suntory Water Group. "We are excited to be able to offer contemporary beverage options in markets not open to us before."
The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) has also recognised the container's design, naming it a 2002 AmeriStar Award winner in the Beverage Category. Winners will be recognised at an AmeriStar Awards Reception during PACK EXPO International 2002 in Chicago, to be held in November.