Packaging and Folding

Packaging is the science, art technology of enclosing protecting products distribution, storage, sale, use. Packaging also refers to process of design, evaluation, production of packages.

and or for and the and

The labels on packages are important components of the overall marketing mix and can support :

Advertising claims, Establish brand identity, Enhance name recognition, and Optimize shelf space allocations.

When designing packaging, the cost to manufacture, ship, and display the package must be considered. Packaging must be small enough to accommodate available shelf space and large enough to deter theft. It must also contain an adequate amount of product to keep the unit price competitive.

Function and scope of Packaging

Packaging may have two major functions:

1. Distribution The distribution function deals with packaging the apparel or allied product in a manner which permits the apparel manufacturer to ship the product at lowest cost and/ or in the shortest time to the purchaser, without diminishing the quality of the product 2. Merchandising The merchandising function deals with presenting the apparel product in a manner designed to stimulate consumer desire for the product.

SCOPE: Retaining -

The products durability and Style specifications during the journey from the factory to the retailer.

Quality deterrents that have to be prevented in packaging practically all consumer items are:
1. Creasing 2. Crushing and 3. Dust

Military apparel and apparel destined for export or shipment to extremes of climatic conditions, must be packaged to protect the product against hazards such as: wetting, mildew, fungus, excessive light and handling damage. Handling damage refers to tears, creases and stains inflicted when the package is broken by shipping handlings

Physical protection - The objects enclosed in the package may require protection from, among other things, shock, vibration, compression, temperature, etc. Barrier protection - A barrier from oxygen, water vapor, dust, etc., is often required, keeping the contents clean, fresh, and safe for the intended shelf life is a primary function.

Containment or agglomeration - Small objects are typically grouped together in one package for reasons of efficiency. For example, a single box of 1000 pencils requires less physical handling than 1000 single pencils. Information transmission - Packages and labels communicate how to use, transport, recycle, or dispose of the package or product. Marketing - The packaging and labels can be used by marketers to encourage potential buyers to purchase the product.

Security - Packaging can play an important role in reducing the security risks of shipment. Packages can be made with improved tamper resistance to deter tampering and also can have tamper-evident features to help indicate tampering. To reduce the risks of package pilferage, Packages may include authentication seals to indicate that the package and contents are not counterfeit. Packages also can include anti-theft devices, such as dyepacks, RFID tags, or electronic article surveillance tags, that can be activated or detected by devices at exit points and require specialized tools to deactivate.

Convenience - Packages can have features which add convenience in distribution, handling, display, sale, opening, reclosing, use, and reuse. Portion control - Single serving or single dosage packaging has a precise amount of contents to control usage. Bulk commodities (such as salt) can be divided into packages that are a more suitable size for individual households. It also aids the control of inventory: selling sealed one-liter-bottles of milk, rather than having people bring their own bottles to fill themselves.

Functions of packaging
Primary Protective function Storage function Loading and transport function Secondary Sales function Promotional function Service function Guarantee function Tertiary Additional function

Primary bag

Secondary bag

Carton liner

Sealed carton

Open carton

Primary functions

The protective function of packaging essentially involves protecting the contents from the environment and vice versa. Packaging materials and packaging containers must be stored in many different locations ,both before packaging of the goods and once the package contents have been used.

Convenient goods handling entails designing transport packaging in such a manner that it may be held, lifted, moved, set down and stowed easily, efficiently and safely.

Secondary functions

The purpose of the sales function of a package is to enable or promote the sales process and to make it more efficient. Promotional material placed on the packaging is intended to attract the potential purchaser's attention and to have a positive impact upon the purchasing decision.

The various items of information printed on packaging provide the consumer with details about the contents and use of the particular product.

Tertiary functions

The additional function of packaging materials or packaging containers is their reuse once the package contents have been used. The most significant example is the recycling of paper, paperboard and cardboard packaging as waste paper.

TYPES OF PACKAGE FORMS: The basic types of package forms used in apparel and allied products are bags, boxes, cartons, cases, crates, twines (or cords) and wrappers In merchandizing packaging, the product is packaged in the container in which the customer is expected to receive the product. The product may be packaged singly such as shoes or in multiple such as hose. Shipping packaging is the packaging in which the retailer receives The products in bulk form. A merchandising package is a shipping package if the shipping handlers (truck men or freight men) handle the same individual Bulk forms the retailer will pass on to the consumer.

Cases and crates are made basically of wood, where as boxes and cartons are made of cardboard and/ or plastic. Bags and wrappers are made of plastic film. A case is a package which has no openings in any of its sides. A crate is a package which has openings or spaces between the wood boards which make up its sides or ends.

Boxes are containers with separate covers.

A box contains two or more pieces. Cartons are containers which do not have separate covers A carton is a one piece container. Boxes and cartons are either of the folding or set-up type.

