Liners,
shells or tubes, pads, build-ups, dividers, partitions and other inner packing pieces can
be made in an infinite variety of ways to separate or cushion products, to strengthen the
box, or to prevent product movement by filling voids. They may be simple rectangles, or
scored, slotted, scored and slotted, or die-cut shapes. Tubes or shells are scored rectangles, folded and sometimes joined
with tape to form a multi-sided structure open at both ends. When used as sleeves for
individual items such as glassware, adjacent shells provide double protection.
Triangular shells are frequently used for stacking
strength in the corners of boxes. Rectangular shells that are the same size and depth as
the box (minus the thickness of the box) are called liners.
Partitions or dividers provide a separate cell for
each item in a box. They are used primarily for glassware and other fragile articles.
Scored and folded inner packing pieces can take
many shapes. Included in this group are built-up pads consisting of multiple pieces glued
together.
Inner packing pieces are used for cushioning,
suspension and separation, and to fill voids. The suspension function holds the product
away from the walls of the box to lessen the impact of drops or bumps. Complete filling of
voids created by irregularly shaped products adds stacking strength to the box.
Inner packing forms are usually die cut to position
and support irregular products from below, or lock them into position from above.
Alternatively, forms can be placed on two sides or ends of a product. Some inner packing
forms are extensions of the box flaps.
In many cases, the box itself is rather common, but
ingenious inner packing makes an irregular product easy to pack and safe to ship.
Pads are plain rectangles of corrugated or solid
fiberboard. They can be used to fill the space between the inner flaps of an RSC, to
completely cover the bottom or top of a box, or to separate layers of product. Vertically,
they can be used to separate products or add stacking strength. |
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