Clever cap using TPE

Applying a fingertip to the pressure point, made of TPE, is enough to cause the hinge web – also made of TPE, to pop the cover open. It can be closed just as easily, without any signs of fatigue. "The properties of the TPE material – since they match our new development perfectly – were what convinced us," says Klaus Höfflin, Technical Manager at Kutterer Mauer AG. "The high elasticity, excellent resilience and the pleasant and non-slip tactile effects of the Kraiburg TPE compounds smoothed the way to this highly functional closure system, one that can be used in many sectors, for a wide variety of packaging designs." The closure is manufactured separately and fits both bottles and tubes. Over and above this, the company profits from significant economies during production, when compared with caps using a form-fit mechanical connection. The two TPE parts can be bonded – reliably, cleanly and economically – to the rigid polypropylene elements in a two-component injection system. Moreover, thermoplastic elastomers offer additional sales arguments that will help convince the final customer. Easy dyeing in a variety of shades along with the option to aromatize the compounds make it possible to set products apart from the competition.

This new closure has already been adopted for hairdressing products such as the velvet curl cream and the smooth straightening cream made by Schwarzkopf. The closure system, manufactured separate from the container, can also be used for a number of additional packaging types. These might include containers used for cosmetics or even in the foods industry.

The Kutterer Mauer AG, based in Karlsruhe in the South of Germany, was formed after in 2008 with the merger of two companies,  Kutterer Kunststofftechnik and Mauer AG. It develops closure concepts for tubes, bottles and other packaging units.