The folding box or carton does not require staples, glue or tape to hold its sides in shape. The cut of a box or carton permits the box or carton to be folded and shaped from a flat sheet or sheets of paper or paper board. The set up box or carton requires staples, glue, tape or some other device to retain the shape into which the paper or paper board has been folded. Bags are non rigid containers made from paper or plastic film. These containers do not have the rigid structural form present in boxes, cartons, cases and crates. The two basic types of bag containers are Sacks and envelops. The most popular bag forms are the flat, square, satchel bottom and Automatic self opening. Envelopes are non rigid containers which have flap extensions on one Side of the container for closing the container.

Sacks do not have flap covers. The sack is closed by folding all sides of the opening in a closure pattern Wrap packages are parcels made by encasing the products in sheet paper or plastic film. The wrapping does not have the basic structure of a sack or envelop. The sides and bottom of sacks and envelops are always sealed, whereas a wrapper is an unsealed non-rigid sheet. Sacks and envelopes are usually fabricated before the packaging. Wrappers are secured in the package formation with sealing tape, cords or bands.

Cords or bands are non rigid linear mediums which are used to make packaging similar in structural principle to that of the crate.

Factors influencing the selection of package design:

Consumers dsires dictates merchandise package Retailers desires dictates Shipment packaging Sales policy and type of accounts for Merchandising and Shipment packaging will set the design limits of package design. The form / style of packaging Display needs of packaging Handling comfort of customers in terms of comfort and protection of goods

Evolution of materials

Paper & board Used for making cartons,bags,drums Advancements in using the paper in the packaging as: Corrugated boards, Molded pulp, Tissue paper Advantages The materials are light and easy to handle, store, fold and crease If combined with plastic to form laminated packaging that prevents evaporation and preserve the product Color printing to a very high quality is possible

1.

2.

3.

Metals

Metal is most appropriate for packaging foods, drinks, such as soft drinks and beers (canned food and drinks). In which, aluminium is often used. Used in making cans aerosols foils closures Advantages Contents will stay in a good condition for over months Convenient size and light weight

1. 2.

Plastics

The use of plastics in packaging has made tremendous progress in recent years all over the world. A wide variety of plastics can be used as thermoform, injection moulded or blow moulded containers, such as bottles, cartons, cups, boxes etc. The merits of rigid plastic containers are its low cost and ease of fabrication.

 The demerits are lack of product compatibility, plastic

deterioration, lack of resistance to high heat and fragility at lower temperatures. Flexible plastic packaging films are used as wrappers or sachets or bags or pouches for packaging milk and dairy products.

Plastics for packaging

Packaging plastics are produced in chemical factories and have rather long names. The six major ones are: low density polyethylene high density polyethylene polypropylene Polyvinylchloride Polystyrene polyester (polyethylene terephthalate)

HDPE Bottles for detergents, milk and fruit juice. Carrier bags.

Egg Cartons, bottle caps and closures, Food trays. Fizzy drink bottles, meal containers, roasting bags.

Paper Plastic film Wood Nails Staples Cords Rope Gum Tape Bands (metal)

Wood cases and Crates are used for bulky export or rugged shipments. Wood used are ply wood, tongue and groove boards, soft wood.
Basic paper materials used for packaging apparel products are Kraft, Corrugated, crepe, tissue, paper board, paper foil and water proof paper.

Corrugated Paper are

of two types

Flexible corrugated is used basically in shock insulation. Corrugated board is used for cartons and boxes.

Crepe paper is distinguished by its wrinkled surface. Used mostly for shock insulation to prevent crushing, fine crepe papers are available for decorative merchandising effects. Gummed Crepe in strip rolls is a popular sealing tape. Tissues, thin paper sheets are used for both shock insulation and decoration. Paper foil is metallic paper, consists of paper stock laminated/coated with metallic's such as bronze or copper.

Plastic films are rapidly replacing

paper in some packaging uses. Plastic films are made up of thin cellulose derivatives, rubber bases, or synthetic resins. Cellulose acetates, Pliofilm, Vinyl film are some of the most popular types. They range in clarity from Transparent to Opaque. Strength and thickness are available as desired.

QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS FOR PACKAGING MATERIALS

The basic quality factors in paper and films are: A. Properties: Clarity, Thickness, Width and length, basic weight (& yield. sq. in / lb) B. Characteristics: Tensile strength Elongation Bursting strength Tearing strength Flammability Porosity, air Moisture permeability Sunlight transference Dimensional stability to heat / sunlight Resistance to odors

Shipping packaging is the packaging in which the retailer receives the products in bulk form.
For E.g.- A group of boxes of shoes is tied together with twine, the shipping package is the corded, crate, case or carton unit.

