Funktionen der Verpackung | Fachbegriffe Verpackung|Die Europalette| Stapelformen | Unterfahrbarkeit

There are five main functions of packaging. The protection function shields goods from external dangers like dirt, impact, or moisture, as seen with containers for sea travel. The storage function improves storage and retrieval processes, enabling efficient stacking and organization of goods, even those with irregular shapes. The transport function facilitates loading and unloading by making goods fit transportation vehicles optimally and increasing security during transit. The sales function acts as an advertising tool, with packaging design influencing consumer choice and enabling branding and unit formation. Finally, the information function provides crucial product details, such as ingredients, shelf life, QR codes, barcodes, and handling instructions, as well as warning labels for hazardous goods.

Packaging can be subjected to various stresses, including forces like falling, pushing, pressure, and vibrations. Damage can occur from goods falling off forklifts or shelves, or from forces during transport such as braking or acceleration. Packaging also needs to protect against damage from impacts. Additionally, goods can be damaged by living organisms (pests), theft (requiring discreet packaging or security measures), and climate (temperature, humidity, light exposure). Proper packaging and storage conditions are essential to mitigate these risks.

Understanding packaging terminology is crucial. A 'pack good' is the item to be packaged or already packaged. 'Packaging material' refers to the substance from which the packaging is made (e.g., wood, cardboard, steel). 'Packaging medium' is the container itself (e.g., carton, box, pallet, container). 'Packaging aids' are materials that complete and secure the packaging medium, such as tape, filling materials, or film. 'Packaging' is the combination of the packaging medium and packaging aids. A 'pack' is the pack good plus its packaging. Finally, a 'pack unit' is a pack suitable for transport, like palletized cartons or roll containers, prepared for storage and shipping.

The Euro pallet is a standard load carrier, often referred to as a flat pallet, organized by EPAL (European Pallet Association). EPAL manages the pallet exchange pool, ensuring that loaded pallets are exchanged for empty ones. Euro pallets are made from natural wood (sometimes pressboard for blocks), with standard dimensions of 0.8m x 1.2m x 0.144m and weighing 20-25 kg. They are reusable packaging that can withstand a load of 1500 kg (with up to 5000 kg stacking capacity for the bottom pallet). There are also other Euro pallet sizes, such as EPAL 2 (1.2m x 1.0m), EPAL 3 (1.0m x 1.2m), and the Düsseldorf half pallet (0.8m x 0.6m).

Pallet handling refers to how forklifts can access a pallet. A 'four-way' pallet (like the Euro pallet) can be picked up from all four sides, while a 'two-way' pallet can only be accessed from two sides. Euro pallets must meet specific standards, including being debarked and treated for pests. Identification marks on Euro pallets include the EPAL logo (or older EUR logo) on the outer blocks and an IPPC logo (wheat ear symbol) on the central block. The IPPC logo indicates the country (e.g., DE), regional authority (XX), registration number of the treatment facility, and treatment method (HT for heat treatment, MB for methyl bromide, though MB is not allowed in the EU). The central block also shows the manufacturing plant number, year (e.g., 2018), and month of production.

There are two main stacking forms for pallets: linear stacking and bond stacking. Linear stacking is quick and easy but offers less stability. Bond stacking, resembling brickwork, provides better stability and reduces product movement, though it takes more time. Pallet types include 'single-item pallets,' which contain only one type of product. 'Mixed pallets' hold various items, ideally grouped for ease of access. A 'sandwich pallet' consists of multiple pallets stacked on top of each other, each carrying different articles, allowing for efficient use of vertical space.