Traditional clear plastic packaging tubes were originally produced by VisiPak over 50 years ago, and while the tradition is still strong, a new generation of clear packaging is taking the world by storm. Thermoforming is a manufacturing process that allows for the production of clear plastic packaging known as clamshells, blisters and trays. It is nearly impossible to walk through any retail store without seeing a clamshell or blister pack sitting or hanging on a shelf. It is unlikely that a person will open a package of cookies without seeing the delicious treat all in rows of a thermoformed tray.
Just like holiday or family traditions, each new generation holds on to the treasured originals, mixing in new ideas along the way. Packaging professionals are no different. Packaging engineers and the designers are mixing things up resulting in new creations that are fast becoming the demand for consumer oriented packaging. Like the original packaging tube, thermoformed clamshells offer the customer a clear view of the contents, but the new generation of package designers wants to offer packaging with more shape. The manufacturing of a thermoformed clamshell includes a vacuum process that actually draws the clear film over a mold yielding a package with much shape. When pressure is included in this process, the film forms more tightly to the mold, helping to define corners. The process results in a package capable of having cavities, curves and precise corners.
VisiPak is proud to be part of this new generation of packaging and boasts of a Midwestern U.S. location for the production of thermoformed clamshells, trays and blisters. Centrally located, VisiPak can ship north, south, east or west with further cost reductions as this style of clear plastic packaging nests inside another. A convenient USA location was just one factor in the decision to begin manufacturing thermoformed packaging at VisiPak. Jeff Barket, Director of Sales and Marketing, stated, "While most companies were cutting back in all phases of their business, VisiPak saw the opportunity to help packaging buyers. Many buyers were looking to China, but quickly became frustrated when faced with long shipment delays, not to mention difficult communications. It became obvious to us that we would have a win-win situation by installing the thermoforming process."
VisiPak offers full custom design services. The engineers at VisiPak have exceeded expectations of multiple clients in designing thermoform clamshell packaging. "Our engineers are a part of the thermoforming process from the start. An engineer will take part in all phases of design, seeing it through to final output. VisiPak offers this full scale design and engineering as a standard practice and our engineers have produced many unique features in clamshell packaging," said Phil Brewer, Director of Engineering.