Two different packaging seals offer easier opening with security - while one is designed for industrial and commercial use, the other meets increasing consumer demand, the manufacturer claims.

Increasing hygiene and safety regulations in plants require more employers to wear protective clothing, such as gloves that can impair dexterity.

Sealed Air, which is marketing the seals it developed with Sealstrip, claims the Peelwrap is suitable for food processors because the wider and thicker tape with a dry edge to allows complete removal of shrinkwrapping even by those wearing gloves.

Shrinktape is a pressure sensitive narrow tear tape featuring a pull tab, which allows easy access, while being discrete against packaging graphics, the manufacturer claims.

Because of tampering fears, added security features have made some products difficult to open. This, however, has led to increasing demand for easier opening packaging, which packagers must heed in view of the aging population in some markets, while maintaining security.

In 1995 there were 101 million Europeans over the age of 65, with numbers in that demographic expected to grow to 173 million by 2050, according to development researchers, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASI).

In a recent survey, 71 per cent of people said they had sustained injury trying to open a packaged product, and some said they avoided such products altogether, claims Sealed Air.

Vic Fairhurst, Sealed Air's sales and application development specialist, said:

"These new solutions eliminate the need for the consumer to use a sharp object to open packaging, therefore reducing 'wrap rage' and any possible injuries from occurring."

Sealed Air said the seals provide a clearly marked opening area, which reduces consumer frustration.

Easy open saves time and reduces waste, while reducing the number of products returned "damaged while opening", claims the company. It protects the inside product from improper opening methods which reduces the number of returned "damaged while opening" products.

Both seals are moisture resistant and can be used for cosmetics and frozen goods, claims the manufacturer.

Applicators can be retrofitted to any Sealed Air Shanklin packaging or wrapping machine, while both seals are compatible with a variety of Sealed Air Cryovac shrink films, ranging from 10 micron to 32 micron gauge.

Sealed Air is a global manufacturer of a wide range of food and protective packaging materials and systems.

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