Paper 8: The Effects of the 1963 Weights and Measures Act on the Design of Packaging Machinery

Schedule 4 of the Weights and Measures Act 1963 sets out definite requirements that must be met by producers of pre-packed food products. In the past, miscellaneous products, other than foods, have been retailed in packs or containers which were not required to carry an indication of amount of product by weight or volume. The Act now makes this necessary.

Schedule 4, Parts 1–12, of the Act cover the regulations applied to food products. Since it is not possible within the scope of this paper to deal with each specific part of Schedule 4, it is intended to discuss generally the sections covered by the following packaging methods:

(a)

liquid filling;

(b)

dry goods filling.

The parts of Schedule 4 covered under (a) will be (5) Milk and (6) Intoxicating liquor. Parts 8, 9, and 10 will be covered under (b).

The four basic methods of liquid filling, namely vacuum, measured dosing, gravity, and pressure, will be described. Under the heading of ‘dry goods filling’, counting, volume filling, and weighing will be discussed.

The author will explain how packer and machine manufacturer have been able to comply with the regulations without extensive redesign of existing equipment, either in use or on the market. Various methods by which increased speeds may be obtained whilst the requirements of the Act are still met, will be described.