Packaging is one egg of an innovation

Innovative plastic packaging from RPC Design and RPC Bebo UK is helping bring a completely new convenience food to consumers, especially those that struggle to boil an egg. 

The companies are working with the brains behind new brand, Yowk, who devised the idea for an on-the-go pack that contains everything required to enjoy a soft-boiled egg, by simply adding hot water and waiting five minutes.

The bespoke pack includes a pre-boiled egg, bread sticks, a spoon and seasoning. Consumers simply remove the lid and contents, leaving the egg, and fill the container with boiling water. After five minutes, the egg is ready to eat. The lid doubles as an egg cup, while the spoon incorporates a small sharp ‘tooth’ to remove the top of the egg.

Having invented the concept, Yowk brand owner, The New Egg Company, worked with RPC Design and RPC Bebo UK to perfect the ideal pack format. RPC Design’s solution was a two-piece pack thermoformed in polypropylene, compromising a round pot and snap-on lid. The base of the pack incorporates a hollowed out section for the egg to sit in, while the ‘egg cup’ shape of the underside of the lid fits over the egg in the pack, ensuring it remains stable during transit.

Special attention was paid to the overall size of the pack to ensure the exact volume of boiling water is added each time. This was critical, as too little water would not heat the egg enough, while too much would carry on the process and solidify the yolk.

The final pack shape is challenging to form and RPC Design worked closely with the technical team at RPC Bebo UK to achieve a format that does not distort or deform when the water is added and which can be comfortably picked up and handled.

“Eggs are a nutritious snack, ideal for people on the go,” explained Ian Hetherington, The New Egg Company’s Managing Director. “Yowk allows consumers to enjoy the perfect boiled egg, anytime and anywhere, and RPC has made a huge contribution in helping us to bring this innovation to market.”