infoneophane'it

1
Overview 4. In depth discussion vacuum
packing and MAP (modified atmosphere packaging)
(October 22nd, 2007) next step 5. In depth
discussion cold-seal and countline flow-pack
(November 30th, 2007) 6. In depth discussion
high barrier powders, liquid and coffee
(January 25th, 2008)

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ISO 90012000 certification, since 1993
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BRC certification, since 2004, one of the first
firms in Italy for this sector.
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Overview N 4 Oct. 22nd, 2007 4 vacuum packing
and MAP (modified atmosphere packaging)

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The flexible packaging
Following a strict but not widespread definition,
flexible packaging is a container that, in
normal conditions, in which the internal
atmosphere, is at atmospheric pressure. This is
possible because it can adapt itself to
variations of the external pressure. A basic and
exclusive characteristic of flexible packaging,
is that these packs are formed and sealed by
automatic machines, at the same time as being
filled. These machines are generally called
FFS Form-Fill-Seal. Leading substrates in
flexible packaging, are plastic films, thin
materials based on paper and/or card, and
aluminium foils. It is combining these
materials, that the different laminated films
(thin multilayer structures) are created . These
products are now widely used in the field of food
wrapping. The characteristic that is becoming
more sought after, is improvement of the barrier
properties to gas and water vapour, in order to
guarantee or to improve the shelf-life of the
wrapped product.

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Multi-layers properties

• The primary property of the laminated structures
  is the thermo-sealing capacity, in order create
  the final package from the substrate.
• More and more often, the flexible packaging must
  possess other performance characteristics, in
  order to
• preserve dry products from atmospheric humidity
• preserve moist products, stopping moisture loss
  and drying
• protect the product from external odours
• prevent loss of the aroma
• protect the product from the oxidative action of
  sunlight
• protect the product from the oxidative action of
  the oxygen in the air (vacuum packing or MAP -
  modified atmosphere packaging)
• retain the CO2 and N2 gases, that have replaced
  atmospheric oxygen (MAP - modified atmosphere
  packaging).

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Packing processes

• Flexible packaging creates its structure around
  the needs of the products if the product or its
  packing process changes, the wrapping structure
  must change.
• It is for this reason, that the choice of
  wrapping structure must come as a result of deep
  analysis, carried out with the collaboration of
  the end-user with.
• As already pointed out in the previous overview,
  it is necessary to have knowledge of the wrapped
  product, the analysis of the graphic design to be
  printed and of the raw materials to be converted
  (films, inks and adhesives), as well as of all
  the final products process wrapping and
  preservation.
• The different packing processes are roughly
  classified as per the setting on which the
  product is sealed
• in air atmosphere
• in modified atmosphere
• in vacuum

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Packing processes - continued

• Packaging in normal atmosphere is the process
  used for those products that do not deteriorate
  either through air contact, or through
  atmospheric humidity. On the contrary, when the
  shelf-life of the product can be affected by
  these two things, it is possible to avoid them.
  There are two different processes that can
  realise this kind of packing in modified
  atmosphere
• replacing the air through a cleaning flow with
  a compensating gas (usually nitrogen), up to a
  concentration approaching 100
• Removing the air in vacuum assemblies. It is then
  possible to regulate the handling consistency of
  the pack, blowing in predetermined percentages of
  nitrogen, from 0 up to 100 of the removed air
  if there is no compensation (it means 0), it is
  considered vacuum packed.
• It is easy to understand the importance of gas
  barrier to the structures for these final
  applications.

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STRUCTURES

A typical application of these laminates is as a
lidding foil on machine with thermoformed
container at the bottom the thermoformed
containers are filled with the product (like
meat, delicatessen or cheese) and sealed with
this film, often decorated with print. The PE
film can also be peelable, in order to aid the
opening of the pack, this represents added value
very appreciated by the end-consumer. These
structures can operate in the modified
atmosphere field, thanks to the EVOH layer (or
sometimes PVDC), on condition that the bottom
also includes in its structure a barrier skin.
During the sealing-phase, a gas mixture of N2 /
CO2 / O2 is introduced, in different ratios
relative to the food packaged.
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STRUCTURES - continued

In this structure, the PVOH lacquer gives the
material a high gas barrier, particularly to
oxygen, but also to the aromas of the wrapped
product. This film can be laminated with other
lacquered polypropylene film (so that it also
gains the two side sealing property), or with
polyethylene. The final structure is rigid,
printable and can be used either as lidding foil
(if laminated with PE), or for the wrapping of
dry products, sensitive to oxygen (like nuts,
peanuts, pistachios, almonds). The principal
properties of this structure are good gas
barrier (but also to water vapour), significant
protection of the aroma and preservation by
odours, good rigidity and printability.
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STRUCTURES - continued

The use of Nylon gives a good gas barrier, often
used for vacuum wrapping (like rice), in
lamination with the PE film, from which it is
also possible to eliminate the EVOH skin.
This structure (widely used for ground coffee,
with or without a valve), assures the best
barrier thanks to the presence of the aluminium
foil. After the filling, the pack goes through a
vacuum station where the air is removed while the
product is pressed. The properties of the packed
product are guaranteed by the aluminium foil and
by the absence of air. The foil also gives
rigidity and assures the folding during the
wrapping process.
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Overview Next step on November 30th,
2007 5 cold-seal and countline flow-pack

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