Each of us knows what packaging is. But not everyone understands that it serves not only to give the product its presentation and more convenient transportation. Some types of packaging are needed solely to protect the product from mechanical damage. Others - to give an attractive appearance , etc. Let's look at this issue and consider not only the main types, but also the functions of the packaging.
Requirements
It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that a piece of paper wrapping, suppose, a service, is not packaging yet. This is due to the fact that clear requirements are put forward to it. The main one is reliability. In fact, the package must maintain its mechanical strength and stability for a certain time. In addition, a minor blow should not cause damage to the product. Another important requirement is safety. It is obtained by applying coatings. By the way, it must be remembered that the coating should not be toxic, since damage to the environment is unacceptable during disposal. Simply put, packaging should be environmentally friendly. It also makes sense to say about aesthetic properties. Any packaging, especially gift packaging, should not repel, moreover, it should attract attention. Thus, it is not difficult to conclude that there are various types of packages that are used in certain cases. Now let's talk about this.
Three types of packaging
The immediate storage of goods is primary, it is also the inner packaging. It is worth paying attention to the fact that it should be in any case. Its main goal is to protect the product from mechanical damage. For example, when buying a set of glasses, you will notice that they have cardboard packaging with partitions. It is the partitions that protect the products from contact with each other, which creates the main protection.
There is still outer packaging. If you take the same glasses as an example, then this is a box that allows you to maintain the overall integrity of the product. Sometimes it may not be, but if you buy something valuable, then it is necessarily there. The last type is transport packaging. Its essence lies in the fact that it contains a certain amount of already packaged products. Let's say 20 sets of glasses of 6 pieces each. As you can see, all types of packaging are necessary and each one has its own role.
Consumer packaging and shipping containers
The first group should include packages that are designed for the average consumer, that is, for you and me. In most cases, it is on all household appliances and goods, in addition, it can be used for further storage of the product. In most cases, the types of packaging (consumer) can be divided into several small subgroups: food, for drinks, for medicines and other pharmaceutical products, as well as for hygiene and cosmetics.
Not every one of us is familiar with the concept of "transport packaging", which is also a kind of packaging. It is used either for large goods, or for a large number of products. Almost always applies only to transport products from one enterprise to another. The recipient usually does not see it, since during unloading it remains with the sender.
Public and military packaging
The first type is most applicable in various public as well as private institutions. These include schools, prisons, hospitals, etc. It can be said that such packages are most suitable for storing and transporting food groups of goods. For the most part, when providing large groups of the population with food or medicine. For example, goods for humanitarian aid are placed in consumer packaging .
It is easy to guess that military packaging is necessary for the storage and transportation of products intended for the country's armed forces. However, in this case, some requirements are neglected, for example, aesthetic appearance and environmental friendliness. At the same time, safety and possible storage time play a decisive role. In this case, the product packaging can be made of wood, plastic, etc. Well, now let's go ahead and consider some more interesting details.
Gift packaging: requirements and features
Each of us once bought a gift. Agree, you always want to get a colorful, bright and attractive package that will cause only the best emotions. It should be so, therefore we can say that this kind of packaging should attract attention. In most cases, it is allowed to use a special paint coating, which will make the wrapper more pleasant to look at. As for the material itself, from which gift wrapping is made, it can be different. In most cases, this is paper with the original logo or polyethylene, which is pre-painted. If we are talking about a box, then it is made of cardboard, and some pattern is applied on top of it, or it is simply drawn in different colors. Cardboard can be thick, designer, plain or coated. An important role is played by bows, which can not be attributed to the packaging. They are used to achieve the desired aesthetic goals.
Vacuum packaging
In everyday life, each of us is faced with such packages. Despite the fact that they are ubiquitous, most often they can be found in the food industry. We all know that oxygen acts as an oxidizing agent of substances. In order to avoid the rapid development of bacteria and spoilage of food, the latter are placed in a vacuum package. Of course, we can say that the main requirement is tightness. If air still passes, then there is no benefit from such protection. But again, this is a one-time package, since a special apparatus is needed to create a vacuum. As a material, a special bag or container is used. When a product is placed in it, air is pumped out. So it is stored for some time. Once you open it, the vacuum packaging can be disposed of. It is also interesting that this approach allows you to save a large amount of nutrients.
About the protective function of packaging
The article has already been said about the protective functions. Through special packaging, the monitor is protected from mechanical damage, chips from moist air, processors from electrical discharges, etc. Agree, no one has the desire to buy sugar, which previously got moisture, and it turned into a "brick". Although its properties basically remained at the same level, however, the packaging did not fulfill its purpose. And that will push the consumer away. In addition, whether cardboard or plastic, it should not open too easily. This is done so that the consumer who comes to the store cannot open it and try the product or replace it. It so happens that you need to protect people and the environment from the product. For example, the sale of household chemicals provides for special containers, and cardboard packaging will not pass here. The same goes for other similar products.
Conclusion
So we examined the topic that interests us. It must be understood that plastic packaging, cardboard or polyethylene must fulfill its functions. For some products, protection against mechanical damage is important, for others, air is undesirable, for others something else. Say, soft packaging is preferable for transporting and storing electronics, for example, components for PCs, televisions, etc. In other cases, polyethylene or cardboard is used (as a container for gifts, etc.). Sometimes plastic packaging is needed. For example, bleaching agents, electrolyte, acid and other liquids should only be in sealed plastic containers.