Rubbermaid Home Products knew that the next generation of food storage containers needed to meet certain consumer demands in order to be successful. First, and most importantly, they had to be stain resistant—especially to the unsightly stains that come from tomato-based food products. They had to be durable and virtually unbreakable. They had to be microwave and dishwasher safe. Finding a material that could meet all of these consumer demands was no small task After months of work, the Rubbermaid research and development team discovered that the new alloy resin XYLEX™ from GE Plastics could be reformulated with new properties to complete the stain resistant technology necessary to create Rubbermaid Stain Shield ™, a patent-pending line of food storage containers.
According to a news release from Pittsfield-based GE Plastics, years of research told Rubbermaid that consumers want a food container that is durable, microwave and dishwasher safe, and glass-like in clarity. The research also told them that the number one plastic food storage complaint is staining - especially when microwaving or storing tomato-based food products. Rubbermaid set out to solve the staining problem. "Our research and development led us to the discovery that a custom formulation of a XYLEX resin was stain resistant-and that this new resin also had the --- other important properties we wanted our new product to have," said Robert Peterson, vice president of Research and Development at Rubbermaid Home Products. "It was a game-changing discovery in our product development efforts. Food storage will never be the same."
The Stain Shield food storage line was introduced by Rubbermaid in the early fall of 2002 and the company is launching a national rollout in early November. The product also features a leak-resistant seal, special tabs for transporting hot food, nestable and stackable bases and lids for easy organization, and a lifetime warranty. Both the lids and bases are made with XYLEX resin plus the lids feature a flexible, rubber-like seal.
XYLEX (pronounced "zigh-lex") resin was developed by GE Plastics and introduced in 2001, after nearly 6 years of research. Its first commercial application was in a line of high-end sport sunglasses. The Stain Shield line is a significant product application for the new resin and is expected to put XYLEX resin on the map as an important new engineering thermoplastic. "We are thrilled with Rubbermaid's discovery," said Sherry Dick, General Manager, Global Crystalline Products for GE Plastics. "XYLEX is a unique material in that it combines clarity, strength, excellent chemical resistance, and the ability for the designer to create an aesthetically appealing product. Stain Shield containers' technology is a terrific innovation and we are delighted that XYLEX resin technology is a part of it."
In addition to housewares, XYLEX resin can be used in a wide range of applications, including consumer electronics (cell phone and small appliances), sporting goods, and automotive interiors. XYLEX resin is also available in a variety of colors and in several of GE Plastics' exciting Visualfx(tm) resin finishes.
A division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), GE Plastics is a leading producer of engineering thermoplastics, with major production facilities worldwide. GE Plastics materials, including LEXAN(r) polycarbonate, are used in a wide variety of applications such as CDs, automobile parts, computer housings, cookware, outdoor signage, cell phones, bullet resistant shielding and building materials. Through it's LNP Engineering Plastics business, the company is a worldwide leader in the custom compounding of engineering thermoplastics. GE Plastics is also a global distributor of resins through GE Polymerland, and of sheet, film, rod and tube products through Polymershapes and GE Structured Products. The company's Web site is located at www.geplastics.com.
Rubbermaid Home Products is the leading designer and manufacturer of organization-focused products. A Newell Rubbermaid (NYSE: NWL) company, Rubbermaid markets a full line of innovative home organization, kitchen, hardware, and office products in a variety of materials. Headquartered in Wooster, Ohio since 1921, Rubbermaid Home Products has facilities throughout the world. To learn more about Rubbermaid or to view the online catalog of ingenious storage and organization products, visit the web site at www.rubbermaid.com. Rubbermaid . . . How Life Gets Organized.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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