Assignment 3

PACK 750
Due Monday, October 21st 2019, 11:59 pm @ myCourses Dropbox (100 points)

Section A: 20 points, Section B: 30 points, Section C: 40 points, Section D: 10 points

Design of a Flexible Package for Hot Filled Products

Background

Rigid packaging containers have long been employed by the packaging industry due to variety in
designs and available materials. Nowadays, flexible film structures can be customized to meet
various mechanical and barrier performance requirements allowing the adaptation of flexible
packaging systems in place of rigid containers.

Objective

The objective for this project is to design a flexible packaging system for a hot filled product (of
your choice) that is currently offered to consumers in rigid jars, bottles, or cans. Hot filled
products are packaged at 195°F, cooled and subsequently stored at room temperature. Typical
shelf life is 6-18 months.

A) Current Food product details:

a) Company name: Hunt’s

b) Product name: Diced Tomatoes

c) Product Weight / Volume: 14.5 oz

d) Shelf life (unopened and opened): Unopened – 36 months

Opened – 5 to 7 days (Refrigerated)

 e) Materials used: Aluminum can with BPA free plastic lining (Usually polyester)

Paper label

f) Ingredients of product: Tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Less than 2% of: Salt, Citric Acid,
Calcium Chloride

g) Liquid / dry: Liquid with semi-solid tomato chunks.

h) How and who uses it?

Can be used by any consumer for cooking purpose.

i) Tamper evident feature(s): No separate tamper evident feature provided. The lids of the
can are seamed shut.

j) Transparent/opaque container: The container is made of aluminum hence it is completely

opaque.

Benefits and weaknesses of current packaging system (include analysis for all components
of the packaging system (e.g. container, lid, label, etc):

Component:

Component Container Label

Benefits  Convenient, protective packaging

allowing ambient storage for
food products.
 Provides excellent barrier against
water, gases and light.
 Large surface area provides more
branding space.
 It is 100% recyclable.
 Shelf stale, impact and puncture
resistant.
Weaknesse  Product is not visible and hence
s consumers cannot check the
contents.
 Bulky container’s occupy large
storage as well as shelf space.
 Weight of the package is higher
as compared to plastic packaging
and hence transportation and
material costs increases.
 No easy opening features
 provides and hence a can opener
is required.
 Can’s can easily be bent
throughout the distribution
channel.

B) New package design:

The new flexible packaging design is centered on the user’s need. Ergonomics, user-friendly and
convenience features should be included in your design.

New Package Dimensions including dispensing mechanism/feature(s)

The new package design suggested is a bottom gusseted stand-up pouch with a side laser scored
zipper.

Width – 140mm

Length - 210mm

Gusset- 80mm

Laser scored tear strip with corner press to seal closure.

C) Material selection:
1) Film composition & thickness:
PP (Polypropylene) : High melting point of PP makes it a good application for hot-filling as
it exhibits thermal resistance. PP films are smooth and have good melting characteristics. PP films
are relatively stiff. When cast, the film is glass-clear and heat sealable. PP is chemically inert and
resistant to most commonly found chemicals, both organic and inorganic. It is a barrier to water
vapor and has oil and fat resistance.
General justification of layers used:
2) Major reasons for selection of these materials:
3) List of equipment required for the packaging process and quality assurance (packaging line):

D) Features and advantages of new package to consumer over traditional rigid container

Page limit for Assignment 3: Total of 5 pages.