Packaging is now generally regarded as an essential component of our modern life style and the way business is organized. Packaging is the enclosing of a physical object, typically a product that will be offered for sale. It is the process of preparing items of equipment for transportation and storage and which embraces preservation, identification and packaging of products. Packing is recognized as an integral part of modern marketing operation, which embraces all phases of activities involved in the transfer of goods and services from the manufacturer to the consumer. Packaging is an important part of the branding process as it plays a role in communicating the image and identity of a company.

How can we define Packaging?

Kotler defines packaging as “all the activities of designing and producing the container for a product.” Packaging can be defined as the wrapping material around a consumer item that serves to contain, identify, describe, protect, display, promote, and otherwise make the product marketable and keep it clean. Packaging is the outer wrapping of a product. It is the intended purpose of the packaging to make a product readily sellable as well as to protect it against damage and prevent it from deterioration while storing. Furthermore the packaging is often the most relevant element of a trademark and conduces to advertising or communication.

Functional Requirements

1. Protection and preservation

A basic function of package is to protect and preserve the contents during transit from the manufacturer to the ultimate consumer. It is the protection during transport and distribution; From climatic effects (heat and cold, moisture, vapour, drying atmospheres); from hazardous substances and contaminants; and from infestation. Protection is required against transportation hazards spillage, dirt, ingress and egress of moisture, insect infection, contamination by foreign material, tampering pilferage etc. A package should preserve the contents in ‘Factory Fresh’ condition during the period of storage and transportation, ensuring protection from bacteriological attacks, chemical reaction etc.

2. Containment

Most products must be contained before they can be moved from one place to another. To function successfully, the package must contain the product. This containment function of packaging makes a huge contribution to protecting the environment. A better packaging help to maintain the quality of the product and reachability of the product in the consumer’s hand without spillages It gives better image to the organisation.

3. Communication

A major function of packaging is the communication of the product. A package must communicate what it sells. When international trade is involved and different languages are spoken, the use of unambiguous, readily understood symbols on the distribution package is essential. It is the interest further that to get appropriate communication to the consumer about the product, how to use it and other utility informations. Packaging protects the interests of consumers. Information includes: quantity; price; inventory levels; lot number; distribution routes; size; elapsed time since packaging; colour; and merchandising and premium data.

Types of packaging

An important distinction is to be made here between two types of packaging

* Transport packing: The product entering in to the trade need to be packed well enough to protect against loss damage during handling, transport and storage. Eg: fiberboard, wooden crate etc.

* Consumer Packing: This packaging holds the required volume of the product for ultimate consumption and is more relevant in marketing. Eg: beverages, tobacco etc.

Hazards of Transport

There are four main hazards of transport

* Drops and impacts

* Compression forces

* Vibration

* Climatic variations

Various Mechanical Tests

* Drop Test: This test help to measure the ability of the container and inside packing materials to provide protection to its contents and to measure the ability of the container to withstand rough handling.

* Vibration Test: This test is to determine the ability of the container to withstand vibration and the protection offered by materials used for interior packing.

* Compression Test: This test is carried out, generally, on empty containers, to measure the ability of the container to resists external compressive loads applied to faces or applied to diagonally opposite edges or corners.

* Inclined Impact Test: This test help to study the extend of damage in a way of crushing, breaking, cracking, distortion, and shifting during handling storage and transport which occurs to the container and its content.

* Rolling Test: This test helps to evaluate the overall strength of the container and the cushioning material provided inside and any failure of the content.

* Drum test: This test help to evaluate loaded shipping containers with respect to general overall durability and for the protection afforded to the contents against certain hazards of handling and shipment.

Various Climatic Tests

* Rain Test: This test is conducted in a simulated rain condition to assess its impact on the test area for two hours.

* Sand and Dust Test: This test is to evaluate the resistance of a package to the penetration of sand and dust.

* Salt Spray Test: This test is to evaluate the resistance of a package to corrosion by salt spray and to serve as a general standard for corrosion.

* Fungus Resistance Test: This test is to evaluate all the materials used in the fabrication of shipping containers for fungus resistance.

Importance of Cushion Materials

Cushioning is that part of packaging, which protects the article from damage due to shock and vibration. The main functions of cushioning materials can be detailed as follows:

* Shock protection against vibration

* Protection against abrasion

* Protection of grease proof and water proof barriers at ponut of contact with solid blocks

* Protection of moisture vapour barriers at points of contact with sharp edges of the article itself.

