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Definition
In order to appreciate logistical packaging, we must know what it is and how it functions. Logistical packaging has been defined in several ways.
A coordinated system of preparing goods for transport, distribution, storage, retailing and end-use.
A means of ensuring safe delivery to the ultimate consumer in sound condition at minimum total overall cost.
A techno-economic function aimed at minimizing costs of delivery while maximizing sales (and hence profits).
Definition 1 and 2 indicate that logistical packaging contains and protects during transport and has an economic aspect. To ensure delivery, the package must at least provide information as to the address of the recipient, describe the product and perhaps explain how to handle the package and use the product.
Logistical packaging has also been described as a ‘complex, scientific, artistic and controversial segment of businesses’. Logistical packaging is certainly dynamic and is constantly changing. New materials need new methods, new methods demand new machinery, new machinery results in better quality, and better quality opens up new markets which require changes in packaging. The cycle then starts again.
Thus, at the most fundamental, logistical packaging contains, protects and preserves, and informs. At its most sophisticated, it provides two more functions – those of selling and convenience.
In a world where the quality of products is high, in many instances almost the only difference between competitive brands lies in the logistical packaging and only logistical packaging influences the selling operations.
From the definition number 3, ‘logistical packaging is a techno-economic function aimed at minimizing costs of delivery while maximizing sales (and hence profits)’. At this level, the value of – or even the need for – the added functions is controversial, and as a result opinions vary as to whether packaging is a waste of material and energy, or is properly utilized for the conservation of goods and reduction of labour. There is no doubt, however, that in the post-fuel crisis world in which we now lives, where materials are more expensive principally because of extra cost of energy, we may well need to change our criteria of judgment. Containment, protection and information will always be essential in any packaging and these functions are basically conservational.
How much we should spend on the ‘selling’ and ‘convenience’ functions and how far they are regarded as necessary, is a matter for discussion.
What are the rationales for the logistical packaging for the purpose of effective warehouse operation?
Rationales - (Fundamental reasons; the basis.)
Answer: Logistical packaging is important to effective warehouse operation as it could enhance certain factors. The function and purpose of logistical packaging can explain how it help varies factors. Firstly it is to coordinate a system of preparing goods for transport, distribution, storage, retailing and end-use. It is a means of ensuring safe delivery of goods to the ultimate consumer in sound condition at minimum total overall cost. It aims to minimizing costs of delivery while maximizing sales and profits. This is similar to a warehouse objective. Therefore logistical packaging is part of the reason to effective warehouse operation. Furthermore logistical packaging function is integrated to the warehouse objective. The various functions of packaging are divided into primary, secondary and tertiary functions. With the primary functions concerning the technical nature of the packaging, secondary functions relate to communications. Primary and secondary are divided into the following sub-functions:
Primary functions
1) Protective functions
2) Storage functions
3) Loading & transport functions
Secondary functions
1) Sales function
2) Promotional function
3) Service Function
4) Guarantee function
Protective functions
The protective function of packaging essentially involve protecting the contents from the environment and vice versa. The inward protective function is intended to ensure full retention of the utility value of the packaged goods. The packaging is thus intended to protect the goods from loss, damage and theft.
In addition, packaging must also reliably be able to withstand the many different static and dynamic forces to which it is subjected during transport, handling and storage operations. The goods frequently also require protection from climatic conditions, such as temperature, humidity, precipitation and solar radiation, which may require "inward packaging measures" in addition to any "outward packaging measures".
The outward protection provided by the packaging must prevent any environmental degradation by the goods. This requirement is of particular significance in the transport of hazardous materials, with protection of humans being of primary importance. The packaging must furthermore as far as possible prevent any contamination, damage or other negative impact upon the environment and other goods.
The inward and outward protective function primarily places demands upon the strength, resistance and leak proof properties of transport packaging.
Storage function
The packaging materials and packaging containers required for producing packages must be stored in many different locations both before packaging of the goods and once the package contents have been used. Packaging must thus also fulfill a storage function.
