Necessity Leads to Innovation
The universal need for caps, closures and lids in the packaging industry has led to innovative developments in a variety of markets.
By Bobby Douglas

Caps, closures and lids are ubiquitous in the packaging industry. Regardless of the product, a package is rendered useless if it cannot adequately protect what is inside. Closures are required not only to keep valuable products contained throughout the supply chain process, but also to maintain product quality.
Because of the widespread need for packaging closures, a great deal of innovation in this area is taking place constantly.
As an example of this, corvaglia group recently launched its first cap solution for aseptic carton packaging. The SabreCap features an ergonomic design that is easy to use for the consumer, while also being compatible with existing filling lines.
Additionally, Koehler Paper developed an aerosol cap that made of 100% cardboard and paper. The new cap offers a much more sustainable alternative to traditional closure solutions.
Finally, Novolex released its TamperFlag rigid containers, allowing for consumers to determine if a package has been opened before use with its tamper-evident “flag.” The containers can also be used with post-consumer recycled content, making it a sustainable option as well.
Learn more about these innovations below.
corvaglia group Launches its First Closure for Aseptic Carton Packaging
corvaglia group, a leading global manufacturer of innovative closure solutions, presents the SabreCap, its first closure for aseptic carton packaging. With this step, the company expands its extensive knowhow in the field of PET bottle closures to a new packaging category, setting new standards for consumers and bottling companies.
Decades of Experience as the Basis for Innovation
For over thirty years, corvaglia has been developing innovative, one-piece closure solutions for PET beverage bottles. In total, more than 1.2 trillion closures have already been produced with corvaglia injection molds. This knowledge of closures from the development of well-thought-out products, the production of robust and long-lasting injection molds, as well as efficient mass production at the highest quality level forms the basis for the company's latest innovation: the SabreCap. In doing so, corvaglia is contributing its extensive expertise in the field of closures for PET beverage bottles to the carton packaging category — an important step towards realizing high-performance, precise and economical closure solutions in this segment as well.
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corvaglia’s SabreCap can be seamlessly integrated into existing filling lines.
Courtesy of corvaglia group
User-friendly and Clean in Use — the Advantages for Consumers
The innovative cutting surface design ensures particularly clean cuts through the Pre-Laminated-Hole — an important requirement for effortless opening of the packaging. At the same time, the design helps to ensure that fewer residues remain in the packaging after pouring — a clear advantage for consumers and a contribution to reducing food waste.
In addition, the SabreCap convinces with its high ergonomics. The closure is easy to grip and is therefore particularly suitable for people with smaller hands or reduced hand strength. The low opening-torque makes it even easier to unscrew, while the easy reclosing allows for a comfortable user experience.
Compatible with Existing Filling Lines — the Advantages for Bottlers
The SabreCap can be seamlessly integrated into existing carton packaging filling lines – without any technical adjustments. It thus offers bottling companies a high degree of flexibility and investment security. The large process window during the application of the closure also supports a stable and efficient production process.
Focus on Sustainability
Unlike many other closures for aseptic carton packaging, the SabreCap is made of 100% HDPE, which makes it particularly easy to recycle. The use of a single material facilitates recycling and increases the value of the plastic for recycling companies — an important step towards a more sustainable circular economy.
Presentation at International Trade Fairs
With the SabreCap, for which mass-production has been started at corvaglia's US site in Newnan, GA, corvaglia marks an important milestone in its own closure development. The company will present this innovation at numerous international trade fairs throughout the year and offer customers and partners the opportunity to see the advantages of the new closure for themselves.
“We are proud that we have been able to successfully contribute our closure expertise from the PET world to the world of carton packaging. The SabreCap combines maximum efficiency in production with a high level of user-friendliness and sustainability. In this way, we offer a forward-looking solution for the packaging industry,” says Michael Krueger, CEO of the corvaglia group.
corvaglia is a highly specialized provider of closure solutions for the beverage industry. Founded in 1991, the company now has four production facilities in Switzerland, Mexico and the USA.
