Packaging Technology and Science

This study used a jar simulator to investigate the posture effect on finger group behaviours for young females during opening a jar. The results of this study showed that the free-way opening posture is a better strategy for young females to adopt in the jar opening task when standing. The details of the four fingers must be clarified, and the performance of different grasp patterns in future studies could provide more evidence in this area of interest.

The results of this study showed that increasing high-pressure treatments caused an increase in the migration of Irganox 1076 from low-density polyethylene films towards package food simulants. This increase migration was higher when the temperature of the high-pressure process increased from 25 to 75 °C.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica) florets were packaged in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags with (M2) or without (M1) ethylene adsorber underpassive modified atmosphere and then stored at 4°C for 20 days. Results revealed that deterioration occurred quickly in control (unpackaged) broccoli whereas all changes related with loss of quality were significantly reduced and delayed with time for the florets packaged under MAP. Ethylene concentration remained below 1 ppm through the storage for M2 indicating that ethylene inside the packages was successfully adsorbed by the aluminium silicate-based additives.

Summary: This review focuses on the literature of box strength evaluation. It examines the conditioning and testing processes, discusses the state of the art in compression estimation, explores parameters that affect box compression strength that are not captured in most current industry models, and connects compression testing to performance in unit loads. In the process, it identifies many areas for fruitful new research.

A novel sticker sensor has been fabricated based on methyl red for detection of broiler chicken cuts freshness. The freshness sensor worked based on pH increase as the basic spoilage volatile amines produced in the package headspace, and subsequently the color of the sensor will change from red to yellow for spoilage indication, which is visible to the naked eye. Thus, the sticker sensor can be used as an effective tool for monitoring microbial quality of packaged fresh poultry meat.

The results of this study showed that increasing high pressure treatments caused an increase in the storage modulus and tensile strength but a decrease in the elongation of polyethylene films.

This review allocates the effects of high-pressure processing on polymeric packaging to current physico-chemical approaches and different damage symptoms. A distinction is made between direct effects that represent immediate consequences of high-pressure processing and indirect effects that stand for changes created by the compressed contents of packages. The need of additional studies is outlined.

Tests were performed on the migration of aluminum and silicon from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanocomposite bottles into acidic food simulant. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy micrographs displayed both intercalation and exfoliation morphology for PET/clay nanocomposites. The results of inductively coupled plasma test indicated that the nanoparticles could migrate from PET nanocomposite bottles into an acidic food-simulating solution. Concentrations of aluminum and silicon in the acetic acid solution increased with increments of time and temperature.

Quality characteristics of packaging materials, as well as colour and sensory properties of pork loins during storage in low oxygen gas atmosphere up to 16 days at two temperatures (0°C and 4°C) were examined. Packaging materials were suitable for packaging in selected atmosphere. The proportion of red colour (a*) was successfully maintained although the colour was slightly darker (L*) at the end of the storage period. Samples can be stored at 0°C for 15 days and at 4°C for 10 days.

The profile of major biogenic amines was investigated in Indian mackerel packed in modified atmosphere for up to 12 days at 5°C. Higher composition of CO₂ (≥60% CO₂) had a significant inhibitory effect on histamine concentration (p < 0.05). After 9 days of storage, more than 300 ppm of histamine was detected in mackerel packed in vacuum packaging and 30% CO₂/65% N₂/5% O₂; therefore, these atmospheres pose a histamine intoxication risk.

Results are presented from a retail shopping experiment conducted in CUShop™, a consumer experience laboratory, to determine whether consumers prefer a public label product versus a private label product, utilizing eye tracking to analyse the decision-making process. Results illustrated that purchase decision as well as time spent observing packaging indicates that participants preferred public branded packaging with respect to its private label competitor.

Naturally derived antimicrobial (AM) agents linalool, carvacrol or thymol were directly incorporated into thermoplastic starch (TPS) films. The addition of the agents into the TPS material appeared to alter the bulk phase morphology of the resulting films. At low AM agent concentrations, the mechanical and optical properties of the films were comparable to the control film containing no AM agent. The highest AM agent concentration resulted in a slight decline in film properties that was particularly evident in the case of thymol.

The preservation of murtilla (Ugni molinae Turcz), fruit of the Red Pearl-INIA variety was evaluated at 0 °C for 60 days. The treatments consisted of two types of packaging as follows: polyethylene terephthalate (PET) punnet and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bag and application of an edible coating of carboxymethylcellulose to the fruits. LDPE bag as a secondary packaging maintained the moisture content and soluble solids of the fruit. PET punnet with an LDPE bag is the best alternative for the murtilla fruit preservation.

