Effects of Transportation Hazards on Barrier Properties of Gas Flushed Retort Pouches. Issue 8 (17th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dunno, Kyle D.; Whiteside, Scott; Thomas, Ron; Cooksey, Kay; Gerard, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Packaging technology and science. Volume 29:Issue 8/9(2016)
• Page Start: 431
• Page End: 436
• Publication Date: 2016-06-17
• Subjects: retort pouch -- distribution -- transport hazards -- headspace volume; Packaging -- Periodicals; 688.8
• DOI: 10.1002/pts.2223
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0894-3214

Abstract

Abstract : Clear high‐barrier retort pouches were filled with water and gas flushed with nitrogen. Headspace volumes utilized for this study were 200 and 400 cm 3 . Retort pouches were fitted with an OxyDot® as a non‐invasive measurement technique to monitor percent package headspace oxygen. The retort pouches were packaged inside regular slotted containers and subjected to laboratory simulated transportation performance tests for small parcel and unit load delivery systems. To evaluate the effects of the simulated transport tests, control retort pouches of each variable were used for comparison. Headspace oxygen levels were measured for all retort pouches (test and control) for 63 days. Results indicated that there were significant differences in all variables when comparing the simulated transport samples to the control samples. Comparing headspace volumes, the 400 cm 3 pouches yielded less oxygen ingress into the pouch as compared with the 200 cm 3 pouches in the small parcel simulation ( p < 0.05). There were not significant differences for the two headspace volumes in the unit load simulation. Results from this study indicate packaged products being distributed through small parcel supply chains, which are handled more vigorously than those being shipped palletized, the increased headspace volume protected against oxygen ingress for certain distribution channels. Abstract : Clear high‐barrier retort pouches were filled with water and gas flushed with nitrogen. Headspace volumes utilized for this study were 200 and 400 cm 3 . Headspace oxygen levels were measured for all retort pouches (test and control) for 63 days. Results indicated that there were significant differences in all variables when comparing the simulated transport samples with the control samples.