Equal sweet seasoning packs new ideas

New packaging containers and closure technology promote consumer use of Equal's non-calorie Spoonful sweeteners.

Merisant's new product, 4 oz. Calorie-free Equal Spoonful, is packed in polypropylene bottles and is ergonomically designed for gripping. In addition, it also has a unique front and back double flip-top lid that allows consumers to both pour directly and use spoons for ease of use.

The pack began to be promoted in February this year. Consumers can use this metered-added Equal sweetener when they need sugar for cooking or grilling. The previously launched Equal product was a concentrated powder, which is now replaced with Spoonful.

The funnel-shaped PP (polypropylene) container was extruded by Blowing Plastics. “We show consumers several design options. This is their favorite,” says Pat O`Connor, manager of Packaging R&D at Merisant (based in Chicago).

He explained that the PP bottle was also used in a 2-ounce package. "It was designed with sugar blended with side grooves and sold to more traditional restaurants. When a bottle of this size was promoted many years ago, the first choice was glass. , and then PET material." O`Connor said, now prefer to lose the PET material with good transparency, and use PP material, mainly because it will bring better economic benefits.

“Polypropylene has good contact transparency,” O`Connor said. “We used a 'sight glass' design on Spoonful's sleeves to allow consumers to see through the sleeves. The height of the product in the bottle. This container is used to fill the powder, so we do not really need the transparency of the PET material."

Of course, this type of heat-shrinkable body wrap will wrap the entire container anyway. This 2 mil PVC sleeve was obtained by the CCL Label Company using 6-color gravure printing. Gateway Plastics is responsible for the sealing of PP bottles using casting technology. There are two flip-side "side tabs" on the 89mm diameter cap. The user opens the lid on one side, reveals some leaks, can be dumped directly and is easy to control; on the other side, it is a wide opening, can insert the spoon in to directly use; an induction seal production line provides accurate Filling and extending shelf life. Spoonful sweeteners are filled at Merisant's facility in Manteno, Illinois, at speeds of 80 to 100 bottles per minute.

O`Connor also said that this new 4 oz product and the original 2 oz product were filled in the same production line. "Spoonful bottles have different sizes, shapes, and capacities," he explained. "So what we need to do is to invest in changing the parts of the equipment to adapt to different production needs."

He said: The only change needed in the equipment is "a change from a linear capper to a rotary chuck capper. The linear capper squeezes the bottle slightly when used, and the PP material used is not as soft as PET. There was a problem with the new container."

“We purchased a modified Consolidated capping machine from Change Parts,” O`Connor continued. “They are professional packaging equipment remanufacturers, and Consolidated capping machines are also well-known and have a good reputation.”

Maria Brennan, Merisant North America Supply Director, said, "Although we have specified a 3-year shelf life," Essential Spoonful products can be used for five years.

Although consumers are already familiar with the blue paper packaging of alternative sugar products, they are gradually accepting this new packaging container. The $3.99 Equal Spoonful sweetener product "is now sold well and is exceeding sales targets," concluded Jane Boyce, deputy manager of the company's marketing department.