Several converted packages received 2005 AmeriStar Awards last month from the Institute of Packaging Professionals (Naperville, IL). Chosen from a field of more than 100 entries, the winners exemplified the best in package innovation, product protection, cost-benefit economics, performance, marketing, and environmental awareness. They will be honored at a special program Sept. 27 during Pack Expo Las Vegas. Among the winners in various categories were:

Food: The Cryovac® CN530TBG bag (A) from Sealed Air Corp. combines the heat tolerance of a cook-in bag with the high abuse protection and outstanding retail appearance of Cryovac TBG bags resulting in a bag for bone-in, cook-in and post-pasteurization applications. Converter Exopack's Slider Zipper Multiwall bag (B) solves issues consumers have with traditional difficult-to-reseal, pinch-style multiwall bags for package sizes of 20 lbs. or more. By eliminating the need to transfer contents to a secondary container, product makers benefit by keeping their brand identity in front of the consumer for the duration of the product life cycle.

Outdoor & Gardening: Star Packaging Corp.'s Ascot Grass Seed in the Lin Cube rectangular standup bag (C) offers numerous advantages over conventional packs. These include a strong brand identity, high graphic display and ease of use. The pouch also presents new opportunities for flexographic printing.

Electronics: Dell, Inc.'s server-class corrugated package base (D) eliminates heavy traditional wood bases or pallets. The environmentally-friendly pack delivers significant material-cost and freight savings while improving packaging performance and the customer's experience.

Pharmaceutical/Drug: The Cyto-Safety Ecobliss folding carton (E) from Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Ltd., for MITOTAX-300 injectible drug has built-in tamper-evident and anti-counterfeiting features. The design protects healthcare professionals from accidental contact with the cytotoxic drug in case the glass vial breaks.