Chapter 39 Types of Packaging
Objectives Reasons for packaging (packing) products. Common types of packaging. Aseptic packaging.
Introduction The major reasons for packaging products: To protect the product from damage during transport. To preserve the product until it is opened for use by the consumer. To contain small parts so they will not be lost before assembly. To help sell or market the product with name, brand, and product information. To help the user assemble the product. To aid in ease of handling and safe transportation. To reduce theft by packaging small products in large containers.
Levels of packaging Primary packaging is the outer container that displays the product to the consumer. The carton that holds eggs in the store is an example of primary packaging. Secondary packaging is used mainly to transport, display, and store several primary boxes or packages. Boxes used for secondary packaging must be durable and stackable. Tertiary packaging is used for protection during transportation, shipping, and distribution. Pallets of tertiary packaging are common sights in warehouses.
Impacts of Packaging on the Environment The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) reports that in 2009, Americans produced about 243 million tons of waste, or 4.3 pounds of MSW (municipal solid waste) per person each day. Approximately 33.8 % of the MSW was recovered and recycled or composted, 11 % was burned at combustion facilities, and the remaining 54.3 % was disposed off in landfills. Biodegradable Packaging: The major problem with biodegradable packaging is that the cost of the materials is about twice that of conventional materials.
Types of Packaging Corrugated Packaging (containerboard): Containerboard has at least three components: two pieces of flat paper called liners, and one piece of crimped paper called corrugated medium. Flexible Packaging: Flexible packaging include pouches, bags, tubs, and trays. Products that need flexible packaging can be in the form of powders, pastes, or liquids. The largest market for flexible packaging is for food products accounting for about 50% of shipments. Flexible Pouches: MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) pouches are made from multilayered aluminum foil and are used to store foods in environments where refrigeration is not available. Food can be heated by boiling the pouch in water. SOPAKCO say that MRE should last 18 months at F. Flexible Foams: Flexible foam packaging is ideal for packaging fragile and lightweight materials. They are used to protect computers, medical equipment, and other delicate products. Air Pouches: These pouches provide protection by reducing shock and vibration. Flexible Bags: Bags are available to package, transport, and store materials in any environment. Desiccant bags filled with anhydrous calcium sulfate (drierite) are used to dry the air within a package or container during shipping or storage (fig 39-8, page 475). Antistatic bags (blue or pink color) are used to protect static sensitive parts (electronics).
Aseptic Packaging Before a product can be stored in an aseptic package the product must undergo aseptic processing. This destroys harmful bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms through thermal processing. The packing film barrier of the aseptic packaging protects the sterile product from contamination. Aseptic packaging eliminates the need to use preservatives. Hydrapulping works like blending and agitates the aseptic packaging for about 40 minutes until the paper, plastic, and foil layers separate from each other and can then be reused.
Food and Drug Packaging The FDA closely regulates how packaging is used and how well it performs in terms of preservation and storage of materials. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) stated in the form of regulation and rules that must be carefully addressed by manufacturers related to child resistant packaging, poison protection, tamper resistant enclosures, and protection of food for humans and animals. Tamper Proof and Tamper Resistant Packaging: many of today’s products must be packaged in ways to keep other from accessing or changing the contents of the package.
Stretch and Shrink Wrap Packaging Stretch wrap: Stretch wrapping is often the most efficient method for holding multiple packages and products together on or off pallets. Shrink wrap: First the product is wrapped with a layer of shrink wrap. Then the shrink wrap is heated with a heat sealing machine or heat gun. This shrinks the wrap. It is used to provide protective coating from weather. Skin packaging: is a method of choice for packaging products for display on store racks.
Summary Primary packaging is the outer container that displays the product to the consumer. Secondary packaging is used mainly to transport, display, and store several primary boxes or packages. Tertiary packaging is used for protection during transportation, shipping, and distribution. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) reports that in 2009, Americans produced about 243 million tons of waste, or 4.3 pounds of MSW (municipal solid waste) per person each day. Biodegradable Packaging: The major problem with biodegradable packaging is that the cost of the materials is about twice that of conventional materials. Corrugated Packaging (containerboard): Containerboard has at least three components: two pieces of flat paper called liners, and one piece of crimped paper called corrugated medium. Flexible Packaging: Flexible packaging include pouches, bags, tubs, and trays. Flexible Pouches: MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) pouches are made from multilayered aluminum foil and are used to store foods in environments where refrigeration is not available. Air Pouches: These pouches provide protection by reducing shock and vibration. Desiccant bags are used to dry the air within a package or container during shipping or storage. Antistatic bags (blue or pink color) are used to protect static sensitive parts (electronics). The packing film barrier of the aseptic packaging protects the sterile product from contamination. Aseptic packaging eliminates the need to use preservatives. Hydrapulping works like blending and agitates the aseptic packaging for about 40 minutes until the paper, plastic, and foil layers separate from each other and can then be reused. The FDA closely regulates how packaging is used and how well it performs in terms of preservation and storage of materials.
Home Work 1. What is the EPA estimate of waste produced in 2009? 2. What are MRE pouches made of, and how long does food last at F? 3. Why are antistatic bags used? 4. What is the advantage of aseptic packaging? 5. What is hydrapulping?