Tableware Inspection | Pulp Molded Tableware Inspection Standards and Methods

Pulp molded tableware is paper tableware made from pulp through processes such as forming, molding, and drying. It is used for take-out and dine-in containers in takeout, restaurants, coffee shops, and fast food restaurants, such as disposable plates, bowls, cups, lunch boxes, etc. It can also be used for packaging of fresh food and semi-finished food, such as fruit trays, egg trays, lunch boxes, etc. How do third-party inspection companies inspect pulp molded tableware? What are the standards and methods for inspecting pulp molded tableware?

Pulp molded tableware classification

Pulp molded tableware can be divided into molded paper cups, molded paper bowls, molded paper lunch boxes, molded paper plates, molded paper dishes, molded paper trays, etc. according to their uses.

Inspection and Appearance Requirements for Pulp Molded Tableware

When observed under natural light or fluorescent light, the color of pulp molded tableware should be uniform, and there should be no obvious color difference in the same batch of products. The surface should be flat and clean, without oil stains, cracks, holes, and smooth and regular edges. The die-cutting should be neat, without foreign matter or odor. The lid of pulp molded tableware with lid should be easy to close and flat, the container and lid should match, and the resilient lid should be buckled.

Test method for dimensional deviation of pulp molded tableware inspection

Molded paper lunch box size deviation

Use a vernier caliper with a graduation value of 0.02 mm to measure the bottom long side, bottom short side, and height (the overall height of the molded paper lunch box after closing the lid) of the molded paper lunch box. Measure 5 samples for each sample, and use the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the 5 sample measurements and the average value to express the result.

Dimensional deviations of molded paper plates, dishes and trays

Use a vernier caliper with a graduation value of 0.02mm to measure the long side and short side of molded paper plates, dishes and trays, and the diameter of round molded paper plates, dishes and trays. Measure 5 specimens for each sample, and express the result as the difference between the maximum and minimum values and the average value of the measured values of the 5 specimens.

Test method for capacity deviation of pulp molded tableware inspection

Capacity determination

Weight method (arbitration method)

Use a balance to weigh the mass m₁ of each empty molded paper cup (bowl) to an accuracy of 0.1g. Add water at a temperature of 23℃±1℃ into the empty molded paper cup (bowl) to the volume mark on the cup (bowl). For cups or bowls without volume marks, add water to 5 mm from the upper edge (overflow surface) and weigh its mass m₂. Measure 5 molded paper cups (bowls) for each sample.

The capacity V of the molded paper cup (bowl) is calculated according to the formula:

Volumetric method

According to the size of the molded paper cup (bowl), take a measuring cylinder of corresponding capacity. Add water at a temperature of 23℃±1℃ into the cup (bowl) to the inner volume mark of the cup (bowl). For cups or bowls without volume marks, add water to 5 mm from the upper edge (overflow surface), then carefully pour the water into the measuring cylinder, read and record. Measure 5 molded paper cups (bowls) for each sample, record the measurement results, and take the arithmetic mean.

Calculation of capacity deviation

The capacity deviation D of molded paper cups (bowls) is calculated according to the formula:

Test method for water leakage of pulp molded tableware

Place the sample on a flat plate or glass plate lined with filter paper, fill it with water at 23℃±1℃, let it stand for 30 minutes, and then observe whether there is a watermark on the filter paper. If there is a watermark, it is considered to be leaking, otherwise it is considered to be non-leaking. Measure 3 samples for each sample. If all 3 samples have no leakage, the sample is judged to have no leakage.

Test method for heat resistance of pulp molded tableware

Hot water resistant

Place the sample on a dry glass plate or flat plate lined with filter paper, fill it with 95℃±5℃ water, and leave it for 30 minutes, then observe whether the sample is deformed, and whether there is any seepage or leakage at the bottom. Measure 3 samples for each sample. If none of the 3 samples show any seepage, leakage, or deformation, the sample is judged to have no seepage, no leakage, and no deformation.

Note: During the test, water vapor condenses at the bottom due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the sample. This phenomenon is not considered as negative seepage or leakage.

Heat resistant oil

Place the sample on a dry glass plate or flat plate lined with filter paper, fill it with 95℃±5℃ edible oil, and leave it for 30 minutes, then observe whether the sample is deformed, and observe whether there is oil stain on the filter paper. Measure 3 samples for each sample. If all 3 samples are not deformed, and there is no oil stain on the filter paper, then the sample is judged to have no seepage, no leakage, and no deformation.

Test method for load-bearing performance of pulp molded tableware inspection

Test equipment: 220mm×150mm×3mm flat glass, 3kg weight, metal ruler with 1mm graduation value.

Test steps: Put the lid of the molded paper lunch box on a smooth horizontal table, and then put the flat glass on the lid. Use a metal ruler to measure the height from the lower surface of the flat glass to the horizontal table. Then place a 3kg weight in the center of the flat glass, load it for 1 minute, and measure the height again. Two molded paper lunch boxes are tested for each sample.

The load-bearing performance W of the sample is calculated according to the formula:

The measurement results were expressed as the arithmetic mean of two measurements.
Pulp molded tableware inspection box lid fold test

For the molded paper lunch box samples with lids and containers connected together, open and close the lid continuously from 0°C to 180°C for 15 times (one opening and one closing counts as one time), and observe whether there are cracks or damage at the connection between the lid and the box body. Measure 3 samples for each sample. If there are no cracks or damage in the 3 samples, the sample is judged to be free of cracks and damage.

Pulp molded tableware inspection drop test

Drop the sample downward from a height of 0.8m above the level cement floor and observe whether the sample is intact. Measure three samples for each sample. If all three samples are intact, the sample is considered to be undamaged.

Inspection mark requirements for pulp molded tableware

Sales packaging logo

The product sales packaging mark should indicate the standard number, product category, product specifications and quantity, production date and shelf life, and other matters that need to be marked.

Transport packaging mark

The product transport packaging mark should include the following:

- Product name and trademark;

- product specifications;

——Graphical signs for packaging, storage and transportation;

——Other signs.

Inspection and Packaging Requirements for Pulp Molded Tableware

The packaging of molded pulp tableware should be dustproof, moisture-proof or mildew-proof, and the packaging materials that come into direct contact with the tableware should be non-toxic, harmless and clean. All packaging materials for molded pulp tableware should have sufficient sealing and firmness to ensure that the molded pulp tableware is not contaminated under normal transportation and storage conditions.

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