‘Inclusive’ design for containers: improving openability

For many years the standard engineering design approach has been to design for the most common size or ability and hence ensuring that your product is applicable to the broadest proportion of society. Recently, however, this approach has been seen to be flawed, particularly with regards to consumer packaging (although there many examples in other industries, such as transport). This paper outlines a new approach to packaging design that has been termed ‘inclusive’ design. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A constraint‐based approach to the modelling and analysis of packaging machinery

To enable packaging machinery manufacturers to compete at an international level, it is necessary to introduce them to more advanced design methods and technologies. For years, the evolution of packaging machinery has relied heavily on trial‐and‐error methods. The demands for continual increases in the performance capabilities of the machines, escalating legislation, environmental directives and changes in the characteristics of the product require rapid development of existing machine designs and the creation of new machines. This paper discusses the needs of SME packaging machinery manufacturers and identifies their requirements for methods in support of the design and redesign of packaging machinery. The need to identify, capture and manipulate design knowledge is critical for SMEs, where all too often design records are incomplete. Furthermore, a systems modelling approach that provides for support over the conceptual, embodiment and detailed design phases is essential for the rapid and effective development of designs. In order to meet these requirements, a methodology is proposed which incorporates ‘constraint modelling’ techniques. The methodology provides for experimental investigation and computer‐based modelling, which together aid the designer in gaining a fundamental understanding of the design problem. This enables the identification and representation of design knowledge, the determination of the limitations of an existing design, the evaluation of alternative designs and redesign strategies, as well as the embodiment, refinement and optimization of design solutions. The theory of ‘constraint modelling’ is discussed and the various phases of the methodology described. The applications of the methodology to a new machine design and a redesign program are also detailed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The tightness of retail packaging: A selection of test methods to be used for a wide range of packed products

The tightness of retail packagings and of their closures is of primary importance both for domestic and industrial products. For this reason, a research programme designed to establish proper testing methods for a wide range of ‘packaging + product’ combinations, in order to check their tightness or permeability, was set up. All the available testing methods were reviewed, the most reliable ones selected and their sensitivity determined. More than 200 combinations of ‘packaging + product’ belonging to five families of consumer products were examined and their tightness/permeability problems noted. Finally, specific testing methods were assigned to each combination of ‘packaging + product’. All these examples are currently in use in the packaging laboratory as a guideline for the testing of every kind of packaging.     

Attributes of packaging and influences on waste

An important area of focus for the reduction of domestic waste is packaging and food packaging specifically. At some point in the life of packaging in the consumers' home, the packaging goes through a transition from something of use, of value and of worth to the consumer to something that is no longer any of these. Being able to indentify attributes of packaging that might have an impact on this transitional point to change the use or value so that the packaging is re‐used, recycled or composted rather than being landfilled is very important in successfully diverting packaging waste from landfill. This research aimed to conduct a variety of tests to indentify attributes of packaging that have an influence on the eventual waste route and to determine what that influence was. The research included an extensive literature study looking at consumer test methods, current waste and packaging waste studies, and packaging design literature. This was followed by a series of four tests: ‘bin raids’, ‘digital diary’, ‘visual survey’ and ‘ethnography’. These tests were designed to determine how consumers would treat specific examples of packaging in an end‐of‐life scenario and what influences those decisions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Eco‐efficient Value Creation: An Alternative Perspective on Packaging and Sustainability

The classical sustainability perspective on packaging is to reduce the environmental impact or eco‐burden of the packaging, using life cycle assessment to evaluate different design alternatives. Simultaneously, the classical marketing perspective on packaging is to generate value through differentiation, for instance, by providing additional convenience. These two perspectives often conflict. In business reality, there is currently no established method to deal with these conflicts. Life cycle assessment is methodologically incapable of incorporating the difference in convenience. This article uses the eco‐costs/value ratio (EVR), as a method for dealing with the environmental assessment of packaging design alternatives with such unequal ‘soft’ functionality. The article reviews the current debate on packaging and sustainability, highlighting some of the shortcomings of the methods currently applied. Subsequently, the EVR model is introduced and applied to five examples. These examples consist of pairs of products, where the product, the amount, the brand and the retail outlet are identical and only the packaging design and the value differ. The examples illustrate how the EVR model fits better to design decision making in business reality than classical life cycle assessment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于多感官体验的产品包装设计视觉空间研究