* Protection of small projections

* Filling of void space in the container

* Other secondary purposes

Packaging Cost

The most important aspect when we look into packaging is the packaging cost. Packaging cost include the following:

* Material cost: It means the cost of the pack and quality control cost.

* Storage and handling cost of empty packages: This include the handling cost of bulky packages, heavy materials of construction, drums etc.

* Packaging operation costs: This includes the cost involved in operations like, cleaning the package product filling – closing, labeling – unitizing, stenciling, handling cylindrical slums etc.

* Storage of filled packages: This includes the cost incurred to shift the goods from one form of packaging to another.

* Transportation cost of filled packages: This involves the transportation cost by sea, air etc. (freight by volume)

* Loss and Damage cost: It is related to the loss and damage during operation, transportation delivery etc.

* Insurance cost: It varies depending on the vulnerability of package

* Effect of packages on sales: The package that influence on sales.

* Obsolescence Cost: This cost involves when changes in the packaging materials, packages and labels happen.

* Package developmental cost: This include the evaluation cost, pilot test cost, field testing cost, consumer research cost, feed back cost, final trial cost etc.

Importance of packaging: An Overview

Some of the major significance of packaging can be detailed as follows:

* Can make a product more convenient to use or store, easier to identify or promote or to send out a message.

* Can make the important difference to a marketing strategy by meeting customers’ needs better.

* Packaging plays a key role in brand promotion and management. Packaging is of great importance in the final choice the consumer will make, because it directly involves convenience, appeal, information and branding.

* The paramount concern of packaging is the reachability of the product without any damage. No matter where and how the products are transported or shipped, they arrive at the customer’s door in working condition without need of repair or adjustment.

* Packaging is especially important in certain industry where future sales may be based largely on the quality, integrity and performance of a company’s previous delivery.

Conclusion

The significance of packaging has come to be increasingly recognized in export as well as in marketing of a wide range of consumer goods and industrial products within the country. The volume of exports depends not only on the quantity of the production and prices, but also to a substantial extends on the standards of packaging adopted for the products. Goods damaged in transit or arriving at the destination in an unacceptable condition tarnishes the reputation of the manufacturer as well as the country as a whole, besides colossal wastage of scarce economic resources. Further, packaging has a crucial role to play in the fetching higher unit values for our consumer goods (like tea and cashew) through the substitution of the bulk packs by consumer packs. In the recent past packaging has been increasingly recognized as a significant factor in the nations export promotion effort. Effort should be there to understand the importance of packaging there by to avoid the loss and damage cost incurred during transport and delivery. Keep in mind that a conscious effort on the part of marketing managers can increase the volume of sales and there by improve the reputation of the product and organisation

Shorr Packaging Corp. is one of the largest independent packaging distribution firms in the nation. From packaging equipment to consultant services, Shorr provides expertise in integrated packaging solutions and integration is key. With an exhaustive list of strategic relationships in manufacturing equipment and consumables, Shorr delivers high quality products and services.

Late in 2008, Shorr began a business relationship with VisiPak purchasing a thermoformed plastic clamshell. About a year later, when a new product for Shorr developed, VisiPak was called into action once again. One of the restrictions submitted related to the size of the new plastic tray packaging container. The new protective packaging trays were to be a specific depth and width, with height the only dimension that could vary. The clear plastic packaging tray would protect an expensive new product and then be inserted into a corrugated box, complete with an outlet for a handle.

The new product, a GPS system for the agricultural industry, is used to guide tractors with impeccable precision and is a costly unit demanding shipping protection. This is where the VisiPak design engineering team stepped up to the plate. By closely analyzing the components of the GPS system itself, the VisiPak engineers arrived at a design that would not only satisfy all existing requirements, but also provide for less expensive tooling on future revisions by developing interchangeable mold bases.

As is well known, technology is always changing and the various components of the GPS unit may change in future versions. VisiPak packaging design engineers are well aware of this concept and with this in mind, designed a new thermoformed plastic shipping tray with an interchangeable mold base. Simply put, a base mold forms the outer frame of the thermoformed tray and another interior mold, which contains the various cavities for the various GPS components, is inserted to form a single tray. This means that the existing cavitations can be easily modified, saving thousands of future tooling costs.