Loading and transport function
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. Packaging thus has a crucial impact on the efficiency of transport, handling and storage of goods. Packaging should therefore be designed to be easily handled and to permit space-saving storage and stowage. The shape and strength of packages should be such that they may not only be stowed side by side leaving virtually no voids but may also be stowed safely one above the other.
The most efficient method of handling general cargo is to make up cargo units. Packaging should thus always facilitate the formation of cargo units; package dimensions and the masses to be accommodated should where possible be tailored to the dimensions and load-carrying capacity of standard pallets and containers.
Where handling are to be entirely or partially manual, packages must be easy to pick up and must be of a suitably low mass. Heavy goods must be accommodated in packages which are well suited to mechanical handling. Such items of cargo must be forkliftable and be provided with convenient load-bearing lifting points for the lifting gear, with the points being specially marked where necessary (handling marks).
The loading and transport function places requirements upon the external shape of the package, upon the mass of the goods accommodated inside and upon the convenient use of packaging aids. The strength of the package required for stowing goods on top of each other demonstrates the close relationship between the loading and transport function and the protective function. The above three functions explains further why logistical packaging is rationales. The three primary functions fit into the warehouse operation objective of effective use of equipment, maximizing accessibility of all items and maximizing protection of all items. In addition to this it will help to reduce cost with the latest technology and increase customer service. In the long run logistical packaging is one process that lead to effective warehouse operation.
In order to appreciate logistical packaging, we must know what it is and how it functions. Logistical packaging has been defined in several ways.
A coordinated system of preparing goods for transport, distribution, storage, retailing and end-use.
A means of ensuring safe delivery to the ultimate consumer in sound condition at minimum total overall cost.
A techno-economic function aimed at minimizing costs of delivery while maximizing sales (and hence profits).
Definition 1 and 2 indicate that logistical packaging contains and protects during transport and has an economic aspect. To ensure delivery, the package must at least provide information as to the address of the recipient, describe the product and perhaps explain how to handle the package and use the product.
Logistical packaging has also been described as a ‘complex, scientific, artistic and controversial segment of businesses’. Logistical packaging is certainly dynamic and is constantly changing. New materials need new methods, new methods demand new machinery, new machinery results in better quality, and better quality opens up new markets which require changes in packaging. The cycle then starts again.
Thus, at the most fundamental, logistical packaging contains, protects and preserves, and informs. At its most sophisticated, it provides two more functions – those of selling and convenience.
In a world where the quality of products is high, in many instances almost the only difference between competitive brands lies in the logistical packaging and only logistical packaging influences the selling operations.
From the definition number 3, ‘logistical packaging is a techno-economic function aimed at minimizing costs of delivery while maximizing sales (and hence profits)’. At this level, the value of – or even the need for – the added functions is controversial, and as a result opinions vary as to whether packaging is a waste of material and energy, or is properly utilized for the conservation of goods and reduction of labour. There is no doubt, however, that in the post-fuel crisis world in which we now lives, where materials are more expensive principally because of extra cost of energy, we may well need to change our criteria of judgment. Containment, protection and information will always be essential in any packaging and these functions are basically conservational.
How much we should spend on the ‘selling’ and ‘convenience’ functions and how far they are regarded as necessary, is a matter for discussion.
Question For the Blog
What are the rationales for the logistical packaging for the purpose of effective warehouse operation?
Rationales - (Fundamental reasons; the basis.)
