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has become a part and parcel (quite literally) of our lives. It is everywhere and yet, goes unnoticed all the time. Now for a change, let's think about the box. Pandit ji and Panditayen are in a grocery shop, stocking up for the kitchen. Panditayen picks up a packet of spices, looks at it and puts it back on the shelf. Then she picks a second one, turns it around, smiles, and puts it in her shopping bag. She moves to a self stacked with cooking oil. Shakes her head and frowns as she looks at the cans. Then she picks up a bottle from another shelf. Suddenly she finds Pandit ji watching her with a slightly puzzled expression on his face. “Is anything wrong?” asks Panditayen. “I was wondering why you picked up Mohitlalji’s coriander powder? What was wrong with Mix-n-Fix? And why SunFresh vegetable oil particularly?” asks Panditji. Panditayen waves her hand impatiently. “See Mohitlalji’s packet carries a list of all the ingredients. And the SunFresh brand’s bottle has a nicer shape. I can use it later to store things. The company must be making a neat profit and can spend on attractive packaging.” “But shouldn’t we be more concerned about the quality of the stuff that is packed in that bottle?,” Panditji scratches his head. May be, but packaging decides, to a great extent, whether a product remains on the shelf or is picked up by a consumer…
In ancient times, human beings realised the advantages of storing the surplus food collected during food-gathering, hunting, and fishing – in natural containers. Like gourds, shells, and leaves. With passage of time and the advent of agriculture, there grew a need for better ways of protecting seeds and harvested products. Natural materials like hollowed logs, woven grasses and animal organs were also put to innovative use. Then as ores and chemical compounds were discovered, metals and terracotta pottery were used to pack things. This was the beginning of the modern world of packaging. Packaging, as we know today, is no more mere storing of products. It is the science, art and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale and use. It includes the processes of designing, evaluation, and production of packages. Its main constituent is labelling. Labelling provides us with a recognisable logo and we instantly know the type of goods that are wrapped inside the package. Each and every item in today's world is packaged – from a cigarette to a car to the food we eat – not only for their storage and protection, but for a range of reasons. UsePack Here are a few ways in which forms of packaging help both manufacturers and consumers: Protection – from shock, vibration, compression, temperature, and so on. Act as barriers against oxygen, water vapor, and dust. Food packages keep the contents clean, fresh, and safe for a longer shelf-life. Containment – small objects are grouped together in one package for reasons of efficiency. For example, handling one matchbox requires less effort than managing 50 single matchsticks. Liquids and powders need to be contained. Providing information – regarding the use, transport, recycling, or disposing of the package and product. Governments also mandate some information, such as ingredients of medicines and cosmetics. Security – against product tampering, and pilferage. Some may have anti-theft devices, such as dye-packs, RFID tags, or electronic article surveillance tags. Convenience – some package-features can help in distribution, handling, display, sale, opening, re-closing, use, and reuse. Portion control – The precise amount of contents (dose or serving) can be provided. Marketing tool – Packaging is an extremely effective marketing tool, and can be used by sales personnel to encourage and lure consumers to buy various products. Packaging material ranges from fragile china to tough metals, from inflexible glass to the stretchy cloth, from natural paper to artificial plastic.
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