由于现代科技的不断进步,社会各行业的经济发展也得到迅猛提升,人们生活水平日益提高,对产品包装设计的视觉舒适性、实用性以及观赏性要求也越来越严格,同时,对于产品包装设计中的视觉空间设计也更加关注。产品包装设计是一项复杂的创作过程,而基于多感官体验的产品包装设计视觉空间的研究也是重要环节,产品包装设计过程主要涉及产品完整的信息、产品包装创作的方案以及产品包装外形美观度、视觉舒适度的展示,产品包装设计直接影响产品的展示效果,提高产品包装设计的创作质量是保证包装应用价值的关键。因此,探究基于多感官体验的产品包装设计视觉空间研究过程,分析与总结产品包装设计的创作要点意义重大。     

Studying the Influence of Packaging Design on Consumer Perceptions (of Dairy Products) Using Categorizing and Perceptual Mapping

Food packaging plays an important role in attracting consumers' attention and generating expectations in the consumer that in turn affect their product perception and buying behaviour. In the present study, ‘categorizing’ and ‘perceptual mapping’—diametrically opposed methods (predefined criteria vs consumer criteria)—were used to study the influence of packaging design on consumer perceptions of dairy products. Eighty‐nine images of milk, yoghurt and yoghurt drink with different graphical designs, sizes, shapes and materials were presented to the participants. The participants were randomly divided in two groups, each of which evaluated the samples using one method: categorizing or perceptual mapping. Both categorizing and perceptual mapping have been demonstrated to be useful, simple and user‐friendly methods to determine the packaging design cues that influence the perception of dairy products. However, perceptual mapping provided more subconscious perceptions than the categorizing task. The results of perceptual mapping are objective and provide representative information. Furthermore, it fosters better understanding of the potential for product packaging to be misinterpreted and supports packaging designers in developing packages that better align with consumer perception. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Active packaging as an opportunity to create package design that reflects the communicational,functional and logistical requirements of food products

The packaging of industrial food products is the most important means of transmitting a product's image and taste value. When the nature of its interface and its contents are the product of carefully planned imaging, the product has notable advantages in defining its image and product identity. Modern food trends dictate an ever‐increasing amount of services: The so‐called ‘functional packaging’ and ‘active packaging’ are prime examples of this service. The greatest innovation within this category of products consists literally of their interaction with food. These features create numerous fallbacks within all stages of the life‐cycle of a product, requiring a complex and multidisciplinary evaluation. The evaluation strategy of services which this packaging will offer to the consumer is still to be defined, and still to be identified within the key applications are the interests of the intermediary links of the production process. This requires the evaluation of the semantic and communicative aspects of the packaging which tend to be confused with the foodstuffs, the individualization of appropriate user profiles, control of logistical and location aspect of production, and a careful analysis of a comprehensive environmental balance, all issues that are parts of the objectives of the European project, Actipak. It is hoped, therefore, that the elaboration of these packaging systems will become a motive to try out a more knowledgeable and systematic design process for foodstuffs, in which innovative technology is used to provide effective benefits to the consumer. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Environmental assessment of food packaging: Impact and improvement

Food packaging plays an important role in carrying food and drink from production sites to the consumers, and environmental aspects of this packaging receive considerable attention. As the functions of packaging are derived from the actual food requirements, environmental aspects of packaging should be compared with those of the food for a balanced optimization of environmental impact. The outcome of such combined analysis is illustrated with a macroscale analysis of the actual food supply situation in The Netherlands. An ‘overall’ survey of this system is used to indicate important interrelations between the subsystems and to estimate the order of magnitude of the environmental impact of each part of the system. The major environmental effects of the total food supply system and both impact and influence of the packaging subsystem are quantified in mass and energy terms. It is concluded that more attention should be given to matching the actual and varied demand of different size consumption groups, and suggestions are given for effective incorporation of environmental constraints into product development and packaging design.     

