Systematic packaging design tools integrating functional and environmental consequences on product life cycle: Case studies on laundry detergent and milk

This study presents systematic packaging design tools integrating functional and environmental consequences on product life cycle. To design packaging for sustainability, the trade-offs between functional and environmental aspects of packaging throughout the product life cycle should be considered. However, it is difficult for packaging designers to understand the overall trade-offs because the extent of the design consequences on the entire life cycle of packaging and its contents is unclear. We developed two tools for packaging design: the Life Cycle Association Matrix (LCAM) and the Function Network Diagram (FND). The following three steps, based on literature reviews and interviews with industrial experts, were applied. Firstly, we listed the product functions and design variables related to the functions as the attributes allocated to the product life cycle. Secondly, the attributes were connected appropriately based on causal relationships. Lastly, we identified the factors to support decision making in the packaging design procedure. As a result, the LCAM depicts the design consequences on the life cycle, and the FND determines the stakeholders affected by the design consequences. Two case studies were demonstrated to analyze the trade-offs by using our tools. In the case studies, a liquid laundry detergent bottle and a milk carton were redesigned. The tools identified the design consequences and stakeholders affected by the redesign of the usability and protective function for the detergent and milk cases, respectively. The results showed the significance of understanding the design consequences on the product life cycle by integrating the functional and environmental aspects.     

Cellulose nanoparticles synthesised from potato peel for the development of active packaging film for enhancement of shelf life of raw prawns (Penaeus monodon) during frozen storage

In this study, the cellulose nanoparticles (CNP) isolated from potato peel were used for reinforcement of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based active packaging film. The above film was used to pack the raw prawns (Penaeus monodon) at −20 °C, and the colour change, protein content, TVB-N, TMA and microbial analysis were done at regular interval for prawns stored in CNP-PVA active packaging film. A significant difference was observed in the quality of prawns stored in potato CNP-PVA film compared with prawns packed and stored in polyethylene film. The newly designed active packaging with CNP and fennel seed oil enhanced the shelf life of prawns up to two months for both HOSO (head on shell on) prawn and PD (peeled and deveined) prawn. Hence, the study recommends the potato peel CNP-PVA film with fennel seed oil as better choice to extend the shelf life of the prawns during storage compared with polyethylene packaging.     

冷链条件下气调包装酱卤鸭肉制品货架期预测模型的建立

目的 以气调包装酱卤鸭肉制品为研究对象,在冷链温度范围内建立一套准确、高效的货架期预测模型。方法 利用选择性培养基测定不同温度下产品各微生物数量,确定4~25℃条件下产品优势腐败菌。对乳酸菌数量与感官评定值进行了回归分析确定最小腐败量Ns。分别采用修正的Gompertz方程和平方根方程建立一、二级模型,并通过预测值与实测值对比验证模型的可靠性。结果 确定了4~25℃条件下产品优势腐败菌为乳酸菌,最小腐败量Ns=6.14(lg(cfu /g))。一、二级模型拟合度均良好,三种温度下模型预测值与实际值间的差异均在30％左右,波动幅度在10%以内。结论 实现了对4~25℃内任何时间点产品剩余货架期的预测,为冷链条件下气调包装酱卤鸭肉制品品质的变化提供了理论指导。     

Recycling of multilayer packaging using a reversible cross-linking adhesive

Plastic-based multilayer packaging has an important function on the packaging market, but is currently not recyclable as the polymer layers used are usually thermodynamically immiscible. This work therefore follows the approach to prepare separable multilayer packaging using a packaging adhesive modified with thermally unstable adducts, and proposes a corresponding recycling process. For this purpose, typical multilayer structures (polyethylene (PE)// polyethylene terephtalate (PET), PET//aluminum, and PE//aluminum) were prepared by curing furan-/maleimide-functionalized polyurethane (PU)-prepolymers with a three-functional cross-linking agent. Adhesions of up to over 3N per 15 mm test specimen were measured or substrate failures of PET films were observed. However, heating in dimethylsulfoxide, the retro-Diels–Alder reaction takes place and the cross-linked adhesive turns thermoplastic and dissolves in the solvent. Thus, the laminate separates and the pure PE, PET, and aluminum foils can be recovered without any PU residue.     

