1. Thomas Dunn
Flexpacknology LLC
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists
Packaging Innovations Over The Past 35 Years:
Perspectives and predictions

2. © 2015 Institute of Food Technologists2
Presentation Overview: 1980-2015
Economic forces shape the
form and function of food
packaging. Since 1980
new food systems
emerged, package formats
& materials changed, and
distribution & marketing
systems matured.
So, how have we evolved
from then to now and
where do we go in the
future.
►“It’s the economy, stupid!”
>How can food be new?
>The usual jars, paper, cans
>Getting here from there!
>Getting there from here!

3. There to here: 1980 to 2015
Olympics men’s hockey Tehran embassy hostages
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists3

4. Flex Pack Faux Pas 1
1979 FPA Annual
Meeting
1979 FPA Competition
Winner
►Keynote speaker: ex-
California governor
Ronald Reagan
►21 CFR177.1390-retort
adhesive cleared
►Photo Op: prize winning
package to the honored
guest!
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists4
You’re giving the governor a dead fish

5. Sleep with the fishes!
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists5

6. Flex Pack Faux Pas 2
►Stand-up pouch was the
exciting new concept in
the industry.
►Distribute to the industry
executives for their
break.
►After the session,
unopened pouches lying
all around the room
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists6
1980 FPA Fall
Meeting
1980-Capri Sun NA license
to Shasta Beverage

7. A child shall lead them
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists7

8. The new food
►Three inalienable food characteristics: 2015
1. Healthy
a. organic
b. minimally processed
2. Convenient
a. easy to prepare/consume
b. easy to open/reclose
3. Diverse
a. global
b. seasonally independent
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists8

9. ►Three food characteristics
1. Healthy
a. organic
b. minimally processed
2. Convenient
a. easy to prepare/consume
b. easy to open/reclose
3. Diverse
a. global
b. seasonally independent
The new food
►Packaging helps
1. Healthy
a. Produce safe packaging
b. Interact with product
2. Convenient
a. Self-dispense
b. Open/reclose manually
3. Diverse
a. Flexible boxes/jars
b. Transport packaging
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists9

10. What’s it all about
Textbook Functions of
packaging IOPP
1. Contain
2. Preserve/Protect
3. Transport
4. Communicate
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists10

11. What’s it all about
Textbook Functions of
packaging
The Mission Statement of the
Package
1. Contain
2. Preserve/Protect
3. Transport
4. Communicate
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists11
“To escort its contents
over space and time
from a source to a user”

12. A Century of Iconic Food Packaging
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists12
Communicate

13. National Public Radio: 16 March 2015
A Century of Iconic Food Packaging
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists13
Jif Lemon Juice
(1954)
Very early plastic food
package
Jiffy Pop
(1959)
Aluminum made a
familiar part of the
home; container & tool
Morton Salt
(1914)
Marriage of a beautiful,
functional package
with philosophically
dense advertising
slogan
Pringles
(1968)
Focus on food and
eating, rather than the
hunt for a whole chip
Kikkoman
(1961)
Design that supremely
performs its function
Tootsie Roll
(1960s)
candy often overlooked
but its wrapping iconic

14. 1915-2015: The Iconic Package?
Based on encyclopedia’s
cocoa pod picture
Plastic: derived from sugar
cane
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists14

15. A Century of Iconic Food Packaging:
Get with it, it’s 2015!
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists15
Communicate
Plus ça change, plus c’est les mêmes choses
Portable
Convenient
Variety
Dispense
Dispense

16. Why things change…
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists16
1.People
pull
2.Technology
pushes
3.Packaging
changes

17. People pull
1980-Edith Bunker 2015-Professional Woman
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists17

18. People pull
►1980 Status
1. Healthy
a. Meat, potatoes..
b. Canned vegetables
2. Convenience
a. TV Dinners
b. Condensed soup
3. Diverse
a. Italian food/ Chop Suey
b. Backyard gardens
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists18
►2015 food characteristics
1. Healthy
a. organic
b. minimally processed
2. Convenient
a. easy to prepare/consume
b. easy to open/reclose
3. Diverse
• global
• seasonally independent

19. © 2015 Institute of Food Technologists19
►Materials
> Rock (glass)
> Paper (boxes)
> Scissors (metal cans
Technology Pushes

20. © 2015 Institute of Food Technologists20
►Materials
> Rock (glass)
> Paper (boxes)
> Scissors (metal cans
Technology Pushes

21. © 2015 Institute of Food Technologists21
►Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
> Bring a knife to a gun fight!
Technology Pushes

22. Technology push: BOTTLE
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists22

23. Bottles… Glass-to-Plastic
►Enabling technology:
►Injection mold pre-form tube
►Stretched by blow molding into commercial size shape.
►Temperature control “freezes” stress caused by stretching
► favors crystallization of PET polymer
►PET barrier:
► adequate to contain CO2 for CSD
►Inadequate O2 for beer.
►Temperature control
►Advances facilitate additional glass replacement
►Hot fill juices and sauces
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists23

24. Technology push: Bag
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists24

25. Bags… Paper-to-Plastic
►Enabling technology
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists25

26. Technology push: Can
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists26

27. Bottles… Glass-to-Plastic
►Enabling technology
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists27

28. Technology push: Box
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists28

29. Bottles… Glass-to-Plastic
►Enabling technology
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists29

30. Key Takeaways
 Takeaway (provide 3-5 takeaways/resources from your
presentation)
© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists30

31. © 2015 Institute of Food Technologists