An overview of smart packaging technologies for monitoring safety and quality of meat and meat products

The food packaging sector has experienced much development since its inception. In the past few decades, innovations in packaging sector have led to the development of smart packaging (SP) systems that carve a niche in a highly competitive food industry. SP systems have great potential for improving the shelf‐life, and safety of food products apart from their basic roles of protecting the products against unwanted biological, chemical, and physical damage and keeping them clean. Indicators and sensors, SP components, are used for real‐time monitoring of meat quality and subsequently inform the retailers and consumers about the freshness, microbiological, temperature, and shelf life status of the products. Barcodes and radio‐frequency identification tags are employed in meat packaging for real‐time information about the authenticity, and traceability of the products in the supply chain. Recently, innovations in SP technologies resulted in fast, sensitive, and effective detection, sensing, and record keeping of freshness, microbiological, and shelf life status of meat and meat products. The SP system shows promise for extensive utilization in the meat industry in response to the consumer appreciation for safe, and quality meat products, as well as their waste reduction notions. This paper gives an updated overview of ongoing scientific research, and recent technological advances that offer the perspectives of developing smart meat packaging systems that are capable of monitoring the physical, microbial, and chemical changes of the package contents from producer to the point of sale and even beyond, and remediating potential adverse reactions.     

Towards patient‐centered packaging design: An industry perspective on processes,functions, and constraints

Medication packaging is essential to provide patients with guidance and correct use of their medicines for effective treatment. This research aims to increase knowledge about the medication packaging innovation process and its uptake towards patient‐centered packaging design. The study applied a qualitative research approach based on data from 25 in‐depth interviews with stakeholders involved in medication packaging design. The empirical data analysis revealed four themes that can improve and advance user‐centered packaging design: medication packaging innovation process, medication packaging functions and features, medication packaging design constraints, and patient‐centered medication packaging design. The findings suggest that medication packaging design is strongly affected by an emphasis on protective and safety packaging functions rather than on patients' needs. Packaging innovation usually is constrained by rigid incremental development processes, where compliance with regulations, extensive documentation, avoidance of manufacturing complexity, and considerations on cost prevail. These findings are discussed in relation to the three most evident trade‐offs for patient‐centered design: protection versus openability, utility versus cost, and complexity of manufacturability versus complexity of use. This research contributes with valuable input and additional evidence about the necessary shift to a user‐centered approach in a field that has not been design driven. This input complements previous research and provides an opportunity for industry decision makers and policy makers to lead patient‐centered packaging design that can benefit patients and relieve overloaded health care systems.     

新媒体时代下品牌传播策略及包装设计研究

目的 在新媒体时代背景下,研究品牌传播方式的变化,总结新的传播策略以指导品牌的包装设计。方法 从传播学角度,搭建了传统品牌传播模型,结合新媒体时代下媒介与消费者的新特征,对该模型进行了优化重构,基于新模型的特征总结了新媒体时代下品牌的传播策略,由此提出了品牌包装设计的注意事项,并以瑞幸咖啡为例进行了论证。结论 在新媒体时代下,媒介的全能性和消费者的主动性对品牌的传播产生了巨大的影响,品牌方应从三个方面建立传播策略并指导其包装设计:适当提高品牌方自身的舆论投入,在设计时结合媒介的全能性,关注大众消费群体舆论的实时性,同时兼顾特定消费群体需求的差异性;引导消费者进行舆论讨论并发表更多的正面评价,在设计时结合消费者的主动性,充分体现包装的高辨识度与可互动性;进行品牌联合,在设计时综合运用上述策略,注意表达方式和内容的选取。     

自由空间激光通信及其关键技术

阐述了自由空间激光通信的概念以及激光通信的优点和特点,介绍了激光通信的发展及其研究现状,并详细地论述了激光通信的关键技术,说明了在我国开展激光通信研究工作的必要性和可行性．     

Recyclable mono materials for packaging of fresh chicken fillets: New design for recycling in circular economy

