A Glossary of Terms and Concepts in Packing Machines

Even the most prolific engineers struggle to understand some packaging terms. They must refer to the “packaging dictionary” to find the right choice of words and their meaning.

Technically, it will take you almost 17 exposures to learn new words. Why should you take a long way yet as a packing machine manufacturer you can refer to a glossary? Here is a packing glossary that will help you understand technical terms and phrases to avoid overstuffing your conversation with jargon.

1. B.S (Acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene)

It is a tough, heat-resistant material that can be fabricated by thermoforming or molding with limited use in the packing industry.

2. Abrasion

It is the process of wearing something away when it is exposed to a rough surface. Abrasion depreciates the values of packaging material.

3. Acetone

Acetone is a colorless, flammable and highly volatile manufactured chemical that also occurs naturally in the environment. It used to manufacture plastics and the fact that it dries very fast has earned it a prime place labeling industry.

4. Amber Glass

It is a brown-colored glass typically used to manufacture beer and medicine bottles. The glass is also resistant to UV light that is why it is common in shades.

5. Bag-In-Box

An ingenious form of packaging involves placing a smaller sealed box with a viscous liquid or perishable product in a bigger, tougher box. The outer box may be reused.

6. Biodegradable

A packaging material that can degenerate when exposed to naturally occurring bacteria and fungi.

7. Blushing

It is a physical or chemical process of discoloring or whitening a plastic bottle.

8. Carboy

It is a liquid storage container made from any material with a capacity of 3 to 13 gallons. Carboys manufactured for shipping are designed to fit into other containers like crates.

9. Dry Blend

It is a dry and particulate molding compound produced from a mixture of ingredients. A good example is polyvinyl chloride.

10. Elastomer

An elastic substance that can be expanded and contracted using tension.

11. Fluorination

It is a process of introducing fluorine into a chemical reaction to create a tough and resistant plastic.

12. Heat transfer

It is an image printing method that transfers images from a carrier web to a plastic or glass container using heat.

13. Heat-Melt Adhesive

This is a special adhesive that is solid at room temperature and melts down when heated, and is commonly used by a packing machine manufacturer.

14. Graphic

This is a design completed by a computer or an artist to decorate a surface of a package. A packing machine manufacturer usually customizes its own graphics with company information.

15. PVA (polyvinyl acetate)

It is a type of thermoplastic adhesive that leaves behind a rubbery texture when it dries up.

16. JIT (Just in Time)

A production philosophy that allows manufacturers to process goods according to the available demand.

There are over one thousand terms and concepts used by packing machine manufacturers. Next time, the list will grow to accommodate more professional terms. Stay connected for more information.