Everything in the world needs packaging. And if for people it is called clothes, then for things - tara. It serves to protect the contents, preserve its integrity during transportation and simple storage. Since the objects inside the boxes cannot tell themselves how to handle them, a specialized cargo labeling has been developed - signs. They serve as tips on how to behave with one or another package content. Let's look at the most famous such signs, which everyone will have to face at least once in their life. And also dwell in more detail on the sign "Caution, glass!".
Packing icons
Many years ago, it was noticed that when transporting goods from one country to another, you can’t be absolutely sure that the employees of a foreign company will be able to read what is written on boxes and containers and will deal with them correctly. Therefore, the need arose to create a universal language that was equally understandable to movers in Brazil and Alaska. This is how the “alphabet” of international packaging pictograms appeared, which is used today all over the world.
It consists of various icon images that are easily recognizable anywhere in the world. In fact, packaging pictograms are analogues of road signs. They are also understandable to everyone and simple.
Purpose of use
Due to its versatility, signs for containers and packaging are easily interpreted even by those who are far from transporting goods or who do not know foreign languages. Therefore, today any package contains at least one of these marks. Moreover, they are important not only for understanding what conditions must be created for the proper transportation of packaged goods, but also what to do with the container after it becomes unnecessary (to dispose or reuse).
Take, for example, a bottle of mineral water or yogurt - it will definitely show off a triangular sign "Recyclable plastic" with a numeral inside. Focusing on it, when sorting garbage, it will become clear to the employee that this container should be sent for recycling, and which one.
Also, pictograms may indicate that the product has passed all the necessary checks and that it meets the requirements of the country of delivery.
Types of Marks
All packaging icons are divided into three categories:
- commodity (symbol "Net Weight");
- transport (sign "Caution, glass!");
- specialized (pictogram of compliance with quality standards, environmental and others).
All of these types of labels can appear on the packaging, both together and separately. With their help, it is possible to characterize the cargo from different sides.
Sometimes specialized pictograms can even be placed on the product itself (dishes, mobile phones, batteries, and more).
For each sign, there is a certain way of interpreting its meaning. At the same time, one should not transfer interpretations of one pictogram to another. This can lead to confusion.
For example, the “Fork and Glass” pictogram can be placed both on the container and on the product. It means that the material from which everything is made is non-toxic and can come into contact with food without consequences. This label refers to a variety of specialized designations.
At the same time, the sign "Caution, fragile!" although it looks very similar to the previous label, it belongs to the transport variety. It is a lonely black glass on a leg. And denotes the fragility of the transported cargo. It signals loaders about the need for careful handling of the contents of the box, the inadmissibility of its fall. Contrary to popular belief, the sign "Caution, fragile!" It is used for marking not only glass objects, but also made of other materials, including products.
Trademarks
This category of pictograms includes those that allow you to characterize the product itself, that is, the contents of the package. Most often these are signs of compliance with quality standards.
For instance:
- PCT - passed certification in the Russian Federation.
- EAC - compliance of the goods with the customs union standards.
- "European Compliance" is a must for all products sold in Europe.
In addition to the above examples, trademarks include labels about the dangers or benefits of the contents of the packaging to the environment, about halal or kosher products, and more. As a rule, these icons are not particularly important for transportation.
Transport and packaging pictograms
In addition to the “Fragile Cargo” sign (a glass on a leg), this category also includes many other pictograms telling how such containers can and cannot be transported.
Below are the most common ones:
- “Protect from moisture” - placed on packages whose contents may be damaged by contact with liquid.
- "Keep away from radiation" - a label for objects, more often things that, under the influence of light or similar radiation, can change their chemical or physical properties. Its variations can be considered the sign "Protect from sunlight" and "Protect from radioactive sources."
- "Temperature limit" - this icon is always accompanied by an indication of the temperature limits within which the cargo can be stored.
- Depending on the method of loading provided, the following labels may be used: " Do not use forklift trucks ", "It is forbidden to lift it with a trolley" or "Place of sling".
- "Sealed packaging" - this sign is used to indicate the inadmissibility of opening containers during transportation.
- "Do not take with hooks" - warns of the inadmissibility of hanging containers.
- “Clamp here” - shows where and how to carry the cargo. Ideally, this mark is accompanied by a sign indicating the center of gravity of the load. Paired to this icon is Do Not Pinch.
