New grape packaging concept accelerates cooling rate

Capespan develops cost-effective option
RAY SMUTS
A NEW concept in packaging is set to change the face of the table grape industry and in the process catapult Capespan into a position of technological leadership internationally.
ExperiCo, the technology development division of the group, has patented a new packaging concept that improves the cooling rate in grape boxes by up to 35%.
It consists of a dovetailed cut-out in the bottom of the standard 4.5kg and 9kg boxes which creates an additional ventilation channel for heat exchange.
This cooling conduit system in the standard double-walled corrugated boxes was conceived after various other methods to accelerate the cooling rate proved to be cost-prohibitive.
Dr Martin Taylor, manager of ExperiCo, says a market-driven need for more rapid cooling systems has been a requirement in the South African table grape industry during the past few years.
“Packhouses and producers were experiencing problems, with cooling cycles taking up to three days and resulting in bottlenecks during peak season.
“We explored different options for more rapid cooling such as perforated bags, deeper boxes and reversed airflow, as well as higher refrigeration capacity, but all these options would have severe implications from a cost point of view.”
The final product, which has undergone a series of commercial trials during four different commercial programmes, has met with great enthusiasm from producers, cold-store managers and corrugators.
Dr Taylor says the ExperiCo cooling system allows management flexibility in terms of exporting as well as shipping versatility but reiterates that the same quality maintenance and management principles should still be adhered to by users.