Hot Filling is a proven and recognized method for filling high acid foods (pH less than 4.6) that will be shelf stable at ambient temperatures. Now a days, this method is used extensively in the food industry for filling a glass and plastic containers and in paperboard cartons. It relies on heat treatment to temperatures in the region of 194-203 °F (90-95 °C) for at least 15 seconds (typically 15-30s). This process produces a “Commercially Sterile Product” by killing all microorganisms capable of growing in it. The product is then cooled and filled at temperatures ranging 180-185 °F (82-85 °C) into containers, sealed immediately with closures, and then held at this temperature for approximately 2-3 min. The hot filling will sterilize the inner surface of the container. The filled containers are usually placed on their sides so that the neck-finish and closure are also sterilized. The containers are then cooled in a cooling tunnel in order to minimize the thermal degradation of the product.

The main purpose of hot filling is to provide a product free from microorganisms capable of growing in it at ambient storage. Commercial sterility or thermally processed food refers to the absence of disease-causing microorganisms, absence of toxic substances and of spoilage-causing microorganisms capable of multiplication under a number of non-refrigerated storage and distribution conditions.

The properties of the food will largely determine the sensitivity to spoilage by microorganisms. Temperature and water activity are important factors that affect the microbiological spoilage of foods. Another factor of major importance for the growth and survival of microorganisms in foods is the pH or acidity. Low pH (high acidity) will restrict a number of microorganisms from growing and spoiling the food. It is, therefore, very important to know the acidity of the food when deciding the process conditions and the possible shelf-life of the product. Foods are often divided into two main groups in terms of their acidity: high acid foods with pH 4.6 or lower and low-acid foods with pH higher than 4.6.

There are some important reasons for the acidity classifications:

• Most spores that may survive heat treatment and chemical will not grow or germinate at pH lower than 4.6.
• Pathogenic bacteria will not grow at pH lower than 4.6
• The sensitivity to heat treatment is increased at lower pH.

http://mjacobandsons.com/hotfill.html

(Source: petmachine.in)

Tubes are a fantastic packaging option. Consumers and retailers love them. They are user friendly, offering immediate product evacuation for the consumer and efficient billboard on the retail shelf. With a multitude of tube structures, there is virtually no concern about product compatibility. MJS tube experts can guide you through multiple decoration offerings to yield the most dazzling graphics you can envision. Your packaging should excite the consumer, intrigue them to grab the package off the shelf and communicate your brands message loud and clear.

Livonia, Mich. – M. Jacob & Sons (MJS), an industry leading provider of rigid packaging, is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of Packaging Consultants Group (PCG) in Brewster, New York. The acquisition brings together two established and respected names in the packaging industry. MJS will be able to better serve its clients it the northeast with the presence of PCG’s regional office as well as gain access to a variety of quality packaging options that were previously only offered through PCG.

The existing operations of PCG will remain as they are and become a wholly owned subsidiary of M. Jacob & Sons. As part of the continued growth of M. Jacob & Sons, the new acquisition of Packaging Consultants Group will improve business operations across the country.

“Both companies share the same core values and approach to serving customers’ needs.” noted David Lublin, Chief Operating Officer of M. Jacob & Sons. “We at MJS are proud to have Packaging Consultants Group become part of the oldest packaging company in the country.

Former owner of PCG, Steve Penn, says “This is a great opportunity to leverage synergies and provide our customers the benefit of added resources, technical support and depth of service.” All of PCG’s employees were offered to keep their positions and all have agreed to stay, including Mr. Penn who will stay on as president of the M. Jacob & Sons subsidiary.

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www.bottles.net

In case you were wondering why it is important to have your plastic containers flame treated before they are labeled this article is for you. Flame treating alters the surface of the plastic so that it may accept the ink and not peel off when it is being handled. Sometimes you may come across a package that you touch and the printing on the container falls off when you grab it or rub it. This container was probably not flame treated or if it was the treatment wore off before the printing occurred. Once the printing is on a flame treated bottle it will last for the life of the bottle. However, flame treating will only last 60-90 days so the printing must occur within that time period. A bottle can be flame treated multiple times with no negative consequences. For this reason you will find printers that can flame treat the bottles they receive in their printing process even if the bottle has been treated in the last 60 days. When it comes to the brand image of your bottle it is better to be safe than sorry. If you are unsure whether or not your containers have been flame treated or you are concerned the treatment has worn off, there is a test that can be performed to check the condition of the container.

http://mjacobandsons.com/healthbeauty.html

Let’s first get a technical understanding of a desiccant. It is a hygroscopic substance that induces or sustains a state of dryness in its local vicinity in a moderately well sealed container. In other words a desiccant keeps what is inside your packaging dry. This is a great tool for a variety of consumer products. A common desiccant is silica gel. The solid beads are packed in permeable bags and are very effective at humidity control in packaging. Next is bentonite clay which offers better absorbency than silica gel in the average packaging environment. Production of bentonite desiccants has less impact on the environment and is usually less costly than silica gel. Other popular desiccants include activated carbon and molecular sieves. 