Answer: Logistical packaging is important to effective warehouse operation as it could enhance certain factors. The function and purpose of logistical packaging can explain how it help varies factors. Firstly it is to coordinate a system of preparing goods for transport, distribution, storage, retailing and end-use. It is a means of ensuring safe delivery of goods to the ultimate consumer in sound condition at minimum total overall cost. It aims to minimizing costs of delivery while maximizing sales and profits. This is similar to a warehouse objective. Therefore logistical packaging is part of the reason to effective warehouse operation. Furthermore logistical packaging function is integrated to the warehouse objective. The various functions of packaging are divided into primary, secondary and tertiary functions. With the primary functions concerning the technical nature of the packaging, secondary functions relate to communications. Primary and secondary are divided into the following sub-functions:
Primary functions
1) Protective functions
2) Storage functions
3) Loading & transport functions
Secondary functions
1) Sales function
2) Promotional function
3) Service Function
4) Guarantee function
Protective functions
The protective function of packaging essentially involve protecting the contents from the environment and vice versa. The inward protective function is intended to ensure full retention of the utility value of the packaged goods. The packaging is thus intended to protect the goods from loss, damage and theft.
In addition, packaging must also reliably be able to withstand the many different static and dynamic forces to which it is subjected during transport, handling and storage operations. The goods frequently also require protection from climatic conditions, such as temperature, humidity, precipitation and solar radiation, which may require "inward packaging measures" in addition to any "outward packaging measures".
The outward protection provided by the packaging must prevent any environmental degradation by the goods. This requirement is of particular significance in the transport of hazardous materials, with protection of humans being of primary importance. The packaging must furthermore as far as possible prevent any contamination, damage or other negative impact upon the environment and other goods.
The inward and outward protective function primarily places demands upon the strength, resistance and leak proof properties of transport packaging.
Storage function
The packaging materials and packaging containers required for producing packages must be stored in many different locations both before packaging of the goods and once the package contents have been used. Packaging must thus also fulfill a storage function.
Loading and transport function
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. Packaging thus has a crucial impact on the efficiency of transport, handling and storage of goods. Packaging should therefore be designed to be easily handled and to permit space-saving storage and stowage. The shape and strength of packages should be such that they may not only be stowed side by side leaving virtually no voids but may also be stowed safely one above the other.
The most efficient method of handling general cargo is to make up cargo units. Packaging should thus always facilitate the formation of cargo units; package dimensions and the masses to be accommodated should where possible be tailored to the dimensions and load-carrying capacity of standard pallets and containers.
Where handling are to be entirely or partially manual, packages must be easy to pick up and must be of a suitably low mass. Heavy goods must be accommodated in packages which are well suited to mechanical handling. Such items of cargo must be forkliftable and be provided with convenient load-bearing lifting points for the lifting gear, with the points being specially marked where necessary (handling marks).
The loading and transport function places requirements upon the external shape of the package, upon the mass of the goods accommodated inside and upon the convenient use of packaging aids. The strength of the package required for stowing goods on top of each other demonstrates the close relationship between the loading and transport function and the protective function. The above three functions explains further why logistical packaging is rationales. The three primary functions fit into the warehouse operation objective of effective use of equipment, maximizing accessibility of all items and maximizing protection of all items. In addition to this it will help to reduce cost with the latest technology and increase customer service. In the long run logistical packaging is one process that lead to effective warehouse operation.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 8:20 AM
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Logistical packaging
Shipping product through the logistic pipeline requires protection of various types for most goods, and packaging offers this function. Not only logistic is interested in packaging but also marketing as it can aid them in the selling activity as well as communication information to the customer. Today, transportation and materials management are far more complex than simply moving goods from point A to point B. Company needs to meet all transportation, packaging and technical requirements while at the same time improving the safety and security of the project. Last but not least if must help in lower the cost.
Shipping product through the logistic pipeline requires protection of various types for most goods, and packaging offers this function. Not only logistic is interested in packaging but also marketing as it can aid them in the selling activity as well as communication information to the customer. Today, transportation and materials management are far more complex than simply moving goods from point A to point B. Company needs to meet all transportation, packaging and technical requirements while at the same time improving the safety and security of the project. Last but not least if must help in lower the cost.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 10:23 PM
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Functions
The various functions of packaging are divided into primary, secondary and tertiary functions. With the primary functions concerning the technical nature of the packaging, secondary functions relate to communications. Primary and secondary are divided into the following sub-functions:
Primary functions
1) Protective functions
2) Storage functions
3) Loading & transport functions
Secondary functions
1) Sales function
2) Promotional function
3) Service Function
4) Guarantee function
Efficient logistical packaging is a necessity for every kind of product, whether it is food or non-food product. It is an essential link between the supply chain and the consumer, and unless performed correctly the standing of the product suffers and customer goodwill is lost.
