ELIMINATION OF PACKAGE BURSTING OF SNACK PRODUCTS IN CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Extruded snacks like Tipi Tip are marketed in packs that are formed from triple laminated aluminum foil. It is a multilayer packaging material and formed from thermal lamination process. To having a better quality product and longer shelf life with visibility,before sealing certain amounts of N2 gas is flushed into the pack.These packs are distributed to the up country also. With respect to the altitude there is a low environmental condition in the up country. As a result packs are inflated while reaching to the up country. From them some of packs burst out the gas. To eliminate this it is necessary to find the packaging material characteristics change with the environmental conditions and suitable parameters to eliminate this packing problem or find the best packaging material by changing the thickness and packing films of the triple laminated aluminum foil.Effects of environmental temperature, vertical sealing temperatures on vertical seal and anti-wrinkling and anti blocking powder application of the film on package bursting were tested. These variables were rejected at 5% significant difference level. These variables do not affect on package bursting. Environmental pressure gradient was tested and it affects on package bursting. It is accepted at 5% significant difference level. From existing packing materials in the institute (PET / PE / CO+POLYMER / ALU / PE - Strong Pack (SP), PET / INK / PE / ALU / EAA - Flexi Pack (FP), PET / EXTN POLY / AL FOIL / EXTN POLY - N - Flex Industries Pack (IP) SP was rejected at 5% significant difference level with flushing. Effects of different gas compositions inside the packs on package bursting were tested. Nitrogen gas was rejected at 5% significant difference level and better to use Carbon dioxide mixture of Carbon dioxide and Nitrogen.And it was improved with gas absorbent (CaCl2). It was accepted at 5% significant difference level. Depending on the result packs were produced with Carbon dioxide and its absorbent, there was no package bursting in upcountry. It was accepted at 5% significant difference level. Carbon dioxide does not affect on colour and taste of the product. SP was better with flushing Carbon dioxide with CaCl2 too.Most of the packs burst out the gas from vertical seal. They are burst along the folding line of vertical seal from under side was found. When bursting upper layer is delaminated and inside three layers are tom along the folding line. So increase the strength of the packs’ body is needed. Developing the triple laminated aluminum foil using highly strength inner layer such as LLDPE or Metallacen was recommended.