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MIL-PRF-32176










22 October 2004

INCH-POUND

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION

BAG, HOT BEVERAGE


This specification is approved for use by all Departments and Agencies of the Department of
Defense.

1. SCOPE

1.1 Scope. This specification covers a hot beverage bag, to be used in conjunction with a
flameless ration heater (FRH), a beverage powder and potable water. This item is for use by the
Department of Defense as a supplement to operational rations.

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 General. The documents listed in this section are specified in sections 3, 4 or 5 of this
specification. This section does not include documents cited in other sections of this specification or
recommended for additional information or as examples. While every effort has been made to ensure
the completeness of this list, document users are cautioned that they must meet all specified
requirements of documents cited in sections 3, 4 or 5 of this specification, whether or not they are listed.












AMSC N/A







FSC 8970

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Comments, suggestions or questions on this document should be addressed to US Army
Research, Development and Engineering Command, Natick Soldier Center, AMSRD-NSC-
CF-F, 15 Kansas St., Natick, MA 01760-5018 or emailed to
Donald.Hamlin@natick.army.mil
. Since contact information can change, you may want to
verify the currency of this address information using the ASSIST Online database at
www.dodssp.daps.mil. MIL-PRF-32176

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2.2 Government documents, drawings and publications.

2.2.1 Specifications, standards and handbooks. None.


2.2.2 Other government documents. The following other Government documents drawings
and publications form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified,
the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or contract.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations (21 Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), Parts 170-189)

(Copies of this document are available from
www.access.gpo.gov/nara
or Superintendent of
Documents, ATTN: New Orders, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.)


2.3 Non-government publications. None.

2.4 Order of precedence. In the event of a conflict between the text of this document and the
references cited herein, the text of this document takes precedence. Nothing in this document,
however, supersedes applicable laws and regulations unless a specific exemption has been obtained.

3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1 First article. When specified (see 6.2), a sample shall be subjected to first article inspection
in accordance with 4.2.

3.2 Material. The contractor shall select materials capable of meeting all operating, interface,
interoperability, and environmental requirements specified herein.


3.3 Operating requirements.

3.3.1 Chemical and physical properties. The material shall show no evidence of degradation or
foreign odor when heat sealed or fabricated into bags. The material shall be suitably formulated for hot
beverage packaging and shall not impart an odor or flavor to the product.


3.3.2 Color. The material shall be clear or translucent so that the water level is visible through
the bag.
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3.3.3 Food safety. The material used in the hot beverage bag itself shall be safe for use with
food by reference to, and in accordance with 21 CFR, Parts 170-189, applicable material safety
datasheets, or other recognized health standards and regulations.


3.3.4 Bag.

3.3.4.1 Bag integrity. The bag body, bottom and sides shall not leak.


3.3.4.2 Heat seals. Heat seals shall have an effective seal width. Seals shall be free of wrinkles
or misalignment.


3.3.5 Interlocking closure.

3.3.5.1 Closure integrity. The interlocking closure and sides shall not leak more than 20 ml of
water.

3.3.5.2 Closure operation. The interlocking closure shall be aligned as observed visually and
shall open and close with ease without damage to the closure or bag.


3.4 Interface and interoperability requirements.


3.4.1 Bag. The bag shall conform to design and dimensions of Figure 1 that will allow it to fit in
the FRH and Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) entrée carton.


3.4.2 Interlocking closure. The interlocking closure shall conform to design of Figure 1 that will
allow it to be used for drinking or pouring a beverage from an MRE entrée carton.

3.4.3 Labeling. One side of the plastic heating bag shall be correctly and legibly printed with
permanent black ink or other, dark, contrasting color which is free of carcinogenic elements. The
instructions printed on the bag shall not obscure the fill lines. The following information shall be printed
on the bag:








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HOT BEVERAGE BAG

WARNING

To avoid a burn, beverage heating time
should not exceed 6 minutes.
Use caution when handling HOT beverage bag.


