Prompted Post #8: Practicing Your Knowledge

After recently learning and blogging about package testing, an idea sparked in my mind for what kind of hands-on work I could do to test my knowledge of the packaging field. I decided to construct a series of packaging tests similar to the ones done in laboratories on a store bought product. Because the product/package is in my possession, it obviously has passed the necessary tests to reach the market. However, performing tests similar to actual packaging tests would give me a better understanding of what it would be like to be a packaging engineer, and how/why certain packages/products respond to tests in the way(s) that they do.

Product being tested

The product I chose to test was a 13.7 oz. Starbucks Frappuccino drink, packaged in a glass bottle.

With my lack of accessibility to actual package testing machines, I was unable to do almost all of the tests that packaging engineers acutally perform on glass bottles. However, being a college student with an active imagination meant I could make do with what I had.

Test	Hypothesis	Effect	Conclusion
Bending Test (using hands)	It will not be bendable	Bottle did not bend. Even with extreme pressure, the material in no way came close to bending.	The material is durable enough to be shipped/handled and receive uneasy contact.
Flame Test (using lighter for 1 minute)	There will be no effect	The glass changed the least bit. It darkened slightly, but is not flammable and did not alter enough to become bendable.	Glass is not flammable, extreme amounts of heat would be necessary for alterations in shape and chemical properties.
Heating/Cooling Test (100 degrees/ 20 degrees)	Heating – drink will turn room temperature, glass will become very hot. Cooling – both package and drink will drop in temperature.	Heating- placed in oven, exploded after 36 minutes, product poured out. Cooling – glass became very cool, as did the product.	Glass is applicable for this type of drink. A coffee Frappuccino is something refrigerated, but not often left in 100 degree temperatures.
Drop Test (2 ft, 5 ft, 8 ft, on concrete)	Glass will break at all heights	4 ft- No breakage or cracking, product remained same. 10 ft- glass shattered 15 ft- unable to test because of previous results ^ (glass would definitely shatter)	Glass, as previously known, is breakable. Secondary and Tertiary packaging must be very protective for shipping and handling. Primary package features should make the avoidance of dropping easy for consumers (handles, grips, etc.)

This experience was very fun and hands-on! It was exciting to see the reaction to high temperatures, and somewhat satisfying shattering a glass bottle from 10 feet up. The results of each test showed me why glass is such a good material for beverage packaging: keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot (to a certain extent), can handle reasonable contact, and although I was unable to test this one, it has outstanding barrier properties.