After studying the GPS components, VisiPak design engineers concluded a two-tier shipping tray would best accommodate the system. Without changing the depth or width of the current design, one part of the plastic tray would contain the screen and a second tray, the tray made from the interchangeable mold base, would hold the various other components of the GPS unit. The two clear trays would then stack and slide into the corrugated box, snugly securing all contents within. Also featured in the design of the plastic tray packaging is the contour or scoop allowing for the handle of the outer box.

Not only did the VisiPak design engineers create the thermoformed package protection required, but because of their perception of advancements in technology, they were able to consider not only the moment, but the future as well. With this type of service, Shorr can conceivably save a third of future tooling costs should variations of the GPS device require new packaging.

About Shorr Packaging:

Shorr Packaging is one of the largest independent packaging distribution firms in the nation dating back to the early 20’s and spanning three generations of family operated leadership. Now focusing on industrial packaging distribution Shorr continues to expand with an array of value-added services including procurement solutions, packaging design, inventory management and consulting services.

About VisiPak:

Clear plastic packaging is the VisiPak specialty and this includes extruded and thermoformed packaging options. With the addition of clamshell packages and transparent boxes to the original line of clear plastic tubes, VisiPak is the clear choice for all your transparent packaging needs.

Leveraging its position as the largest extruder of clear PETG plastic tubing in the U.S., the VisiPak division of Sinclair & Rush is proud to be a leader in the field of designing and manufacturing clear plastic packaging. VisiPak was the first packaging manufacturer to bring clear plastic mailing tubes to the direct mail industry and has introduced other innovative packaging solutions like PermaSeals, Hang Tubes, and Donation Containers. Expanding into thermoformed packaging, VisiPak now offers Clamshells, Blisters and Trays, with many stock clamshells ready to ship. If a custom package is required, the VisiPak design team can offer great design flexibility in full custom creations or, at reduced tooling costs, can modify a mold to fit the requirements. Clear plastic boxes are yet another VisiPak clear packaging option and involve no tooling costs.

There are two primary manufacturing plants located in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri. The Kirkwood plant operates 10 state-of-the-art extruders while the plastics molding facility in Arnold manufactures caps and plugs as well as producing the thermoformed product lines. Arnold is also the home of the sales and design teams. VisiPak can serve your global needs through manufacturing and distribution facilities in the U.S., Mexico, United Kingdom, China, and Australia

The main role of packaging has two: one is to protect the product; second, beautification and promotional products. The basic task of packaging design is a scientific, economic, complete packaging shape, structure and interior design.

(1) Packaging Design

Packaging Design, also known as physical design, most of that shape containers. It is the use of aesthetic principles, by shape, color and other factors change, will have the functionality and appearance of the beautiful packaging containers modeling, visual forms. Containers must be able to reliably protect the product, must have good appearance, needs to fit with the economic and so on.

(2) Packaging Design

Packaging structure design is from the protective packaging, convenience, reusability and other basic functions and the actual production conditions, based on scientific principles to the packaging of the external and internal structure derived from the design for specific consideration. A good structural design should be to effectively protect the primary functions of goods; Secondly, we should consider using, carrying, display, the convenience of shipping, etc.; also be able to reuse as much as possible into account, can display the contents and so on.

(3) Packing Design

Packing design is design, text, color, relief and other art forms, highlighting product features and image, and strive to form compact, novel designs, bright colors, clear text, decorative and landscaping products to promote product sales. Packaging and decoration is an integrated science, is both a practical art, it is an engineering technology, arts and crafts and the combination of engineering and to consider the marketing, consumer economics, consumer psychology and other disciplines.

A good package design, packaging design, structural design, decoration design the three organic unity, the only way to fully play the role of packaging design. Moreover, the packaging design not only involves the two major academic technology and the arts, it also involved in their respective areas of many other related disciplines, therefore, to get a good package design is the need for some hard work under the.

One bag, filling, sealing packaging machinery. Current domestic production of more than 100 manufacturers of such machinery, the output reached 15 million units. Bag making, filling, sealing the trend of packaging machinery modular structure, more high-speed, high stability, transmission machinery is simple, adaptive closed-loop control.

Second, the metal packaging container processing equipment. China metal packaging container processing machinery manufacturing industry has taken shape, first, the development trend of such products to improve product performance, increase yield and material utilization, is to accelerate the improvement of product technology, development of mercury-free welding and high-performance high-frequency welding power supplies.

