packaging terms

A piece of corrugation with a height of 3/16 inch excluding the facing, generally spaced about 33 to 39 flutes per foot.

Applied color lettering. Colored lettering or design of a ceramic nature fused onto bottles. Employs screen printing to transfer glass frit (powdered glass colorant) to the surface of a bottle or glass container. The design is fired, heated in a lehr, and becomes permanently fused.

Co-polymer acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene. Tough, hard, rigid, opaque plastic easily fabricated by injection molding, extrusion and thermoforming. More costly than unmodified and impact grades of polystyrene. Limited use in packaging.

Laboratory performance test of a container or coating to evaluate its performance in a shorter time interval than that required under actual service conditions. Example: Performing chemical-resistance tests at elevated temperatures.

Acid rain refers to a mixture of wet and dry deposition (deposited material) from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. The precursors, or chemical forerunners of acid rain formation result from both natural sources volcanoes and decaying vegetation and man-made sources, primarily emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) resulting from fossil fuel combustion. When fossil fuels are combusted, acid-forming nitrogen  and sulfur oxides 

are released to the atmosphere. These compounds are transformed in the atmosphere. These compounds are transformed in the atmosphere, often traveling thousands of kilometers from their original source, and then fall out on land and water surfaces as acid rain. Acid rain is best known for the damage it causes to forests and lakes. Less well known are the many ways it damages freshwater and coastal ecosystems, soils and even ancient historical monuments, or the heavy metals these

Thermoplastic materials, such as Lucite and Plexiglas, made by polymerization of monomeric esters of acrylic acids.

Abbreviation AN. Rigid, natural crystal color, transparent, generally excellent barrier properties, fair resistance to water permeation, good impact strength. Used in thermoforming.

A material such as a hardener, softener, preservative, slip agent, etc., added to a base material in order to achieve a specific result.

Exudation, or ooze, especially from pressure-sensitive label material. It is the result of cold flow, excessive roll winding tension, excessive heat or improper converting procedures.

Describes any container which consists of (1) a gas-tight, pressure resistant container, (2) a valve (3) a desired product, and (4) a self-contained propellant which forces the product from the container when the valve is opened. Products dispensed from aerosol packages include true aerosols, "wet" sprays (coarse particles), foams, pastes, syrups and powders.

Extruded aluminum containers, plastic coated bottles, closures and overcaps. Aerosol bottles and containers are available in various sizes, shoulder configurations, diameters, and neck finishes. Decorating options are available.

Liquefied or compressed gases that are packed with a product in a pressure-propulsion container in order to provide sufficient pressure to propel the product through a valve to give the form of discharge desired.

The filling of aerosol products, either customer-supplied or original formulations. Decorating options are available.

A Unipac (formerly 3M Cap-Seal) product. A range of one piece lining materials with a substrate choice of either unbleached virgin pulpwood or folding box board. Both conform to the stringent requirements of food approval bodies in a majority of countries. Can be used to line plastic and metal closures. The functionality of the AlphaSeal liner depends on the facing material applied to the pulpwood or box board substrate.

Choices for facing material include polyester, PVDC, Saran, aluminum/foil/polyester, SA-66, univinyl, or aluminum foil. Depending on facing material selected, the AlphaSeal provides a general purpose sealing of bottles containing wet or dry products, solvents, weak acids and alkalines, and can provide a gas barrier.

Alternative fuels, as described by the U.S. DOE, include bio-diesel, electricity, ethanol, methanol, natural gas, propane and hydrogen. Some alternative transportation fuels, such as ethanol and bio-diesel, are renewable while others, such as propane and natural gas, are non-renewable.

A brown-colored glass used principally for beer, medicine and liquor containers. The color decreases the effect of some forms of light which would be injurious to the contents of the container.

Also ampoule, ampule, ampoul. A relatively small container made from a glass or plastic tube, the end of which is drawn into a stem and closed by fusion after filling. The bottom may be flat, convex or drawn out as required. Opening is achieved by breaking the stem.

