Analysis of the status quo of chocolate tin box packaging

Abstract: With the resurrection and development of the global economy, packaging boxes have become an important part of the commodity circulation and transportation process. From simple classification packaging boxes to the protection of products, convenient circulation, beautiful decorations to achieve the role of promoting sales. Packaging materials have also developed from the previous packaging materials such as paper and wood to plastic, metal, cardboard, glass, tinplate and other packaging materials, which can better protect the goods and increase sales.

Foreword: The origin of chocolate is Mexico. The main ingredient is cocoa beans (a coconut-like fruit that blooms and bears fruit on the trunk). Its origin is very early, starting from the last emperor of the Astec dynasty in Mexico. Meng Teru, a society that worshipped chocolate at the time, liked to add chili, scallop, vanilla beans and spices to the drink to make bubbles, and drink 50cc a day in a golden cup. It was a drink belonging to the court. Its scientific name is Theobroma It means "the drink of the gods" and is regarded as a precious heart strengthening and diuretic medicine. It has an activating effect on the proteolytic enzyme in the gastric juice and can help digestion. After the chocolate spread to Europe, the Swiss invented that milk was added to the chocolate to taste better, which is the embryonic form of today's chocolate. Chocolate wins the hearts of the world with its fragrant and sweet taste and represents the sweetness of love. It is a gift for expressing love between lovers. Therefore, the chocolate tin box packaging box design must be carefully designed to win consumers' desire to buy. Candies and chocolates belong to the category of leisure food. In recent years, various types of candies and chocolate products in different packaging formats have been on the market, which not only decorates the market but also enriches people's lives.

  1. Chocolate requirements for tin box packaging

  Chocolate is made of raw materials such as cocoa liquor, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, white sugar, dairy products and food additives, which are processed through processes such as mixing, grinding, scouring, tempering, casting, and freezing molding. The dispersion system of chocolate is based on fats and oils. As a dispersion medium, all solid components are dispersed between fats and oils. The continuous phase of fats and fats becomes the backbone of the body. The melting point of cocoa butter, the main component of chocolate, is around 33°C. Therefore, chocolate gradually softens when the temperature reaches 28°C or more, and exceeds 35°C. Above ℃, it gradually melts into a slurry. The surface quality of chocolate is also greatly affected by ambient temperature and humidity. When the temperature gradually rises from 25°C to above 30°C, the gloss of the chocolate surface begins to dim and disappear, or when the relative humidity is quite high, the gloss of the chocolate surface will also be dim. And disappear. At the same time, if chocolate is packaged or stored improperly, it will appear blooming, whitish, oily, and insects. In addition, chocolate also has the characteristics of easily absorbing the odor of other items, and some chocolate products will also have a hala taste. The shelf life is not synchronized and other phenomena. Considering the special properties of chocolate and the high-requirement selling conditions, relatively high requirements are put forward for the packaging of chocolate tin boxes. In particular, the tin box packaging is required to not only have good water and gas resistance, temperature and melting resistance, light protection, rancidity resistance, Anti-dialysis, anti-mildew, anti-insect and anti-pollution properties, and can maintain the color, fragrance, taste and shape of chocolate candies for a long time. In addition, with the needs of market competition, chocolate packaging boxes are required to have unique forms of expression (including materials, shapes and designs, etc.), rich and colorful content (display product form, characteristics, and connotation, etc.), and functions that add value to the product. Promote product sales and increase the added value of products.

2. Chocolate packaging box materials

. Commonly used chocolate packaging box materials

  Paper chocolate packaging box. Paper packaging is a world-recognized pollution-free and environmentally friendly material, but due to its own characteristics, it is generally used for outer packaging, display packaging, display packaging and transportation packaging. In addition to higher surface treatment requirements and special requirements for pollution, Other requirements are not too high, and industry profits are not high. Chocolate paper packaging involves coated paper, white cardboard, grayboard, boxboard and corrugated paper. The proportion of high value-added functional papers such as water resistance, oil resistance, acid resistance, deodorization, and wafer paper is gradually increasing. This will become a highlight of additional attention of paper packaging companies.

 Tin foil chocolate packaging box. This is a type of traditional packaging material. Because of its good barrier properties and ductility, it has always occupied a place in the current chocolate packaging. However, it is affected by factors such as production technology, production efficiency, application limitations, and price, and is affected by packaging such as plastics. The great impact.

 Plastic chocolate packaging. Plastic packaging has gradually become one of the most important packaging materials for chocolate due to its rich functions and diverse display power. With the maturity of technology, cold-seal soft bags have gradually become the most important part of chocolate due to their high packaging speed, low odor, no pollution, easy tearing, etc., and can avoid the impact of high temperature during the chocolate packaging process. Packaging Materials. The focus of the later development of plastic packaging is to improve the performance of existing plastics, develop new varieties, improve strength and barrier properties, reduce dosage (thick wall), reuse, and sort and recycle to protect the environment.

