Saturday, 28 April 2012

Boxes And Packaging - Understanding How They Are Made

By Tim Beachum


The box, such a straightforward item we treat disrespectfully each time we rip open a package or mail products to somebody. You would think something extremely simple in design as a cardboard box would have been around for all time , but these brown boxes were not invented until the mid-19th century. Cardboard boxes and packaging were a creative idea that revolutionized the shipping industry. I do not know about you, but could you imagine you life without something so simple as cardboard boxes?

What we called "cardboard boxes" are technically corrugated boxes because they are made out of corrugated fiberboard. Fiberboard is made from paper and fluted. The fluted bit of paper lies between 2 flat liner boards, which ends up in a thick, durable material suited for packaging. Nonetheless when it was first awarded a patent in England in 1856, it was used as a liner for tall hats! Corrugated cardboard was not patented until 1871 and then it became a staple in packaging supplies, but had still not taken box form. An American, Albert Jones of New York, originally used the cardboard for wrapping bottles and glass lanterns. (Bubble wrap was not invented until 1957.) It is easy to see why Mr. Albert Jones's concept caught on like wild fire.. His concept was easy and extremely affordable for small business owners. It allowed them to ship fragile products across the country safely..

Oliver Long improved on Jones ' design, but it was 1 or 2 years later that we ultimately saw the development of the cardboard box. Robert Gair invented the card box accidentally in 1890. He used to be a paper carrier bag maker and after a little mishap with one of the machines, he noticed that by cutting and creasing the material in one operation, he could create a box. At first boxes and packaging were just utilized for glass and ceramics, but soon after, farmers used it for shipping produce. The box quickly replaced wooden crates for shipping due to its low costs. Its amazing to think of how something so simple changed the world.

Corrugated board is made on giant machines called corrugators. They are able to produce 500 linear feet per minute. Just like any paper making process, the 1st step is pulping รข€"the separation of wood into fibers. Next, the paper is dropped with hi-pressure steam and then dried. The fibers are bent into the proper thickness and put between paper board sheets. Pressure is applied to extend its strength. Ultimately, the corrugated card is tucked between 2 flat liner boards. Different flute sizes can be made depending on how thick you want the board to be.

Now that you have corrugated board, you need to figure out what kind of box design. We all know the commonest square design which is known as the Regular Slotted Container. But what about the odd formed box? Packing engineers design the form of corrugated boxes and try and do so with as little cost as possible. Engineers do lots more than just design, they need to test the box's strength, see if it can withstand heavy humidity, and identify if it has acceptable crush resistance.

Today, corrugated boxes are crucial to packaging and shipping supplies. Think of all of the boxes you have opened or shipped and how straightforward it has made your life. You may not be conscious of its significance, however it is undeniably one product which has left quite an impact.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment