Today it is customary to classify a package according to a number of features. Among them is the place of packaging; materials that are used in the manufacture; the form; frequency of use; the appointment of containers; dimensions and carrying capacity. In this article, we consider the types of packaging, classification and characteristics of each of them.
Packing purpose
So, above are some criteria according to which it is customary to form a grouping. To begin, consider the classification of packaging by purpose:
- Transport packaging and packaging, which is an independent transport unit. It is used for transportation, storage and warehousing of a product.
- Consumer packaging is used for packaging commercial products, which are sold exclusively for the population. It serves as part of the product itself and, accordingly, is included in the total cost. After making a purchase, it becomes the property of the consumer. Typically, this type of packaging classification is not transported on its own - it is transported in a transport type packaging.
- Industrial packaging, which is used for transportation within the plant, workshop or between these structures, as well as for the accumulation of materials, raw materials, blanks, semi-finished products, finished products and waste.
- Preserving packaging, often referred to as special. It is needed for the storage of materials, raw materials, equipment and even hazardous wastes of a chemical, radioactive nature in the long term.
It is worth noting that the presented classification of containers and packaging for their intended purpose is general in nature, in contrast to the division according to the industry principle (machine-building, food, chemical and others) or by the degree of protective features (moisture-proof, from mechanical damage, isobaric, vapor-proof and others) .
Materials used
Now consider the classification of containers and packaging methods for the materials that are used in its manufacture. So, it is customary to distinguish the following types of containers:
- glass packaging;
- wood packaging;
- metal packaging;
- polymer packaging;
- cardboard packaging;
- ceramic packaging;
- packaging from various materials used in a specific combination.
It is important to know that the use of one or another material as one of the key signs of packaging classification implies its selection based on the specific properties of the product. It is about chemical, biological, hygienic and physical characteristics. By the way, containers made of polymer can be identified in accordance with the name of the polymer. For example, polystyrene or plastic packaging.
Package Composition
Next, we analyze the classification of packaging by composition. Currently emit packaging and auxiliary packaging. Among them are corks, caps that protect against damage, as well as backfill and fillers. It should be noted that packaging is a key component or kind of packaging. It is a tool for placement and further movement of products.
Packaging design
Classification of packaging in accordance with the chosen design is carried out according to the following criteria:
- In a constructive form, packaging and containers are divided into cans, boxes, boxes, flasks, bottles, cups, tubes, bags, barrels, ampoules, pencil cases, bags, test tubes, bags and so on.
- In accordance with the design (in other words, compactness), collapsible, collapsible, non-collapsible, and also collapsible-folding containers and packaging are distinguished. It is worth noting that collapsible packaging has the ability to disassemble into smaller parts and, accordingly, be assembled in its previous state. This is due to the combination of elements that perform the function of articulation. Foldable packaging can be folded without violating these elements, and then re-folded.
- Soft, semi-rigid and rigid packaging is distinguished by their shape stability or structural rigidity. It should be added that the stability of the form depends on the properties of the material and the characteristics of the structure. A rigid container will never change its size and shape if it is filled with one or another product. It can withstand mechanical effects that are relevant during transportation and storage. This includes metal, glass, wooden containers, less often - from polymers. Semi-rigid packaging does not change its size and shape exclusively under light load. As a rule, it is made of cardboard, thick paper or plastic. Soft packaging is characterized by a change in size and shape if it is filled with a product, since its material is polymer films, loose paper, and so on.
- In accordance with the level of tightness of the structure, it is customary to allocate tight and leaky containers. The latter is carried out in open form or closed with a lid. Sealed packaging is impervious to liquids and gases.
Soft consumer packaging
When studying the topic "Packaging: functional purpose, packaging elements, packaging classification" it is impossible not to distinguish the category of consumer packaging. It is soft and hard. Soft is able to keep products under reliable protection when it comes to external influences, as well as automate the process of its manufacture. As a rule, the main materials here are multilayer polymer films and all kinds of combinations of elements. In the process of product packaging, robots implement packing operations, sealing a packaged product, as well as packing in a container of a different type, transport, which is discussed above.