Glass and plastic ampules, and accessories such as holders, breakers, sleeves, etc.

Acrylonitrile. A monomer with the following properties: rigid, natural crystal color, transparent, generally excellent barrier properties, fair resistance to water permeation, good impact strength. Material used in thermoforming.

Injection molded plastic items, such as open-tip syringes, nasal inoculation syringes and bolus dispensing guns, are available in USDA/FDA compliant and approved resins.

A controlled temperature process in which glass is gradually cooled in ovens or lehrs to avoid the creation of stresses and strains within the glass due to natural or uneven cooling. The annealing temperature in glass is about 1000 degrees F.

Corrugated board with embossed or chemically-treated surface, to increase coefficient of friction, so containers made from the treated board will produce a more stable pallet or unit load.

A chemical substance that can be added to plastic resin to minimize or prevent the effects of oxygen attack on the plastic (e.g., yellowing or degradation). Such chemical attack by oxygen may render a plastic brittle or cause it to lose desired mechanical properties.

A substance applied to the surface of a plastic article, or incorporated in the plastic from which the article is to be made, so as to render the surface of the plastic less susceptible to accumulation of electrostatic charges which attract and hold fine dirt or dust on the surface. There are two types: (1) metallic devices, and (2) chemical additives, either internal or surface applied.

A container closure designed so that it may be used to apply the contents of the container, such as oil and grease spouts or daubers.

Short glass rod 2 mm to 4 mm in diameter used in conjunction with an applicator cap. The end which enters the cap is cut square. The other end may have a variety of glazed finishes.

Acceptable quality level. The maximum percentage or proportion of variant (or defective) units in a lot or batch that, for the purposes of acceptance sampling, can be considered satisfactory as a process average.

Items used to package aromatherapy products, including glass and aluminum bottles, vials, perfume samplers and candle holders.

A technique for creating a shelf-stable container by placing a commercially sterile product into a commercially sterile container. The process involves sterilizing a product and its intended container (usually separately) and then bringing them together within a sterile environment for filling and sealing. The sealed container is designed to maintain a sterile product until the seal is broken.

A wide variety of assembly services such as collating, filling, gluing, labeling, bagging, shrink wrapping, bag sealing, blister sealing, display assembly, package assembly, inspection, and bulk mail preparation are available. Some companies follow strict anti-contamination procedures to ensure a clean pack.

Various styles of atomizers and purse sprayers are available, including metal, aluminum, molded glass, plastic, and pastel enamel.

Products produced from resins that can withstand 250 degrees for 45 minutes.

A pressure vessel into which steam or other vapor can be introduced at a suitably high temperature to sterilize packages or other objects placed therein. Similar pressure vessels used for sterilizing food products packed in glass jars or cans are normally called retorts.

A number obtained by adding the thickest wall section measurement of a container to the thinnest wall section and dividing by two. It does not describe the distribution of plastic material in a container.

System of weights used in Great Britain and U.S. for the measure of goods other than gems, precious metals and drugs. Designated by "oz" or "oz av" and "lb" or "lb av". Sometimes, when a container is meant to hold a specific product such as honey or talcum powder, the bottle capacity is stated in auvoirdupois ounces rather than in fluid ounces. For example, a typical 1 lb. honey bottle holds 11 to 12 fluid ounces.

Plastic baby bottle nipples are available in various styles.

A piece of corrugation with a height of 3/32 inch excluding the facing, generally spaced about 47 to 53 flutes per foot.

Loosening of cap; can be caused by improper cap application torque, improper mating of the cap to the container, or improper liner facing and/or backing.

The compressible paper material, usually pulp or newsboard, to which the liner is attached or adhered. This compressible paper material compensates for any irregularities on the sealing surface. Also provides additional strength, or water resistance, or better appearance.