  Metal chocolate packaging material. Metal materials have good barrier properties, light-proof properties, airtightness, and obvious protective display capabilities, easy gas extraction, simple processing, firmness, low consumption, and environmental friendliness. Therefore, they have gradually become commonly used in chocolate and candy A packaging material. Most of the metal materials are based on tin-plated iron. Currently, the commonly used materials include tin-plated iron, galvanized iron, and silver light iron.

   Container packaging. Container packaging is also one of the most common packaging methods in chocolate packaging. It mainly has the advantages of excellent protective performance, sophisticated production, unique display effect and secondary utilization. At present, the common container packaging on the market is nothing more than plastic (injection molding, blow molding). , Blister molding), metal (tinplate cans, aluminum cans), glass and paper (mounted boxes) four categories, in order to pursue differentiation of product display, leather boxes, wooden boxes and composite materials and other containers that do not often contain food Appeared on the market. In addition, ceramic materials can fully express culture and art, and there have been cases in the market that use ceramics to make high-end chocolate packaging containers.

2. Chocolate packaging boxes in major supermarket stores

   After investigations in major supermarket stores, it was found that both American and European packaging have good designs. There are exquisite packaging that makes the index finger move, and the exquisite and chic appearance is pleasing to the eye, and it is full of childishness. People can't help but take a second look and with a strong sweet color.

  The first type adopts window-opening or transparent design, so that consumers can see at a glance. For example, the packaging box of Ferrero chocolate. The golden package itself gives people a strong visual impact. Therefore, the transparent packaging box can highlight the product itself. A fully enclosed box with a fancy pattern shell is a waste of ignoring the unique shape of the chocolate itself and the golden shell of the package.

The first type is anti-theft type. The most common one is the tube-pan type structure. This type of chocolate is sprinkled with cocoa powder and the like. Generally, it is not individually packaged. After being opened, it is suitable to be eaten as soon as possible to ensure its fresh quality. For example, Glico's series of chocolates are all anti-theft, mainly with attractive chocolate patterns on the packaging to attract consumers' attention.

  Here is my opinion. The first point is that low-carbon environmental protection is now advocated, and product packaging should be the same. As a chocolate packaging box, it must not only attract eyeballs and appealing appetite, but also pursue exquisiteness and even gorgeous design. , Such as candy packaging boxes, such a phenomenon, too luxurious packaging is a waste of resources. Therefore, the green tin box packaging is what we advocate and should be taken into action. The second point: Chocolate is easy to melt and must be eaten as soon as possible after unpacking. Therefore, chocolate should be packaged individually and sold in combination so that consumers do not have to worry about buying too much and not eating it.

   The chocolate industry is a very promising industry. The chocolate market is in a period of rapid growth, and the demand for packaging and packaging is increasing. Chocolate tin box packaging manufacturers will usher in a huge development opportunity, but the characteristics of chocolate determine The requirements for packaging boxes are getting higher and higher, which requires iron box packaging manufacturers to continuously improve their comprehensive capabilities, grasp new developments in the industry, and strive to seize opportunities in various competitions and keep up with the market rhythm, so as to continue to expand Market share, has always been in a leading position in the gift box packaging competition that is positioned for high-end consumption.

3. The main role of packaging boxes in candy and chocolate products

. Protect chocolate's due luster, fragrance and shape to extend shelf life

   It is very important for candy chocolate to maintain its proper appearance within a certain period of time. For example, fruit hard candy should have good transparency and corresponding fruit aroma, and the surface of chocolate should have good brightness and cocoa aroma. These qualities are maintained very much. The extent depends on the form of the packaging box, the packaging material and the effectiveness of the packaging box.

    All kinds of candies contain different amounts of reducing sugars. This reducing sugar has the property of easily absorbing moisture in the air. Therefore, the candies will absorb moisture to varying degrees in a humid environment. Once the candies absorb moisture After that, it will become sticky (professional term is called faene) and lose its transparency. Chocolate products are heat-sensitive foods and also high-fat products. Therefore, when the indoor temperature exceeds 25°C and reaches 30°C, the product begins to soften. This phenomenon is that some of the low-melting fat contained in the chocolate begins to melt, and the melted fat will migrate to the surface of the chocolate. The migrated fat will not only make the chocolate become It is soft and will cause the surface to lose luster, and severely make the surface of the product bloom and turn white; in addition, in a humid environment, the sugar contained in chocolate will also absorb moisture and deliquescence, and the deliquescent sugar will cause the product to send out.

Therefore, the primary function of tin box packaging is to facilitate moisture insulation and heat insulation for candy and chocolate products. The use of packaging materials and forms suitable for the product will help the product maintain its proper flavor and shape in a humid and hot environment, and prevent grease Oxidize, thereby prolonging the shelf life of the product.

  2. Prevent microbial and dust pollution, improve product hygiene and safety

    Chocolate products are high-protein foods. It is especially important to prevent microbial contamination of praline fillings or brownie products, because protein and the nutrients in chocolate are excellent microbial culture media. If these products are contaminated by bacteria, they should be stored in storage. In the process, it will accelerate the speed of product worms and deterioration, resulting in the loss of commodity value. Therefore, tight iron box packaging can avoid microbial contamination and ensure product hygiene and safety.

