lexible juice pouches and shrinkwrapped cases of bottled water are flat when empty, but expand and change shape when filled, sealed and moved, making it difficult for a vision system to acquire

and verify an image of the product’s coded information. ProofRead from Cognex Corp., Natick, Mass., is a new high-performance ID and Optical Character Verification (OCV) system designed to address this challenge.

ProofRead includes IDMax code reading and OCVMax character verification breakthroughs based on patented Cognex PatMax technology. Greater tolerance to perspective changes and random spatial distortions allow IDMax and OCVMax to provide reliable code reading and character verification under the most difficult conditions involving flexible

shrinkwrap films, decorative labels and cylindrical, concave or convex surfaces on bottles or cans. The technology also is touted to effectively read codes and text distorted during the printing or manufacturing process.

CCL Container introduced the first two designs in its Aluminex line of full-body shaped aluminum bottles. The “Roadhouse” is a longneck bottle available in 12-ounce and 16-ounce sizes. The “Tailgater” has a full-contoured body and is available in a number of bottle finishes.

Earlier this summer, Coca-Cola got into the World Cup spirit by launching special-edition soccer ball-shaped bottles in the United Kingdom. The 25-ml. bottles were made for both regular and Diet Coke. Graphic Packaging International supplied the exterior wrap for four.

MeadWestvaco, Stamford, Conn., recently partnered with Tetra Pak, Vernon Hills, Ill., to create consumer-friendly multi-packs for wine in Tetra Prisma containers. The resulting Cluster-Pak from MeadWestvaco showcases the unique, octagonal shape of the Tetra Prisma container. The Three Thieves brand of 250-ml. single-serve wines are currently available in the four- packs using the package.

Graphic Packaging International Inc., Marietta, Ga., has partnered with Power Trip energy drinks to launch the first multi-pack in the Northeastern United States without flaps. The carton is designed without a top flap and with diamond corners so the four-pack has clean, sharp shapes and keeps a billboard effect on all sides. The package has also been used by Coca-Cola’s Full Throttle and Tab Energy drinks.  

A new laser-incised tab from Ball Corp., Broomfield, Colo., made its debut on the Go Fast! brand of energy drinks. The Go Fast! logo will now be featured on the pull-tabs of the energy drink to reinforce the brand name from the moment the can is opened.

Centerra Wine Co., Canandaigua, N.Y., recently redesigned the packaging of its Inglenook wine brand. The packaging makeover features a new label with a watercolor grapevine illustration and a Bordeaux style bottle. All sizes and varieties of this Top 15 wine brand will display the new packaging.

Barton Beers, Chicago, rolled out a new 24-ounce single-serve can of Modelo Especial imported beer. The introduction will be supported by a full line of off-premise promotional materials in both English and Spanish. Barton expects to have full distribution of the 24-ounce can in its territory by October.

Iceland Spring, Orangeburg, N.Y., launched the new 24-ounce bottle, nicknamed the “Viking” size, of its pure bottled water. The “Viking” size bottle is big enough to quench thirst, but small enough to be portable. Distribution began in August in New York, with plans to expand into natural food shops.