Product packaging is essential for ensuring product protection during transportation. Its roles are numerous: keeping the product in place, cushioning against shocks, and preventing risks related to vibrations such as abrasions, scratches, or wear. Therefore, the choice of packaging inserts should not be random; it must be perfectly tailored to the product it protects. Packaging requirements vary depending on the mode of transport, whether it's courier shipments (e-commerce, couriers), maritime transport, railway freight, or even local, international, or intercontinental shipments.
Modes of transport and packaging insert needs
Packaging insert needs differ according to the mode of transport. For example:
- Courier shipments (e-commerce, couriers): often require quick and economical packaging solutions with high standardization.
- Container maritime transport: demands robust protection against shocks and vibrations over long distances.
- Rail freight: involves stability and protection against moderate shocks, with particular attention to weather conditions.
- Local, international, and intercontinental shipments: each type of shipment presents unique challenges influencing the choice of materials and packaging design.
Types of packaging inserts and materials used
Common materials
- Corrugated cardboard: used for its lightweight and shock-absorbing capacity.
- Polymer foam: available in various types, offering good shock absorption and scratch protection.
- Molded cellulose: ideal for ecological and biodegradable protection.
- Expanded polystyrene: known for its high shock absorption capacity and insulating properties.
- Bubble wrap: simple and effective for small products, providing protection against light shocks.
Material properties
- Shock absorption capacity: determined by material density and thickness. Cushion curves are essential for choosing the appropriate material.
- Abrasive properties: necessary to protect surfaces of products sensitive to scratches. Abrasion tests measure these properties to ensure the material does not cause unintended damage.
Product fragility analysis
Determining product needs
Choosing packaging inserts begins with a thorough understanding of the product:
- Transport circuit: the type of transport directly affects the need for packaging inserts.
- Product resistance: a fragile product, such as crystal glass, requires more sophisticated packaging inserts than robust items like a garden table. Fragility is measured not only by shock resistance but also by sensitive areas prone to local stresses, such as the junction of a glass stem.
Identifying sensitive areas
Each product has specific areas susceptible to damage. It is crucial to:
- Identify these areas and prevent them from experiencing excessive pressure or inappropriate stresses.
- Ensure that the packaging inserts do not exert force on these vulnerable areas to avoid damage during transportation.
Use of cushion curves
Description of cushion curves
Cushion curves are essential graphical tools for choosing the right packaging insert material:
- Functionality: they represent the shock absorption capacity of different materials based on their density and thickness.
- Importance: they help in selecting the ideal material and proportions for each type of product.
Practical examples
For example, for a fragile product requiring maximum shock absorption, a specific curve shows which material and thickness will provide the best protection.
Abrasion tests
Importance of abrasion tests
Abrasion tests measure materials' resistance to friction and scratches:
- Normative and experimental methods: used to ensure materials meet acceptable abrasion tolerances for products.
- Interpreting results: tests help in choosing materials that minimize the risks of scratches and abrasions.
Examples of tests
Tests such as the Taber test or the Martindale test are commonly used to evaluate the abrasive properties of packaging insert materials.
Packaging optimization
Importance of proper sizing
Proper sizing of packaging inserts is crucial:
- Excess space: requires additional packaging insert materials, increasing costs and reducing efficiency.
- Insufficient space: may limit the effectiveness of packaging inserts, increasing the risk of damage or material costs.
Optimization strategies
- Effective use of materials: choosing materials and thicknesses suitable for the actual dimensions of the product.
- Cost/protection balance: finding the right balance between optimal protection and material costs.
Case studies and recommendations
Application examples
Case studies demonstrate how different products have been effectively protected through thoughtful packaging insert choices:
- Fragile product: example of crystal glass with high-density polymer foam packaging inserts.
- Robust product: example of a garden table with reinforced corrugated cardboard packaging inserts.
General recommendations
- Know your product: understand the fragility and sensitive areas of the product.
- Use cushion curves: to determine optimal material and thickness.
- Conduct abrasion tests: to ensure packaging insert durability.