DuPont Engineering Polymers' Rynite thermoplastic polyester withstands heat in the housing and base of a new toaster in KitchenAid's Countertop Collection. Rynite provides color stability and chemical resistance in these components and ensures the toaster is easy to clean and maintains aesthetic appeal. Encor Technologies Inc. of Mount Gilead, Ohio, injection molds the components and Solo Tool and Mold Co. of Windsor, Ontario, built the tools. DuPont is based in Wilmington, Del. KitchenAid of St. Joseph, Mich., is a unit of Whirl-pool Corp.
Tel. (302) 999-4592 or fax (302) 999-4358.
PackerWare Corp. introduced a plastic tumbler, called the B52, which it says is the first 52-ounce souvenir cup on the market.
The injection molded high density polyethylene cup features a sleeker stack shoulder, making it easier to hold than other large sizes, according to the Lawrence, Kan., company. Since June, it has been selling the printed cups to convenience stores nationwide.
``We've sold capacity out the first four months,'' said Bob Foley, head of sales.
Several companies, including PackerWare, make large-sized plastic souvenir cups, in 44- and 64-ounce sizes; Berry Plastics Corp. of Evansville, Ind., injection molds a 50-ounce version.
Contact PackerWare at (913) 842-3000 or fax (913) 842-5086.
Boston Optical Fiber Inc. of Westborough, Mass., a manufacturer of plastic optical fiber and POF-based Local Area Network systems, said its POF will be used in a new line of medical instruments.
Gabriel Medical, a medical equipment maker in Lafayette, La., uses POF with its Infra Vision Imaging system, a patent-pending, laser-guided medical scope. The laser-guided tools help surgeons see - with use of monitors - internal organs, including cancerous tissue, in a minimally invasive procedure.
After the operation, POF tubes are removed and disposed, minimizing the risk of infections from reusing the devices.
``The fact that these stents [tubes] use POF instead of the more-expensive glass fibers reduces the cost of the instrument, allowing it to be disposable,'' said Michael O'Brien, packaging team leader.
Tel. (508) 836-2700 or fax (508) 836-2722.
Tredegar Film Products unveiled Monax Plus films for its entry into the in-mold label market.
Monax Plus is a machine-oriented, high density polyethylene film available in clear and white versions. The Richmond, Va., firm said it allows a blow molder to regrind bottles without removing labels. Tredegar supplies the product in 3 mil thickness with corona treatment on one or both sides for ready acceptance of water- and solvent-based inks.
Tredegar makes Monax Plus at its Terre Haute, Ind., facility.
Tel. (804) 330-1032 or fax (804) 330-1201.
Osteonics Corp. relies on the barrier properties of high-nitrile-copolymer Barex film to protect joint implants from detrimental polyethylene oxidation that may occur before operating-room insertion.
``We are trying to address market concerns about oxidation,'' said Michael O'Brien, packaging team leader for the medical device manufacturer. Previously, Osteonics used glycol-modified PET for the application and continues with clear PETG for packaging products without PE content. In addressing the oxidation issue, other device manufacturers used ethylene oxide sterilization with PETG.
Osteonics fast-tracked the change, exploring options with custom thermoformer Plastofilm Industries Inc. initially in August 1995. The packaging debuted at the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons exhibition in January.
Now, Plastofilm, a Wheaton, Ill.-based division of Ivex Packaging Corp., thermoforms inner and outer trays of transparent-blue Barex film.
Osteonics places a joint implant in a double blister assembly, purging air with a nitrogen flush and vacuum-sealing each blister with a foil lid. A nitrogen-filled outer flexible pouch provides a final barrier. Osteonics performs the work at its Allendale, N.J., facility.
Barex resin provides the highest gas barrier of any thermoplastic in the marketplace, said Jeff Minnis, Barex national sales director for BP Chemicals Inc. in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.
Contact Osteonics at (201) 825-4900 or fax (201) 934-4369.