Packaging foods in glass
Practical Action
Filled weight can be checked using a scale that has the
package plus a known weight on one side and samples of
filled product placed on the other side (Figure 20). The
number of samples required to be checked depends on the
amount of food produced and the method of filling. In
general hand filling is more variable than machines and
therefore more samples are required. As a rough guide, one
in every twenty packs should be checked.
Collation for transport/distribution
Once the containers have been filled, sealed and labelled
they are grouped together to make transport and handling
easier. Cardboard boxes are most commonly used and these
can be bought or made up on site. A paper label can be used
to cover existing printing on reused boxes and also advertise
the product during distribution.
The required size of a box can be found by placing together
the containers to be packed, together with dividers, and
measuring the size to find the minimum internal dimensions
(see Figure 21).
Newer methods of collating containers include shrinkwrap or
stretchwrap films which hold the bottles or jars together on
card trays (Figures 22 & 23).
Figure 20: Scales
Figure 21: Sizing
Figure 22: Wrapping machine
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Figure 23 Wrapping boxes for transport