PKG101 SS25 L1 Packaging Basics

Page 1: What is Packaging?

• Introduction to the concept of packaging.

Page 2: Terminology

• The term "packaging" encompasses:

  • The act of placing a product into a package.

  • The package system and its components.

• "Packaging" is often used interchangeably with "package."

Page 3: Definition of Packaging

• Packaging is defined as a coordinated system for:

  • Preparing goods for transport.

  • Distribution.

  • Storage.

  • Sale.

  • Use.

• Reference: Soroka (2022), Fundamentals of Packaging Technology 6th Edition, Institute of Packaging Professionals.

Page 4: Basic Functions of Packaging

• A package serves one or more of four fundamental functions:

  • Containment: Holds the product in a safe manner.

  • Protection: Safeguards the product's integrity and quality.

  • Communication: Conveys information about the product.

  • Utility: Enhances the usability and convenience of the product.

Page 5: Containment

• Containment involves holding a product for:

  • Grouping.

  • Enclosure.

  • Movement.

• Example: Liquids.

Page 6: Containment Examples

• Free-flowing solids examples:

  • Sugar (in HDPE canister or paper bag).

  • Flour (King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour).

  • Various glass and plastic jars.

Page 7: Multicomponent Products in Containment

• Examples of multicomponent products:

  • LEGO sets.

  • Paper clips and other construction toys.

  • Olive jars (e.g., stuffed manzanilla olives).

• Emphasizes the need for excellent storage solutions.

Page 8: Protection

• Protection maintains the product's integrity by:

  • Safeguarding against environmental interactions.

Page 9: Factors for Protection

• Key factors influencing protection requirements include:

  • Environmental factors.

  • Transportation factors.

  • Biological factors.

  • Human factors.

Page 10: Environmental Factors - Moisture Barrier

• Moisture Barrier importance:

  • Foods can absorb moisture in humid environments, necessitating high water vapor barrier materials.

Page 11: Environmental Factors - Oxygen Barrier

• Oxygen Barrier:

  • Essential for extending shelf life of oxygen-sensitive products.

  • Example: Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) replaces air in packaging with nitrogen.

Page 12: Environmental Factors - Temperature

• Maintaining specific temperature ranges is crucial to prevent spoilage.

• The cold chain refers to the systems keeping products frozen or refrigerated throughout distribution.

Page 13: Environmental Factors - Light

• Sensitive products require protection from UV light to prevent degradation and fading during storage and transportation.

Page 14: Biological Factors

• Protection against dirt and infestation involves:

  • Keeping the product clean and pest-free.

  • Packages must prevent access by pests and microbes.

Page 15: Transportation Factors - Shock & Vibration

• Products experience shocks and vibrations during manufacturing and transport.

• Examples include vibrations from transportation and shocks from road hazards.

Page 16: Transportation Factors - Vibrational Damage

• Vibrational damage occurs over time, shaking components loose or causing scuffing of products:

  • Example: Wine labels suffer from scuffing.

Page 17: Transportation Factors - Compression

• Compression effects:

  • Can be static (from stacking) or dynamic (enhanced by vibration).

Page 18: Distribution Hazards

• Hazards include:

  • Vibration.

  • Shock.

  • Compression.

  • Solutions may involve cushioning, restraints, and product redesign.

Page 19: Human Factors - Tampering

• Tampering concerns lead to:

  • Tamper-evident features to prevent unauthorized access (e.g., shrink bands, RFID tags).

Page 20: Human Factors - Child Safety

• Child-resistant packaging is essential for products like household chemicals to prevent exposure.

Page 21: Human Factors - Pediatric Poisoning

• Unintentional poisoning in children under 5 increased significantly in recent years:

  • Highlighting the need for better safety measures in packaging.

Page 22: Communication

• Communication through packaging includes conveying messages via:

  • Signs, words, symbols, colors, and shapes.

Page 23: Label Information

• Labeling impacts consumer purchasing decisions and informs choices about:

  • Price, nutrition, and ingredients.

• A well-designed package can influence ongoing brand loyalty.

Page 24: Legal Communication Requirements

• Certain communications are mandated by law (e.g., Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (1967), NLEA 1990).

Page 25: Utility

• Utility relates to the package's functionality and performance:

  • Focuses on ease of use, convenience, and efficiency.

Page 26: Utility Examples

• Features enhancing utility may include:

  • Reclosability, ergonomic grips, easy-pour spouts, single servings.

Page 27: Utility and Convenience Examples

• Examples of product packaging that enhances utility:

  • Lunchables, cheese with a grater, wine with a handle.

Page 28: Package Functions in Action

• Example of candy packaging illustrating:

  • Containment, protection, communication, and utility.

Page 29: Large Heavy Items

• Discussion prompts regarding whether large heavy items qualify as packages.

Page 30: Package Classification Systems

• Overview of systems used to classify packages.

Page 31: Classification of Packages - Primary

• Primary packages:

  • First layer of protection that may contact the product.

Page 32: Classification of Packages - Secondary

• Secondary packages contain primary packages.

Page 33: Classification of Packages - Tertiary

• Tertiary packages:

  • The outer layer of packaging, facilitating bulk distribution (e.g., pallets).

Page 34: Summary of Packaging Functions

• Packaging must effectively perform:

  • Containment, protection, communication, and utility throughout the supply chain.

Page 35: The BIG Packaging Challenge

• Addressing the complexities of designing effective packaging.

Page 36: Reflection on Packaging

• Questions prompting reflection on daily interaction with packaging and its effectiveness.