Choosing a pack
What is clamshell packaging?
Short answer
A clamshell is a one-piece pack whose lid is joined to the base by a hinge, so it snaps shut and can be reopened. Thermoformed from clear rPET, clamshells are the standard pack for strawberries, blueberries and grapes; AVI's range runs from the 4.4 oz PNG 108 / 40 to the 1 kg PNG 501 / 126.
Part of the guides: Blueberry and berry packaging guide and Pack types explained: punnets, clamshells, trays and more
Packs that fit
| Pack | Type | Size (L × W × H) | Empty weight | Holds | Per carton | Enquiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNG 108 / 40 | Hinged lid | 108 × 108 × 40 mm | 9 g | 4.4 oz | 725 | |
| PNG 125 / 34 | Hinged lid | 130 × 112 × 34 mm | 13 g | 4.4 oz | 1,150 | |
| PNG 253 / 43 | Hinged lid | 190 × 115 × 43 mm | 13 g | 1 pint, 300 g | 900 | |
| PNG 250 / 75 | Hinged lid | 128 × 94 × 75 mm | 9 g | 250 g | 1,225 | |
| PNG 501 / 85 | Hinged lid | 190 × 115 × 85 mm | 16 g | 500 g | 760 / 750 | |
| PNG 501 / 126 | Hinged lid | 190 × 115 × 126 mm | 31 g | 1 kg | 550 | |
| TE 300 / 8oz | Hinged clamshell with tamper-evident closure | 145 × 128 × 40 mm | 17 g | — | 655 | |
| PNG 190 / 55 | Hinged lid | 115 × 115 × 55 mm | 9 g | 190 g | 1,800 |
All packs are rPET. Figures from AVI's catalogue; tolerances and fill depend on the produce, so samples are the final check.
AVI products for this
Why berries and grapes come in clamshells
- Visibility: clear rPET shows the fruit, which sells it.
- Protection: the rigid walls stop soft fruit being crushed in transit and on the shelf.
- Reclosable: shoppers open and close the pack at home.
- Stacking: flat lids stack well in cartons and on pallets.
How a clamshell is made
PET or rPET sheet is heated and formed over a mould (thermoforming), then trimmed. AVI extrudes its own sheet and forms the packs in the same group of plants.
Tamper-evident clamshells
For cut fruit, herbs and premium berries, tamper-evident clamshells such as the TE 300 / 8oz show if the pack has been opened.
Related questions
What are clamshell strawberries?
Strawberries packed in a hinged clamshell, typically 250 g to 500 g, or 1 pint in the US.
Clamshell or heat-seal punnet?
A clamshell needs no sealing machine and reopens; a heat-seal punnet is lighter and tamper-evident but needs a tray sealer. Compare them.