At the 39th 'Swiss Star' competition of the Swiss Packaging Institute (SVI), the jury awarded the "tpod in Pull Pack" with the Swiss Star 2008 in the sales-packaging category. The concept was presented by Sigpack Systems, a Bosch Packaging Technology company.

The "tpod in Pull Pack" is based on the Bistrozucker (Stick Pack) packaging style which replaces the traditional tea bag with a modern lifestyle product for ease of use for the consumer.

The Stick Pack, also referred to as tpod (tea portion of design), offers a user-friendly alternative to the traditional tea bag and can be used at the same time as a spoon for stirring. Other applications for this concept include coffee, sugar or pharmaceutical products.

In partnership with Alcan Packaging, Bistozucker and Mendel, Sigpack Systems combined the Pull Pack with the Stick Pack. "Our creative team working with Alcan and Bistrozucker was the key to the success of the project," said Holger Botsch from Sigpack Systems. "We combined our unique and complementary competencies to create an innovative convenience product."

Primary packaging of the tea is conducted with a system developed by Alcan Packaging which includes an FDA-certified, springback foil that reverts to its original, cylindrical form after filling.

The Pull Pack Packaging concept functions as secondary packaging and guarantees a quick and exact opening for the clean withdrawal of the tea sticks. The combination of these two packaging formats sealed with a tight closure ensures the quality and protects the aroma of the tea.

Sigpack Systems developed the machinery for the production of the perforated Stick Pack as well as for the filling and secondary packaging of the "tpod". The line concept was planned and projected according to specific customer requirements, such as packaging format and capacity.

The Swiss Packaging Institute Award was launched 50 years ago. All packages receiving the award are qualified for the 'WorldStar' of the World Packaging Organization.