Most recently, the Bart Ingredients Company introduced its versatile ‘Spoonkler’ lid, which combines two different apertures, hinged in different directions one on top of the other. The first includes holes for sprinkling, while the second is large enough to fit a teaspoon in.
But the labelling is just as responsive to varying consumer needs. Head of marketing Camilla Bond said: "The consumer needs to make the shopping experience swift and simple, and then, once home, have a package which works in drawers and cupboards alike. Our jars have top labels, which can be easily read for drawer storage, and flat tops so that they can be stacked in a cupboard for space-saving."
Vivid shapes and colours
At the same time, the size of the labels has been reduced. "The product is visible from the front of pack when on-shelf," said Bond. "Herbs and spices come in vivid shapes and colours, and often people know the look of the product they are trying to buy."
Despite the innovation in the closure injection moulded in black polypropylene by RPC Containers Halstead, Bart continues to use glass for the bottle. "Glass is traditional for this type of product, particularly where there is a shelf-life of more than two years," said Bond.
As with other dry products such as instant coffee, the lightness of plastics (as well as the product itself) might be another argument in glass’s favour.
Bart reported that, in spite of the emphasis put on refillable packs and refills, consumers currently tended to use either one format or the other, but rarely actually ‘refilled’.
According to RPC, there were particular challenges in producing a closure with opposing side hinges that could be commercially manufactured and applied on high-speed capping lines.