Date of Award

8-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Packaging Science

Committee Member

Dr. Duncan O. Darby, Committee Chair

Committee Member

Dr. Edward J. Rhodehamel

Committee Member

Dr. Robert M. Kimmel

Abstract

A known model relating seal peel strength to burst pressure was studied to determine if altering pouch size had an impact on the model. The model tested was S=(D/2)P, where the seal peel strength is equal to the burst pressure multiplied by half of the plate gap. Past researchers, such as Yam (1993), have tested this model with varying results (Yam, Rossen, & Wu, 1993). It was hypothesized that data from a pouch with a higher length to width ratio would fit the model better given a more cylindrical geometry when inflated. Two pouches of different length to width ratios were produced, where length was kept constant. The conjectured model was tested by changing seal dwell time to produce seals of varying seal peel strengths. Pouches were burst tested using a closed-package inflation burst tester at each chosen dwell time. Resultant seal peel tests were conducted using a tensile tester on seals produced with the same dwell times. These data were treated using naïve regression analysis with a moment-based correction to estimate the slope coefficients. The slope coefficients attained from the experimental data were then compared to the theoretical slopes (D/2) to determine if there was a statistical difference. Results showed that the model functioned for the pouch with the larger length to width ratio when tested at a plate gap of 1.0 inch.

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