A bottom defect. A seam occurring between the baffle and the blank mold.

A sealed, usually spouted plastic bag inside a rigid outer container, generally used for packaging liquid products of varying viscosities. The outer box may be disposable or reusable. The container itself may be be either partially emptied and resealed or may never be opened to ambient air (i.e., wine boxes). Consumer sizes usually range from one to six gallons while process and transportation sizes range from 55 to 300 gallons.

Stock and custom polybags, shrink bags, shipping bags, protective mailing bags, bags with air vent holes, currency bags, anti-static bags, double-wall bags, trash can liners, recycled bags, specimen/bio-hazard bags, ice bags, ziplock bags, vinyl cosmetic bags, garment bags, sports bags, specialty bags, cloth bags, reclosable bags, and bags made with specialty films. Graphics and color printing options are available.

Wire handle for carrying purposes, with or without grip, fastened to ears that are riveted or welded to opposite sides of a container.

Banding is used to unitize a product for shipment. Steel, plastic and cord banding is available along with seals and buckle and strapping tools.

An identification symbol where the value is encoded in a sequence of high contrast, rectangular bars and spaces. The relative widths of these bars and spaces contain the information. Identification is by visual or electronic means.

Barex is a polymer composed primarily of acrylonitrile, with methylacrylate and butadiene as comonomers. It offers excellent gas barrier properties, good impact and chemical resistance. Barex containers are used for many agricultural chemicals. Barex is a registered trademark of BP Chemical Inc.

Wine barrels, garden barrels, and food storage barrels are available, some with plastic or paraffin liners.

Term used to prescribe one of two classes of specialized packaging materials that provide environmental protection to the package contents: (1) gas-, moisture-, or light-proof materials that control or eliminate the amount of these environmental constituents that pass into or out of a package; (2) a porous material possessing a structure that prevents the passage of microorganisms that might contaminate the contents of a package.

Baseline performance is the benchmark against which future measurements can be compared over time.

Steel, HDPE and P/P baskets for washing, storing and autoclaving laboratory ware.

P/P and P/E baskets to insert in wide mouth jars for cleaning jewelry.

A narrow, round projection above or below the surface.

A finish defect. A finish which has a bent or crooked appearance. Also called "crooked finish".

A neck defect. A neck where the finish is tilted to one side, preventing filling of the bottle.

The sloping edge of a container or part. A bevel adds a short flat span at the junction of two sides of a container.

Intended for storage and retrieval of hardware and small parts. Available in plastic, recycled plastic and corrugated cardboard. Can be used on shelving, stacked, or hanging from panels.

A product determined to be a commercial or industrial product other than food or feed that is composed, in whole or in significant part, of biological products or renewable domestic agricultural materials (including plant, animal, and marine materials) or forestry materials.

The relative number of actual or suspected microorganisms of whatever type found on a specific article at a specific time. May also apply to the level of microorganisms found in a specific area during a procedure such as air sampling.

The degradation of material from naturally occurring microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi or algae over a period of time.

Bio-fuel is fuel derived from organic matter (obtained directly from plants,* or indirectly from agricultural, commercial, domestic and/or industrial wastes) instead of from fossil products.

*The environmental, economic and social impacts of corn-based bio-fuel should be considered when comparing it with traditional fuels.

An edge or side defect. A string of glass extending across the inside of the bottle.

A general defect. Small black specks in the glass.

A particular style of straight sided oblong bottle used primarily by pharmaceutical concerns. Also called space saver and wide mouth packer.

An edge or side defect. A seam which is relatively large, extending from the shoulder to the bottom of the container. Also called "mold seam".

Any type of pulp whitened by an oxidizing treatment, usually with a hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide solution, or by a reducing treatment such as with sulphur dioxide or sulphites.

A product is secured between a preformed (usually transparent plastic) dome or "bubble" and a paperboard surface or "carrier". Attachment may be by stapling, heat-sealing, gluing, etc.

