A few years ago, the director of operations of a large US-based infant nutrition company approached Oxipack through the website. The director wanted to test their metal-based and composite (carton) cans containing infant nutrition for micro leaks in a non-destructive way. They purchased three Can Leak Testers which have been working well over the past years. This year, they launched their innovative formula packaging and asked Oxipack whether we could test it. Our Centre of Expertise gladly accepted the challenge!
The packaging consists of a tub with a peel seal, a spoon inside and a high cover. The tubs leave the factory line complete with formula, spoon and cover. To test them non-destructively, the entire tub needed to be tested. In addition, the customer produced three different sizes which all needed to be tested with the same solution.
From prototype to leak tester
The standard Oxipack testing procedure is to make the space surrounding the area to be tested, as small as possible. However, the shape and design of the new package didn’t allow a standard solution. First, the packaging was analysed. What were the limits of the peel seal strength? How long did we need to measure for a stable signal? And should a membrane be used or a rigid cover? The second challenge was the differently sized tubs. According to our philosophy the machine needs to be simple and operator friendly. Thanks to our innovative engineers, we were able to create a machine with very little exchangeable parts, using new 3D printing techniques.
We helped the customer finish the validation and the measuring limit was set at >0.9cm3/min, below the threshold of the customer. Together with a custom-made dummy, the Tubs Leak Tester is now helping the customer to make sure their innovative packaging is completely leak-tight.
Do you want to be sure your infant formula is leak tight? Contact us at sales@myoxipack.oxipack.com