- “Stacking is prohibited” and “Stacking is limited” are signs indicating the inadmissibility / permissibility of stacking boxes on top of each other. Often they are placed on packages with glassware or household appliances. In the second case, the limit weight must always be indicated. The labels "Limit on the number of tiers in a stack" and "Limit on stacking by mass" belong to the same category.
- "Open here" - the name of this icon speaks for itself. These arrows, along with an umbrella and a glass, are present on almost all fragile packages.
- "Top" - two black arrows indicate how to properly place and transport containers.
- "Perishable cargo" - usually refers to products.
Specialized Pictograms
This variety of packaging marks includes:
- Environmental safety labels ("Leaf of life", "White Swan").
- Signs of processing (used not only for containers made of cardboard, wood and plastic, but also other materials). In addition to the packaging itself, it is sometimes placed on ceramic or glassware. This is necessary in order to indicate what to do with it in case of failure. Very often, such marks can be found on small equipment like batteries, mobile phones, thermometers and similar items.
Sign "Caution, glass!"
This pictogram is found quite often on containers of fragile items. It looks that way.
The traditional location for this symbol is the upper left corner on either side of the box.
Please note that the use of the sign "Caution, glass!" extends not only to the contents made of this material (services, mirrors, glass tables and the like). This label is placed on any box in which something is transported that requires very careful handling.
It should be borne in mind that there are a number of related pictograms with a glass cup or stack. Often such pictures are supplemented with the inscription "fragile", or fragile (if the product is from an English-speaking country). Although the names of these icons may have slight differences, they mean the same thing.
Variation of signs for the transport of fragile goods
In addition to the black glass presented above, there are several dozen variations of the pictogram in question.
The basic differences between the signs for the transport of glass and other fragile objects can be identified as follows:
- different shape of glasses;
- the presence / absence of a crack on the vessel;
- presence / absence of an additional inscription;
- other pictures (heart).
Despite these variations, this pictogram remains almost the most recognizable along with the umbrella sign "Keep away from moisture!".
What goods are "fragile"
To better understand exactly when the sign in question is used (black glass glass), we pay attention to those items whose packaging is marked with its help.
These include:
- tableware;
- glass interior items (vases, mirrors, chandeliers);
- ornamental plants;
- plumbing;
- antiques;
- most electrical goods;
- musical instruments;
- fragile building materials (tiles) and more.
Almost any cargo that can easily lose its qualities due to physical impact (falling, compressing, impact) can be attributed to this category. On each box with similar content, an icon with a glass will be drawn without fail.
How to pack such goods
Glass products and those that can be damaged with minimal physical impact must be packaged in a certain way.
As containers, cardboard (rarely wooden) boxes are usually used, divided inside into cells. Each of them contains a separate item made of fragile glass or other fragile material.
Before putting into the cell, each part must be wrapped with kraft paper, bubble wrap or any other sealing material.
In addition to those indicated as a sealant, you can use:
- foam rubber;
- shavings made of paper, cardboard or wood;
- corrugated cardboard;
- Styrofoam;
- sealant foam;
- polystyrene granules.
It is advisable that each box so equipped be encased in waterproof material with the application of all the necessary pictograms. However, this requirement is not binding.
Transportation
When folding into the car body, boxes with fragile contents must be firmly fixed with a metal tape, which will not allow the cargo to “travel” while the vehicle is moving. You can use specialized cables or belts for this purpose. In addition to back and forth fasteners should prevent anyone else, for example, up and down or diagonally.
You should also take into account whether the fragile contents are afraid of moisture. If yes, then the fixed boxes should also be covered with something that will protect them from possible rain, snow or sea spray. When such cargo is packaged in airtight containers, such precaution is not necessary.
When folding the boxes one on top of another, it is important to take into account their ability to support a certain amount of weight (the signs "Stacking is prohibited" and "Stacking is limited", "Limit on the number of tiers in a stack" and "Stacking limit on mass"). Otherwise, even with the most careful packaging and transportation, the contents of the lower boxes may be crushed under the weight of the upper ones. If you can’t avoid one above the other, it is better to equip the container for transportation with shelves that will take on the weight of the boxes. Quality control of fasteners in this situation is also required.
Normative acts
In conclusion, we will consider in which document it is necessary to look for answers with regards to signs for containers and packaging. To date, the use of pictograms is regulated by GOST 14192-96 "Marking of goods."
Since 1996, this regulatory document has been valid not only in the Russian Federation, but also in other countries of the former Soviet Union (Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia and others).