JANESVILLE, WI, USA—May 16, 2011— Prent Corporation will be honored tomorrow with the only 2011 WorldStar awarded to a medical package from the World Packaging Organization. This is Prent’s 13th WorldStar Award.
WorldStar ceremonies will be held at Interpack in Dusseldorf, Germany on May 17, 2011.
The winning thermoformed design is helping Cook Urological, a leading global medical device manufacturer, significantly reduce packaging costs by slashing tooling costs, per package costs and assembly costs.
UNIVERSAL PACKAGE ACCOMMODATES BOTH CURRENT AND NEW DEVICES
Prent’s universal thermoformed clamshell accommodates 35 different Nitinol Basket product line options, including two different handle configurations. The baskets are used for urinary tract stone manipulation and removal.
“As Cook continues making refinements in its medical device line, our universal package design will help them easily accommodate both existing and new devices, including those with different handles, triggers and product configurations,” explains Joseph T. Pregont, Prent Corporation President and CEO.
ONE-PIECE CLAMSHELL TRAY SAVES COSTS THREE WAYS
“Our design is also helping Cook reduce its packaging costs three ways,” he explains. “First, the one-piece design is slashing tooling costs because it is thermoformed using just one tool —rather than separate tools for trays and retainers.
“Second, we cut the cost per package by more than 25% with the one-piece design.
“Third, less assembly time is now required,” points out Pregont, “since the one-piece clamshell can be loaded faster.”
In addition, pouch abrasion is eliminated due to the design and location of a small, strategically placed fold-over hinge.
DESIGN SOLVES LOADING AND UNLOADING ISSUES
The one piece design—coupled with four undercut features inside the circular cavity—has improved the ease and control of loading and unloading the delicate spiral medical devices. The undercuts also reduce product damage and prevent the medical device from popping out of the package or out of the operating room’s sterile field.
“These were some of our biggest concerns because damage during loading and unloading was previously a common occurrence. I think the WorldStar judges agreed that our solution to the problem was pretty unique,” explains Pregont.