Sealed Air’s Compression Package For Wireless Connectivity Card Wins 2004 AmeriStar Award

DANBURY, CONN. (Nov. 7, 2004) - Sealed Air Corporation, a leading manufacturer of protective packaging, received the Institute of Packaging Professionals’ 2004 AmeriStar Award for its compression card for wireless connectivity cards. The Korrvu® compression packaging was acknowledged in the Other Category for its engineered protective package designed for Socket Communications Inc.

Sealed Air Corporation’s Korrvu® packaging design team created packaging that combined benefits of Korrvu® retention and compression packaging into one design, resulting in the compression card. The design allows for the ultimate in product protection and easy loading. The custom package passes all industry-standard tests including the ISTA-1A.

Korrvu® retention and compression packaging uses a proprietary flat corrugated frame, referred to as a compression card, and elastomeric film to hold the wireless connectivity card in place during shipment. Due to the low profile of the wireless connectivity cards, the film does not need to be lifted away from the corrugated base to insert the card. The wireless connectivity card is placed in the pocket between the film and the compression card, into separate compression cells used to isolate and protect the sensitive ends of the card. Then the compression card, holding up to four network cards, is placed in Socket Communications’ existing RELFstyle carton. The carton can hold up to eight compression cards, depending on the product thickness or order quantity.

"Since the connection end of the wireless connectivity card can easily be damaged during shipping, Socket Communications needed to improve its packaging protection. Our Korrvu® packaging engineers worked with the company to understand the specific issues and develop packaging to eliminate damage while enhancing productivity," Gerry Stone, director of marketing for Sealed Air Corporation’s Special Products Group, stated.

Implementing a consistent packaging method allowed the company to pack wireless connectivity cards faster, leading to gains in productivity. The easy-to-use Korrvu® retention and compression packaging is versatile because it allows 20 different wireless connectivity cards to use the same packaging.

"The new packaging led to a 35 percent faster assembly process and eliminated all damage concerns, resulting in an end to customer complaints associated with product damage due to packaging," Cara Blotzer, director of operations for Socket Communications, stated.

In addition, Korrvu® retention and compression packaging is curbside recyclable and contains more than 30 percent recovered paper, making it easy for customers to be environmentally responsible. Companies are assured its Korrvu® packaging design meets even the strictest international recycling regulations, because Germany’s RESY-approved symbol is displayed on the frame of every package.

Institute of Packaging Professionals 2004 AmeriStar Package Awards

The 2004 AmeriStar Awards will be on display at Pack Expo International in Chicago’s McCormick Place. The awards will be presented at the 15th Annual AmeriStar Awards Reception on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004 at the Hyatt McCormick in Chicago. Criteria used for judging include innovation in design, protection, economics, performance, marketing and environmental impact. All award-winning designs go on to compete in the World Packaging Organization’s WorldStar Packaging Competition. For more information about the AmeriStar Awards, visit the Institute of Packaging Professionals Web site at http://www.iopp.org.

About Socket Communications

Socket Communications Inc., the Mobile Connection™ Company, provides the broadest range of data collection and connectivity products for mobile computers, including Windows Mobilebased Pocket PCs, Windows CE devices, Palm PDAs and Smartphones, as well as Tablet PCs and notebooks. Socket’s Mobility Friendly™ products are feature-rich while promoting ease of use and lead the market with the smallest footprint and the most Battery Friendly® power consumption in their class. Socket's Embedded Systems Group provides hardware developers with solutions using mobilityIC™ interface chips and KwikBlue™ modules with embedded Bluetooth® Wireless Technology. Socket is headquartered in Newark, Calif. and can be reached at 510-744-2700 or http://www.socketcom.com.