COLLAPSE ARTICLE
Koehler Paper Creates Aerosol Can Cap Using 100% Cardboard and Paper
Koehler Paper, part of the Koehler Group, in collaboration with Wimbée, a French manufacturer of cardboard packaging, has created the first cap for aerosol cans made of 100% cardboard and paper. This innovative cap was produced for Héritage, an industrial customer that, among other things, markets furniture care products under the brand name O’Cedar. Thanks to its excellent laminating, shaping and printing properties, the flexible packaging paper “Koehler NexCoat® Smart” is ideally suited for the surface of the cap. The cap is available in standard diameters of 51 mm and 63.5 mm. Cap sizes with diameters of 45 mm und 55 mm are in the works.
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The new caps were made in collaboration with Wimbée, a French cardboard packaging manufacturer.
Courtesy of Koehler Paper
Collaboration Paves the Way to Greener Packaging
Wimbée, which has decades of experience in this area, was able to rely on the expertise of Koehler Paper during the development of the new cap. The flexible packaging paper, which impresses with its high foldcrack resistance, ideally complements the cardboard — in terms of improved printing and processing characteristics as well as reduced environmental impact.
“Koehler NexCoat® Smart is ideally suited to the challenge of creating a greener and, in particular, recyclable alternative to standard caps. It is made of renewable raw materials and can be re-used multiple times within the established paper recycling process,” explains Bettina Bastien, brand owner manager for flexible packaging paper at Koehler Paper.
Sustainable Packaging: Innovative Paper Solutions with “NexFlex®” from Koehler Paper
The research and development team from Koehler Innovation & Technology worked with the experts from Koehler Paper to develop the NexFlex® product range, a unique and recyclable generation of flexible packaging paper. The aim here is to replace plastic in packaging by using so-called barrier paper wherever possible. The range covers a broad spectrum: It includes standard coated and uncoated paper used in laminates for pouches, sachets, and other applications, making them suitable for a wide range of packaging for food and non-food products.
The next generation of paper for flexible packaging is sustainable barrier paper with functional surfaces for product-specific protection (Koehler NexPlus®). The NexFlex® product family also includes paper coated on one side with good dimensional stability and high smoothness (Koehler NexCoat®), as well as uncoated paper with a natural appearance (Koehler NexPure®). Various flexible packaging papers from Koehler Paper were awarded the “Made for Recycling” seal by the environmental service provider Interzero.
COLLAPSE ARTICLE
Novolex Launches TamperFlag Rigid Containers for Increased Food Security
Novolex, an industry leader in packaging choice, innovation and sustainability, is introducing new clear containers that keep food fresh and secure while giving consumers peace of mind.
The new TamperFlag rigid containers, made by Novolex brand Waddington North America (WNA), feature a tamper-evident “flag” that pops up and stays raised once opened. The feature alerts consumers that the container has been unsealed.
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The new containers are available in sizes ranging from 8 to 32 ounces.
Courtesy of Novolex
“Our new TamperFlag containers deliver a fresh solution to safeguarding food and reassuring consumers about the security of a product,” said Sachin Shah, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Waddington North America. “This is yet another groundbreaking innovation that truly makes a difference for our customers — something we strive for every day at Novolex.”
The TamperFlag is activated automatically in a single step when the hinge container lid is closed, creating an efficient packing process. When opened, the TamperFlag pops up and is visible to consumers, ensuring they can see if the container has been opened or tampered with. The containers can also be made with post-consumer recycled content, supporting the sustainability goals of Novolex customers.
Offered in sizes from 8 to 32 ounces, the new containers are ideal for both wet and dry grab-and-go snacks. In addition to featuring the new tamper-evident flag, the containers:
- Eliminate tear strips (which create plastic waste) and the need for shrink bands
- Provide a smooth surface area for customer labels
- Allow stackability
- Offer a leak-resistant design that helps keep food fresh
- Are available with 25% and 50% post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) content to support circularity.
To learn about the new TamperFlag containers and other innovative products, click here.