Poultry plastic packaging tray

Types of poultry plastic packaging tray

Plastic trays for packing chicken come in different types. Each type of chicken plastic packaging tray is designed for specific benefits yet helps keep the freshness, shape, and safe delivery of the poultry. The various types include vacuum trays, absorbent foam trays, and skin-pack trays.

Vacuum trays

These are made from PVC and PET plastic materials. These trays are made in such a way that they make it possible for the air to be sucked out from the package before sealing it. This helps in reducing the oxidation rate, thus prolonging the life of the packaged chicken. They are widely used in supermarkets for their visual aesthetics and product safety.

Foam trays

These trays are made from polystyrene, which comes with a thin plastic film for the top seal. These are the most common chicken packaging used in retail stores. These trays are lightweight, cost-effective, and capable of providing adequate support for most packaging chicken's handling and transportation. They are also easy to recycle.

Skin pack trays

These trays are designed to tightly wrap a film around the chicken cut so it conforms to the product. This method enhances product visibility and increases shelf life by limiting air exposure. Skin pack trays are preferred where the presentation is more important, as the film gives the pack a neat, attractive appearance.

Design of poultry plastic packaging tray

A poultry plastic packaging tray is designed to provide safety during handling, distribution, and storage; hence, the poultry remains intact. These trays include features that will enhance sturdiness, waste minimization, and product display aspects.

The design properties include the following:

• Ribbing or reinforcement: Many plastic poultry trays have ribbing or other forms of reinforcements on the sides. This stiffens the tray and makes it harder to bend or crack when carrying heavy items like packs of chicken. Without ribs, the thin plastic could easily flex and crush the package or deform the chicken shapes inside.
• Size and shape: Foam trays for meat are commonly rectangular or oval to efficiently use space within shipping boxes, refrigerated displays, and storage areas. Their dimensions are chosen based on the largest cuts or whole birds they need to accommodate without too much extra room. This helps keep the chicken from shifting around during transport.
• Lower rims: The PU plastic chicken tray has slightly raised rims around the edge and a smooth, flat inner base where meat rests. A sealed package won't slide out easily, and the rim provides a barrier to liquids and any run-off from the chicken.
• Perforations: Some trays intended for temporary use, like promotional packs, have small holes or perforations that allow limited air circulation. This prevents flattening of meat that needs to breathe but provides less oxygen than full open-top packaging.

Specification of poultry plastic packaging tray

Poultry trays are made in various sizes and thicknesses to suit different needs in the industry. The specifications will help ensure that other products meet the required standards.

• Material thickness: Meat packaging trays are manufactured in different material thicknesses, generally ranging from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Thicker materials provide greater strength, while thinner ones are cost-effective and provide reasonable protection.
• Sizes: Plastic chicken trays can also come in various sizes, depending on the amount or size of the chicken to be packaged. The most common sizes are 10 inches by 8 inches for chicken parts and up to 12 inches by 9 inches for whole chickens.
• Weight: The weight of a plastic chicken tray varies based on the choice of materials and design. A thicker, larger rectangular tray designed for heavy packages will weigh more than a thin, small oval designed for light use.
• Load-bearing capacity: Poultry trays should also carry four times their weight during packaging, as specified in industry standards. In the case of stacked packages, they are designed to bear a weighty load on the bottom tray without collapsing or distorting.
• Color and finish: Most chicken trays come in white, black, or clear. Color may be determined by the design or the manufacturer's decision, but the finish is mostly smooth since a clean surface must be maintained to avoid contamination.

Scenarios of poultry plastic packaging tray

Plastic trays for meat are widely adaptable within the poultry industry, with each scenario helping address particular packaging needs. These trays are often used in retail, food service, export, and e-commerce for their durability, cost-effectiveness, and presentation-enhancing characteristics.

Retail packaging

Poultry skin pack trays are extensively used for packaging chicken in supermarkets and grocery stores. Customers find these trays with plastic film tightly shrink-wrapped around them, enhancing visual appeal and extending shelf life. Shrink wrap provides a 'fresher' look and protects chicken from handling while allowing the consumer to see the cut and color.

Wholesale distribution

Chicken foil trays are used when packing large quantities of poultry for wholesale or institutional customers. These trays may be inner-packed and bulk-shipped to food service operations, such as restaurants, hotels, or institutional catering services. Sturdy construction suits them for handling and transport in bulk.

E-commerce

Plastic trays for packing chicken are increasingly being used as online food delivery services rise. Here, the poultry is supported and protected during transit, packaging it attractively and ensuring it arrives undamaged. Trays are sealed with reinforced films to protect against vacuum slicing or tearing in transit.

