AVERY DENNISON INTRODUCES FLEXIS™ STEAM VALVE TO THE EUROPEAN MARKET AT INTERPACK 2011

DÜSSELDORF — 12 May 2011 — A powerful new functional packaging technology innovation called the Avery Dennison Flexis™ Steam valve is being introduced to the European market by Avery Dennison Designed and Engineered Solutions at Interpack 2011, in Dusseldorf, Germany. Currently in use by major food producers of ready-to-eat meals, the custom-engineered valve allows the measured escape of steam from food packaging during microwave cooking. At the show, Avery Dennison will occupy Stand B69, in Hall 11.

“Our Flexis technology offers critical performance advantages,” Greco reports. “Flexis valves enable home-heated packaged foods to cook with greater consistency, more thoroughly and faster than foods in conventional steam release packages.

“The Flexis valve is self-venting, a feature that eliminates needs for consumers to cut packages or interact with a valve to release steam. The Flexis valve also guards against the entry of contaminants by remaining hermetically sealed until the food product is cooked.”

The Avery Dennison Flexis Steam valve is recommended for precooked foods that benefit from precise steam heating, including sauces, rice, dumplings and noodles. During the cooking process, the valve actuates at a predetermined temperature and allows a precise amount of steam to escape from the package. Depending on the baffle configuration designed into the valve, more or less steam will be permitted to escape.

For example, a floret baffle design might be specified for a rice, vegetable and protein meal because it retains an additional percentage of moisture inside the package. An “X” baffle design, which releases a bit more moisture and thereby thickens the meal’s sauce, may be better suited for a chicken and pasta dish.

The Avery Dennison Flexis Steam valve’s precision allows food manufacturers to specify an exact time period for cooking, rather than a range of time. For example, a chicken and rice dish might call for exactly eight minutes of cooking in an 1100 W microwave. The precise cooking time contributes to the meal’s desired moisture content, taste and texture. Packaging with conventional steam-release technology might require a range of 7 – 10 minutes, a window sufficiently wide to miss the optimum cooking time.

The steam valve system, which is an integral part of the food package, is applied at the package converting stage. Avery Dennison engineers are available to help packagers and converters specify the right equipment for the conversion process. Steam valves are clear, and can be printed with text, graphics and logos in one color.

For more information email us at Flexis@averydennsion.com.