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CHAPTER15FINALASSEMBLY
15.1Introduction
Packagingisthetechnologyofenclosingorprotectingproductsfordistribution,storage,sale,
anduse.Packagingalsoreferstotheprocessofdesigning,evaluating,andproducingpackages.
Packagingcanbedescribedasacoordinatedsystemofpreparinggoodsfortransport,
warehousing,logistics,sale,andenduse.Packagingcontains,protects,preserves,transports,
informs,andsells.Inmanycountriesitisfullyintegratedintogovernment,businessand
institutional,industrial,andpersonaluse.
15.2Purposeofpackaging
Packagingandpackagelabelinghaveseveralobjectives
Physicalprotection–Theobjectsenclosedinthepackagemayrequireprotectionfrom,
amongotherthings,mechanicalshock,vibration,electrostaticdischarge,compression,
temperature,etc.
Barrierprotection–Abarriertooxygen,watervapor,dust,etc.,isoftenrequired.
Permeationisacriticalfactorindesign.Somepackagescontaindesiccantsoroxygen
absorberstohelpextendshelflife.Modifiedatmospheresorcontrolledatmospheresare
alsomaintainedinsomefoodpackages.Keepingthecontentsclean,fresh,sterileand
safeforthedurationoftheintendedshelflifeisaprimaryfunction.Abarrierisalso
implementedincaseswheresegregationoftwomaterialspriortoenduseisrequired,as
inthecaseofspecialpaints,glues,medicalfluids,etc.Attheconsumerend,the
packagingbarrierisbrokenormeasuredamountsofmaterialareremovedformixingand
subsequentenduse.
Convenience–Packagescanhavefeaturesthataddconvenienceindistribution,
handling,stacking,display,sale,opening,reclosing,using,dispensing,reusing,recycling,
andeaseofdisposal.