The cups are 89.5-mm in diameter, 101-mm in height, and 2.2-microns thick, with filling capacity of 320cc. They are made of polypropylene/ethylene vinyl alcohol/PP. EDV coextrudes and thermoforms the cups at its production plant in Barcelona. Ribbing on the side panels helps the cups resist deformation during thermal processing of the broths and consommés and also provides some insulation properties to allow easier consumer handling of the container after the product has been heated in a microwave oven.
After filling, the oxygen- and moisture-barrier cups are hermetically sealed with peelable, 100% plastic barrier film membranes. Gravure-printed shrink-sleeve labels deliver shelf visibility with distinctive, eye-catching appearance. Injection-molded plastic easy-stack overcaps supplied by United Caps (formerly PROCAP) complete the package. Nonrefrigerated shelf life of the consommés and broths is 12 months. —Judy Rice