Quality of Fresh Cut Zucchini as Affected by Cultivar,Maturity at Processing and Packaging

Appropriate plant material at processing and film packaging selection has a strong influence on product quality preservation. This is the first report studying the feasibility for minimal processing of four zucchini cultivars at two maturity stages, immature (MS1) and mature, stored at 6 °C during 10 days under different packaging conditions. The treatments consisted a 4 × 2 × 2 × 3 factorial combination of variety, maturity at processing, film packaging and storage time, including correlation studies between quality parameters. Negative effect on final quality after processing at MS1 was observed as a result of a higher respiration rate (between 15.91 and 20.12% than at mature), CO₂ production and soluble solid consumption contributing to loss of firmness, slice discolouration and less overall quality. After 10 days under 25 µm film, cv. ‘Cronos’ showed the highest values in total chlorophylls (9.03 mg/100 g FW), while slices at MS1 suffered a noticeable oxidative stress increasing the total phenolic content (cv. ‘Parador’ > ‘Amalthée’ > ‘Cronos’ > ‘Cassiope’). At the end of storage, the highest vitamin C content was observed in trays sealed with 25 µm film (more evident in cv. ‘Cronos’ at MS1). In conclusion, processing more mature zucchini and 25 µm film packaging were the most effective combination for preserving quality. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Getting to grips with packaging: using ethnography and computer simulation to understand hand–pack interaction

The general population of many developed countries is aging. Despite many medical advances, aging brings with it a host of issues, not least of all the loss of strength and dexterity. Hence, everyday functions that were easily performed at a younger age can become difficult or even impossible. One major area of concern is the ability of elderly consumers to access food or medicines from packaged goods such as jars, bottles and child‐resistant closures. Many consumers avoid food in jars or have problems with medical compliance. Recently, the authors developed a new approach to packaging design termed the ‘three‐stranded approach’. Here, they outline numerical, experimental and analytical techniques for matching pack function to human ability. Within this work it became apparent that developing a more detailed understanding of how packaging is manipulated and gripped would be of use to packaging designers and engineers and hence enable the manufacture of easier‐to‐open packaging. This paper outlines some preliminary studies on the development of a computational model of a human hand as a tool for packaging design, and a supporting study on the various grips used by consumers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

图像符号在包装设计装饰中的运用思考

随着社会的发展,人们越来越喜欢追求各种心仪的事物,而购物是人们生活中的一项基本活动,产品包装设计在一定程度上能够满足人们的审美需求,提高人们购物满意度,因此企业需要加强对包装设计装饰的研究。在现代产品营销过程中,包装设计是沟通消费与生产的桥梁,通过采用图像符号设计包装能够提高产品包装的新颖感和层次,甚至在一定程度上能够提高使用者的身份价值,给人一种高端的形象。文章主要阐述了包装设计装饰中运用图像符号所需要遵循的基本原则,并介绍了图像符号在包装设计装饰中的应用策略。     

Professionals' View of Consumers' Packaging Interactions – A Narrative Analysis

The consumer's role in the packaging value chain thinking has increased. This paper identifies the basic functions of packaging as well as the importance of the visual and structural elements from the consumer's view. However, it is unclear what packaging experts associate with consumers' packaging interactions. Professionals working in the field are still in the key position of defining directions in the packaging industry. The paper investigates how professionals perceive consumer interactions with packaging, and identifies challenges in consumer‐centred packaging development. The research materials were collected from 14 theme interviews with representatives of higher education, packaging research and packaging design agencies. As a result, five narratives and five challenges for consumer‐centred packaging development were constructed. The narratives describe the following: (a) the symbiotic product–packaging relationship; (b) the everyday context highlighted in purchase and use situations; (c) how consumers become aware of packages; (d) a fashion system of packaging; and (e) everyday routines and rituals involving packaging. The aims of the paper are to raise the awareness of how professionals perceive consumer interaction with packaging, to provide insight into factors relevant for consumer‐centred packaging development in industry and to identify the potential challenges, from the professionals' view, for adopting a consumer‐centred model. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effectiveness verification of the hybrid free‐fall test

Free‐fall tests are generally conducted as the last verification step in the cushioning package design process. However, in practice, design requirements are often not met in a single pass of verification testing and two or three repetitions of the ‘design and test’ steps are typically required, necessitating significant amounts of labour and material resources. Therefore, if the product is a prototype or an expensive product, repeated testing is difficult due to the limited quantity or high cost of samples. For such cases, a new method called the ‘hybrid free‐fall test’ is proposed for preventing damage to a tested product. Using this method, the peak shock acceleration occurring during a target (high) free‐fall height test can be predicted using the data from a safety free‐fall height test. The packaged product is usually conceptually modelled to assist in packaging research, and so far, several physical models have been proposed. In this study, we review one such model, the friction‐viscous damping model, and propose a new prediction method for the hybrid free‐fall test in which a reconsidered friction‐viscous damping model is applied. Furthermore, we used expanded polyethylene and structured corrugated sleeve cushioning materials for verification and considered an effective physical model for each cushioning material.     