All the skill, quality and reliability built into the product during development and production is wasted unless care is taken to see that the consumer gets it in prime condition. Proper design is the main way of providing ‘a package which protects what it sells and sells what it protects’.
Therefore, the logistical packaging functions require specialized knowledge and skills, in addition to specific machinery and facilities, to produce a package which will provide most, if not all, of a number of basic requirements of which the following are the most important: containment, protection and preservation, communications, machinability, convenience and use, portion control, security and marketing.
These basic needs must now be examined in ore details together with some lsee important options.
Containment. Obviously, the package must keep its contents secure between the end of the packaging line and the time when the product has been ‘consume’.
Protection and preservation. The logistical packaging must protect the product from both mechanical damages during handling and deterioration by the climate through which the package will pass during distribution and storage in the home.
Communication. All logistical packaging must communicate. Not only must the contents be identified and the legal requirements of labeling be met, but often the packaging is an important factor in promoting sales. Also, the unit load and the shipping container must inform the carrier about its destination, provide instructions about the handling and storage of product and inform the retailer about the method of opening the package and possibly even of the best way to display the product.
Machinability. The majority of modern retail packages and many transport packages are today erected, filled, closed and collated on machinery operating at speeds of 1000 units or more per minute. They must therefore perform without too many stoppages or the process will be wasteful of material and uneconomic. Even when the numbers concerned are small and the items specialized, the need for a good performance in filling and closing operations is still important.
Convenience and use. The most common impressions of convenience in retail packaging for foods are those of providing easy opening, dispensing and/or after use. Easy opening must be tempered by seal integrity. We must avoid the trap of producing an opening device which fails in transit, or of failing to provide sufficient control on the packaging line to ensure the device works 99% of the time. However, the provision of convenience is much wider than just these impressions. The shipping container as well as the primary packaging must provide convenience at all stages from the packaging line, through warehousing to distribution, as well as satisfying the needs of the user of the product.
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 is also aids the control of inventory: selling sealed one-litre-bottles of milk, rather than having people bring their own bottles to fill themselves.
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. Packages can be engineered to help reduce the risks of package pilferage: Some package constructions are more resistant to pilferage and some have pilfer indicating seals. Packages may include authentication seals to help indicate that the package and contents are not counterfeit. Packages also can include anti-theft devices, such as dye-packs, RFID tags, or electronic article surveillance tags, that can be activated or detected by devices at exit points and require specialized tools to deactivate. Using packaging in this way is a means of loss prevention.
Marketing. The packaging and labels can be used by marketers to encourage potential buyers to purchase the product. Package design has been an important and constantly evolving phenomenon for dozens of years. Marketing communications and graphic design are applied to the surface of the package and (in many cases) the point of sale display.
Moreover, these basics must be provided at one or all of the three levels of logistical packaging, namely the primary package, the secondary package or shipping container and the unit load.
The requirements for packaging must be integrated. The retail unit, the shipping container and the unit load should be complementary to one another and the logistical packaging specification must cover all the levels of logistical packaging that the distribution pattern requires. As a minimum, there must be the primary package that holds the basic product – a bag, can, carton, bottle, tube, or other form of container. For small packages distributed in large quantities, a shipping container is then specified to hold a group of primary packages.
The corrugated box that holds one or two dozen primary packages is the most common example of a secondary package or shipping container. Large appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines, are shipped individually, often in double-wall corrugated boxes, fastened to wood platform or skid. In such instances the primary and secondary packages are therefore one and the same.
There is also a tertiary level of logistical packaging, which comes into use when a number of primary or secondary packages are assembled on a pallet or slip sheet, for handling as a unit load by materials-handling equipment in warehouse.
