Outside wrappers or oveivraps , — Outside wrappers or overwraps 

 are used to properly close and seal paperboard containers. Tests have 

 shown that a waxed p^erboard carton without a moisture-retardant over- 

 wcacp has a considerably higher rate of water vapor loss than one with a 

 good overwrap. In addition to providing added protection against desic- 

 cation of the frozen product during long periods of storar^e, an overwrap 

 protects against wear and tear that normally is to be expected during 

 distribution and against contamination during handling and storage. It 

 tends to hold the package together and enables it to better withstand 

 rough handling. 



Overwraps, to meet the requirements for food packaging, must 

 be non-toxic, tasteless, and odorless j must prevent loss of moisture; 

 have low gas-transmission rates; be tough, flexible, and durable under 

 conditions of shipment, storage, and marketing; have adequate stiffness 

 and slip (ability to slide freely so as to be wrinkle-free) to permit 

 convenient and economical handling on high-speed printing and wrapping 

 equipment; be durably printable; and make an attractive package. 



The materials most widely used as overwraps probably are cello- 

 pheine and waxed paper. Other materials used are aluminum foil, rubber 

 hydrochloride, polyethylene, and polyvinylidene chloride. 



Master Cartons 



The individual packages of frozen shriiq) are placed in large 

 master or shipping cartons for frozen storage smd shipment. These con- 

 tainers are generally made of corrugated fiberboard, which is strong but 

 light in weight, and possessing good insulating qualities. Layout and 

 color coordination between the individual cartons and the shipping con- 

 tainers provides better product identification and utilizes the container 

 to further advertise the product. Certain requirements relating to the 

 strength (pound test) of the fiberboard, maximum weight of contents for 

 a particular size carton, and other factors, must be cor5)lied with if 

 the carton is to be used for shipment. Corrugated fiberboard shipping 

 containers must also comply with carrier regulations. The fiber-box 

 industry has standards that deal with terminology, correct style names, 

 and proper order of dimension that have been in general use. 



The number of cartons placed in a shipping container varies 

 but, in general, will be 12 or 2U for cartons of a poxind or less. With 

 larger-size cartons, such as those holding 5 or 10 pounds, the shipping 

 container usually holds a totsQ. of 50 pounds. Containers made of solid 

 fiberboard furnish less insulation than those made of corrxigated material 

 and are not considered to be as suitable for frozen foods. 



Several types of specially insulated containers for shipping 

 frozen foods are currently avsdlable on the market. Because of their 

 cost these containers must be returned for re-use after each shipment. 



57 



