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The Meal Ready-to-Eat Essay example

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The MRE (Meal - Ready to Eat) Retort Pouch and Component Packaging

OUTLINE

I. Abstract

A. The Meal, Ready-to-Eat
B. Nutrition
1) Caloric value
2) Recommended Daily Allowance

II. Introduction to the Retort Pouch

A. Make-up of the pouch
1) Tri-laminate MRE retort pouch
2) Manufacturing specification
3) Thermo-stability requirements

B. Laminate qualities
1) Three layers and object of design implementation

C. Possible problems with military retort pouch use
1) Punctures, tears, holes
2) Outer carton use and integrity boost

III. Difference between retort pouch and non-retort pouch

A. Adhesive use on seals

B. Types of food and retort pouch use

C. Other packaging use in MRE

IV. Retort Pouch Printing

A. Required …show more content…

When fabricated in accordance with military specifications, it should be able to withstand thermal processing, or retort processing, and a wide temperature range sufficient enough to prevent package damage during transportation and storage. Food packaged in a conventional can must be cooked approximately twice as long as food contained in a retort pouch, as well. To sterilize the food contained in either form of packaging, it must be brought up to approximately 245° F and kept there for a specified period of time. Retort packages have a thin profile and a high ratio of surface area to volume. Heat penetrates the food much more quickly when it only has to reach the inside of an approximately half-inch-thick mass, rather than a much larger mass in a round can.
Coloring is also applied to either the exterior or interior surface of the polyester layer. While the pouch is considered a "tough" package, it is not indestructible. The strength of the pouch and its resistance to damage comes from its tri-laminar structure. Strength of the pouch has always been an issue for the Military, and it’s difficult for some to understand that plastic can be as strong as steel, as metal cans are usually associated with strength.
Each of the three laminas has its own individual qualities that contribute to the success

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