CPE Packaging Materials & Components 5

Question 1

Which packaging material property is critical when designing packages for high-altitude distribution environments?

Accepted Answer

Seal integrity under reduced external pressure

Answer

At high altitude, reduced external air pressure can cause sealed flexible packages to balloon and potentially rupture weak seals.

Question 2

What is 'retort packaging' designed to withstand?

Accepted Answer

High-temperature sterilization (typically 121°C/250°F or above)

Answer

Retort packaging must survive thermal processing at 121°C (250°F) or higher, used for shelf-stable food sterilization equivalent to canning.

Question 3

In injection-molded plastic packaging, what is 'sink mark' and what causes it?

Accepted Answer

A surface depression caused by insufficient material fill during cooling

Answer

Sink marks are depressions on the surface caused by volumetric shrinkage in thick sections where the outer skin solidifies before the interior.

Question 4

What is the key functional difference between 'peelable' and 'pierceable' lidding films used on thermoformed trays?

Accepted Answer

Peelable films allow consumer hand-opening; pierceable films require fork or utensil to puncture

Answer

Peelable lidding is designed for easy consumer hand-opening, while pierceable lidding is intended for cooking pouches where steam venting occurs through puncture.

Question 5

What does the term 'basis weight' mean when applied to paper and paperboard?

Accepted Answer

The weight in pounds of a ream of sheets cut to the standard size for that grade

Answer

Basis weight is the weight in pounds of 500 sheets (one ream) cut to the standard reference size for that particular paper grade.

(CPE) Certified Packaging Engineer Practice Test

(CPE) Certified Packaging Engineer Practice Test

CPE Packaging Materials & Components 5