Within the study, the decontamination of poly(ethylene terephthalate) pellets in solid-state polycondensation processes is determined and simulated. The diffusion coefficients of the applied artificial contaminants are not influenced by use of either vacuum solid-state polycondensation or an inert gas system. Therefore, the diffusion rate of a certain contaminant in the poly(ethylene terephthalate) material is (nearly) the same and can be used for the simulation of the recycling process.

This study developed a method for simultaneous determination of 19 chemical elements in acidic simulated foods by microwave-assisted digestion and ICP-MS. The simulated foods showed matrix effects. The chemical elements showed different migration behaviours in black and white mature vinegar, and the amount of migration also varied depending on the inner surface of the ceramic packaging.

The paper gives an overview on current end-of-life solutions for fibre and bio-based materials used for packaging in Europe. This review is focused on paper and board as well as bioplastics. Recycling, organic recovery and energy recovery are analysed with regard to the processes and technologies that offer the most sustainable end-of-life options.

Packaging under 39.8% N₂/60% CO₂/0.2% CO proved to be the best technique for maintaining the colour stability of Gluteus medius, Longissimus dorsi and Psoas major steaks and ground beef for 28 days at 1°C, even with residual oxygen concentrations that are considered excessive for anaerobic packaging systems. After 28 days of storage under modified atmosphere and 24 h of air exposure, the beef steaks and ground beef maintained an acceptable appearance and a visual colour similar or superior to that of fresh meat.

The objective of this study was to investigate the basic diffusion properties of acrylic polymers for small molecules such as their inherent monomers. A large experimental data base was established, and from measured data, generally applicable migration modelling parameters were derived by curve fitting. It was found that acrylic polymers, in particular those used for rigid plastics applications, exhibit extremely low diffusion behaviour and therefore a very low exposure potential for the consumer.

Alginate and alginate/chitosan films containing K-sorbate or natamycin were obtained. The antimicrobial potential of active films was tested by the agar diffusion test. No microbial inhibitory zones were formed for K-sorbate added AFs. Natamycin added films showed antimicrobial activity against all fungi species tested. Active films containing 0.04 g natamycin per gram of biopolymer obtained in the present study exhibited suitable functional attributes and showed excellent perspectives as active antimicrobial films intended for dairy food protection applications.

Naturally derived antimicrobial (AM) agents linalool, carvacrol and thymol were incorporated in the coatings of starch-based packaging films. The AM films demonstrated significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger with the AM systems successfully inhibiting the growth of A. niger on agar media and on Cheddar cheese. The inhibitory effect depends on the type and concentration of AM agent in the surface coating. Thymol was found to be the most effective agent followed by carvacrol and linalool.

Edible films were prepared from silver carp surimi incorporating with ε-polylysine (ε-PL) in this study. The mechanical properties of surimi films could be improved using of ε-PL below the level of 0.15% in surimi film-forming solutions, whereas these slightly declined with increasing addition of ε-PL. Effect of surimi films in fresh fish meat preservation could be prolonged by incorporating ε-PL.

A new approach for controlling buffering conveyors in bottling plants was developed, implemented and tested at pilot scale. A significant reduction of the conveyors noise emissions could be achieved. Buffering effectiveness was improved.

Research is presented utilizing eye-tracking technology to analyze the effect of modifying the amount of visible product for grillware. Participants, in this study, shopped in an immersive environment while wearing eye-tracking glasses and chose from four variations on packaging structure. Results indicated that items with no visible portion of the product were purchased less often and looked at for shorter amounts of time.

An analytical screening throughout the manufacturing process of food grade PVC cling film was undertaken to investigate the possible occurrence of DIBP and its source of contamination. The results showed that some cardboard articles used to roll or package the PVC small reels for domestic or household uses were highly contaminated by DIBP.

Kinetic studies showed considerable transfer potency of this phthalate from contaminated cardboards into the PVC through gas phase at different temperatures. Moreover, the sorption isotherms in cardboard material, LLDPE and PVC films evidenced similar adsorption behaviour of this phthalate.

The developed method is useful for the evaluation of the barrier properties for polymer films regarding mineral oil components from paper and cardboard packaging materials. The method is using 15 defined standard substances representing mineral oil chemistry instead of complex mineral oil mixtures. For all investigated permeants and polymer films, the logarithm of the permeation rates and the logarithm of the vapour pressure result in a linear correlation.

After passing the design type tests for specified standard liquids, polyethylene packagings can be used for other liquid dangerous goods as long as it is demonstrated that the liquids have a less damaging effect on the polyethylene. A new potentially effective and time-saving method for comparing the stress crack damaging influence of liquids with standard liquids was validated. The validation, which was carried out on two polyethylene materials, showed the general applicability of the method.