A form of packaging and displaying merchandise in which the merchandise is sealed into a transparent molded plastic blister shaped to accommodate the merchandise with a foil or cardboard backing.

A general defect. Relatively large bubbles in the glass.

A method of fabrication in which a warm plastic parison (hollow tube) is placed between the two halves of a mold (cavity) and forced to assume the shape of that mold cavity by the use of air pressure.

Part of the tooling used to form hollow objects or containers by the blow molding process. It is a tubular tool through which air pressure is introduced into the parison to create the air pressure necessary to form the parison into the shape of the mold. On some blow molding systems, it is a part of, or an extension of, the core pin.

Containers manufactured from molten glass that are formed by air pressure, in molds, similar in fashion to plastic molding. The finished containers are ejected or extracted from the mold, then annealed (heated and cooled) to temper the glass.

A surface whitening or discoloration of a plastic bottle. It is the result of physically induced (i.e., by impact) or chemically induced phase separation of the (1) ingredients in the plastic mold compound or (2) the molecular orientation of the plastic.

A heavy weight thick sheet of paper or other fiber substance (from 0.012 to 0.030 inches and up). Variations: cardboard (non-specific term), chipboard, fiberboard, paperboard, containerboard, boxboard, tagboard.

A style of bottle characterized by a round cylindrical shape with a short curved shoulder. Typically used by the drug and chemical industries.

Various diameters, shoulder configurations and container mouth sizes are available along with 7 to 8 color printing.

In addition to the glass manufacturers found in the Glass Bottle and Jar portion of RapidFind, these additional vendors offer an assortment of glass bottles for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage industries. Included are safety-coated bottles, 24% lead crystal bottles, and exotic-shaped, foreign-made bottles. Various decorating options are available on some items.

In addition to the manufacturers found in the Plastic Bottle and Jar portion of RapidFind, these vendors offer a large selection of stock and custom plastic bottles for the pharmaceutical, animal care, chemical, industrial, automotive, hazardous materials, cosmetics, food, household and personal care markets. Various shapes, sizes, neck finishes, resins (HDPE, LDPE, P/P, P/E, P/S, PET, PVC, PCR, EVOH, EVA, K-Resin, high gloss, nylon, polycarbonate), as well as decorating options are available.

The part of the mold which contains the heel (base) radius and the "push up" of the container to be formed.

Boundary and scope are terms used in measurement processes to define the physical and functional attributes and conditions and the timeframe that will be included within the parameters of the measurement project.

Paperboard, laminated recycled paperboard, folding cartons, as well as partitions and inserts. Color press printing is available.

Carrying cases, luggage, food storage containers, tote boxes, reshipper containers, powder boxes, pill boxes, hinged-lid containers, school supply boxes, lunch boxes, cosmetic and jewelry boxes, tool storage boxes, fish boxes and freezer boxes. Various shapes and colors are available, as well as decorating options.

A finish defect. A finish which has cracks or actual pieces of glass broken out of it.

A general defect. Ware which is cracked or broken into pieces.

Brokers licensed to help facilitate the importing and exporting of goods.

A SANCAP Liner Technology product. An oleoresinous coated brown Kraft paper. Brown Silite is a dark brown paper coated with a multicoat resinous coating. Color: Brown. Suggested product uses include maple syrup, auto polish, floor wax, industrial oil, insecticide, linseed oil, motor oil, paint, paint remover, shoe polish, stencil ink, varnish and turpentine.

An edge or side defect. Fine and shallow check which appears on the side or edge of the ware.

A general defect. Fine vertical laps in the side or neck of a container.

Cosmetic, manicure, dental, jewelry cleaning, medical applicator, nail polish plug, bath scrub, wood handle, acid, and twisted wire brushes.

A type of cushioning material that is made by trapping air between two layers of plastic material and using the "bubbles" to protect products inside their shipping containers. See blister packaging.