(Source: sud-chemie.com)

That’s right, the biodegradable plastic bottle. This bottle will break down over time and it is made possible by the ENSO additive. Formed into a pellet like material, the product is added to plastic resin during the manufacturing process and can be used in almost any type of plastic bottle. Plastic with ENSO looks like any other container of that plastic type whether it’s PET, HDPE or PP. The best part is you are not compromising the quality of the container you use. In fact the ENSO additive will increase the barrier strength of the walls of the container helping to increase shelf life. Whether on a store shelf or in your cabinet at home, ENSO bottles with not break down due to light, heat or oxygen. The ENSO material waits until it is in a microbe rich environment, a landfill for instance, and only after it is attacked by this high concentration of microbes does the overall bottle begin to break down. The microbes go after the ENSO and then the rest of the plastic, beyond the ENSO, is able to be broken down because it is carbon based. Microbes are just not in tune with breaking down plastic, but with the ENSO as a part of the containers molecular structure, the microbes attack the ENSO and then move on to the rest of the carbon molecular chain leaving behind nothing but soil and bio-gases.

Now you may say to yourself “this sounds interesting, but where is the value when I can just recycle?” Even along the recycling chain there are imperfections. When a product made from post consumer resin (PCR) it is not as strong as the original plastic it was made from, its barriers are weaker, the material looks discolored. That is not the biggest issue though, think about what has just happened. Another bottle was made, yes it was from PCR, but still another bottle with another opportunity to be disposed of incorrectly has been created. With ENSO bottles if this happens at least we can feel more comfortable knowing that the material will break down and will do so in less than a thousand years. We at MJS, just as the fine people at ENSO bottles, do not believe this is an excuse to not recycle or a way to shift responsibility from people who use plastic containers. We simply believe that this is the next step in environmentally conscious packaging. 

(Source: ensobottles.com)

When you have spent your time, energy and money to create a product that you are proud of and you know will succeed in the market you still need to package it. While it might not seem like big piece of the puzzle, determining the most effective packaging is paramount. The product that you have created could be absolutely amazing, but if your packaging does not mirror your amazing creation then no one will take the time to discover it. Packaging is the attention grabber, it’s what slaps the consumer in the face and says “LOOK AT ME!” Once your package has done the talking all you have to do is let your product do the walking. When it all comes together just right you will have no problem getting the consumer to spread the word and come back for more.

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Around 1907, Belgian-born chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland took two ordinary chemicals, phenol and formaldehyde, mixed them in a sealed autoclave, and subjected them to heat and pressure. The sticky, amber-colored resin he produced in his Yonkers laboratory was the first plastic ever to be created entirely from chemicals, and the first material to be made entirely by man.

Dr. Baekeland’s new material was publically announced in1912 and named Bakelite. This entirely synthetic material opened the door to the Age of Plastics and seeded the growth of a worldwide industry that today employs more than 60 million people. Today, synthetic plastics are everywhere.

http://mjacobandsons.com/techspecs.html

(Source: portal.acs.org)

Post Consumer Resin (PCR) can be made from either recycled PET or HDPE containers and can be blended with virgin resin to make a partial PCR container or used by itself to make a 100% PCR container. The materials that are recycled are ground, sterilized, pelletized, crystallized and turned back into plastic resin pellets which can then be remade into a variety of container shapes. PCR does exhibit a yellow tint in its natural form, but is harmless to your product. It is recommended that you use dark or opaque colors instead of light transparent colors to camouflage the tint of PCR. If you require food grade packaging don’t worry because PET PCR regrind can be made in a process approved by the FDA for contact with food. 

http://mjacobandsons.com/ecofriendly.html

(Source: alphap.com)

M. Jacob & Sons Names Leslie Connors as West Coast Account Executive

March 14, 2011 – M. Jacob & Sons announced today that Leslie Connors has joined the company as the West Coast Account Executive. M. Jacob & Sons, established in 1885, is the U.S.’s oldest family owned packaging leader and distributor. The company serves a variety of markets including nutraceutical, food, beverage, health, beauty, household, garden, automotive, industrial and pharmaceutical. Ms. Connors brings with her 23 years of experience in the packaging industry.

Ms. Connors spent the last 9 years of her career operating in the manufacturing arena of the business at Mayfair/Consolidated Container and Matrix. Prior to going into manufacturing, Ms. Connors worked with companies such as Fenton, Weber & Jones and other businesses for 14 years where she operated in the distribution side of the business in which M. Jacob & Sons participates. Ms. Connors’ time in the industry has allowed her to represent every state in the U.S.A., as well as almost every market in the industry, making her an extremely knowledgeable and valuable asset.

“It is my plan to give M. Jacob & Sons a nice home here in Southern California,” Said Ms. Connors. “We will be pursuing many opportunities in various industries and making M. Jacob & Sons a nation wide company.” “Having experience on both ends of the business has helped me tremendously in understanding the needs of both the customers and the manufacturers.”

 “We are thrilled to welcome Leslie to the MJS family”, says Neil Bloomberg, Vice President and National Sales Manager of M. Jacob & Sons. “With experience in both manufacturing and distribution, Leslie will be a great addition to our service and solutions driven sales team.”