Foil and Plastic Wrap "Secret" Tabs

I did a search and didn't find anything on this, so I'm wondering if, as it was for me, this is news to others.

You know how, when you go to unroll aluminum foil or plastic wrap, the roll almost always comes out of the package, and you have to hold it down with one hand while trying to tear it with the other?

Well, a friend just told me this week to look at the ends of my package of Reynolds aluminum foil. She said there are little tabs that say "press here to lock end." I looked, and there were the tabs. I checked other packages of other wraps, and I didn't find this on every package, but I did find them on the packages for the name-brand rolls of wraps (Reynolds and Glad). You just push in the little cardboard tabs, the tabs go directly into the center of the roll, and the roll no longer pulls out of the package.

Everyone I've asked about this has been surprised, so I figured maybe there are others out there who don't know. So, did you know about the little tabs on the ends of the foil and plastic wrap boxes?

I did not know! I thought it was already locked in by some internal tab-ish thing.

I love LTH...you never know what you'll learn! Great tip. Thank you. It makes me wonder how much the foil/plastic wrap industry is spending to make these tabs that people don't know about. If I were redesigning the packaging, I'd made it much more obvious/prominently mentioned on the box. (And, given a choice between two brands in the future, I'll definitely opt for the one with the tabs.)

chgoeditor wrote:I love LTH...you never know what you'll learn! Great tip. Thank you. It makes me wonder how much the foil/plastic wrap industry is spending to make these tabs that people don't know about. If I were redesigning the packaging, I'd made it much more obvious/prominently mentioned on the box. (And, given a choice between two brands in the future, I'll definitely opt for the one with the tabs.)

I wonder if the off-brands do not have these because it increases the costs of packaging or because the big boys have patented the packaging.

I wouldn't say the 'secret tabs' cost more for the producer, they're just a cutout. You simply push them in and it holds the roll in place.

And as far as "did I know?" of course...I didn't know that they were so secret.

Jayz wrote:I wouldn't say the 'secret tabs' cost more for the producer, they're just a cutout. You simply push them in and it holds the roll in place.

Right, but if you have to re-tool production lines/processes to do this, it may increase costs.

Matt wrote:I wonder if the off-brands do not have these because it increases the costs of packaging or because the big boys have patented the packaging.

Jewel's "Homelife" house brand does have the tabs. Both MrsF and I were flabbergasted we'd never noticed them.

Yes, re-tooling adds costs, but once the tool is created, a couple more blades on the die-cutter for the box is not going to add to the price. Figuring in that the same box production will be used for a number of brands sold by the box maker, and it's probably a no-cost item.

Any cost is his a high cost for a feature if the public doesn't know about or value it and the brands do not promote. Especially in this economy.

This consumer had no idea these existed for whatever that's worth (thanks Cynthia!).

How about taking this thing upmarket? Insert bejeweled Faberge Fingers to hold your food wrap roll in place. That'll get people talking.

I just did an inventory of my pantry to find the tabs on my rolled products. Interestingly enough, Reynolds Parchment Paper and Wax Paper both do not have the cutouts, but the rest of their products do.

Matt wrote:I wonder if the off-brands do not have these because it increases the costs of packaging or because the big boys have patented the packaging.

Actually, I was surprised to find the tabs on my Certi-Saver tin foil!

This is fascinating. I'd never noticed them. My foils and plastic wraps will now all stay in their cartons. Thanks so much!