"Packaging" redirects here. For the semiconductor device
fabrication term, see integrated circuit packaging.
A sealed pack of diced pork from Tesco. It shows the cooking time,
number of servings, 'display until' date, 'use by' date, weight
in kg, price, price to weight ratio in both £/kg and £/lb, freezing
and storage instructions. It says 'Less than 3% Fat' and 'No Carbs
per serving' and includes a barcode. The Union Flag, British Farm
Standard tractor logo, and British Meat Quality Standard logo imply
that it is British pork.
Tablets in a blister pack, which was itself packaged in a folding
carton made of paperboard.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. Package labelling (BrE) or labeling
(AmE) is any written, electronic, or graphic communications on the
packaging or on a separate but associated label.
Packaging can be described as a coordinated system of preparing
goods for transport, warehousing, logistics, sale, and end use.
Packaging contains, protects. preserves, transports, informs,
and sells. .[1] It is fully integrated into government, business,
institutional, industry, and personal use.
Contents [hide]
1 The purposes of packaging and package labels
2 Packaging types
3 Symbols used on packages and labels
4 Package development considerations
5 Packaging machines
6 Market structure
7 History
8 See also
9 References
10 Bibliography
10.1 Books
10.2 Institutions and professional bodies
10.3 Magazines and Journals
[edit] The purposes of packaging and package labels
Packaging and package labelling have several objectives:
Physical protection - The objects enclosed in the package may
require protection from, among other things, 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 the 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 requires 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 pharmaceuticals, 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 several decades. Marketing communications and graphic design
are applied to the 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 more resistant to pilferage and some have pilfer indicating
seals. Packages may include authentication seals to help indicate
that the package and contents 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 require 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, stacking, display, sale, 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. |
