Development of the Thermostabilized Meal Tray

Abstract

The Thermostabilized Meal Tray (TMT) was developed to fulfill an Air Force need for an individual, shelf stable, fully prepared meal to service small groups for one to five days. Targeted user groups were surveyed to determine the types of meals, menu cycle, performance and heating characteristics required for this feeding system. Various retortable, high barrier polymeric trays and lidding materials were tested for performance characteristics. Products were formulated and tested for acceptance and long term storage stability. A five day nutritionally complete menu cycle, consisting of 15 meals, was developed. Contracts were awarded to test producibility. A complete packaging system was designed to include an entree, starch or vegetable, and dessert components assembled in an outer compartmented polymeric serving tray. TMT products may be heated by a microwave oven, by hot water submersion, or by an induction type fabric heater. The TMT was successfully field tested by Air Force personnel and specifications were prepared. Potential users include Rail Garrison Crews, Missile Support Crews, Security Forces and Combat Vehicle Crews.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA239871

Entities

People

  • Lauren E. Oleksyk

Organizations

  • United States Army Soldier Systems Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Personnel
  • Combat Vehicles
  • Department Of Defense
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Testing
  • Performance Tests
  • Resins
  • Security
  • Shipping
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods
  • United States
  • Vacuum Chambers
  • Vegetables
  • Warfare
  • Water Vapor

Readers

  • Gender and Food Studies
  • Materials Science
  • Software Engineering