Pick almost any aisle in a drugstore or grocery store and you will find at least one example of flexible packaging, which changes shape easily and conforms to the contents inside. One good example of flexible packaging is a glass cleaner refill pouch that opens and fills with water to create a full amount of cleaning solution.
Flexible Packaging Terms and Definitions
As with any industry, there are numerous terms associated with flexible packaging that are important to know. Here are some important terms and definitions:
– Aclar
Primarily used for pharmaceutical blister packaging, Aclar is the trade name for PCTFE (polychlorotrifluoroethylene polymer). This polymer is rigid, clear and easily thermoformable with good oxygen and moisture barrier properties.
– Blister Packaging
Blister packaging contains the product between a formed dome and a flexible surface or paperboard.
– Cast Nylon Film (CAN)
This film is primarily used for thermoformable flexible packaging products.
– Ethylene Acrylic Acid (EAA)
EAA is a copolymer of acrylic acid and ethylene with strong adhesive properties. The strength and adhesion is commonly used in multi-layer laminates or other packaging.
– Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH)
EVOH is essentially a copolymer of polyethylene, which is a common material used as an oxygen barrier in flexible packaging. EVOH is not very moisture-proof, however, so it is not recommended in all flexible packaging applications.
– Fitment
A fitment is a device that attaches to a container to provide a specific function to the product, such as dispensing a liquid or foam. For example, a fitment might be attached to a liquid cleaner container.
– Four Side Seal Pouch
Pouches with seals along all four edges. The flat sheets of the pouch can come from a single stock or different stocks for the front and back.
– Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
GMP is a process by which the product is manufactured in such a way that any risk to the consumer has been minimized. Some GMP processes are guided by federal and state regulations, while others are considered best practice principles.
– Gusset
A gusset is a fold on the bottom or side of a pouch, which expands the pouch when contents are inserted.
– Hermetic Seal
A hermetic seal is a flexible packaging term that refers to material that is impervious to fluids or gases and/or is airtight under normal circumstances.
– Lap Seal
Created with two layers of film that overlap each other, a lap seal uses less material than other seals, which makes a lap seal a better eco-friendly alternative in flexible packaging.
– Light Resistance
When a material can withstand exposure to light without changing the chemical properties, physical properties or color, it is considered light resistant.
– Metalized OPP Film (MET-OPP)
This film has good water vapor and oxygen barrier properties, much like polyester (PET) film, commonly used in multi-layer packaging.
– Nylon
Nylon is made from polyamide resins and offers stiffness, clarity and good temperature resistance. Nylon also has strong aroma and oxygen barrier properties but is not a water vapor.
– Pillow Pouch
A pillow pouch is a pouch or bag that looks like a tube with a seal at both ends.
– Polyethylene Terephthalate Film (PET)
PET is a temperature resistant and strong polymer, which makes it an ideal material for flexible packaging. When combined with other film types, it has several barrier properties and good sealability.
– Pouch
Pouches are defined as a small bag consisting of two flat sheets that seal along the edges.
– Retort
When products process in a pressurized vessel, thereby sterilizing the contents to allow for a longer shelf life or storage period, this is called retort/
– Stand Up Pouch
A stand up pouch with a wide base to allow the pouch to stand up without tipping over.
– Thermoforming
The process of thermoforming heats a plastic product until the plastic becomes soft and pliable.
– Three Side Seal Pouch
A three-side pouch has three sealed sides with an open side, often with a seal.
– Unit Dose Package (UDP)
Commonly used in pharmaceutical products, a UDP holds individual items separate from each other.
– Zipper Pouch
A zipper pouch is a flexible plastic pouch with a zipper seal to allow for repeated closing and opening of the seal.
For more information about flexible packaging terms, definitions or to create your own custom design flexible packaging product, contact MJS Packaging at 800-915-2262.
