Crown Cork & Seal's Super Soft Orienting Tube Closure Pushes on to Reduce Capping Time and Enhance Productivity

Friday, July 26, 2002

PHILADELPHIA, July 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zeller Plastik, the plastic closures division of Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc. (NYSE: CCK), today announced the development of its new Super Soft Orienting closure, one of the first push-on tube closures engineered to increase productivity. Manufacturers can significantly reduce capping time and maximize output with this innovative push-on technology. The Super Soft Orienting closure is constructed with a self-cleaning spud-to-orifice seal to reduce product waste and a sculpted thumb recess for increased consumer comfort and easy opening. The new closure is a single injection polypropylene, one-piece flip-top dispenser.

The closure's soft, rounded edges enable marketers to deliver sleek packages with dominant shelf presence. The thumb tab can be oriented to the front of the package to create a uniform appearance of all packages on the shelf. Featuring a customizable dispensing orifice, the closure can be color- matched to deliver high-impact branding and enhance point-of-purchase aesthetics for all health & beauty aid and personal care applications. The Super Soft Orienting closure is available in 40mm (1.5") and 50mm (2") diameters.

Push-On To Optimize Productivity

The new closure's push-on finish supports rapid cycle time and throughput. Closures are ejected from machines, rather than being unscrewed, significantly increasing production output. This shortens lead times, enabling tube manufacturers to optimize order fulfillment and maximize sales opportunities.

Technology Reduces Costs And Builds Brands

"Packagers immediately reduce their costs with the Super Soft Orienting closure," said Joe Pierce, President of Crown Cork & Seal's Closures-Americas Division. "Advanced engineering of quality molds eliminates the need for standard supporting ribs. The strength and integrity of the closure is not compromised and rib removal considerably increases aesthetics as well as decreases shipping weight for customers."

Removing the knockout pins and other markings from the closure significantly enhances the package's shelf appeal, driving point-of-purchase sales. This becomes particularly noticeable when the closure is produced in translucent and clear colors. The Super Soft Orienting closure can be custom color-matched to packages, labels, or products, creating a consistent package that reinforces brand equity.

Reduced Product Waste And Easy Opening

Self-cleaning technology prevents product accumulation around the dispensing orifice. The closure's construction features a spud-to-orifice seal, ensuring product remains in the package and the orifice is clean for each use. Waste is reduced during dispensing, due to an enhanced hinge that moves farther back than standard hinges.

The Super Soft Orienting closure features a rounded lid radius, creating a naturally curved surface area, significantly easier for consumers to grip. The sculpted thumb recess fits the natural contours of consumers' thumbs, decreasing the force required for opening. Lift force can be customized to meet customer specifications, based upon shipping requirements.

Crown Cork & Seal is a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing companies around the world. World headquarters are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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SOURCE Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
Web site: http: //www.crowncork.com
CONTACT: (U.S.): Nancy Kane, Marketing Coordinator of Zeller Plastik, +1-847-247-7991; or (In Europe): Christian Fabre, Marketing Director, Plastic Closures, Europe, +33 474 09 6672; or (For investors): Timothy J. Donahue, Senior Vice President, Finance, +1-215-698-5100, both of Crown Cork & Seal