Feeder machines are automated devices used in various industries to feed and transport materials or products from one location to another. These machines are designed to improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and increase productivity in manufacturing processes. Feeder Machines,Vibratory Feeder Machine,Linear Vibratory Feeder,Medium Plate Feeder Shenyang North Heavy Metallurgical Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.nhmetallurgy.com
Feeder machines can be customized to meet specific requirements and can be integrated with other automated systems for seamless operation. They are often equipped with sensors and controls to monitor and adjust the feeding process, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
Canned food packaging material application new breakthrough
Traditional canned meat products are typically packaged in metal containers, which have long been favored for their durability and ability to preserve food. However, the high cost of metal packaging has become a challenge, especially as demand for canned foods continues to rise rapidly. This growing need has driven the search for more cost-effective and innovative packaging solutions. In recent years, new types of packaging such as soft cans have emerged, offering greater convenience and appeal to consumers. These developments have significantly expanded the market potential for the meat processing industry, opening up new opportunities for growth.
The packaging materials used for meat cans must meet general food safety standards. Additionally, due to the specific requirements of canned foods—such as long shelf life, preservation of color, flavor, and texture, and ease of consumption—the packaging must also satisfy additional criteria. First, the materials must be non-toxic and odorless, ensuring no harmful substances are released when in contact with the food. Second, they should provide excellent barrier properties against oxygen, preventing oxidation that could degrade the product. Third, the material must have low moisture permeability to prevent moisture exchange between the food and the environment, maintaining quality. Fourth, it should block light transmission to protect the product from light-induced degradation. Fifth, the packaging must be resistant to corrosion, especially when containing seasoned broths that may react with the container. Finally, the material should possess sufficient mechanical strength, along with good heat-sealing, printability, and handling characteristics to support industrial production needs.
Flexible packaging materials, such as laminated films made from paper, plastic, aluminum foil, or metallized films, are increasingly being used for meat canning. These materials are designed to conform to the shape of the product and offer a range of benefits. While single-layer materials have limitations in terms of heat sealing, printing, and flexibility, multi-layer composite materials combine the advantages of different layers to meet the complex demands of meat packaging. These composites often include layers of plastic, aluminized films, or aluminum foils, providing enhanced barrier properties, heat resistance, and aesthetic appeal. They are commonly subjected to high-temperature sterilization (110–140°C), requiring them to maintain structural integrity while allowing for efficient heat sealing and printing.
Currently, retort pouches are among the most widely used flexible packaging options for canned meats. These packages are sterilized at high temperatures and can be stored at room temperature for extended periods, usually up to 12 months. Compared to traditional metal cans, soft cans offer several advantages: they are lightweight, reducing transportation and storage costs; they allow for faster cooking times due to better heat transfer, preserving nutrients and flavor; they are easier to open and handle; and they do not pose the risk of metal contamination. Moreover, they reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.
Despite these benefits, soft cans still face challenges, including lower structural strength, shorter shelf life compared to metal or glass containers, and limited production capacity. As a result, they are not yet dominant in China’s canned meat market, but their future looks promising as technology and consumer preferences evolve.
In addition to standard retort pouches, new packaging formats have emerged, such as co-extruded multi-layer sheets that can be molded into cups, trays, bottles, and other shapes. These containers are suitable for microwave or oven sterilization and offer greater design flexibility. As the technology behind flexible packaging continues to advance, it is expected to play an even more significant role in the future of canned meat products.