, 10:17 PM
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Types of packaging
Primary packaging
1) Aerosol spray can
2) Bag
3) Bags-In-Boxes 
4) Beverage can
5) Wine box
6) Bottles
7) Blister packs
8) Carton
9) Closures
10) Envelopes
11) Plastic bags
12) Plastic bottles
13) Skin pack
14) Tin can
15) Wrappers
Secondary packaging
1) Boxes
2) Cartons
3) Shrink wrap
Tertiary packaging
1) Bales
2) Barrel
3) Crate
4) Container
5) Corrugated Fiberboard box
6) Cushioning
7) Edge protector
8) Flexible intermediate bulk container, Big bag, "Bulk Bags", or "Super Sacks"
9) Insulated shipping container
10) Intermediate bulk container
11) Pallets
12) Slip Sheet
13) Stretch wrap
, 10:15 PM
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Packaging Units
· Yield savings in labour costs.
· Increases shipping and warehousing efficiencies.
· Simplifies materials handling
· Get the product to the ultimate consumer at lowest overall cost.
· Yield savings in labour costs.
· Increases shipping and warehousing efficiencies.
· Simplifies materials handling
· Get the product to the ultimate consumer at lowest overall cost.
, 10:13 PM
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Packaging Testing
- Bundled with product performance or safety testing.
- Set of requirements to avoid damage during transit.
- Tests reports verifying compliance.
Distribution Hazards: mechanical hazards
Basic Hazard / Typical circumstances
Impact
(a) vertical
- Package dropped to floor during loading and unloading on to or off nets, pallets, vehicle landing boards, etc.
- Package rolled over or tipped over to impact a face
- Fall from chutes or conveyors
- Result of throwing
(b) horizontal
- Rail or Road vehicle stopping and starting
- Swinging Crane impacts wall, etc
- Arrest by stop or others packs on chute or conveyor.
- Arrest when cylindrical package stops rolling
- Results of throwing
(c) stationary package impacted by another
- All above where circumstances cause the falling pack to impact another
Vibration
- From handling equipment( in factory, depot and at transshipment points)
- Engine and transmission vibration from road vehicles
- Running gear ~ Suspension vibration on rail
- Machinery vibration on ships
- Engine and aerodynamic vibration on aircraft
Compression
- Static stacks in factory, warehouse and store
- Transient loads during transport in vehicles
- Compression due to method of handling, e.g. crane grabs, slings, nets, squeeze clamps, etc.
- Compression due to restraint
Racking or deformation
- Uneven support due to poor floors, storage, etc.
- Uneven lifting due to bad slinging, localized suspension, etc
Piercing, puncturing, tearing, snagging
- Hooks, projections, misuse of handling equipment, or wrong method of handling
Thursday, January 3, 2008, 6:31 AM
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Distribution Hazards: Climatic hazards
Basic Hazard / Typical circumstances
High temperature
- Direct exposure to sunshine
- Proximity to boilers, heating systems, etc
- Indirect exposure to sun in sheds, vehicles, etc. with poor insulation
- High ambient air temperature
Low temperature
- Unheated storage in cold climates
- Transport in unheated aircraft holds
- Cold storage
Low pressure
- Change in altitude, particularly in unpressurized aircraft holds.
Light
- Direct sunshine
- UV exposure
- Artificial lightning
Liquid water
(a) fresh water
- Rain during transit, loading and unloading, warehousing and storage - Puddles and flooding.
- Condensation and ship sweat, etc.
(b) polluted
- Salt sea spray – deck cargo, lightering surf boats, etc.
- Salt water puddles on docks, etc
- Bilge water and sea water in holds
- Industrially polluted puddles and spray, e.g. at chemical works
Dust
- Exposure to wind-driven particles of sand, dust, grit, etc.
Water Vapor
- Humidity of the atmosphere, both natural and artificial.
, 6:03 AM