Stable Micro Systems has made significant improvements to its Peel Rig, which is used widely to evaluate the quality and strength of seals and adhesive bonds on pharmaceutical packaging
The new Universal Peel Rig incorporates a multi-position platform, allowing containers to be held flat, or at 45deg and 90deg angles.
As such, manufacturers can more precisely simulate the action of consumers, or handlers, to accurately assess both ease of use and stability of packaging seals.
A large number of pharmaceutical products, including ointments and topical treatments, as well as pill containers and liquid medicine bottles, are sealed with a peel-back lid.
The performance of these seals is not only critical to the quality and safety of products, but is also a vital factor in user-friendliness.
The adhesive bonds must be strong enough to withstand handling, shipping and storage without rupture or breakage, while being easy to peel back when necessary.
Analysis of their efficiency will allow manufacturers to create optimum packaging, ensuring product safety and customer satisfaction.
The Universal Peel Rig is placed on the base of Stable Micro Systems's TA.XTPlus texture analyser and secured into position to suit the sample container.
An adjustable rubber strap encircles the container to hold it in place, while a peel clip connected to the arm of the TA.XTPlus holds the lid.
As the arm moves up, the force required to peel open the lid is recorded.
Manufacturers can use the data to establish an optimum force, high enough to resist breakage but not so high that the consumer will experience difficulty in opening the package.
This fixture is one in a wide range that is precision engineered by Stable Micro Systems for the testing of packaging and packaging materials.
All of these are designed for use with a TA.XTPlus or TA.HDPlus (heavy duty) texture analyser.
Stable Micro Systems's technical experts can custom design instrument fixtures according to individual specifications.