Smurfit Kappa, Ireland, has introduced a new type of seal for wine bags. In addition to the usual seals, eight supplementary radial seals (two in each of the four corners) help to protect the wine inside.

  

This new triple protection system is called "Safe Curve" and is possible thanks to new tools that have been installed on production lines for wine bags in the plants of Ibi (Spain) and Epernay (France). The innovation harmonizes the manufacturing process and enables the supply of exactly the same products in case of any interruption.

 

Cendrine Lallement, R&D manager at Smurfit Kappa, explains that "we have developed these new seals to improve the filling process with severe constraints." 

 

The "Safe Curve" design brings an additional protection during the drop of the bag in the box after filling and also reduces the risk of abrasion if the filling conditions are not optimized. Also, the risk of ears gluing and folding on box flaps or on the box closer is minimized. If this does happen, the risky corner is protected by a double seal.

 

The bags are more resistant because the flow of the liquid is not on a sharp angle and the strength is maintained by the round shape. However, as with all Bag-in-Box® packaging, this innovation does not dispel the need for constant vigilance and control at the packaging line, Smurfit Kappa notes.