The focus on sustainability and circular economy is leading to a need for development of new food packaging concepts, including recyclable materials that ideally consist of a single material in a monolayer system. This research was focused on the possibility of replacing complex multilayered material [amorphous polyethylene terephthalate/polyethylene (APET/PE)] with simple recyclable mono material [high-density polyethylene (HDPE)] for packaging of chicken fillets in modified atmosphere packaging (CO₂/N₂: 60%/40%). Bacterial growth measured as total viable count (TVC), lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae, Brochothrix thermosphacta and Escherichia coli for chicken fillets packed in HDPE mono materials was compared with chicken fillets packed in APET/PE. TVC increased during the storage period (24 days) with high level of TVC count (7 log₁₀ CFU/g) recorded at Days 19–20 of storage in both HDPE and APET/PE material. No significant differences were recorded in off-odour between chicken stored in APET/PE compared with HDPE in CO₂/N₂ atmosphere during the storage period (samples were regarded as acceptable on the 24th day of storage). The drip loss increased in all samples during storage, and no significant differences between samples stored in different materials were recorded. Significant differences in bacterial growth were recorded between samples with different gas volume to product volume (G/P) ratio (Day 17), implying that higher G/P ratio is resulting in lower TVC count. The lowest G/P ratio caused the highest drip loss, whereas addition of CO₂ emitter reduced the drip loss to some extent. This research is very encouraging as it provides new insight into the use of monolayer materials as well as the importance of design for recycling in circular economy.     

Integral approach for optimizing modified atmosphere packages for elstar apples: A combination of product and packaging constraints

Modified atmosphere packages with Elstar apples in various packaging systems have been investigated. Loss of firmness during shelf-life is used as the quality aspect to judge the performance of the modified atmosphere packages. A system-oriented model is derived that describes the experimentally found concentrations well. In the overall approach the time dependency of the oxygen and carbon-dioxide concentrations are discussed. It is shown that the quality attribute, the softening of apples, can be affected by the choice of packaging material. Hence this approach can be used to optimize modified atmosphere packaging of Elstar apples.     

Recent advances in polymers and polymer composites for food packaging

The growing world population, evolving urbanization, and globalization have created more demand for food, which has increased challenges in food safety. Development and innovations in food packaging, one of the most important components in the food industry, is of key importance as food safety issues have gathered tremendous attention of the world. Food packaging is mainly intended to prevent a deterioration in quality of foods and beverages during distribution, sales, and consumption. Polymeric materials have been widely used as packaging materials due to their advantageous characteristics, including excellent mechanical, thermal, and corrosion-resistant properties, a lightweight nature, and ease in production. Polymer composites refer to polymers impregnated with nanomaterials and organic or inorganic compounds. Polymer composites have been applied in the packaging industry to enhance or bestow additional properties to packaging materials. This review summarizes the recent advances in polymer and polymer composites used in food packaging applications. First, progress in the polymers utilized for food packaging, with a focus on biodegradable polymers, will be introduced. Subsequently, the utilities of polymer composites in advanced food packaging will be highlighted and categorized into three classifications of packaging: improved, active, and intelligent packaging. Next, concerns on the relevant safety issues and regulations will be briefly discussed. Finally, an outlook on the future research directions of polymer and polymer composites for food packaging will be provided.     

Review of Package Warning Labels and Their Effect on Consumer Behaviour with Insights to Future Anticounterfeit Strategy of Label and Communication Systems

This paper investigates and reviews literature regarding a range of topics important to the research question – the themes apply across all the topics. The topics include label and package warnings, including tamper‐evident features, to review their effect on the consumer behaviour of changing usage or purchase decisions. This information was then applied to gain insight into anticounterfeit product/package efforts. Based on this research, it appears that there is value for brand marketers to enhance their anticounterfeit efforts and consumer confidence by utilizing warning labels and information labels on their labels or packages. Currently, consumer perception of a domestic counterfeit product threat (promoted as genuine products), even for pharmaceuticals by healthcare professionals, although increasing has still been very low. Generally, the consumers believe and expect that the product purchased from retailers is safe and genuine. The study reviewed many key warning and label communication areas: consumer behaviour review, technical specifications, anticounterfeit, tamper evidence/tamper resistance, over‐the‐counter drugs, alcohol, cigarette, nutrition food and nutrition supplements. To complete the insight on communicating with the consumer, a review of label legibility was included. Before brand marketers consider adding anticounterfeit warning labels, extensive consumer behaviour research should be conducted in areas such as fear appeals and involuntary risk outrage. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

包装生产线控制系统中通信协议的分析与设计

提出了在包装生产线控制系统中使用基于CAN 总线的通信网络,可以较好地满足其特定的高可靠性和实时性要求,本文对CAN 技术规范2.0A进行了深入的分析, 在帧结构的基础上对CAN通信协议的实现作了一定的分析和介绍,并结合实际应用, 给出了通信的设计结构和软件实现方法.实际应用表明, 该方法数据传输可靠, 通信速率高, 连接方便, 解决了总线冲突等问题, 取得了较好的应用效果.     

