EASY PEEL FOR YOGHURT POT TESTING
26 August 2006 - Lloyd Instruments

A new test instrument accessory to check the optimum peel strength of sealed lids on yoghurt packaging has been specially developed by Lloyd Instruments. The TG 5346 peel fixture is the latest addition to a fast expanding grips and fixtures range dedicated to the packaging industry, and is precision engineered to fit easily onto a Lloyd Instruments universal testing machine.

The TG 5346 consists of an angled platform that is positioned on a base plate and locked securely into position to suit the container. Designed to accommodate different sized yoghurt containers, the sample clamping arm is fully adjustable in a horizontal or vertical direction.

An upper fixture, connected by a non-elastic cord to the testing machine, grips the foil lid and the machine measures the peel forces in tension up to a maximum 500 N (112.5 lbf).

NEXYGEN MT software is also available for easy test set-up, precise control, advanced data analysis and flexible reporting. Key features on the current version include a comprehensive built in test library, full user security and data audit trails, video capture and play back, and integrated Lab VIEW platform drivers.

When designing food container lids, a balance must be struck between a strong effective seal that prevents food contamination, and one that is easy to peel back. This new quantitative approach to sealed lid testing will appeal to packaging manufacturers, the food industry and dairy producers. A test system from Lloyd Instruments combined with NEXYGEN software and the appropriate test fixture produces fast, accurate results for comparing batches in Quality Control, product development programmes in packaging and adhesive research, and general training applications.

Seal strength tests on other food containers are also possible. The TG 5093 for example, incorporating a novel vacuum grip dish holder, is another fixture in the range for testing more general food containers such as ready meal containers. For customers with special requirements, Lloyd Instruments can custom design instrument fixtures according to an individual specification.

Lloyd Instruments is a unit of AMETEK Test & Calibration Instruments, a division of AMETEK, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electric motors with annual sales of more than $1 billion. Visit www.lloyd-instruments for more information.

http://www.lloyd-instruments.co.uk

More News:
  • For August 2006
  • From Lloyd Instruments
  • For Materials Characterisation and Testing