Guidelines No.18.01
First edition
Published on: 30/06/2022
Plastic container snap-top closure qualification test manual
Scope of application
This document provides a collection of test methods for the qualification of snap-top plastic closures (single or multi-pieces) applied to containers and related neck finishes.
This document has been developed to ensure that every party involved is measuring and determining closure performance consistently and in the same way.
It should be understood that specifications and test methods have always to be agreed between the packaging supplier or packaging technology supplier on the one hand and bottler or brand owner on the other hand. The test methods may not be applicable to all snap-top closures (depending on design, application e.g., bottled product).
It needs to be considered that closures are a part of the entire packaging system.
This document has been developed to ensure that every party involved is measuring and determining closure performance consistently and in the same way.
It should be understood that specifications and test methods have always to be agreed between the packaging supplier or packaging technology supplier on the one hand and bottler or brand owner on the other hand. The test methods may not be applicable to all snap-top closures (depending on design, application e.g., bottled product).
It needs to be considered that closures are a part of the entire packaging system.
Table of contents
1 Scope
2 Comments
2.1 Terminology and glossary
2.2 Units
2.3 Development tests
2.4 Container volume
2.5 Number of samples used for statistical relevance
2.6 Equipment
2.7 Closure application
2.8 Pre-conditioning
2 Comments
2.1 Terminology and glossary
2.2 Units
2.3 Development tests
2.4 Container volume
2.5 Number of samples used for statistical relevance
2.6 Equipment
2.7 Closure application
2.8 Pre-conditioning
2.9 Safety
2.10 Reporting
3 Tests methods
3.1 Dimensional tests
3.2 Physical performance tests
3.2.1 Closure – Application Force
3.2.2 Closure - Cover Closing Force
3.2.3 Closure – Lid Opening Angle
3.2.4 Closure - Open force on a snap-top closure
3.2.5 Closure - Valve Retaining Ring Removal Force
3.2.6 Closure – Snap-top closure linear removal force
3.2.7 Closure - Valve Push in and Detach test
3.2.8 Closure - Hinge Tensile Strength
3.2.9 Closure - Closure flip lid accidental opening - side load testing
3.2.10 Vacuum Test
3.2.11 Static leak test
4 Recommended Test Matrix
4.1 Reference tests
5 Related documents
5.1 Standards
5.2 Cetie
5.3 Others
BSDA Code of practice for hinged closures flip-lid closures 3rd edition Jan 2016
6 Document history
Annexes
Annex A – Examples of test equipment
Annex B – Pressure information
2.10 Reporting
3 Tests methods
3.1 Dimensional tests
3.2 Physical performance tests
3.2.1 Closure – Application Force
3.2.2 Closure - Cover Closing Force
3.2.3 Closure – Lid Opening Angle
3.2.4 Closure - Open force on a snap-top closure
3.2.5 Closure - Valve Retaining Ring Removal Force
3.2.6 Closure – Snap-top closure linear removal force
3.2.7 Closure - Valve Push in and Detach test
3.2.8 Closure - Hinge Tensile Strength
3.2.9 Closure - Closure flip lid accidental opening - side load testing
3.2.10 Vacuum Test
3.2.11 Static leak test
4 Recommended Test Matrix
4.1 Reference tests
5 Related documents
5.1 Standards
5.2 Cetie
5.3 Others
BSDA Code of practice for hinged closures flip-lid closures 3rd edition Jan 2016
6 Document history
Annexes
Annex A – Examples of test equipment
Annex B – Pressure information
History
First edition: 06/2022
This document encompasses a series of qualification tests for snap-top closures to ensure that every party involved is measuring and determining closure performance consistently and in the same way.
First edition: 06/2022
This document encompasses a series of qualification tests for snap-top closures to ensure that every party involved is measuring and determining closure performance consistently and in the same way.
Contributors
ACQUA MINERALE SAN BENEDETTO,ACTEGA, ALPLA WERKE Alwin Lehner, AMCOR FLEXIBLES CAPSULES, AMCOR RIGID PACKAGING, APTAR GROUP, AROL S.p.A., ASTRA PLASTIQUE, BERICAP, BERLIN PACKAGING, BETAPACK, BRITVIC SOFT DRINKS, CAP SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS, COCA-COLA SERVICES, CORVAGLIA MOULD, DANONE EAUX FRANCE, DAVID ROSE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS, DAVID SYRETT PACKAGING CONSULTANCY Ltd, ECKES GRANINI, ETS ANDRE ZALKIN & CIE, GENOSSENSCHAFT DEUTSCHER BRUNNEN, HEINEKEN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN, HEUFT, HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEM, INTRAVIS GmbH, KRONES, LOGOPLASTE, LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES - BASELL POLYOLEFINE, NESTLE WATERS MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGIES, NESTLÉ PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, NETSTAL Maschinen, OBRIST CLOSURES SWITZERLAND, OTTO HOFSTETTER, PEPSICO RUSSIA, PLASTISUD, REFRESCO FRANCE, RETAL LITHUANIA, SACMI IMOLA, SELIG FRANCE, SGT France, SIDEL BLOWING & SERVICES, SILGAN WHITE CAP MANUFACTURING, SIPA, SPA MONOPOLE, SUMITOMO (SHI) DEMAG PLASTICS MACHINERY, SUNTORY BEVERAGES & FOOD EUROPE, TORRENT INNOVA, TREFFPACK, UNITED CAP FRANCE, UNITED CAP WILZ, UNIVERSAL CLOSURE LIMITED, WISECAP GROUP, Z-MOULDS
Document under responsibility of working group:
PET plenary
WG chair: Alessandro FALZONI - SACMI IMOLA
This joint group is in charge of all GME data sheets ("Finish data sheets"), dedicated to the geometry of PET neck finishes and their related documents. These data sheets are related to finishes dedicated to the beverage industry (such as soft drinks, mineral water & wine), packaged in an aseptic environment and/or with nitrogen injection, and to the food industry (e.g. edible oils, vinegars, and sauces) and allowing to receive mainly plastic caps.
