Product Packaging
History: In the beginning…
►Food produced and consumed locally
►Lesser need for packaging
►Leaves (tree, lotus, palm), gourds, coconut shells, animal skin, bamboo
� Used to protect, contain and transport food
History: Industrial Revolution
►Trade flourished
►Mass production required improved packaging
� Protect luxury products
� Identify product
� Preserve products
� Sell products (“silent salesman”)
Types of Packaging: Glass
► 1200 BC – pressed to cups/bowls► 17th Century – blown glass/irregular shapes► Able to see product► Automated bottling revolutionized
use of glass► Preferred material for certain products
� High-end food, perfume, spirits, liquids
Types of Packaging: Metals
►Napoleon’s challenge (early 19th century)� 12,000 FF – method to protect food supply� French chef Nicholas Appert discovered
preservation of food sealed in tin cans then sterilized by boiling
►Still used today� 2008 - Health concerns
BPA (Bisphenol A)
►Mid-1800s tin boxes forcookies, chocolate, tobacco
Types of Packaging: Paper
►Oldest form of packaging – China 1st and 2nd
century – mulberry tree bark► 1817 – first use of commercial cardboard in
England► 1852 – paper bag making machine invented► 1871 – corrugated cardboard patented for
shipping► 1890 – pre-cut paperboard box
Types of Packaging: Plastics
►Introduced in 19th
century
►Revolutionized packagingof food
� Transportation
� Product protection
� Shelf life
� Appeal to consumers
►Lighter than glass, relatively inexpensive
Development of Packaging
►Spurred by US Military
►Food to servicemen
� Transport to differentparts of the world
� Different climates
� Different environments
3 Primary Functions
►Protection and preservation
►Convenience
►Promotion
Protection and Preservation
►Protect product from damage
� On shelf / customer handling
� During transportation
� Ex. eggs
►Protect user from harm
� Ex. chlorine bleach
►Keep food fresh
� Ex. cheese
Convenience
► Easy to open (Ex. Medication/child-proof)
► Easy to reclose/reseal to keep fresh or resuse(Ex. zip lock)
► Easy to carry home/around (Ex. TimBits; glass vs. plastic)
Convenience
► Easy to dispense/use (Ex. med/blister packs; microwaveable plastic)
► Easy to dispose of packaging
� Special instructions for disposal?
� Recyclable? Impact on the environment?
Convenience
► Portion size is reasonable / suitable for consumers
� Costco “family” size vs. smaller packages
Promotion
►Helps differentiate one product from other similar products
� Colour; logo/brand
►Helps to “grab” consumer – make an impression
Promotion
►Helps “sell” the product – the “silent salesperson”
►Colours and pictures help with appeal of product