The aim of secondary packaging plants is to pick products from a conveyor belt and to place them into boxes, by a set of sequential robot stations, performing pick-and-place cycles. Depending on the relative movement of the two conveyors, the plant operates in co-current or counter-current flow configuration. This paper presents a deep investigation of the behaviour of these two kinds of secondary packaging lines, evaluating their performances in the case of different pick-and-place strategies, using a discrete events simulation techniques.

The wall thickness was determined using CT and fringe projection technique to get a volumetric model for the FEA. The comparisons of experiments and simulations of the internal pressure test were performed using the digital image correlation method. The integral strain and deformation of the jerrycan was detected by measuring the total mass of the jerrycan being filled with water during the test. Pre-storage at 40°C without chemicals strengthens; swelling softens it and can be simulated using the Arrhenius equation.

Although the hydrodynamic flow is not usually used to determine the gas exchange in microperforated films, these measurements could be useful for a quick estimation of the total area of the microperforations in the package. This can in turn be used to estimate the diffusive flow established both for O₂ and for CO₂. This possibility enables commercial leak detection equipment to be used to quantify diffusive transmission rates through microperforations.

This article evaluates the suitability of vehicle vibration simulation techniques for packaging testing, including split spectra, modulated RMS and accelerated single-level tests. To do this, a correlation study has been carried out using a specially designed rig measuring scuffing damage. The damage caused by each simulation technique is quantified by measuring the level of ink transfer between a printed clay-coated board and an Ivorex high white uncoated board. Results from the study showed good correlation between modulated RMS and accelerated test with a time compression of 5 and a k equal to 2 with time replication.

This research was undertaken to study the temperature profiles for factors such as different densities for a given thickness of thermally insulating material, wall thicknesses and distribution environments for four different types of materials – polyurethane, virgin expanded polystyrene, recycled content expanded polystyrene and vacuum insulated panels. The temperature range of 2–8 °C, critical for pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines, was targeted.

LDPE monolayer films (MM) and coextruded HDPE/LDPE bilayer films (BM) added with 2.90% and 3.59% of marigold (Tagetes erecta) extract, respectively, were blown extruded. The spectroscopic, optical and mechanical properties of the films were affected by the addition of the marigold extract. Soybean oil contained in bags made of the MM and BM films showed a delay in peroxide value when compared with the control films (MC and BC).

Cellulose acetate butyrate nanocomposites presented a reduction of 1.0, 1.0 and 2.0 log cycles against E. coli, L. innocua and S. cerevisiae respectively (Table 6).

The classical sustainability perspective on packaging is to reduce the environmental impact or eco-burden of the packaging, using life cycle assessment to evaluate different design alternatives. Simultaneously, the classical marketing perspective on packaging is to generate value through differentiation, for instance, by providing additional convenience. This article uses the eco-costs/value ratio (EVR), as a method for dealing with both aspects within a business environment.

In the present study, ‘categorizing’ and ‘perceptual mapping’—diametrically opposed methods (predefined vs consumer criteria)—were used to study the influence of packaging design on consumer perceptions of dairy products. Both categorizing and perceptual mapping have been demonstrated to be useful, simple and user-friendly methods to determine the packaging design cues that influence the perception of dairy products. Perceptual mapping provided more subconscious and objective information. The results support packaging designers in developing packages that better align with consumer perception.

This article develops an evaluation model for selection of packaging systems in supply chains from a sustainability perspective. The criteria used in the model are (i) packaging fill rate, (ii) packaging material, (iii) transport, (iv) material handling, (v) waste handling, and (vi) administration. The model is tested in a case study of a supply chain involving Volvo Car Corporation and Volvo Logistics Corporation, comparing the environmental and economic impacts of two packaging systems.

The newly available method for measuring oxygen transmission rate (OTR) via fluorescence based dynamic accumulation was compared to the widely used steady state method described by ASTM D3985. Dynamic accumulation was shown to provide similar results as ASTM D-3985 with similar or greater statistical confidence and with lower gas consumption. Simplicity and cost advantages of dynamic accumulation over ASTM D-3985 promises broader application of advanced package design through greater availability of this important material and package testing technique.

The study shows how the heat sealability of LDPE-coated paper can be enhanced or alternatively deteriorated, depending on the equivalence ratio of flame treatment. For example, the increased seal strength at the hot tack temperatures of 50 °C to 80 °C expanded the hot tack window of LDPE-coated paper significantly, even at the line speed of 300 m/min. The reason for the heat sealing performance of flame-treated LDPE coating is believed to be related to the simultaneous reactions, that is, cross-linking and chain scission, on the surface of LDPE-coated paper.

Food losses are a problem that can be avoided to some extent with means of holistic packaging design. This framework will present series of steps that packaging designer ought to take into consideration when aiming to design a sustainable food packaging with special emphasis on preventing food losses.