Functional Package Design

Abstract

THE cardinal principle of functional package design can be stated very simply. The properties of the product to be packaged and the conditions to be met an merchandising channels determine the package protection required. In practice this principle is often qualified by considerations of costs and of conventions established by the trade. There are six important product properties involved in packaging: ( a ) the tendency of a product to gain or lose moisture as influenced by external humidity conditions; ( b ) susceptibility to spoilage by atmospheric oxygen; (c ) the tendency to lose volatile flavors or pick up foreign odors as influenced by temperature, ventilation, and degree of segregation in shipping and warehousing; ( d ) seepage of fat or oil as influenced by temperature and stacking pressure; (e ) susceptibility to insect infestation dependent on housekeeping conditions in transit, warehousing, and retail outlets; and ( f ) susceptibility to sifting, specifically for dry products of small particle...