Feb. 17, 2020, 3:11 p.m.

Swiss Pack Production Testing

We've built a new testing lab at our factory with host of extraordinary machine to ensure your quality is never compromised!

Swiss Pack undertakes a very rigorous approach to ensure that only the very highest production standards are adhered to in every single bag that we produce. We take extremely seriously the importance of product function and security and continually seek out improvements wherever they are possible. The journey of any packaging order passes through over 100 different members of staff within our organisation. From sales, reprographics, procurement, cylinder production, printing, lamination and forming through to packing and logistics, the collective input in significant. However, very central to this journey is the work of our quality control department that often passes unnoticed though forms a critical role behind every single process. If anything, they are probably the most important team in the Company and their hard work will dictate all aspects of production and supply. These technical specialists provide a dedicated and uncompromising shield that guarantees the quality that Swiss Pack has been known for over the last four decades. Every single input is checked and tested to ensure only the very best standards pass our quality criteria. Below is a brief glimpse of some of the tests that we undertake on every single production to make sure no stone is left unturned in delivering the very best in packaging excellence : 

PERMIABILITY: In contrast to glass or metal packaging materials, packages made with plastic are permeable at different degrees to small molecules like gases, water vapour, and organic vapour and to other low molecular weight compounds like aromas, flavour, and additives present in the food. 

OTR - Oxygen Transmission rate (ASTM F2622): This test method covers a procedure for determination of the steady-state rate of transmission of oxygen gas through plastics in the form of film, sheeting, laminates, co-extrusions, or plastic-coated papers or fabrics. 

WVTR – Water Vapour Transmission rate (ASTM F 1249): This test method covers a procedure for determining the rate of water vapour transmission through flexible barrier materials 

ODOUR: There are no standard tests for Odour permeability. But generally good barrier layer selection does ensure a good Odour Permeability. PRINTING Pint Registration: The alignment of different films or printing plates to produce one printed image In colour printing, registration is the method of correlating overlapping colours on one single image. 

Colour / Shade Matching: Intensive communication with the customer is typically required at the start of the colour matching process. Our pigments are all heavy metal free, FDA & EC Directives compliant as well as Food contact approved. Precision and accuracy are the cornerstones in designing a wide range of colours by our experienced technical team. 

Physical Verification Tests: Size: Length, Width, Gusset Depth, Weight Dimensional stability is a desirable property in a film conversion process and particularly so in printing and pouch making. It is important that the films experience minimum changes in dimensions as it passes through various different processes like lamination, treatment and printing. Other Features: Zipper, Tear Notch, Valve Position These are just visual tests on the production line and while pouches are being packed into boxes. 

Leak Test: Package integrity is a primary measure of a package’s ability to keep the contents inside for as long and as consistently as possible. An important aspect of product quality control protocol is to demonstrate the maintenance of a test regime that looks at online leakage tests in order to guarantee package integrity throughout the product shelf life. 

Odour Test: Evaluation of the odour of the material itself. Since all materials have some odour, aims to detect anything that is stronger than normal, unusual or unpleasant which might have an impact on the product that is being packed in that pouch. 

Taint Test: Evaluation of the taste of a food or model foodstuff following its contact with the material in question. Triangular Test: Where the tester is presented with three samples, two control and one test. He or she must identify which is different from the other two. The scores are evaluated on a statistical basis. 

Ruckle Test: A subjective test where one ruckles/ wrinkles/ scrunches the packaging material and then sniffs it. Please feel free to request a data sheet on our products which forms the guarantee from us to you.