For 20 years, watching aseptic's progress has been like watching paint dry. Thanks to filling and packaging innovations that may be changing.
International Dispensing Corp. (IDC) was the first contender to crawl into the ring. The Hanover, MD, firm debuted its gravity-flow valve four years ago, and it continues to refine the design and drive down costs. Instead of outfitting pouches with one fitment for filling and another for dispensing, users can deploy single-fitment pouches using IDC's valve. Designed by engineers from the medical supplies industry, the valve can withstand high levels of irradiation, steam treatment and chemical sterilization without developing cracks and fissures. It also comes with a tamper-evident ring.