The shipping activities include:

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

Acquiring the empty container Positioning the container Loading the container Sealing the loaded container Labeling the sealer container Stacking or carting the loaded, container.

sealed,

labeled

Shipment packages have to meet rules and regulations in Quality which are set by the:

Postal authorities Railroad Associations Motor Associations Air freight Associations

Primary vacuum heat sealed bag with information label

Tertiary vacuum heat sealed bag with product information label

Twist-sealed carton liner with Certificate of Compliance

Carton taped closed with corner labels and Certificate of Compliance

Fragile

Use no hand hooks

This way up

Keep away from sunlight

Keep away from water

Centre of gravity

Clamp as indicated

Do not clamp as indicated

Packaging and shipping Equipment:

1. Product folding equipment 2. Container shapers 3. Container loaders 4. Container sealers 5. Container conveyors

In Merchandise packaging, the product is packaged in the container in which the consumer is expected to receive the product. Product may be packaged: Singly, such as shoes Or in Multiples, such as hose

From Consumers Point of view the package should: Identify the product Enhance the appeal of the product Attract the customer to the package Protect the product quality until the consumer uses the item

Other Factors affecting are:

Color and design on the package are used to identify, enhance and attract. The manner in which the product is packaged geometrically is big factor in enhancing the look of the garment. What part of garment shows and how does it show off.

The utility of the package is a big factor semi permanent and permanent value of the package is very important. The handling factor of the package. Other utilities like storing of things at home.

From Retailers point of view

The merchandise package should have additional values to those enumerated for raising consumer appeals. Package should be able to carry a certain display weight without crushing the product or distorting its quality.

Other factors:
1)

2)

How high can the packages be stacked for display or storage purposes? what is the safety factor of the package with regard to a) the garment quality b) Personnel safety

3) Under what condition will the stack topple?

4) Handling cost
Minimizing space requirements for storing many of these packages? b) Minimum time requirements for i) Receiving and checking a delivery ii)Storing the packages in storage and the stores selling area c) Dispensing the package i) By a sales clerk ii)By consumer self service
a)

Must be designed to meet needs of retailers and desires of consumers. In many apparel items, the packaging is reduced to a hanger plus a short plastic film shoulder cover for the garment, and a colorful tag on the garment. So that consumer can view as much possible area of the garment.

Vacuum packaging was introduced in the 1970s by Swematex AB of Sweden. The system consists of: 1. Reducing the moisture content of the garment 2. Encasing the garment in a plastic film sack 3. The air in the sack and garment is vacuumed out 4. The plastic sack is then sealed at the end of vacuum & compression cycle.

Functions:1) To reduce the shipping bulk of finished garments 2) To reduce the finishing weight of garments shipped 3) To prevent a garment from accumulating dust or objectionable odors before and during shipping 4) To prevent garments from acquiring wrinkles or creases, during shipping, which will have to be removed before the retailer displays the garment 5) To minimize storage space for both manufacturer and retailer.

Vacuum packaging is used not only for packing and storing garments, But also for packaging household accessories made from textiles, Such as blankets, bed spreads, pillows and towels anything with bulk can easily be compressed. The moisture content is removed by placing the hung garment on a Conveyor through a conditioning chamber which decreases moisture content of the garments with hot air and then cools it to a given temperature in cool dry air, prior to encasing it in its plastic film sack.

This conditioning process permits the garment to be compressed with vacuum action without wrinkles or creases which remain in the garment after the sealed vacuum pack is opened When the vacuum pack is opened after it reaches its retail destination, the fabric readily absorbs the necessary moisture to attain its normal stability and thus immediately sheds any wrinkles or creases incurred during the vacuuming

Removal of the moisture content prior to its vacuuming and Encasement prevents any creases or wrinkles incurred during encasement, because in order for a wrinkle or crease to have any Retention, the fabric must have a certain degree of moisture, which gives it the plasticity necessary to form retainable wrinkles and creases. Hence the absence of sufficient moisture in the garment precludes the formation of wrinkles or creases which are plasticized in to such forms.

Folding is a very important part of the garment because it adds to the aesthetic appeal of the garment, helps in the transportation of the lot, protects crease recovery, protects it from dust, stains etc.

Folding in fabrics reduces space and helps in transportation.

Button the top button and the third button. Lay the shirt face-down on the folding surface. You should be looking at the back of your shirt. Smooth out any puckers or wrinkles, so the shirt is flat front and back. The first fold is the right side. Fold about one-third of the body toward the centre of the shirt.

The fold line starts at the centre of the shoulder and ends at the tail. You should see the back of your shirt with about one-third of the front folded to the back. Neatly fold the sleeve forward, creating an angled fold at the shoulder. The sleeve should line up with the edge of the first body fold. Fold the left side in the same manner. Make a fold of several inches of the shirt tail.

Fold up the bottom half of the partially folded shirt. The tail should be just behind the collar of the shirt now. Turn the entire shirt over. You should have a neatly folded shirt as you typically see at a professional laundry or clothing store.

An automatic garment folding machine has a support plate on which the upper central portion of a garment rests, a cover plate which swings down to an operative position overlying that portion of the garment, and side folding plates by which longitudinally extending side portions of the garment are folded into overlapping relationship over its central portion.

The cover plate has fixed and movable clamping members, the movable clamping member being movable downward to and upward from a clamping position in which it cooperates with the fixed clamping members, which are on the upper surface of the cover plate.