What Is Packaging?

Introduction

Packaging is the science, art and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. Packaging also refers to the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. Packaging can be defined as materials used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery, and presentation of goods. Packaging can be divided into three broad categories:

• Primary packaging is the wrapping or containers handled by the consumer.
• Secondary packaging is the term used to describe larger cases or boxes that are used to group quantities of primary packaged goods for distribution and for display in shops.
• Transit packaging refers to the wooden pallets, board and plastic wrapping and containers that are used to collate the groups into larger loads for transport, which facilitates loading and unloading of goods.

The Purposes of Packaging and Package Labels

• Physical protection - The objects enclosed in the package may require protection form, among other thing, shock, vibration, compression, temperature, etc.

• Barrier protection - A barrier from oxygen, water vapor, dust, etc., is often required. Permeation is a critical factor in design. Some packages contain desiccants or oxygen absorbers to help extend shelf life. Modified atmospheres or controlled atmospheres are also maintained in some food packages. Keeping the contents clean, fresh and safe for intended shelf life is a primary function.

• Containment or agglomeration - small objects are typically grouped together in one package for reasons of efficiency. For example, a single box of 1000 pencils required less physical handling than 1000 single pencils. Liquids, powders, and granules need containment.

• Information transmission - Packages and labels communicate how to use, transport, recycle or dispose of the package or product. With pharmaceutical, food, medical and chemical products, some types of information are required by governments.

• Marketing - The packaging and labels can be used by marketers to encourage potential buyers to purchase the product. Package design has been an important and constantly evolving phenomenon for dozens of years. Marketing communications and graphic design are applied to surface of the package and (in many cases) the point of sale display.

• Security - Packaging can play an important role in reducing the security risks of shipment. Packages can be made with improved tamper resistance to deter tampering and also can have tamper-evident features to help indicate tampering. Packages can be engineered to help reduce the risks of package pilferage: Some package constructions are most resistant to pilferage and some have pilfered indicating seals. Packages may include authentication seals to help indicate that the package and content are not counterfeit. Packages also can include anti-theft devices, such as dye-packs, RFID tags, or electronic article surveillance tags, that can be activated or detected by devices at exit points and required specialized tools to deactivate. Using packaging in this way is a means of loss prevention.

• Convenience - Packages can have features which add convenience in distribution, handling, display, sales, opening, reclosing, use and reuse.

• Portion control - Single serving or single dosage packaging has a precise amount of contents to control usage. Bulk commodities (such as salt) can be divided into packages that are a more suitable size for individual households. It is also aids the control of inventory: selling sealed one-liter-bottles of milk, rather than having people bring their own bottles to fill themselves.

Types of Packaging Materials Which Often Used

Plastic

This is the most common packaging material and, at the same time, one of the most difficult to dispose of. The factors common to all plastics are that they are light, strong and cheap to manufacture. It is for these reasons that they are used so much, as an alternative to cardboard and glass packaging materials. Almost 10% of our rubbish consists of different types of plastic. They are a problem in landfills as they are bulky, they contaminate and degrade slowly. Separated from the the rest of the waste, they can and must be upgraded for the good of everyone.

Metal

Appropriate for packaging foods (canned foods). For drinks, such as soft drinks and beers, aluminum is often used. Tin plate is a solid, heavy steel covered with tin to protect it against rust. It is used to package canned foods. It can be separated by magnets and should be recycled in all cases. Aluminum is attractive, light and strong at the same time, but requires a lot of raw materials and energy to make it. For this reason it must be recycled. The majority of cans of soft drinks, lids, aluminum foil, etc. are made from aluminum.

Brick Carton

A light, strong and air-tight packaging material. Ideal for transporting and storage. Its complex composition makes it difficult to reycle. It is becoming the main packaging material used for basic foodstuffs. Complex packaging material, made up of several layers of plastic, paper and aluminum. It is also difficult to recycle. It is used mainly to keep drinks such as milk, juice, etc.

Cardboard

Appropriate for packaging materials and wrapping, preferable to "white cork". Its use may prove to be unnecessary when used for products which are already packaged sufficiently. In all cases, this packaging material is easy to recycle and reuse. It is used in the form of boxes, sheets and corrugated cardboard.

Glass

An ideal material for foods, especially liquids. It is inalterable, strong and easy to recycle. It is the traditional vessel in the home (jars, glasses, jugs, etc.). Its weight and shape may involve some difficulties for transport and storage.