Trays, lidding material, and paperboard sleeves all make key contributions in Clougherty’s new approach to packaging. Supplied by MAP Systems (Elk Grove Village, IL), the trays are thermoformed from a 30-mil “thermal” lamination, made in-house by MAP Systems, that consists of polypropylene/tie/low-density polyethylene/tie/ethylene vinyl alcohol/proprietary blend. Ground pork trays measure 8”x5” and are 1.5” deep. Link and patty trays share the same 8”x5” footprint, but depth of draw is only 1.125.”
Lidding material, from Cryovac (Duncan, SC), is a 1-mil Lid 550 barrier film. Further structural specs are not available from Cryovac. One characteristic of the film that is greatly appreciated by Clougherty purchasing agent Bruce Taguchi is its elasticity.
“It gives a little when the gas is backflushed in, so you get a slight pillow effect,” says Taguchi. “Yet when the meat absorbs some of that gas and the pillow effect is diminished, the film relaxes while remaining stretched tightly and attractively across the tray opening.”
Paperboard sleeves are 14-pt SBS from Gared Graphics (Camarillo, CA). Offset printing is in eight colors for the ground pork packs and in four for links and patties.
See the story that goes with this sidebar: MAP protects fresh pork
