A startup called Ginger's Kitchen in Evergreen, CO, has developed a new carbonated soft drink called Revel(TM), and the firm wants to launch the new beverage in a can as unique as Revel's fruit and spice flavor. "The Touch Top will contribute to the unique experience of Revel," says owner and manager Ginger Payne. Ball's patented Touch Top has a conical, raised center with a recessed hinged opening panel in the center. Consumers press the scored panel to open the can. When the circular panel is fully open, it remains attached by its hinge to the end. Compared to a standard stay-on tab (SOT), the Touch Top, says Ball, enhances * ease of opening (no more broken fingernails trying to get into the finger access area under the tab), * safety (a triple fold around the entire circumference of the opening keeps sharp edges from fingers), * pourability/drinkability (the 3/4" dia opening pours better than the opening area of a 202 end by 29%, says Ball, and the "drinking bead" provides a pleasant mouth feel much like that of a glass bottle), and * manufacturing (the elimination of the tab offers a more simplified manufacturing operation). The official debut of Revel and Diet Revel in the Touch Top can took place July 4 when 3ꯠ cans filled by Ball in its Muncie, IN, packaging lab were passed out as promotion items at a 5-K race in Evergreen. Stores in Denver will begin receiving shipment of cans some time in August. St. Louis will also be targeted since Warrenton Products (Warrenton, MO), the firm filling the 12-oz cans for Ginger's Kitchen, is just outside St. Louis.