DIRECTIONS

1. Open beverage bag. Fill with water
to appropriate fill line. Add beverage powder.

2. Remove air from bag, then secure closure.

3. Place beverage bag in FRH as you would
an MRE entrée.

4. Activate FRH.

5. Load FRH/beverage bag into an MRE carton.

6. Heat 4 to 6 minutes. Remove HOT beverage bag.
Discard FRH. Save carton.

7. Place beverage bag back in carton. Carton insulates
hot beverage and protects hands from heat.




8. Open beverage bag. Drink beverage.



3.5 Environmental requirement. The bag shall operate after exposure to the FRH thermal
process. The bag shall exhibit no failures, deformities or degradation.



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4. VERIFICATION

4.1 Classification of inspections. The inspection requirements specified herein are classified as
follows:


a. First article inspection (see 4.2).


b. Conformance inspection (see 4.3).

4.2 First article inspection. The first article shall be inspected in accordance with the provisions
of this document and evaluated for overall appearance and performance. Any failure to conform to the
performance requirements or any appearance or performance failure, shall be cause for rejection of the
lot. The approved first article shall be used as the product standard for periodic review evaluations.
Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) shall select sample units during production of contracts
and submit them to the following address for evaluation:

US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command
Natick Soldier Center
AMSRD-RCF-F(N)
15 Kansas Street
Natick, MA 01760-5018

Six (6) sample units of each item produced shall be randomly selected from that one production lot.
The six (6) sample units shall be shipped to Natick within five working days from the end of the
production month and upon completion of all inspection requirements. The sample units shall be
evaluated for the characteristics of appearance, odor, performance and overall quality.









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4.3 Conformance inspection. Conformance inspection shall include the examination of 4.4 and
tests from Table I, performed on specified samples (see 6.2).

TABLE I. Verification methods 1/
Title
Requirement
Verification
Operating requirements
3.3
4.5.1
Chemical and physical properties
3.3.1
4.4
Color
3.3.2
4.5.1.1
Food safety
3.3.3
4.4
Bag
3.3.4
4.5.1.2
Bag integrity
3.3.4.1
4.5.1.2.1
Heat seals
3.3.4.2
4.5.1.2.2
Interlocking closure
3.3.5
4.5.1.3
Closure integrity
3.3.5.1
4.5.1.3.1
Closure operation
3.3.5.2
4.5.1.3.2
Interface and interoperability requirements
3.4
4.5.2
Bag
3.4.1
4.5.2.1
Interlocking closure
3.4.2
4.5.2.2
Labeling
3.4.3
4.4
Environmental requirement
3.5
4.5.3

1/ Compliance to these requirements may be verified by certificate of conformance.



4.4 Bag examination. The bag shall be examined for compliance with the requirements in
3.3.1, 3.3.3, 3.4.2 and 3.4.3. Defects and defect classifications are listed in Table II.

TABLE II. Bag defects 1/ 2/
Category
Defect
Major
Minor

101

Tear, hole, or open seal.

102

Unclean bag.
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103

Bag has foreign odor.

104

Interlocking closure missing.


201
Label missing, incorrect, or illegible.


1/ Presence of any foreign materials such as, but not limited to dirt, insect parts, hair, wood, glass,
metal, or any foreign odors such as, but not limited to burnt, scorched, shall be cause for rejection of the
lot.

2/ Any evidence of rodent or insect infestation shall be cause for rejection of the lot.

4.5 Tests.


4.5.1 Operating requirements.


4.5.1.1 Color. Fill the bag with minimum 4 oz. of water. The water level in the bag shall be
easily discernible through the bag material. Inability to discern the water level shall constitute a test
failure.


4.5.1.2 Bag.

4.5.1.2.1 Bag integrity. Fill the bag to the 12 oz. line with minimum 140ºF (+ 5ºF) water.