Consumers' valuation of two packaging aspects for fresh lamb meat: Vacuum and information labels

The use of vacuum packaging for fresh meat with low rate of turnover in the supermarket shelves, as it is the case of lamb meat in Spain, is recommended. Because the amount of mandatory information on fresh‐meat labels has increased, there is a need to design new labels to enhance the support for this information. Therefore, to anticipate the consumer's acceptance of vacuum packaging and the preferences for newly designed labels is of vital importance. This is the objective of the paper; in particular, it measures the consumers' relative importance of the vacuum packaging and different labels in relation to other important lamb‐meat characteristics (type of cut, price, and regional indication). To do that, a choice experiment was used and an error‐component random‐parameter model with correlated errors was estimated. Results suggest that consumers positively value all of the attributes except for the new designed labels. In particular, consumers positively value the vacuum packaging but to lesser extent than other lamb‐meat attributes such as the type of cut, the protected geographical indication certification, and the price. However, consumers only value the vacuum packaging in the case of fresh lamb meat with a protected geographical indication certification. Moreover, this valuation is higher for older consumers who use, to a higher extent, their own direct appraisal of the meat and the information on the label when shopping and give less importance to the presence of liquid around the meat.     

Component migration from adhesives used in paper and paperboard packaging for foodstuffs

This paper presents the first results of research on the migration of adhesive components in the paper and paperboard packaging sector. It examines components that can migrate from a variety of commonly used adhesives in the framework of a ‘worst case’ scenario in respect of the contents. The report also explains the methodology used to analyse extraction and migration and the model used for calculating the transfers. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

空间光通信中的精密跟踪瞄准技术

描述了空间光通信中的捕获、跟踪与瞄准 ( ATP)系统的概念、作用。详细介绍了它的组成和工作原理。简要叙述了实现这样一个 ATP系统所需要解决的主要技术问题和难点。     

Getting to grips with packaging: using ethnography and computer simulation to understand hand–pack interaction

The general population of many developed countries is aging. Despite many medical advances, aging brings with it a host of issues, not least of all the loss of strength and dexterity. Hence, everyday functions that were easily performed at a younger age can become difficult or even impossible. One major area of concern is the ability of elderly consumers to access food or medicines from packaged goods such as jars, bottles and child‐resistant closures. Many consumers avoid food in jars or have problems with medical compliance. Recently, the authors developed a new approach to packaging design termed the ‘three‐stranded approach’. Here, they outline numerical, experimental and analytical techniques for matching pack function to human ability. Within this work it became apparent that developing a more detailed understanding of how packaging is manipulated and gripped would be of use to packaging designers and engineers and hence enable the manufacture of easier‐to‐open packaging. This paper outlines some preliminary studies on the development of a computational model of a human hand as a tool for packaging design, and a supporting study on the various grips used by consumers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

RFID research and testing for packages of apparel,consumer goods and fresh produce in the retail distribution environment

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a term used for any device that can be sensed at a distance by radio frequencies with few problems of obstruction. The origins of the term lie in the invention of tags that reflect or retransmit a radio‐frequency signal. According to a recent article by Forrester Research, the minimal ‘Slap and Ship’ approach to RFID compliance will cost an individual company between $2 million and $20 million. Because retailers like Wal‐Mart plan to share with their suppliers all the RFID‐generated data points (from when a case/pallet enters their distribution centre until it leaves their stockroom), suppliers will eventually be able to use this data as a powerful forecasting tool. RFID is an enabling technology that can potentially facilitate a real‐time, end‐to‐end supply chain visibility system. Suppliers who integrate full‐scale RFID systems will realize efficiencies in time, material movement, inventory planning, shipping and warehousing both internally and externally. This paper provides a brief overview of the RFID technology, mandates by retailers and federal agencies, advances towards global standardization and typical consumer level RFID applications, and discusses RFID initiatives taken by some of the global leaders in apparel, consumer goods and fresh produce industries. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polyvinyl chloride and its organotin stabilizers with special reference to packaging materials and commodities: A review

