Types of trays for heat sealing
For projects that are just starting out and where there is no initial forecast of a large volume, Zermat recommends its clients choose a standard-format tray for packaging their product.
Standard tray formats, such as the “Gastronorm” size or the B6 18x25cm and B5 15x23cm designs, are the most common. These sizes are manufactured by all suppliers, offering the widest range of colors, heights, and materials. They also allow you to work with different suppliers and not be dependent on just one supplier. Standard tray formats always offer a wider selection and more competitive prices.
“It is important to dress the product in the correct packaging”
Tray manufacturers can design custom formats. Customers must have very high consumption or bear the costs of the manufacturing mold.
There are an increasing number of sustainable “eco” tray formats available. Some of them offer the same performance as plastic.
Plastic trays can be manufactured by injection molding or thermoforming. Tray models are available with the same design and different heights or colors, such as the GastroNorm series.
For skin packaging without gas injection, a plastic tray or laminated cardboard can be used. Depending on the machine model, the Zermat tray sealer allows skin packaging with a product up to 40 mm higher than the tray.
Each manufacturer has technical data sheets in their catalog detailing the performance of each container. Some trays are oven-safe, others microwave-safe, or freezer-safe.
Vacuum packing is possible in a stainless steel tray; however, this must be a special tray and requires an accessory for the vacuum sealer. For vacuum packing in stainless steel, a Zermat Small series (bell-shaped) vacuum sealer is required.
Interesting facts about trays
- The first step to start heat-sealing packaging is to choose the format(s) to be packaged: which tray?
- It is possible to vacuum pack in a modified atmosphere, with gas injection, or vacuum pack without gas, with film skin.
- For vacuum sealing, you can use plastic trays or cardboard laminated with barrier film.
- When packaged without gas, in “skin” packaging, the product may be taller than the tray, up to 40 mm, depending on the machine.
- Zermat designed and manufactured its first vacuum packing + gas injection heat sealer in 1999, the Zermat TB1 model.
- There are countless types of heat-sealable trays, and machine molds are custom-made for perfect packaging.
- Vacuum packaging in a tray allows for the same shelf life as bag packaging for any food.
- Many types of machines are available, each adapted to the formats and production levels of each project.
- The Zermat model series is perfectly suited for entry-level, medium- and medium-high-production projects.
- For modified atmosphere heat sealing, various types of inert gas mixtures are used (see “Vacuum packaging with inert gas”).
The measures
There are countless tray manufacturers on the market, each offering a full range of special models. Most produce common standardized formats: “Gastronorm” and B5/B6 sizes.
What does Gastronorm mean?
Gastronorm nomenclature is about standardizing measurements in the marketplace. As such, there is no single measurement called “gastronorm” nor a single form of “gastronorm.”
Gastronorm itself refers to all the measurements included in this standard. It is abbreviated as GN, and the nomenclature is primarily used to specify the size of tubs, trays, or containers. This use of standardized measurements establishes a common framework within which kitchens worldwide operate.
The basic format is GN 1/1, which corresponds to the measurements of 530 x 325 mm. These measurements are those of the inner tray of any catering or industrial oven.
In heat-sealable trays, these multiples are the most commonly used formats for heat-seal packaging, with 1/2GN, 1/4GN, and 1/8GN being the most commonly used.
Other standard formats
B6 (18x25cm) and B5 (15x23cm) trays are the most commonly used in retail sales across Europe. Many containers found on supermarket shelves meet these size standards.
NOTE: Zermat guarantees perfect vacuum packaging for any food; we have experience with complex items. Countless projects completed for the perfect packaging and presentation of all types of food guarantee the success of your project. The best partner for packaging the most select products, the packaging machine for the most demanding professionals.
