New Labels Could Keep Drinks Cooler Longer

CONESTOGA, Pa. -- On a hot summer day, a cold drink can get warm pretty quickly. A new type of label may prevent that, or at least slow it down, and it's being tested in Pennsylvania.

Turkey Hill Dairy and DuPont are test marketing the "Cool To Go" insulating wrap.

Turkey Hill 20-ounce lemonade and iced tea bottles are coming off the production line with labels that look the same, but act differently. The insulating wrap is designed to keep the drink cold twice as long as usual once it's out of the refrigerator.

On a hot summer day, a cold drink can get to 55 degrees -- known as the "yuk point" -- in just 15 minutes.

"It suited the fact that our product is cold and needs to be sold cold," said Shiobhain Harding, with Turkey Hill.

The wrap, developed by DuPont, is made of thermolite fiber sandwiched between two layers of polyester film. Thermolite has been around for years. The fiber is used in things like sleeping bags and ski jacks as a thin insulation.

"The test is conducted under hot summer conditions," said Susan Procaccini, DuPont venture manager.

Procaccini showed News 8's Susan Shapiro computer images of the tests and market research that was done over two years.

"What seems very, very simple has a lot of technology behind it in innovation and making it operational," Procaccini said.

DuPont and Turkey Hill are test marketing the wraps through September in the Susquehanna Valley.

Customers like Chad Douglas have noticed.

"It actually does keep colder, real nice. My work doesn't have refrigerators around," Douglas said.

"It feels like one of those cozies you put your drinks," said Kathi Brock, of Marietta.

If all goes well with the test, Turkey Hill and other brands may be all wrapped up in the future.

The labels cost about twice as much as regular labels. Turkey Hill said it is improving plant efficiency that would hopefully offset the increased cost.