Basketball, chocolate and medicine cartons were big hits at the Paperboard Packaging Council's 2001 National Paperboard Packaging Competition. The winning converters were recognized March 19 at the group's annual spring meeting in Chicago.

"Infusion Basketball," by Inland Consumer Packaging, Leominster, Mass., whisked away the President's Award. It combines holographic foil and vivid colors to reflect the uniqueness of a product being introduced by Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. The side panels effectively explain the features of the product, while the structural design allows consumers to view and touch the product, say the judges.

Excellence in internal production/converting process, consumer-product company environment and retail consumer environment were the judging criteria. Entries receive up to 10 points for each factor, and the highest scoring packaging wins the President's Award.

The 2001 recipient of the Structural/Technical Innovation Award is the "DuoStrap Can Pack," by Atlanta-based Mead Packaging. Made for The Coca-Cola Co., the product has a patented, easy-to-use handle for comfortable carrying. A rollout device allows easy opening and dispensing. There is also a special device for the consumer to open the carton's end panel easily. The Can Pack also took a Gold Award.

The following companies also received Gold Awards: Bert-Co Graphics, Los Angeles, "Rodgers & Hammerstein Collection" and "Greeting Card Factory Deluxe"; Caraustar Custom Packaging Group, "Decadent Cookies Chocolate Collection," "Goodie Ship and Goodie Ball Items," "Virginia Gentleman," "Car and Boat Care Products," and "Candy Bar Factory"; Dixie Printing and Packaging Corp., Glen Burnie, Md., "Book and Bunny Gift Pack"; F.M. Howell and Co., Elmira, N.Y., "What is the Best Medicine?"; Inland Consumer Packaging, Harrington, Del., "Anheuser-Busch Budweiser Clydesdale Holiday Limited Edition Gift Set"; Rock-Tenn Co., Kimball, Tenn., "MaxFli Elite"; Somerville Packaging, Montreal, Canada, "Crown Royal Special Reserve Beverages"; and Thoro Packaging, Corona, Calif., "Christmas Promotion."

In interviews following the judging, Jim Peters, editor-in-chief of BrandPackaging magazine and PPC awards judge, praised the carton converters for being more responsive to consumer needs. For example, he said, more of the beverage cartons had an extra fold on the handle to protect people's hands, and other packages had features making them easier to open.

According to awards judge Tony Ruvo, retired executive of Union Camp, Wayne, N.J., there is an overall expansion of quality. Packaging enhancements usually associated with cosmetics, such as embossing and gold stamping, are now being used across the board in carton converting.