EXPERT WITNESS
Scott has worked on seven lawsuits in the areas of personal injury due to package failure, product recalls related to package failure and patent infringement related to packaging technology. Scott has the deep technical background required to help you and your client win your case. He has written several expert reports and been deposed multiple times.
LEAKING CANS &
CAN DAMAGE AUDITS
Scott has worked on many projects for brand owners whose cans leaked. Scott investigates leaking packages and related processes to determine the cause: -coating type, coating thickness, coating defect, beverage product aggressiveness, can damage and dissolved/total package oxygen. A single primary leaker (inside-out corrosion) may destroy pallets of filled product due to secondary corrosion (outside-in corrosion).
Scott also conducts can damage audits to identify locations of can damage in canmaking, filling and distribution that may lead to leaking cans. Damage is categorized by level (critical, major, minor) and type (dent, blister, etc.) and the source is identified for elimination.
Specifications & Lightweighting
Metal package specifications (can, end, double seam, etc.) are critical to a company’s package performance and play a key role in field performance problems. Scott has worked with many global brand companies as well as numerous startups to either create or update their packaging specifications.
The up-to-date specifications are then used by the client’s procurement and technical organizations with their suppliers to drive improved consistency and quality.
Scott has supported multiple brand owners by developing comprehensive lightweighting schedules to reduce their packaging costs. This includes both multi-year development plans and partner suggestions while using the latest modeling and simulation technologies.
ALUMINUM BOTTLES
Scott has worked on both impact extruded and drawn & ironed aluminum bottles. He has also worked on numerous closure developments for aluminum bottles. Closure application and removal properties play a critical role for success and Scott has tenured experience.
The three principal closures used on aluminum bottles include the traditional crown, the ring pull crown, and the roll-on pilfer proof (ROPP). Scott has spent extensive time in labs and on filling lines learning and developing the appropriate application processes for each. His learnings include time spent at the capper manufacturers, understanding both slow and high-speed units.
Wim (Keurig-Style) Frozen Yogurt
Scott helped a start-up company develop a system where consumers make their own unique bowl of frozen yogurt (Keurig-style approach). His role was to develop the packaging. The client had developed a prototype cup that resembled a miniature angel food cake pan.
He redesigned the aluminum bowl to make it less expensive, simplified the manufacturing process and improved the heat transfer (cooling and freezing of the yogurt via a thermoelectric plate and cup interface).
He suggested materials as well as developers and manufacturers for the bowl and assisted in the development. He also helped with lidding stock selection and heat sealing. The final packaging was all-aluminum and fully recyclable.
M5 ALUMINUM BOTTLES
Scott led the technical development of the Coca-Cola contour aluminum bottle in partnership with the company’s packaging supplier. He worked closely with the marketing lead to introduce the bottle to trendsetters around the world – with a multi-market launch at top bars and clubs globally. The bottles were called the M5, which is short for The Magnificent Five.
The bottles were under-filled so alcohol could be added directly to the package. Due to additional headspace, he had to overcarbonate the beverage so the product met consumer’s taste expectations. The bottles also leveraged blacklight ink technology.
The original bottle was impact extruded and used a steel crown. Scott’s team developed numerous improvements over time including ring crowns, threaded outserts, bottles made from sheet, integral threads and the use of ROPP closures to provide resealability.
CANRESEAL®
Scott is supporting the development of Canovation’s CanReseal technology. The company’s patented CanReseal® technology is an all-metal resealable can solution that provides a functional and economical alternative to single-use plastic. The proprietary technology is applicable to a number of resealable metal ends for various can product applications such as beverages; food and snack; CBD; pet food; paint and chemical; personal and beauty; household; and consumer goods. Seaming a CanReseal ring – end onto a standard metal can adds threading, to which the corresponding closure screws into, providing an airtight seal. Marrying today’s conventional can opening methods like Stay – On Tab Beverage Ends, Easy – Open End Food Can Ends, and Peelable Foil Ends with CanReseal’s airtight resealability opens a whole new range of packaging options for branded products.
To learn more about Canovation and its CanReseal technology, visit their website.