Time-honoured and convenient
24 March 2009Metal has excellent convenience qualities, according to Ana Ces Agraso, Marketing Director, Crown Food Europe
Convenience is one of the defining characteristics of the 21st century. In this context, how does the can, a technology invented in the Napoleonic period, compete in this new era? Convenience in packaging must be considered from three basic perspectives: simplicity or how intuitive a package is to open; transportation in the hands of the consumer; and how the food enhances the consumption experience. By defining convenience in these terms and developing can technologies to serve these arenas, cans may redefine how consumers integrate a food brand into their lifestyles.
New openings
Convenience is a relative term: there was a time when can openers were considered a convenience technology. That all changed when easy-open end technologies entered the market nearly 15 years ago. The convenience story is still evolving today, as new ends are introduced to further improve functionality.
The ‘easy’ aspect of easy-open ends is really judged by three features: ‘pop force’ to pierce the score; ‘tear force’ to initiate the peel, and ‘peel force’ to remove the panel. The latest development from Crown is known as Easylift, designed to enhance finger access to the ring-pull. This permits consumers to use the gap underneath to more successfully activate the ring-pull with their finger or thumb.
Another development in easy-open technology is peelable foil ends. These are designed to facilitate on-the-go consumption of such products as meat- and fish-based salads and desserts. Known as PeelSeam, the system comprises a round or rectangular metal ring that is heat-sealed with a peelable aluminum foil lid. The end is conventionally seamed on the bowl or can and the foil is easy to peel and remove.
Convenient and nutritious
Moving food products around is a challenge for any kind of food packaging. Rigid, stackable, and hermetically-sealed, cans have always travelled well en masse. However, in today’s world, transportation innovation tends to centre on the consumer, such as being concentrated around the morning commute. For example, increasing numbers of consumers eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner on-the-go. In the UK in 2006, consumers reported an average of 338 on-the-go meals a year, according to Datamonitor.
Continuous evolution
In terms of durability, usability, and disposability, today’s food cans offer consumers a simple solution. Of course, the biggest obstacle to the image of cans may be their own success. Cans remain popular and have an iconic status. It is thus a challenge to bridge the gap between this image and one of on-the-go convenience.
The PeelSeam system comprises a round or rectangular metal ring that is heat-sealed with a peelable aluminum foil lid Ana Ces Agraso