Third, corrugated boxes (board) production equipment. Over the past decade, China’s corrugated box machinery industry developed rapidly, corrugated board line product range from the development to printing slotting machine, cardboard gluing machine, cut machine and other product series, the future direction of First Gaosu Plants, 2 corrugated cardboard boxes is the light equipment.

Fourth, pulp molding processing equipment. Processing equipment, paper tableware in China at present is relatively small scale of production, processing equipment, high prices. Pulp mold tableware processing machinery in the future should reduce the cost of forming heated mold, improve heating methods to reduce power consumption costs, increase production and so increase the research.

Fifth, vacuum packaging machinery. China’s many production of vacuum packaging machinery business to the main assembly, the main variety is mainly semi-automatic operation, automatic continuous, large vacuum chamber and suitable for liquid packaging, vacuum packaging machinery less, domestic general lack of efficient, dedicated vacuum packaging machine .

Quick packaging machinery will follow the current trends in order to facilitate customers, research and development of better packaging machinery.

The 9670 is a chunky little number with a full Qwerty and flip-form, but we actually quite like it

The first video showing the new BlackBerry 6 OS running on a non-touchscreen device has surfaced online, revealing further the unannounced BlackBerry 9670 clamshell in the process.

At first glance you might look at the 9670 and think that it’s treading a strange line, pairing a full-Qwerty keyboard with a folding form-factor, ultimately resulting in a large overall package.

Well, this is true. But from the look of the 8-minute video over at TheCellularGuru, and despite the bulk, it still somehow manages to look pretty darn appealing to us.

Other unofficial specs for the rumoured 9670 include a 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi and a 480×360 pixel display, a resolution seemingly unused by other manufacturers.

The video is also the first of its kind in showing the new BlackBerry OS running on a non-touch phone, although we’re left feeling a little underwhelmed with some of the changes. It’s looking refined but perhaps not revolutionary.

It’s early days though and we’ll be reserving judgement until we see the OS in the flesh, either way, with rumours of an 8900 Slider on the horizon, RIM certainly seems to be looking to extend its product portfolio beyond the traditional BlackBerry form factor.

In our normal office, we can often print side of the paper will be collected, and then wait for the next re-use, and sometimes run out of printers and copiers, the directly to the power off, etc., which are energy-saving performance. However, relying solely on these is not enough. According to blogger’s observation that in many office print vendors stepped up the integration of new environmental technologies, up to the product itself more environmentally friendly.

Lenovo printing equipment used in the World Expo office, ticketing and other systems to respond to the “Green Expo, Carbon Expo,” the call, the service known to the world expo in association with low-carbon double-sided printing device to print the major, long-life toner cartridges and application of polymer toner and a series of green technology will help the World Expo.

The services of the association of Shanghai World Expo printing equipment, mainly LJ3600D, LJ3650DN, LJ2200, M7250N and M7130N variety of print products, including covering the black and white Ji Da Legend, multi-function and color Jida three major product lines. Full range of print products have passed China Environmental Label, China Energy Conservation Certification, consistent with the International Energy Star standards, the corresponding number of China’s RoHS directive and other environmental protection certification.

CHINAPLAS Chinaplas in the plastics and rubber industries on how to implement “green 3 with” (to reduce the use-Reduce, the best use of-Reuse, recycling-Recycle) start of the concept. CHINAPLAS 2010 Chinaplas will be April 19 to 22 Days, and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo “Better City, Better Life” theme echoes publicity green plastics and rubber technology is the beautification of the urban environment, creating the future key to a better life 1.

Plastics and rubber industries to promote the implementation of green ideas, CHINAPLAS 2010 Chinaplas will create “green gas station” for the promotion of environmental protection knowledge and demonstrated practical rubber products and advanced environmental protection technology. In addition, 3-day “green rubber industry forum” will be held in the same period, at which the analysis of China, Japan and European countries, green rubber science and technology development status, and different sectors of green production program.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce to make the decision, in addition to Vietnam, Indonesia and Taiwan imports all the plastic bags levy a general tax, will be on 18 Vietnamese companies, two Indonesian companies and two Taiwan companies to pay a special tax with a punitive nature .

Among them, the tax rate applicable to Vietnamese enterprises to 69-85%, Taiwan 36% -96% business, 52-76% of Vietnamese enterprises.