Export packaging

In the global poultry market, packaging must be capable of withstanding long shipping times. In this case, skin pack trays are specially designed to prevent the chicken from moving during transportation. Vacuum sealing may also be applied for international transportation to prevent any exposure to air for the chicken.

Benefits of poultry plastic packaging tray

Plastic poultry trays are lightweight, robust, and moisture-resistant, and they accommodate different sizes and shapes of printed trays. They are easy to carry, thus being suitable for transportation and marketing. Some of the benefits include:

• Moisture retention: Plastic poultry trays stand out in maintaining the applied moisture to keep the chicken from drying out during storage and transportation. They provide a great barrier to air exchange compared to paper board or other packaging materials, effectively reducing oxidation. This keeps the chicken succulent and fresh for an extended period.
• Hygienic: Plastic packaging trays in meat will possess non-porous surfaces, making it easier to clean, disinfect, or recycle. This characteristic prevents bacteria from building up, thus making the trays more hygienic than other materials. In addition, the smooth finish of the plastic makes it easy to eliminate possible contaminants, enhancing safety during the processes of storage, transportation, and retail.
• Sturdiness: Plastic trays for packing chicken can flex without brittlebreak. The packaging keeps the chicken safe from the impact during handling, transport, or storage, thus avoiding possible damage to the product.
• Cost-effective: Plastic trays provide a budget-friendly method of packaging, whether for retailing or wholesale distribution. They are economical as they can be produced and distributed in large scale. They are also durable enough that they can be reused, further minimizing costs.
• Environmental considerations: Although plastics gave associated negative impacts on the environment, many poultry trays are recyclable. Some manufacturers use eco-friendly plastics that have less environmental impact. This allows customers to dispose of chicken trays responsibly.

How to Choose poultry plastic packaging tray

Choosing the right poultry plastic packaging tray for chicken will involve several considerations that influence the effectiveness of both the packaging and the product. Expected size and volume, degree of desired shelf life, promotional or standard packaging, and tray eco considerations all influence the choice.

• Volume: Plywood trays must be used for large-scale operations, wholesaling, or export. In smaller operations such as local butcher shops or niche markets, skin pack or vacuum trays may be more favorable because of their added value. The choice between these two would depend on how big the operation is and what they would require.
• Shelf life: Chicken that requires a longer shelf life, such as in export or e-commerce, will need vacuum-sealed trays or skin pack trays, where the air is entirely eliminated around the poultry. This provides an excellent barrier to oxidation and extends freshness. For shorter periods, absorbent pads might be adequate.
• Aesthetics: Packaging women trays may be necessary for marketing purposes. Vacuum-sealed chicken packs where the chicken looks neater may offer a better pack presentation and appeal to more customers. This is better hygiene and more attractive presentation than foam trays, improving sales.
• Cost: Different types of trays come with different price tags. In general, foam trays are less expensive than vacuum or skin pack trays. But in this case, there will be no gain in the aesthetic appeal and shelf life. While skin pack and vacuum-seal trays provide better shelf life and presentation, they are more expensive compared to foam trays.

Q&A

Q.1 What is the plastic poultry tray made of?

A1.1 A poultry plastic packaging tray is made from different kinds of plastics: polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride. Each of these plastics has advantages and may be chosen depending on the requirement of strength, flexibility, clarity, and sealing ability. For instance, styrene is used because of its rigidity and low density. At the same time, PVC is chosen because of its clarity and sealing properties. They all provide a lightweight, moisture-resistant, and hygienic environment for storing and transporting poultry.

Q.2 What are the features of the poultry tray plastic?

A2.2 The features of a poultry tray plastic include durability, moisture resistance, and recyclability. These trays are durable enough to resist bending, cracking, or breaking, thus protecting the poultry during transportation and handling. Secondly, the plastic trays are resistant to water and can retain moisture in the chicken, thus preventing dehydration. Lastly, plastics are recyclable, allowing them to be disposed of environmentally responsibly.

Q.3 What are considerations in choosing a poultry plastic packaging tray?

A3.3 The factors that need to be considered include the packaging volume, shelf life, aesthetics, and cost. Such considerations help determine the poultry tray type needed in any given situation.

Q.4 What is the thickness of the poultry plastic packaging tray?

A4.4 The thickness of poultry plastic packaging trays ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters. The thinner trays are lighter and more economical, while the thicker ones provide better support, especially for larger cuts or whole chickens. The plastic's thickness is important because it affects the durability, seals, and overall presentation of the packed chicken.