1. UNCLASSIFIED Directional Tear Packaging for Ration Components Peter Sherman Individual Combat Ration Team

2. UNCLASSIFIED Directional Tear Packaging for Ration Components Current ration component pouches do not tear evenly –Non-oriented sealant films provide no grain for tearing in straight line along the long pouch edge –Notches are provided on narrowest width (4.75 x 8 inch entrée pouch) –Warfighters cut pouches along long horizontal side Warfighters have requested this specific improvement –Historical approach was to work around the problem –Longer (7 inch) spoon added of notches added along with 2 nd set of tear notches

3. UNCLASSIFIED Directional Tear Packaging for Ration Components New packaging technology –Film scoring Risk to hermetic seal Mitigation by individual layer scoring –Directionally oriented material layers Demonstrated in polypropylene sealant layer Nylon layer is also a candidate layer Technology insertion will improve convenience, increase consumption and limit waste

4. UNCLASSIFIED Directional Tear Packaging for Ration Components FY07 Accomplishments –Investigated alternative technologies –Down-selected candidate pouches/products for retort testing –Tested mechanical and barrier properties Seal temperature and dwell slightly longer All pouches tore evenly Conducted Rough Handling @ -20 and ambient –Production test Spaghetti and Chicken and Dumplings Slight increase of seal temp and dwell Internal Burst testing no failures

5. UNCLASSIFIED Directional Tear Packaging for Ration Components Conducted field test of the new pouches –MRE August 2007 test Ft. Bliss, TX –Samples included test pouch for two menus –Questions on Daily questionnaire Were you able to tear the pouch at the notch? Did the pouch tear evenly? Did food spill? Which is easier to eat from (horizontal/vertical)? How much did you like dislike tear direction?

6. UNCLASSIFIED Directional Tear Packaging for Ration Components Field test Results: –87.6% found the pouch tearable at the notch –73.7% found the pouch to tear evenly –Easier eating? 84.8% from horizontal 15.2% from vertical –Preference 83.7% preferred horizontal –How much do you like the tear direction 7.45 (of 9) like moderately to like very much

7. UNCLASSIFIED Directional Tear Packaging for Ration Components

8. UNCLASSIFIED Directional Tear Packaging for Ration Components

9. UNCLASSIFIED Directional Tear Packaging for Ration Components FY08 Accomplishments: – Completed analysis of data – Briefed project to JSORF for Decision Implement for preformed pouches in MRE 29 Incorporate requirements into procurement documentation – Transition to procurement – Cost (+5 - 8%) $0.005-$0.008 –Expansion of directional tear into HFFS retort pouch format and other component packaging in ration improvement programs

10. UNCLASSIFIED Directional Tear Packaging for Ration Components