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a thermoplastic that has entered practically all areas of life as a cheap and versatile material. Since PVC also fulfils the high quality requirements placed on modern packaging materials, with respect to packaging techniques and consumer protection, it is being used to an increasing extent for packaging of food and beverages as well as pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The various additives required for processing PVC into packaging materials and commodity articles, as well as improving its properties during usage (e.g. lubricants and stabilizers), are harmless with regard to human and ecotoxicological aspects. Their use is non-hazardous and is therefore permitted by authorities. In the group of thermo- and light stabilizers for PVC, mixtures of mono- and dialkyltin thioglycolates play a major role. In accordance with legislation, these are allowed to be used in rigid PVC. In addition to their excellent stabilizing effect, they are not hazardous to the health of consumers of products packed in rigid PVC. Similarly, no health hazards exist to personnel, working in PVC production and processing plants, from volatile components of organotin stabilizers provided that processing and environmental prerequisites of modern technology are observed. The disposal of household waste that contains used PVC materials — stabilized with mixtures of mono- and dialkyltin thioglycolates — does not cause additional difficulties.     

Packaging information needed for evaluation in the supply chain: the case of the Swedish grocery retail industry

The proper use and exchange of the right packaging‐related information in a grocery supply chain is critical to achieve an efficient and responsive packaging logistics system. The use of well‐defined packaging‐related information that is available for all actors in the supply chain also facilitates an integrated and supply chain‐orientated packaging development. The objective of this paper is to describe and identify the packaging‐related information used in the grocery retail industry. The paper also describes and analyses how the information is used in the supply chain, with focus on the packaging evaluation process. Case and field studies involving six companies from the Swedish grocery industry were conducted to identify the parameters used and shared among them. The paper discusses what kind of information is required to properly evaluate a packaging concept, what parameters are missing and how the information should be used in the supply chain. Finally, the paper suggests a procedure for packaging logistics performance with required parameters. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An alliance of humans and machines for machine learning: Hybrid intelligent systems and their design principles

With the growing number of applications of artificial intelligence such as autonomous cars or smart industrial equipment, the inaccuracy of utilized machine learning algorithms could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Human-in-the-loop computing combines human and machine intelligence resulting in a hybrid intelligence of complementary strengths. Whereas machines are unbeatable in logic and computation speed, humans are contributing with their creative and dynamic minds. Hybrid intelligent systems are necessary to achieve high accuracy and reliability of machine learning algorithms. In a design science research project with a Swedish manufacturing company, this paper presents an application of human-in-the-loop computing to make operational processes more efficient. While conceptualizing a Smart Power Distribution for electric industrial equipment, this research presents a set of principles to design machine-learning algorithms for hybrid intelligence. From being AI-ready as an organization to clearly focusing on the customer benefits of a hybrid intelligent system, designers need to build and strengthen the trust in the human-AI relationship to make future applications successful and reliable. With the growing trends of technological advancements and incorporation of artificial intelligence in more and more applications, the alliance of humans and machines have become even more crucial.     

Preparation and properties of sodium bicarbonate‐incorporated LDPE films with deodorizing function for kimchi packaging

Volatile compounds produced during the fermentation of kimchi result in a sour taste and unpleasant odor. Here, we evaluated the utility of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as a natural deodorant in kimchi packaging. Baking soda decomposed into sodium carbonate, which showed superior deodorizing effects at 180°C, and aroma patterns were altered after deodorizing treatment with baking soda and heat‐treated baking soda. Moreover, the numbers of off‐odor compounds were decreased when using baking soda or heat‐treated baking soda. In addition, the acetic acid removal rate increased with heat treatment of baking soda. Notably, the external shape and color of baking soda particles were not affected by heating. It was observed that an increase in the content of baking soda in the low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/baking soda composite films enhanced deodorizing effects. Finally, sensory evaluation confirmed that odor decreased with increased baking soda content. The findings demonstrate the potential value of baking soda and LDPE/baking soda composite films in kimchi packaging and reduction of off‐odors.     

Supply and Demand Chain Integration: A Case Study Conducted in the Packaging Industry

The purpose of this work was to study the packaging supplier and the integration of integrating packaging suppliers into the supply and demand chain (SDC). The packaging industry has been analyzed using a structured market analysis, and the companies studied have been positioned in an integration model for packaging suppliers. In addition, case studies were conducted to study the development of the packaging industry and its integration within the SDC in the Scandinavian region. The analysis shows that there are gaps in the business relations between the packaging companies studied and the SDC. Most of the packaging suppliers were not integrated into the SDC. Valuable information, available in the network, seldom reaches the packaging supplier who holds the knowledge necessary to create and offer innovative packaging solutions. The article provides an empirical exploration into the field of packaging, logistics and SDC integration and an original conceptual framework that could serve as a theoretical framework for future research work applied in the packaging industry and an interesting business model to the increase understanding of packaging supply chain integration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.