Disposable paper cups are widely used for hot and cold beverages such as coffee, tea, soda and shakes. Hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, are often served at temperatures above 90℃. If a paper cup cannot withstand this temperature, it may leak or even break, causing potential harm to the user. In addition to safety concerns, leakage will ruin the customer experience and can also cause a loss in cost, time and product quality.
Therefore, leakage testing is a crucial process in the manufacturing of paper cups, as it ensures that the cups can hold liquid without any leakage. The most common methods for paper cup leakage testing include water bath tests, vacuum tests, air pressure tests and dye penetration tests.
GMZ’s Approach to Paper Cup Leakage Test
At GMZ, we use hot black coffee above 90°C to test the leakage of our paper cups. There are at least four advantages to this approach:
- Hot black coffee is more permeable than hot water, and potential problems cannot always be fully detected with just hot water.
- If there is a leak, the black color can help us find it immediately.
- It simulates the real-world conditions in which the paper cup will be used.
- Hot liquids tend to expand and contract more than cold liquids, a phenomenon known as thermal expansion. This can cause additional stress on the paper cup’s structure, making it more vulnerable to leaks and other defects.
By using this more costly but more effective method of testing, we ensure high-quality paper cups. This essential process is a key step in guaranteeing that the end-user has an enjoyable and safe experience with our products.
How We Conduct Paper Cup Leakage Testing
During the daily production process, our professional quality inspection personnel will select 300 cups from that day’s production batch for testing.
- Test Setup: The cup is placed on a test stand with a transparent glass on top and a mirror on the bottom, which allows us to detect the bottom of the cup through the mirror.
- Hot Coffee Introduction: Hot coffee above 90°C is poured into each test cup to simulate real-world usage.
- Observation Period: After 24 hours, we use the mirror to observe whether the bottom of the cup has leaked or if the cup body is damaged.
Test Results
Observing the bottom of the cup through the mirror at the bottom of the test bench, no coffee liquid was found to seep out. Observing the interface of the paper cup, there was no obvious change at the interface and no obvious widening of the gap at the interface. Touching the cup by hand, the paper cup did not soften, and the rim remained firm despite being soaked in coffee.
Conclusion
With the application of innovative technology, the problem of paper cup leakage can be greatly reduced, providing users with a better experience. The paper cup leakage test is an essential part of the production process. Rigorous testing will continue to promote the development and improvement of the paper cup industry, ensuring high-quality products for consumers. Contact us today for high-quality, leak-proof paper cups!