A finish defect. A finish which is blown out of shape.

A plug used to close a barrel or drum bung hole. Called a plug when referring to a steel drum closure.

A dark streak of material in a plastic bottle resulting from decomposed material dislodged from the extruder and incorporated in the bottle.

Butterchipboard is a pigmented chipboard which is smooth on both sides. It is used as a backing material to which facings are laminated in the manufacture of duplex liners. Butterchipboard can be laminated to aluminum foil, heat seal constructions and coated with a release coating. Thickness and color is available as specified.

A product is secured between a preformed (usually transparent plastic) dome or "bubble" and a paperboard surface or "carrier". Attachment may be by stapling, heat-sealing, gluing, etc.

A piece of corrugation with a height of 9/64 inch excluding the facing, generally spaced about 39 to 45 flutes per foot.

Stock and custom can closures in a variety of sizes.

Glass, leaded glass, and plastic candle holders are available in a variety of styles, including tabletop, aromatherapy, etc.

Mason jars and closures.

Stock and custom can closures in a variety of sizes.

Cans produced from paper and other material, such as foil, wax, plastic or a glassine paper protective barrier, by wrapping around a mandrel. This is done either spirally (i.e., paper towel roll), or convolutely (i.e., carpet roll).

Rigid cans made of compressed paper (plant fiber) material. Metal or plastic end caps available.

Stock and custom styles, including cone top, aerosol, F-style, easy open, open top, brush top, wing-open, tennis ball, paint, utility, seamless, oblong, TT and slip cover. Various shapes, sizes and decoration options are available.

Stock and custom styles, including cone top, aerosol, F-style, 5 gallon square, paint and utility cans.

The ledge inside the mouth of a bottle, such as a milk bottle, to receive a plug closure.

The volume of space inside a container provided for a given amount of product. Note the difference between capacity and overflow capacity.

Stock and custom specialty caps made of metal, plastic, rubber, paper, neoprene or silicone intended to slip on to or insert into the end of any object to close packages such as mailing tubes or the rigid plastic tubes for displaying merchandise such as nuts or bolts, or to protect the object itself.

3M's Cap-Seal II 4320 is an all-purpose P/E synthetic foam closure liner material. If offers excellent chemical resistance and gasketing properties. #4320 is ideal for applications on glass and plastic containers with metal or plastic closures. Typical uses include water, bleach, ammonia, 5% acetic acid, liquid detergent, shampoo and cough syrup.

Laboratory performance test of a container or coating to evaluate its performance in a shorter time interval than that required under actual service conditions. Example: Performing chemical-resistance tests at elevated temperatures.

Metal carts used in manufacturing and distribution. Options include casters for ease of movement, shelves for visual inventory, and collapsible for returnable packaging.

A machine for closing the flaps of a case and sealing them with adhesive, tape, or staples. Case sealers differ in capability of accepting one size or random sizes, and sealing only top flaps, or top and bottom, with or without load.

A light-gauge (24-gauge or lighter) metal drum for packaging heavy viscous, semi-solid, or solid materials, such as asphalt, tar, wax, etc.

A chemical substance that speeds up or retards a chemical reaction and does not itself take part in the reaction. A catalyst, when added to coating material, will promote cure of coating at lower than normal bake time or temperature, or both.

In plastic blow molding, the parts of the mold that combine to provide the container body shape.

Cubic centimeter. A unit for measuring volume, where 1 cc = 0.0338 ounce.

Clay Coated Pulp (CCP). A backing material to which facings are laminated in the manufacture of duplex liners. CCP is pulpboard with a white clay coating on one side. The clay coating is used to prevent discoloration and the absorption of wax. Thickness is per specification.

Solid extrusion blend of polyethylene and polyisobutylene.

A quick but not precise method for examining the adherence of printing on plastic films. A piece of cellophane adhesive tape, or other pressure-sensitive tape, is adhered to a section of printing and then pulled off in one motion to see whether or not the ink will come off with it. The speed of the pulling is important.

