Since Sept. 11, 2001, air travelers have had to adjust to the ever-changing requirements of going through security: laptops out, shoes off, etc. Now, in the past few months comes the US Transportation Security Administration's “3-1-1” carry-on rules for air travel. The initiative allows liquid or gel toiletries, 3 oz or less in volume each, to be stored inside one quart-sized, clear plastic, zip-top bag—one bag per passenger.

Fortunately, the maker of Hefty® OneZip® brand bags is teaming up with the nation's airports to help keep travelers on schedule. Lake Forest, IL-based converter Pactiv Corp. (www.pactiv.com) has offered more than 1 million of the clear, 1-qt bags (above) free to air passengers to keep traffic flowing smoothly through checkpoints.

“Many holiday travelers purchased Hefty OneZip bags to pack their carry-on toiletries, but others are still unaware of the '3-1-1' carry-on guidelines,” says John Schwab, senior vice president and general manager of Hefty Consumer Products. At least 23 airports across the country are participating in the slider bag program, Pactiv says.

The ubiquitous grab-and-go package spills over into the liquor aisle with the introduction of the Pocket Shot line of single-serve alcohol products, presented in 50-ml, flexible standup pouches.

Employing a distinctive shape that resembles a miniature bottle, the pouches (above right) are made of a proprietary, three-layer, laminated film, gravure-printed by Amcor Flexibles Europe (www.amcor.com). Graphics, produced by Mare Island, CA-based PackagingARTS (www.packagingarts.com), are designed to convey a “sophisticated simplicity that has great shelf impact,” says Pocket Shot founder Jarrold R. Bachmann. Five varieties are offered: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Imported Caribbean Gold Rum, Premium Triple Distilled Vodka, London Dry Gin and Especial Gold Tequila. While the flexible “mini flasks” contain quite a bite, no teeth are required to open the packs, as a tear notch at the top allows for easy opening and dispensing.

BAWLS Guarana carbonated beverage uses the stimulant properties of the Amazonian guarana berry to provide an energy-drink kick. The product's distinctive cobalt-blue glass bottles sport raised bumps around the entire body, conveying the idea of “bouncing balls inside the bottle punching their way out.” Now, thanks to an unusual foaming-ink technology from INX Intl. Ink Corp. (www.inxink.com), the printing on BAWLS Guarana's new 16-oz cans (at right) hopes to provide the same kind of consumer kick.

Introduced in 2005, the low-gloss ink technology simulates the bumps of the 10-oz bottles, giving the can a tactile feel. The foaming ink—produced by an additive that swells when heated to about 200 deg F—leaves a slightly raised, velvety texture to the can. Printed at an 8- to 10-micron size, the additive's particles puff up to 20-25 microns in size after infrared-heat curing. The proprietary printing method requires reduced press speeds of approximately 1,400 cans/min versus the industry standard of 2,000 cans/min.

The foaming ink is also under development for flexographic and gravure printing of other converted substrates such as paperboard folding cartons and flexible-packaging films, says Mark Hill, assistant director of R&D for INX Intl.