United Caps, an international manufacturer of caps and closures, highlighted its award-winning Bump Cap at interpack. Formerly known as Mimica Touch, it has been renamed as the more descriptive Bump Cap to make it easier to remember and more user-friendly. Early consumer trials have reflected the ability of this cap to reduce food waste.

The Bump Cap is an innovative closure that consists of a base cap, an over cap and a bump tray, all manufactured by United Caps; an activator and gel from Mimica; and a smooth top foil label that starts to feel bumpy when the contained drink is no longer good to consume. The Bump Cap arrives at the filling line in two parts – the base cap, which has been tested by key filling line manufacturers, requiring only minimal changes to filling lines, and the overcap, which by then has the bump tray, gel and activator inside, and is applied after the filling process by a dedicated machine, integrated into the production flow like other modules such as labeling or film wrapping.

The top cap, where the bumps will be felt, is dormant until it is automatically activated by consumers when the cap is twisted open for the first time. When the cap feels smooth, it is an indicator that the drink is still fresh; when it starts to feel bumpy, consumers will easily recognize it’s time to stop drinking.

“We have seen a strong and positive reaction to the Bump Cap across the market,” said CEO Benoit Henckes. “It has game-changing potential to substantially reduce food waste around the globe as well as to ensure greater food safety. It also aligns with United Caps’ focus on sustainable solutions for caps and closures.”