Braille Tubes wins Horners Bottlemakers Award 2014

M+H Plastics’ Braille Tubes has been confirmed as the winner of the Horners Bottlemaker Award 2014.

M+H Plastics has developed an innovative new method of printing Braille characters directly onto plastic packaging. A high-build varnish is used to print the dots directly onto the product using extremely accurate measures, ensuring the height of the Braille alphabet remains uniform throughout the packaging run.

Printing directly onto the product has significant benefits over labels which can be easily damaged or peel off, as well as being less likely to rub off or be damaged by liquid. Although developed for Braille, this process can also be used in traditional screen printing; allowing customers to highlight specific design features by utilizing an embossed effect.

Samples of the Braille printing have been analysed by the Royal National Institute of Blind People and measured against the Marburg and RNIB standards. The RNIB has validated the samples; readability was found to be good as the 0.30mm dot height is above average. This new technique complies with BS EN 15823 as an approved labelling system.

The judges were pleased to announce that two RPC designs, the Tetrosyl Demon Foam Container and the Extended Shelf Life Pack for Ragú, were both nominated for the Horners’ Highly Commended Certificate.

The Tetrosyl Demon Foam Container features a profiled recess at the rear, deep enough to retain the gun flush with the container surface. Moulded-in clips hold the gun in place. A second recess on the front provides pack strength and allows the gun’s operating switch to be accommodated.

The Extended Shelf Life Pack for Ragú offers glass-like transparency but with the added in-home safety of a non-shatter container. Further consumer benefits include easy re-closability thanks to the twist-off/screw-on lid and the pot is microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe.

The Horners Bottlemakers Award established 2002 is run jointly by the Worshipful Company of Horners (an ancient Livery Company of the City of London) and the British Plastics Federation (BPF).

For further information contact Kim Hawksworth at the British Plastics Federation on 0207 457 5007 or email [email protected] 

ENDS

For all media enquiries, BPF logos and images please contact Laura Hindley, Communications and Industrial Issues Executive on [email protected] or 0207 457 5043

Notes for editors:

For further information on the Horners Company and the British Plastics Federation see their websites located as follows:

Horners Company: www.horners.org.uk

British Plastics Federation: www.bpf.co.uk and www.hornersaward.co.uk