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...... INDUSTRYTrends: A deeperINSIGHTS look at packaging
Vacuum Food Packaging: Choosing the right solution
Today, consumers have the expectation that vacuum packaged food products will be fresh and wholesome when opened. To meet this expectation, packagers must consider a few critical requirements including the storage bag configuration, “Coffee, for example, the correct bagging material, and the appropriate packaging process. When done requires a different set of properly, vacuum packaging can extend freshness, preserve texture and appear- criteria, (bag material, pack- ance, protect nutritional value, and maintain the flavor of food significantly lon- aging process, etc.) than ger than many other food storage methods. The demand for quality is the same cheese, or fresh chicken.” whether the commissary focuses on small retailers or serves large scale, chain store operations.
Many food products have unique vacuum packaging requirements. Coffee, for example, requires a different set of criteria, (bag material, packaging process, etc.) than cheese, or fresh chicken. When considering vacuum packaging a product, it is important keep a few things in mind:
• How long will the product remain in the package?
• Is the product wet or dry?
• Is microbial contamination or oxidation an issue?
• Will the product require modified atmosphere packaging?
Understanding how the contents of the bag can and will effect the packaging, is key in determining the specific packaging process required, the bag style, bag material and the most appropriate choice in packaging equipment.
Choosing on the appropriate vacuum packaging process. The Coffee PAC Express is a Vacuum packaging equipment can be found in a wide variety of configurations, vacuum / nitrogen flush (or other but usually follows two common approaches: nozzle-style vacuum machines and inert gas flush) sealer designed chamber vacuums. for the most demanding roaster. It provides high volume coffee The most versatile method of vacuum packaging is by means of a nozzle-style processors with the ability to machine. Designed for horizontal or vertical use, nozzle-style vacuum sealers range vacuum pack up to six 0.5 lb. in sealing lengths from 12” to over 120”, and are available in both tabletop and floor or three 5.0 lb. bags of whole standing versions. This style of machine is ideal for vacuum-sealing solid or bulky bean or ground coffee at once. food products. Nozzle-style vacuum packaging is relatively uncomplicated. A filled This vacuum sealer features an bag or pouch is placed between a set of sealing jaws, over stainless steel vacuum open head design for easier bag nozzles that extend between the jaws. The jaws grip the bag while air is evacuated handling. through the nozzles by means of a vacuum pump or venturi system. Next, if de- sired, gas is flushed through the same set of nozzles into the bag.At the end of the vacuum or gas cycle the remaining air or gas is evacuated, the nozzles retract from the bag, and the sealing cycle is completed. Most machines enable the operator to vacuum seal one or two bags per cycle - depending upon the model and bag “Vacuum chambers vary specifications. One of the advantages of nozzle-style machines is that they often from small tabletop units require a shorter cycle time. Specialized sealers with multiple nozzles enable 4 or to large, floor standing, more bags to be sealed in a single cycle. single and double cham- Vacuum chambers offer a high level of vacuum and consistency. This easy-to- bers.” use method of vacuum sealing bags is chosen when the highest degree of vacuum is required (for example, when packaging meat or cheese). Vacuum chambers vary from small tabletop units to large, floor standing, single and double chambers. Like nozzle-style vacuum packaging, vacuum chamber packaging is a fairly straightfor- ward process. A filled bag or pouch is placed on the bed of chamber with the open end positioned in contact with the seal bar. The hood of the chamber is closed after the product has been loaded, and the vacuum cycle begins automatically. A vacu- um pump removes air from the entire chamber. This step may be followed by a gas flush cycle(s), if required. The sealing cycle begins immediately after the vacuum or gas cycle has completed. The hood of the chamber opens automatically at the end of the sealing cycle. With bags lined up along the length of the sealing bar, vacuum chamber machines can package as many bags per cycle as the sealing bar length will accommodate. Vacuum chamber sealers are excellent for powdery foods as well those packaged in liquid. Unlike the nozzle-style vacuum, the entire chamber PAC Vacuum Chamber Sealers is evacuated, eliminating the possibility of pulling powdery or liquid material into the feature a durable stainless steel vacuum nozzles. flat chamber bed for applications requiring maximum removal of Conclusion air to protect the product from Vacuum packaging in one form or another has been at the center of food pres- exposure. ervation for generations. Although once exclusive to commercial food packagers and processors, vacuum packaging is now available to small-scale food processors as well as home users. Modern equipment now ranges in size from home “food saver” models to high production, high volume industrial systems. Vacuum pack- aging has, and will continue to be a key process for preserving flavor, color and texture - and for ensuring a wholesome and available food supply.
User awareness and operating procedures for a junction box of 250 pounds per square inch to get Regardless of how carefully it has been designed, approval, the box must be able to withstand 1,000 psi of every machine used in a potentially hazardous envi- hydrostatic pressure – 4x the maximum anticipated pressure of ronment, must be operated in a prudent fashion. User 250 psi. Regardless of the cause of a hazardous location, training and situational awareness are essential. Best it is necessary that every precaution be taken to guard practices for machines operated in dusty environments, against ignition of the atmosphere. for example, mandate that the equipment be kept ex- The National Electrical Code is the “Bible” of the elec- ceptionally free of particles and debris. Dust and debris trical industry, and the primary source of reference for this accumulating around heating elements can, in some article. The NEC is also the basis for OSHA standard 1926.407, cases, retain enough residual heat to cause combustion. Hazardous (Classified) Locations. There are several Casual cleaning with a brush or cloth may not be ade- additional OSHA standards that require the installation of quate, and users are urged to blow off machines thor- electrical wiring and equipment in hazardous (classified) oughly with compressed air if possible. Bag sealers and locations according to the requirements of Subpart K, vacuum sealers that are specifically outfitted and certi- Electrical. The NEC should be consulted as a supplement fied for use in hazardous environments, and are handled to the OSHA standards for additional background informa- by informed and responsible operators may be used with tion concerning hazardous locations. a reasonable expectation of safety. We invite your questions and comments Conclusion You may contact us any time with comments, questions Rigorous standards for hazardous location equipment or topics for discussion. Our objective is to offer the latest have been set, and recognized testing laboratories conduct information available on the subject of flexible packaging actual explosion tests under laboratory conditions. For solutions. With decades of practical experience in the each Class I enclosure under test, they dial in different packaging industry, we can offer insight on practically mixtures of gas and air - from very lean mixtures to every aspect of the flexible packaging business. very rich mixtures, until they find the one that creates the greatest explosion pressure. To pass inspection, Robert T. Goldberg the equipment must not only prevent the ignition of the Marketing Mnager surrounding atmosphere, but also be able to withstand a [email protected] hydrostatic test where liquid is pumped into the enclosure www.pacmachinery.com at high pressure to test the limits of its strength. The device will only pass if it can resist rupture at four times © Copyright 2015 PAC Machinery. All rights reserved. the maximum pressure found in the explosion tests. For example, if explosion testing shows a maximum pressure