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PackTrends
2020
156
quality and new technologies
Another example of printed electronics is the
technology named eCoupled intelligent wireless power,
by Fulton Innovation, which allows the heating of the
package without the use of an external heat source
and neither is a self-heating package. The printed
electronics on the package makes it to be heated by
a wireless power charger that allows the consumer to
select one of three temperature levels for consuming
(Figure 6.21).
Innovia Films, manufacturer of special films, and
the company PragmatIC Printing, pioneer in printed logic
circuits, have integrated the functionality of the printed
electronics on BOPP labels. It is actually a prototype of
an interactive label for active packages that activates
a light flash sequence when the consumer holds the
bottle (Figure 6.22). This is only one of the possibilities
of the technology that can be used to interact, attract
and inform the consumer through lights and sounds.
For instance, it can be applied for changing the price of
a product when it is close to the expire date.
Bemis Company and Thin Film Electronics ASA
announced an agreement to develop a platform of smart
and flexible sensors, specifically for the package , in
order to develop a new package category that collects
and transmits data on a wireless system for the food
and healthcare markets.
The printed electronics is also one of the most
promising technologies in the field of traceability, as
discussed in the next item.
FIGURE 6.21
Printed electronics and wireless
power-based heating device
Source: Press Release
FIGURE 6.22
Label that flashes lights
Source: Press Release
Many technologies, currently used or in
development, are focused on product identification
and traceability, specially required by producers,
retailers and consumers. Such technologies aim at data
codification in order to incorporate in the packages the
expected information.
Besides, the package can promote the interactivity
or invite the consumer to be involved, through the
information and entertainment. That interactive package
functionality can be possible through innovative systems
attached to the package (RAITHATHA, 2009).
The barcodes and lot numbers are currently the
most common way of tracing the product life cycle,
being applied on the primary or secondary package.
They allow the suppliers and retailers to trace the
distribution of a product until its reach the consumer.
Traceability, communication and interactivity