U.S. bag makers applauding this decision, saying the move will effectively curb what they called violations of U.S. trade law and WTO rules “not a fair price,” plastic bags dumped imports in the United States.

Representative in the United States, South Carolina Hartsville of Hilex PolyCo.LL CinHartsville companies and is located in Houston Superbag Corp. The company to institute legal proceedings over the United States attorney JoeDorn plastic bag manufacturers, said in a statement: “The revenue measures help to restore fair competition in the U.S. market, then our business remain in the United States, factories and employees. ”

Vietnamese media quoted a government official as saying the Road, the U.S. ruling as unfair and U.S. government officials in Vietnam have to submit evidence to prove that Vietnamese enterprises in the export is not violation of WTO provisions.

Made at the end of March the U.S. government’s latest decision in the two companies announced the dumping of these profits and specific amount of subsidies. United States International Trade Commission is expected to make a final ruling on April 14.

The United States also said that Vietnam imported plastic bags subsidy ranges from 0.44% -52.56%. From the Washington law firm King & Spaulding Dorn said that this is the first time the U.S. government imposed countervailing duties on Vietnamese enterprises / countervailing duties.

According to U.S. government data showed ,2006-2008, the Vietnam’s plastic bags the largest growth rate of imports, from 17.4 million U.S. dollars in 2006 to 79.4 million U.S. dollars in 2008.
The same period, imports from Taiwan plastic 17.6 million U.S. dollars to 51.2 million U.S. dollars, Indonesia imports plastic bags to 23.5 million U.S. dollars from 37.7 million U.S. dollars.

If the United States International Trade Commission’s final ruling on April 14 to maintain the preliminary ruling, importers will over the next three countries to pay the import of plastic bags, cash bond, while imports of plastic bags in Vietnam needs to pay countervailing duty margin .

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White paper: Sustainable packaging suppliers: Where is your next lead coming from?
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White paper: CardPak® has been able to provide overall cost reductions, on average, of 5% to 10% when using its ClubPak™ products.
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White paper: Flexible pouch — a case study in sustainable packaging

The company has replaced its clamshell packaging with sustainable, paperboard blister packaging. The new packages make use of MeadWestvaco’s Natralock®, a primarily paperboard design that uses 60% less plastic on average than petroleum-based polyvinyl chloride clamshells and 65% less energy in production.

“As a brand that just celebrated 125 years of iconic design and innovation, as well as a long heritage of environmental responsibility, we are proud to incorporate more sustainable packaging into our product line with Natralock,” says Rick Taggart, Victorinox Swiss Army President. “It has resulted in a better-designed, more responsible and consumer-friendly package that we believe will amplify the experience with the Victorinox Swiss Army brand.”

The new packages are high-strength and tear-resistant, and are made from sustainably sourced paperboard with a clear plastic APET or rPET bubble.

At the meeting, Chairman of Beijing Mr. Ren Yucheng Quality Association made a presentation entitled, “work together to create high-quality, mutual benefit and win-win sharing, publishing and printing industry, on reasonable advance healthy and sustainable capital development”. Reported that in 2009 the cooperation in various units, of Beijing Quality Association member units in quality management has further enhanced the level of physical product quality steadily improved; to plant community recreational activities in an interactive system made for the platform breakthrough “quality and favorable price, superior quality live source” has entered the implementation phase; market surveillance, corporate checks have withstood the rigorous test of the market pass rate over 99% for the prosperity of the capital market has contributed to culture .

North Group Corporation, the North’s shares on the print quality Panglian Dong, chairman of the printing machinery business addressed the new requirements. Pang General pointed out that China’s printing industry to progress, China’s printing equipment should progress, both on the road in the development of a wide range of common interests, the North people as our biggest Guo Zihao printing equipment manufacturer, has the responsibility to China enterprises to provide better printing quality printing equipment, the North will continue to strive for this.

China Agriculture Press printing plant, Beijing Union flourishing industry Co., Ltd., one of the younger printing, Beijing Branch Printing Co., Ltd. on behalf of advanced printing enterprises speech, in which the speech of Chinese agriculture printing the title “Four winds insist the quality of any Fall do not relax “, to impress peers. Participants around the “quality” as the theme, on how to improve product quality, to ensure the stability of print quality, quality of work and other aspects of the conduct of extensive communication and discussion.