Studying the topic of consumer packaging, it should be noted that the film is endowed with a low specific gravity and low price. That is why it is often used one-time. Typically, bags are made by welding. Less commonly used in production are stapling or gluing.
Hard plastic consumer packaging
The main function of such packaging is to ensure the safety of the product, in other words, to protect commercial products from destruction or loss of shape. That is why rigid containers are usually endowed with mechanical strength. It is convenient in terms of consumption. It is advisable to include injection, extrusion-blowing, and pressed packaging made of sheet materials in this group. By the way, it is formed through various types of mechanical and thermoforming.
It should be borne in mind that consumer packaging made of sheet materials in terms of consumption and production, as well as economy, is significantly inferior only to film. However, it surpasses the film in form stability and rigidity. Containers from the presented material are cups, spoons, cartridges, boxes with cells, cans and so on.
Packing place
Classification of packaging at the place of packaging is fairly standard. It is customary to distinguish commercial and industrial packaging. In the first case, the technological operation is carried out directly by the seller, in the second - by the manufacturer. That's all the differences! It is necessary to add that the trading packaging service can be both free and paid. Moreover, the free service is included in the distribution costs, but the paid one is paid by the consumer.
Manufacturing technology
The classification of containers and packaging in accordance with this criterion is as follows:
- Blown packaging.
- Pressed packaging.
- Welded packaging.
- Injection packaging.
- Thermoformed packaging.
More details
Blown containers today are in third place in terms of production, because in terms of functionality and variety, it is able to satisfy even the most demanding consumers. It is used for a wide variety of products: bulk, liquid, solid, pasty and so on. It must be added that almost all varieties of plastics are currently used to create it. Pressed and injection-molded containers are created by injection molding and pressure with the exact execution of the inner strips of the product, as well as the external surfaces.
Containers made of gas-filled materials are usually made of low-density foam. It can withstand significant specific loads, while only minimally deforming. Such packaging is used in order to provide reliable protection of the product from shocks, shocks, temperature fluctuations or damage to a mechanical nature.
Combined consumer packaging
It is advisable to separately consider the combined packaging and packaging used for consumer purposes. It includes a combination of various materials: cardboard, paper, foil and so on. Such packaging is able to provide a high level of product safety and good consumer properties. This category includes containers of the type "flow", in other words, made by applying a polymer melt directly to the product that needs to be packaged. Shrink-wrap films, that is, second skin, are used in skin-type packaging.
Stretch containers are manufactured as follows: the product is closed on both sides using a heat-shrinkable or stretchable film based on PVC or SE, its ends are fixed with brackets, welding or glue between cardboard sheets. In order for the film to fit snugly, the cavity with the product is heated and fixed in vacuum. It is necessary to add that this type of packaging is used for commercial products of the household and haberdashery type, as well as for cosmetics and perfumes.
Classification of packages by style
Today there are a considerable number of classifications related to packaging and containers. One of the most modern is the division in accordance with the style of performance. Currently, the following types of packaging are distinguished, depending on the design used:
- Packaging with a story. Today, product manufacturers often place brand legend on containers, which is not at all surprising: this is done to increase consumer confidence. For example, whiskey Chivas Regal.
- Pop Art. This direction is rather slow, but still confidently moving into advertising design. Already today he found his rightful place there. Pop art is bold, everyday and as simple as possible images using a bright, even poster color palette.
- HandMade packaging. Design trends are increasingly gravitating towards simplicity, but at the same time towards exclusivity. A few years ago, there was a complicated schedule in fashion, however, today the rule “The simpler the better” undoubtedly wins. That is why often manufacturers of well-known and expensive brands choose packaging design manually. Firstly, it inspires consumer confidence. Secondly, uniqueness and uniqueness gives its fruits. Thirdly, manually packaged goods are nevertheless closer to the consumer’s heart than ordinary machine work, often similar to the work of other sellers.
Today there are many other design solutions, however, this topic is very extensive. Therefore, it is recommended to study it separately.