Inhibition of microbial growth in ready‐to‐eat food stored at ambient temperature by modified atmosphere packaging

This study was undertaken to develop a modified atmosphere package to control microbial growth in ready‐to‐eat (RTE) products stored at ambient temperature. Ethanol and/or limonene associated with modified atmosphere (CO₂ : O₂ : N₂ = 30% : 5% : 65%) was used to inhibit the growth of total air‐borne microorganisms and Escherichia coli in RTE products stored at 25°C. The results indicated that 0.05% ethanol vapour in the headspace was effective to inhibit the growth of air‐borne microorganisms and E. coli at 25°C for 72 h in a model study, and the effectiveness was related to ethanol content. Both 73 ppm limonene and 0.05% ethanol vapour enhanced the bacteriostatic effect of modified atmosphere in RTE sushi roll products, and no off‐flavour was detected using this formulated gas; however, no significant inhibitory effect was observed for RTE cold noodle products. This study concludes that combinations of carbon dioxide, ethanol or limonene vapours are effective to inhibit microbial growth in RTE food at ambient temperature, and the outcome may be due to the hurdle effect. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low temperature delamination of plastic encapsulated microcircuits

Plastic encapsulated microcircuits (PEMs) are increasingly being used in applications requiring operation at temperatures lower than the manufacturer’s recommended minimum temperature, which is 0°C for commercial grade components and −40°C for industrial and automotive grade components. To characterize the susceptibility of PEMs to delamination at these extreme low temperatures, packages with different geometries, encapsulated in both biphenyl and novolac molding compounds, were subjected to up to 500 thermal cycles with minimum temperatures in the range −40 to −65°C in both the moisture saturated and baked conditions. Scanning acoustic microscopy revealed there was a negligible increase in delamination at the die-to-encapsulant interface after thermal cycling for the 84 lead PQFPs encapsulated in novolac and for both 84 lead PQFPs and 14 lead PDIPs encapsulated in biphenyl molding compound. Only the 14 lead novolac PDIPs exhibited increased delamination. Moisture exposure had a significant effect on the creation of additional delamination.     

基于工作站和EUCLID-IS的计算机组装结构CAD系统研究

随着集成电路技术的发展及计算机性能的不断提高，计算机组装结构设计在计算机，总体设计中的地位越来越重要，它直接影响到计算机性能的提高。本文针对一个基于工作站和ＥＵＣＬＩＤ－ＩＳ软件的电子计算机组结构ＣＡＤ系统，从软、硬件平台，系统功能及实现等方面进行了讨论，旨在为电子计算机组装结构设计提供一种强有力的、方便的设计工具，有利于增强国产计算机的市场竞争能力。     

绿色食品与绿色包装

介绍了食品绿色包装与环境保护的关系，探讨了食品绿色包装材料的选择及应用，食品绿色包装设计及市场价值等方面的内容。     

A comparison of leaf-spring with aircushion trailer suspensions in the transport environment

Packaging engineers need to be able to accurately determine the forces present in the shipping environment in order to protect packaged goods. The purpose of this study was to determine the vertical vibration levels measured in three separate truck-trailer suspension systems; conventional leaf-spring, conventional air-ride and damaged air-ride. The main conclusion reached in this study is that the air-ride suspension when maintained gives lower power density (PD) levels on all road surfaces studied. A damaged air-ride suspension and leaf-spring suspension are very similar in response frequencies, although the damaged air-ride produces higher vibration levels at lower frequencies.     

Advancing controlled release packaging through smart blending

Researchers from Rutgers University and Clemson University have collaborated to develop a concept of using smart blending to generate functional packaging films for the controlled release of active compounds such as antimicrobials, antioxidants and flavour compounds to extend the shelf‐life of food. In this paper, literature results are reviewed to justify the significance of controlled release packaging (CRP) and the research gaps for further development are identified. A major research gap is the lack of packaging materials that can provide the release of active compounds at rates suitable for a wide range of food packaging applications. Smart blending is a promising technology for bridging this research gap. To fully realize the potentials of smart blending, a systematic approach for developing CRP using smart blending is also presented. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.