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Modern Packaging Magazine - September 1958 - Return to Main Search
Preview Page 107 of 236 Preview Pages
Text Summary via OCR:

upon the method currently being used in Germany.

Today, the prototype operation at Coors starts with ingot aluminum, which is continuously cast into aluminum strip, rolled down to gauge and blanked into can-size slugs at the rate of 2,000 lbs. of slugs per hour. This output is equivalent to 28,-000 cans per hour for the Primo brewery, to which Coors currently supplies both slugs and lids.

After completing design and engineering work for the production line, Coors turned over its research and development findings to Hawaii Brewing and sent engineers and technicians to Honolulu on several occasions to help put the line into operation there.

The 11-oz. aluminum can for Hawaii Brewing, measuring 2½ in. in diameter by 4¾ in. high, was specifically designed so that it could be handled on conventional can-filling equipment. Coors is now perfecting details of its own aluminum can-filling operation, which entails, among other innovations, a sterile-filling feature to eliminate pasteurization.

The Coors prototype line includes a rotary unit for four-color lithography, paced to the present 120-per-minute speed of the line. Coors spokesmen feel, however, that it will be advisable to improve the line to a speed of 250 to 300 decorated cans per minute to make the operation economically feasible for them.

Even so, Coors officials say, with the present speed of the line they are close to being competitive in cost with the tinplate can in the domestic market. And there is no question, they say, but what they can become competitive if the relative price differential between aluminum and steel is maintained.

When Coors beer is introduced in the aluminum can and no timetable has yet been set it probably will be a 7-oz. size, to be retailed in an eight-pack, in sharp packaging contrast to the larger cans retailed today in the familiar six-packs. Coors also is banking on a salvage program, both to reduce cost and to discourage Htterbugs.

Prime's zip-pack

With its market introduction, the Primo brewery also has taken advantage of the lighter weight of aluminum cans to introduce new features in multipacking and carry cartons.

The basic six-can pack is light, compact, easy to handle and dependent [Continued on page 228]

Supplies and Services: Aluminum slugs and lids for Primo cans produced by Adolph Coors Co., Golden, Colo., using Kaiser 2S ingot. Labels by Pacific Coast Foil Co., 500 Sansome St., San Francisco 11. Six-pack carry cartons and 24-can sleeves, and machines for applying them, developed and produced by Andre Paper Box Co., San Leandro, Calif.

Light weight of aluminum cans and elongated shape of container make light work of case toting. This 24-can "case" is carried easily under the arm. Aluminum weighs only 2 lbs. in comparison with 5-lb. weight for 24 standard cans.

Tear tape around middle of lightweight pack permits retailer or consumer to break 24-can unit into 12-packs of two six-packs each. Six-pack (right) also has convenient tear strip.