Page 44 - FoodFocusThailand No.159 June 2019

SPECIAL FOCUS
SPECIAL FOCUS
Hygienic Sleeve

Technology…

An Approach to

Protect Beverage

Can Tops

Lightweight sleeve applied over the
tops of beverage cans addresses
hygiene concerns for unopened cans
so that consumer can drink safely and
with peace of mind.

The region of European north of Greece that includes Serbia and is no product protection at the point where the consumer’s lower lip
adjacent countries is historically a kind of incubator for inventors; the area touches the can.
counts among its distinguished inventor alumni personages such as
physicist/chemist Mihajlo Pupin and the world-renowned Nikola Tesla. Idea Behind the Scene
“We have an inventive nature in our roots,” states inventor Tome Balalovski told that it was sparked by his own observations, especially
Balalovski, who hails from the recently christened (as of February 2019) on negative, bad or insufficient appearance and coupled associated
Republic of North Macedonia and brings a different market to the area’s with my long-standing inventory experience. “People must no longer
inventive heritage: a packaging patent. touch unprotected, dusty and dirty cans!”
It is for a “Protective foil of food products packed in a can bottle” for
which Balalovski was granted patent documentation from Macedonian Integration, Compatibility and Cost
State Office of Industrial Property. He wanted the invention to be exposed On a beverage canning this can run for single or group line and can
to a wider audience, which meshes perfectly with Packaging Digest’s be a new or modified machine; it depends on the production line used
history of working with inventors in reporting on patented packaging ideas. by the factory.
This is an invention for the area of the industry that carries out the Immediately after filling and closing the cans, a suitable machine
production of drinks packed in an aluminum beverage can. The benefits descends/applies the premade protective sleeves to each can. This
of this invention are full protection to every individually canned product, equipment will require a small amount of filling speeds, bearing in
starting at the point of manufacture to point of use by the consumer. mind that such a process must be done. Food safety above all!
This invention was said to be suitable for all sizes of single-serve
Inventor’s Intention drink/beverage cans, but specially cans in milliliter sizes of 250, 330,
Balalovski refers to this as a can bottle, but it is specifically intended to 340, 355, 375, 440 and 500. It is suitable for all types of canned drinks
be used as a sleeve over standard aluminum beverage cans for liquids, including juice, beer, coffee, soda and more.
immediately after factory filling and closing, and before secondary With the exception of a modest investment in a hygienic sleever,
packaging. The shape and size of the cans will not change. The sleeves the approximate material cost per can to implement this can be
can be made of different materials, specified in my patent document; counted in just a few cents. “Personally, I do not recommend that the
specific examples include aluminum, nylon, aluminum-nylon, paper or a brand increase the price of the canned products, the investment will
combination of these materials. “My preferred option is an aluminum foil/ pay for itself.” Balalovski pointed out
polyvinyl chloride foil heat-shrink capsule or heat-shrinkable film foil. The Currently, this invention is granted patent only in North Macedonia
foils can be quite thin, similar to the foil found on a wine bottle closure.” and has been entered in the international patent organization.
Balalovski added. However, the inventor is also seeking for opportunity to spread it to
With this invention, the cans are protected over the top opening and factories. In the future, everyone can benefit from the use of my
several centimeters below. Several centimeters below must be included patent. As manufacturers, the factories will increase the reputation,
because the consumer drink is touching that area with their lower lips. production and, of course, the financial benefits of their brands. Also,
One sleeve is applied to each can is shown in the picture examples. exporters, importers, transporters, distributors and markets will be
There have not been good alternatives until this invention. There are very satisfied by the new type of cans. But the biggest benefit will be
aluminum foil lids, which are not sufficiently adequate, safe, and are for billions of consumers, whom I am confident will be quite satisfied
insufficiently functional. Or there are toppers molded of polypropylene with the application of my innovation.
plastic that are relatively expensive to make versus foil. In addition, there

44 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND JUNE 2019