Finite element analysis (FEA) applied to polyethylene foam cushions in package drop tests

Two designs of polyethylene (PE) foam cushions were compared, using a rigid ‘product’ of mass 5.6 kg, and an outer corrugated fibreboard box. The acceleration–time history for the product was measured when the box was dropped flat from 1 m onto a rigid floor. The data was processed to calculate the impact force as a function of the packaging deformation. Finite element analysis (FEA) predictions of the impact force vs. package deflection were accurate for end‐cap designs using Ethafoam, but underestimated the slope of the experimental force vs. deflection relation for corner‐cap designs. The corner‐cap design is more efficient in reducing the peak product acceleration for multiple impacts. The contribution of the corrugated board box to the impact response appears to be small. The FEA results were compared with those from the cushion curve design method and were found to better predict the performance of complex shaped cushions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Towards a Conceptual Sustainable Packaging Development Model: A Corrugated Box Case Study

Corrugated package designers are focused on balancing the need for product protection, material use efficiency and the packaging material's impact on the environment in the supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual sustainable packaging model that integrates the variables of technical design, supply chain systems and environmental factors and then use the model to identify to improve upon corrugated container design. A model was developed, from the extant literature, and a case study was performed on a corrugated container. This is believed to be a unique integrated model of most relevant agents related to the design and implementation of a corrugated box through a supply chain from design to potential post‐consumer reuse. From this study, we found opportunities to improve the environmental design of the corrugated container through four ex ante design stages, and two ex post facto supply chain stages. Further, research can evaluate and refine this model via a ‘live supply chain’ for use in guiding corrugated box material selection design and reuse/recycling. Integration of the design criterion for a unit load in the supply chain creates opportunity to observe the packaging system holistically. Waste in the manufacturing process and CO₂ emissions are traced along the material flow until the end of its useful life to provide an overall picture of the packaging system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于服务设计的片剂药品分剂量包装包容性设计研究

目的 从药品包装研究现状与分剂量问题出发,基于服务设计方法和包容性设计原则对片剂药品分剂量包装进行研究,提升片剂药品分剂量包装的包容性。方法 面对当前片剂药品包装在分剂量服药需求下安全性、便利性、兼容性的问题,首先通过访谈法了解患者服药现状和需求;其次,运用服务设计方法中用户画像和用户旅程图工具构建各类用户模型,并挖掘接触点、痛点与机会点;最后,针对接触点进行分剂量泡罩包装的包容性设计,并运用对照测试、可用性量表和用户满意度问卷进行评估。结果 通过服务设计方法能从全流程挖掘各类片剂服药患者的分剂量需求,推导的分剂量泡罩包装设计具有较强的包容性,在满足各类患者片剂药品分剂量服药需求的同时提升其用药体验的满意度。结论 本研究能有效解决片剂药品包装的分剂量问题,同时改善各类患者的用药体验满意度,为药品包装的包容性设计发展提供了实践依据。     

电商时代体验消费行为下的包装设计形式分析

当下各类品牌文化拥有着差异性,但其生产的产品属性却越来越相近。改变这种现象的唯一方式是通过包装设计给消费者创造惊喜,创造新的消费体验。包装作为产品的产品,包装设计正向着体验消费和社交互动属性发展。立足用户及用户需求的角度探讨体验消费对包装设计发展新趋势的指引,探讨体验消费与包装设计的内在逻辑,如何为电商时代包装设计提供解决方案及新思路是该文的初衷。     

Packaging scorecard – a packaging performance evaluation method

To support a more holistic approach to the contribution of packaging to efficiency and value creation in the product supply chain, a systematic evaluation method – packaging scorecard – has been developed and tested in two case studies. The packaging scorecard is based on research of functional criteria of packaging and the theories of ‘balanced scorecard’, a general management approach to evaluating organizational performance using different perspectives. The results of the case studies indicate that the method can be very useful to get a systematic overview of packaging performance throughout the product supply chain. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于Internet /Intranet的包装产品集成设计系统研究

包装产品设计与制造的技术参数繁多,通过对包装产品传统设计系统的特点的分析,提出了基于Internet /Intranet环境下的包装产品集成设计系统,给出了利用Internet /Intranet技术建立的网络模型,以及包括企业外部协作组和企业内部CAD及虚拟制造的包装产品集成设计系统工作流程,该流程设计在实际应用工程项目中已取得了很好的效果.