O-P-C Spells Industrial Success
September 2000
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Industrial Label teamed with Bemis' Pet Products Div. to produce the first resealable label closure for pet food bags.
By Jessica Millward
IT WAS THE beginning of a beautiful friendship. For the pinch-bottom bag market, Bogey and Bergman have nothing on the collaboration between Bemis' Pet Products Division and Industrial Label Corp., both located in Omaha, NE. The two companies jointly developed the O-P-C™ (Open-Pour-Close) easy-open and reclosable label feature for bulk bags of dry pet foods—the first of its kind.
After two years of intensive research and development, the O-P-C is now available for commercial use. Consumers will first see the O-P-C in action on bags of Thompson's Pasta Plus® dry dog food, manufactured by Thompson's Nutritional Technology, Inc. (TNT).
Dynamic duo
"The pet food industry has been asking for an easy-open feature on pinch-bottom bags for years," observes Mike Schmitt, vice president, Bemis Pet Products. Armed with a vision, Quality and Product Development Manager Ron Thrall came up with a preliminary design.
Thrall's conception of the label was focused on an easy-peel feature, strong adhesion for a secure seal, and, in manufacture, a simple application at the top end of the glue-sealed bag. With Thrall's blueprint in tow, Bemis searched for a partner in the O-P-C's evolution, one able to determine how the design could be executed efficiently and consistently. Enter Industrial Label.
Founded in 1959, Industrial Label is a rapidly growing label printing and converting company. The company currently produces labels, coupons, inserts, and booklets primarily for the food and beverage markets. In addition, ILC offers complete graphic design service and distributes automatic label/applicating and printer/applicating equipment.
Monnie Peterson, executive vice president, recalls that Bemis first contacted ILC about the O-P-C's design in July of 1998. "Ron Thrall had worked with our engineering people before," he explains. Thrall therefore found it easy to begin work with Jim Freeman, manager, label engineering, and Wayne Piper, director of equipment sales. The three would eventually share co-inventor patent credit for the O-P-C.
Label logistics
To prevent the label from tearing the printed outer layer of the bag as it is pulled open, Freeman designed the bottom layer with a permanent adhesive to adhere to the bag. The second clear, plastic layer employs a striped adhesive that delaminates, separating the label structure. Opening and reclosing information is printed on the outer layer surface.
The O-P-C team faced its first major challenge in constructing the reseal device. To keep clear of any food product and avoid contamination, the reseal adhesive needed to be on the bag rather than on the opening flap, as is the case with most reseal designs.
By Jessica Millward
IT WAS THE beginning of a beautiful friendship. For the pinch-bottom bag market, Bogey and Bergman have nothing on the collaboration between Bemis' Pet Products Division and Industrial Label Corp., both located in Omaha, NE. The two companies jointly developed the O-P-C™ (Open-Pour-Close) easy-open and reclosable label feature for bulk bags of dry pet foods—the first of its kind.
After two years of intensive research and development, the O-P-C is now available for commercial use. Consumers will first see the O-P-C in action on bags of Thompson's Pasta Plus® dry dog food, manufactured by Thompson's Nutritional Technology, Inc. (TNT).
Dynamic duo
"The pet food industry has been asking for an easy-open feature on pinch-bottom bags for years," observes Mike Schmitt, vice president, Bemis Pet Products. Armed with a vision, Quality and Product Development Manager Ron Thrall came up with a preliminary design.
Thrall's conception of the label was focused on an easy-peel feature, strong adhesion for a secure seal, and, in manufacture, a simple application at the top end of the glue-sealed bag. With Thrall's blueprint in tow, Bemis searched for a partner in the O-P-C's evolution, one able to determine how the design could be executed efficiently and consistently. Enter Industrial Label.
Founded in 1959, Industrial Label is a rapidly growing label printing and converting company. The company currently produces labels, coupons, inserts, and booklets primarily for the food and beverage markets. In addition, ILC offers complete graphic design service and distributes automatic label/applicating and printer/applicating equipment.
Monnie Peterson, executive vice president, recalls that Bemis first contacted ILC about the O-P-C's design in July of 1998. "Ron Thrall had worked with our engineering people before," he explains. Thrall therefore found it easy to begin work with Jim Freeman, manager, label engineering, and Wayne Piper, director of equipment sales. The three would eventually share co-inventor patent credit for the O-P-C.
Label logistics
To prevent the label from tearing the printed outer layer of the bag as it is pulled open, Freeman designed the bottom layer with a permanent adhesive to adhere to the bag. The second clear, plastic layer employs a striped adhesive that delaminates, separating the label structure. Opening and reclosing information is printed on the outer layer surface.
The O-P-C team faced its first major challenge in constructing the reseal device. To keep clear of any food product and avoid contamination, the reseal adhesive needed to be on the bag rather than on the opening flap, as is the case with most reseal designs.
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