A band made of hydrated cellulose film that is extruded in continuous tubing form. The cellulose tubing is then processed and printed in this form and cut into individual bands of predetermined lengths. When the Celon is applied to the finish of the container, it is allowed to air dry. During this air-drying period, it shrinks to form a skin-type film over the neck finish of the container.

A process of labeling glass containers with a label composed of colored glass that is fused to the container.

Certificate of Compliance. A document signed by an authorized party affirming that the supplier of a product or service has met the requirements of the relevant specifications, contract or regulation.

A bottom defect. A small check that occurs on the rounded portion of the bottom near the contact surface.

A finish defect. A finish which has a light, bright check in the threads or in the middle of the finish.

A finish defect. Horizontal checks which occur on or near the parting line between the neck and the finish.

Chemical oxygen demand is a measure of the oxygen-consuming capacity of inorganic and organic matter present in water or wastewater. it is defined as the quantity of a specified oxidant that reacts with a sample under controlled conditions. The quantity of oxidants consumed is expressed as a rapid indicator of organic pollutants in water. COD is expressed as mg/LO2.

Ability of a material to retain utility and appearance following contact with chemical agents. Chemical resistance properties include stain resistance, swelling resistance, moisture resistance, corrosion resistance, etc.

Consistent with International Labor Organization (ILO), child labor is defined as any work performed by a child younger than 15 years of age or younger than the age of compulsory schooling in a locality if that age is greater than 15 years; and/or any work, which by its nature or circumstances may jeopardize health or safety, performed by a young person under the age of 18 years.

Also CRC. A closure that requires dissimilar motions which make removal by a child difficult and is compliant with the Code of Federal Regulations Title 16, Part 1700.

A low quality non-test paperboard made of waste paper for use where specified strength or quality is not necessary. May be bending or non-bending, used for corrugated pads or as dividers, or as filler in thicker paperboards. Also used in the manufacture of spiralwound cans.

A finish defect. A finish from which a small section is broken on the top or side.

A narrowed or constricted opening in the neck of a container.

A clamping device designed to tighten screw caps.

Assembly and packing services in clean room facilities using anti-contamination procedures.

Container cleaning services utilizing various cleaning methods including ultrasonic solvent cleaners.

Automatic cleaning and drying systems for sanitizing plastic and glass bottles, a cleansing aid for orthodontic braces, toilet bowl chemical dispensers, and drain and odor control systems.

Closed Loop System refers to an industrial system that functions within a zero-waste supply chain that completely reuses, recycles or composts all materials.

Any of various styles of plastic and metal closure plugs and fitments intended to reduce the size of a bottle neck finish for a more controlled dispensing of product. Plugs and fitments are available for a wide variety of end uses.

Stock and custom closures, including plastic, glass, rubber, metal, dispensing (hinged top, snip top, disc top, thread, snap-on, push/pull), conventional (ribbed, fluted, smooth), specialty (bleach, brush well, jigger, button seal, aerosol, perforated), linerless, lined, applicator, decorative, child resistant, tamper evident, heat seal, crimp-on, and a Counter Cap closure.

Closures with a specific thread configuration standard called Europa. Various Europa thread sizes are available.

Anodized and solid aluminum decorative closures.

Styles include straight brush, bent brush, dauber, wick, glass rod, nail polish and cosmetic applicator closures.

Liquid, wood and powder coatings for metal and wood materials. Liquid coatings offered include water-based, high solids air dry, 2-component epoxy, acrylic urethane, high solids bake, low H.A.P.'s, and fast dry enamel. Wood coatings available include lacquer, pre-catalyzed varnish, conversion varnish, low H.A.P.'s, waterborne acrylic, water-based stain, and solvent-based stain. Powder coatings include polyester, TGIC polyester, TGIC FREE polyester, epoxy and hybrid.