 3. Exquisite tin box packaging can increase consumers' desire to buy and the value of goods

   Commodity quality, price, and packaging are the three main factors in market commodity competition. And the packaging box is an important one in the road to the market. Because of the distinctive products of the packaging box, it will give people a strong visual effect on the shelf. When shopping, people often purchase impulsively in addition to targeted purchases, that is, see new products in exquisite packaging boxes on the spot, especially Food has a desire to buy, which fully shows that the exquisite tin box packaging plays a role in attracting customers. Therefore, good food must have three main factors to increase the value of the product.

From the above points, it can be seen that iron box packaging plays an important role in the quality, hygiene, and price life of candy and chocolate products. Good products must have exquisite and beautiful packaging.

4. Analysis of the status quo of Chinese candy and chocolate packaging boxes

. Current status

  The production history of China's confectionery and chocolate industry is only half a century. Its product packaging boxes have gone through the stages of manual packaging, semi-mechanized packaging, and continuous mechanical packaging. Up to now, some tin box manufacturers have introduced advanced foreign automatic packaging machines to realize tin box packaging automation. In the development process, there are still some small tin box manufacturers still using manual packaging, but with the development of packaging technology, manual packaging will become less and less.

  At present, the packaging forms of candy and chocolate products include knot packaging, pillow packaging, and folding (envelope) packaging. Traditional twisted packaging is the oldest packaging form. This packaging form is mostly used for candy. It can not only be completed by modern high-speed, automated packaging machines, but also by manual operation; pillow packaging is popular internationally in 60～ In the 1970s, China has been popular since the 1980s. Due to the popularity of pillow packaging machines, most candy and chocolate manufacturers currently use pillow packaging and folding (envelope) packaging. They are mostly used for chocolate products. Candies are suitable for roll, strip, and combined packaging. Packaging equipment and packaging materials have higher requirements, so there are not many domestic products that use this type of packaging.

2. There is a gap between China and Europe and the United States

There is still a big gap in the packaging level of China's candy and chocolate products compared with developed countries. The main problem is the low level of packaging equipment and fewer types of packaging materials.

3. Suggested solutions

   To improve the level of equipment, on the one hand, production companies must increase capital investment, constantly update and transform equipment, and on the other hand, equipment manufacturers should improve the function and accuracy of iron box packaging equipment on the basis of studying the performance of advanced foreign similar equipment.

4. The development trend of international candy and chocolate tin box packaging

   At present, the candy and chocolate industries in developed countries have entered a modern process. New materials, new equipment and new technologies have promoted the production of candy and chocolate and the tin box packaging technology.

   Standardized product tin box packaging machines are developing towards high-speed automation: Candy and chocolate manufacturers generally need high-speed and automated tin box packaging machines when packaging standardized products in order to optimize packaging costs with economies of scale. Therefore, in recent years, tin box packaging machine manufacturers have developed high-speed, automated candy and chocolate packaging machines suitable for different types of products, such as traditional pillow packaging and twist packaging machines suitable for double-twisted products. In this type of packaging machine, the manufacturer has adopted the latest technology, such as full servo motor, photoelectric tracking, high-speed camera, etc., to improve the efficiency of the packaging machine. At present, there are 15-20 high-speed iron box packaging punching machines per minute. . The high-speed chocolate tin box packaging punching machine is more developed from the aspects of matching the equipment and the cold-wind packaging film to achieve high speed without affecting the quality of the inner chocolate products. In addition, the automatic steering, sorting, emergency stop, and acceleration of the conveyor belt connected to the chocolate packaging machine are also widely used.

  The personalized chocolate tin box punching machine is developing towards one machine with multiple functions: for non-standardized or seasonal products, the packaging machine should be flexible, light and compact. This type of packaging machine does not pursue speed, but seeks personalized packaging and flexible adaptability. At present, the series of PRALIPACK packaging machines produced by Chocotech GmbH (Germany) are suitable for packaging various shapes of flat-bottomed chocolates, such as heart-shaped, bear-shaped, and rabbit-shaped chocolates, and can be packaged in the form of brush packs. If the equipment is modified with subtle components, it can also be used for products that need to be attached to the feet. In addition, this series of packaging machines can also pack chocolate folded in envelopes. Equipment manufacturers are striving to make a device more versatile in order to meet the needs of users.

Conclusion:

In summary, the use of various design elements such as colors, patterns, and packaging materials in the chocolate tin box packaging will bring different visual tastes to consumers, thereby affecting consumers.Ring the sale of chocolate. This kind of taste cues caused by vision should also be further explored and studied, and used in future chocolate packaging and practice. However, it must be pointed out that no matter how it is designed, it is necessary to take into account the limitations of the chocolate production shape and production conditions, because the tin box packaging is industrial production after all. This restriction cannot be said to be in contradiction with the "sense of taste", but it is impossible to simply talk about the "sense of taste" of chocolate packaging and design without this limitation. The taste performance of chocolate tin box packaging is the product of human understanding of things and transforming the world. With the rapid development of the market economy and rapid technological progress, the expression methods of chocolate taste will become more and more abundant.