Expansive Options Pair Functionality with Design

Child resistant closures are so ubiquitous in today’s packaging it is hard to imagine a time when the technology did not exist. In 1967 the first child resistant cap, a “Palm ‘n Turn,” met the requirements of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act and drastically slashed the incidence of child poisonings.

The market for child resistant caps is forecast to grow more than 7% during the next few years, in part spurred on by popular product formats for an adult market that could adversely impact a child’s health. Within the vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS) market, for example, varieties such as gummies or jellybeans formulated for adults can appeal to children due to the bright colors and resemblance to candy.

The gummy form, in particular, is popular among adults ages 18-34, with one study saying 67% of consumers in this age group prefer gummy-style supplements.

Gummy-style supplements can tempt children due to their resemblance to candy. Child resistant closures make it more difficult for children to access the package contents.

 

 

Safety as the primary concern

When the package contents are potentially harmful to children, a child resistant package is required as regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, via the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. It was designed to help prevent the accidental ingestion of potentially harmful or hazardous products. The types of products include pharmaceuticals, including VMS gummies, household cleansers, automotive products, dietary supplements, personal care, or even lawn and garden products.

Types of child resistant caps

There are numerous options to suit various applications for child resistant closures, with a robust selection available through MRP Solutions as a child resistant caps manufacturer. The different mechanisms for child resistant closures generally fall into a few categories:

• EZ-Safe®
• Push down and turn (PDT)
• Pictorial push down and turn
• Smooth finish (Sleek CR® line)
• Chem-lock tab

Social media impacting brand awareness

The danger of not properly securing a product with the appropriate type of child resistant closure is always linked to safety. A new hazard to brand reputation, however, lurks within today’s social media-driven society. One angry mom posting a TikTok video about a product or package putting her child at risk can alter the brand perception of an entire generation of consumers, with 60% of TikTok’s audience comprised of Gen Z consumers.

In package design, branding does not stop at the container’s label but encompasses all aspects of a product, including the plastic closure. In the case of child resistant applications, the cap can communicate a variety of different messages, all while securely enclosing the product to help maintain product quality, avoid contamination, and protect children from accidental ingestion.

Colors, for example, convey meaning, and different colors can influence generational marketing strategies because assorted colors speak volumes to the various generations. Just as TikTok is helping define Gen Z, this population segment of 74 million strong prefers bold, bright colors, while other color schemes appeal to different population groups.

A manufacturer like MRP Solutions can supply any plastic cap in any color to accentuate your brand image and attract the right audience. There are other ways for child resistant plastic cap design options to help send a message. Let us dive into the options for creating the best child resistant closure for your application.

Functional considerations when selecting a child resistant closure

Consider ergonomics for adults: The ergonomic features such as textured surfaces for an easier grip, or even a larger opening that uses a larger cap, can make it easier for older adults to apply the force or complete the motions necessary to open the cap, especially for older adults who might struggle with physical limitations or strength when opening packaging.

Durability: The cap needs to be durable enough to withstand repeated opening and closing, as well as attempts by a child to force it open. This durability needs to extend to the variety of different environments the package will encounter, including temperatures and humidity or jostling during shipping and storage.

 

The plastics industry practices sustainability

The plastics industry continues to make strides towards greater sustainability. MRP Solutions takes advantage of recyclable Polypropylene, and available Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) resin. Child Resistant Closures (CRC) using 100% PCR are available for both inner and outer components and have been successfully protocol tested in several different cap sizes for CRCs.

This offers several benefits impacting the environment and resource conservation, points that can resonate with the consumer audience. Environmentally, using PCR in child resistant caps helps control the amount of waste deposited in landfills, reducing the need to extract or form new materials.

A recently published study about global green buying habits surveyed 15,000 consumers in Europe and the Americas, found that close to two-thirds (64%) of all consumers think it is important that the products they purchase use recycled content. This sentiment is strongest among younger consumers, where the vast majority (83%) of people ages 44 and under say they are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging.

Regardless of the material used, caps supplied by MRP Solutions undergo the same safety testing and certification as virgin plastic.

 

Working with a domestic supplier for child resistant closures

MRP Solutions operates three facilities to manufacture its products within the United States. Working with a domestic child resistant caps manufacturer for plastic closures can offer several benefits, including:

• Compliance with U.S. regulations: Child resistant caps are regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and MRP Solutions can ensure its closures meet governmental standards and regulations.
• Access to high-quality materials: MRP uses and safety.
• Faster turnaround times: MRP’s domestic footprint allows for shortened lead times and avoids the shipping delays associated with suppliers located in other parts of the world and backlogs due to supply chain snarls.
• Ease of collaboration: MRP Solutions offers in-house design and tooling capabilities for custom closures and designs, and a domestic location helps assist with new project collaboration.

MRP Solutions supplies the industry’s most comprehensive collection of child resistant closures available, with sizes from 20 mm to 89 mm in any color. Embossing options can either help illustrate proper cap opening procedures, or other messaging, such as brand identification or warning labels, to help reduce manufacturer liability. Regardless of your cap and closure specifications, ask MRP Solutions to find the right combination of style and safety to protect your product and protect your audience. Call us or visit our website today: https://www.mrpcap.com/,  or request samples directly from our website.

¹ Mintel, Support immune health in new ways, June 2020.

²Trivium Packaging, Global Green Buying Report 2022.