Packaging

Question 1

What are the 3 categories of handling container sizes?

Answer 1

consumer unit (0.25-10lbs)
shipping containers (up to 100lbs)
bulk (up to 1000lbs)

Question 2

Why are containers important in storage/transport? (2)

Answer 2

less cost/time

maximize space utilization

Question 3

what are the measurements of a standard pallet?

Answer 3

100x120cm

Question 4

What are common sizes of shipping containers? which size(s) maximizes pallet space?
These sizes are suggested by:

Answer 4

40x30cm
50x30cm (best)
50x40cm (best)
60x40cm

OECD (organization of economic cooperation & development)

Question 5

Why do some container sizes leave space between when stacked on pallet?

Answer 5

good for cold storage, allow for air circulation

Question 6

4 types of mechanical injury to produce:

Answer 6

cut
compression
impact
vibration

Question 7

What could cause cut/punctures, and why is this an issue?

Answer 7

nails, sharp/rough edges puncture produce skin
(harvest/transport)
damage quality, microbial spoilage, discolored

Question 8

What is compression damage? What causes compression damage?

Answer 8

squeezing produce

due to weight, stacking
overstacking, overfilling, underfilling

Question 9

Why could underfilling lead to compression damage?

Answer 9

lead to package collapse

Question 10

What causes impact injury?

Answer 10

sudden force: dropping, dropping objects on top, jerky movements (bumping)

Question 11

vibration or abrasion is caused by _____ and is common during _____.

Answer 11

produce rubbing against each other or container surface

transport

Question 12

What can be done to prevent movement of stacked packages during transport? Why is this important?

Answer 12

shrouding (cover with plastic)

keep stack neat, prevent toppling and package collapse, damage to produce

Question 13

What are some consequences of mechanical injury? (7)

Answer 13

discoloration (inside/out)
appearance quality loss
lowered market value
spread of infection
increased respiration
chemical/enzymatic activity increase
accelerated spoilage

Question 14

Ways to prevent/control mechanical injuries: (10)

Answer 14

good handling practices
CUTS:
smooth container/equipment
COMPRESSION:
correct filling weight (prevent over/underfilling)
proper container strength (withstand weight)
proper container material (moisture resistant)
IMPACT:
reduce drop height
cushion
individual wrappings
VIBRATION:
restrain to prevent movement
partitions/wrappings

Question 15

Why is packaging important for produce?

Answer 15

1. act as handling unit
2. protect from damage
3. prevent moisture loss
4. sanitation
5. allows for various treatments (cooling, fumigation, ethylene, etc)

Question 16

what types of packaging minimizes moisture loss?

Answer 16

plastic, box liners, wax coatings, water resistant materials

Question 17

Why are packages/produce sometimes sprinkled with water?

Answer 17

appearance of freshness
higher humidity
cooling

Question 18

What is quarantine treatment?

Answer 18

fumigation of produce (especially before shipping internationally) to prevent pests from invading

Question 19

What feature of packaging is important to allow for produce treatments? What must be considered?

Answer 19

large container vents: allow for penetration (but weaker package)
strength vs effectiveness

Question 20

What are other lesser functions of packaging?

Answer 20

prevent stealing
marketing tool
consumer communication/identification
product promotion, branding

Question 21

3 classifications of containers:

Answer 21

field/harvesting
bulk/shipping/storage
retail/consumer

Question 22

What are various types of field containers?

Answer 22

bags, boxes, baskets/bucket/pails, bins, crates, consumer packs (directly)

Question 23

most common container type is: ____.

selected based on:

Answer 23

shipping containers

functional basis

Question 24

main issue with wooden shipping containers:

Answer 24

rough materials (nails, wood) -> can cause injury

Question 25

4 materials for shipping containers:

Answer 25

wood
corrugated paperboard
mesh & multiwall paperbags
plastic

Question 26

advantages/disadvantages for paperboard packages:

Answer 26

good: lightweight, low cost, minimal injury (smooth), can coat for moisture resistance
bad: low strength/stackability (can improve with internal dividers)

Question 27

advantages of consumer packaging:

Answer 27

less shipping weght
better presentation
branding/promotion
fast checkout (bar codes)
less wastage/spoilage

Question 28

types of consumer packaging:

Answer 28

film bags (cellophane, PE, PVC, PS, PP, shrink film)
backings
composite
boxes
bags

Question 29

___ and ___ plastic packaging has excellent clarity

Answer 29

PVC, PS

Question 30

What plastic packaging must have perforations? Why?

Answer 30

cellophane, PE, PP

poor gas barriers

Question 31

functional requirements of produce packaging:

Answer 31

1. strength for transport, storage, stacking
2. resistance to moisture
3. offer protection/prevent moisture loss, block light (certain types
4. meet standardized requirements for size/weight
5. allow for produce processing (fumigation, cooling, etc)