Extruding two or more layers of thermoplastic materials to form a combined film sheet or molded unit. Limited to plastics.

The textile ball inserted into pharmaceutical bottles after filling with a solid product. Most commonly seen in aspirin, vitamin and other pill bottles. Cotton, polyester and rayon coil are available in various weights.

Contraction of the walls of a container (e.g., upon cooling) leading to permanent deformation of the container.

Mold action in the manufacture of closures. This technology utilizes a three part core. After the cavity is removed following the injection cycle, the center portion of the core (core wedge) retracts while the two outer core halves move radically inward. Once the closure thread is cleared, the stripper sleeve moves forward to eject the closure.

Cylindrical container of thin, flexible metal with integral shoulder and neck, with a screw cap closure made of plastic. Collapsible tubes can also be made of paper, films, plastics, etc. They may have wax, resin or lacquer linings. Collapsible tubes are usually filled through the bottom and subsequently closed by multiple folding of the bottom, or crimped with a metal clip or sometimes welded tight.

Collective Bargaining, consistent with ILO conventions, is defined as the negotiations of a contract for labor between an employer or group of employers and one or more worker organizations, which specifies the terms and condition of employment.

A measured amount of dye or pigment incorporated into a predetermined amount of plastic which is then "let down" (mixed) into larger quantities of virgin plastic material to be used for molding. The "concentrate" is added to the bulk of plastic in a measured quantity in order to produce a precise, predetermined color of the finished articles to be molded.

A variety of color concentrates are compatible with P/E, P/P, P/S, PVC, ABS, PC, acrylic, acetals, polycarbonate, PET and PBT polyester resins, SAN, nylon, celluloses, and olefin. Additives include UV stabilizers, lubricants, and antistats. Special effects, such as marble, flecks, granites, speckles and pearls are available.

A test performed on a small sample of corrugated which is a measure of the compression strength of that sample. Also referred to as edge crush and short column crush.

Ability of a container, whether lined or unlined, to resist degradation of or by the product contained.

A rigid container with the body made of fiberboard or fiberboard in combination with other materials such as metal foils or plastics. One or both ends may be made of metal, plastic or other materials.

Composition Cork is a backing material to which facings are laminated in the manufacture of duplex liners. It consists of cork particles (flakes and granules) bonded together with a thermosetting synthetic resin.

Plastic that undergoes degradation by biological processes during composting to yield CO2, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass at a rate consistent with other known compostable materials and leave no visible, distinguishable or toxic residue.

The resin, along with modifiers, pigments, antioxidants, lubricants, etc., which are to be molded or blown into final form.

A method of forming objects from plastics by placing the material in a confining mold cavity, then applying pressure, and usually heat.

Any container with a lid attached by means of a hinge. Cosmetic compacts and accessory cases, carrying cases, luggage, lunch boxes, attache cases, and recyclable containers. Various sizes and colors are available, as well as decoration and custom design.

Steel, plastic, composite and fiber drums, rigid and flexible industrial bulk containers, corrugated, paper, foam and plastic boxes, overpacks, insulated containers, dry ice storage chests, tubs, metal and fiber cans, plastic reshipper containers, steel and plastic pails and carboys.

An uninterrupted protruding helix on the neck of a container to hold a screw-type closure. Continuous thread finishes have GPI finish designations in the 400 series. See Also CT.

Assembling, labeling, packaging, shrink wrapping, filling, stapling, sampling, material blending, palletizing, poster rolling, warehousing, fulfillment, coding, package design, collating, bagging, blister sealing and bulk mail preparation. Can provide either mobile or stationary contract packaging services for some industries. Strict anti-contamination procedures are available for items requiring such packaging.

Tooling, i.e., valves, tubing, spray nozzle systems, filters, pumps, etc., engineered for process industries.

A can with the body made of fiberboard formed by convolute winding of paper to build up the required thickness.

A material whose chemical structure is made up of long chains of two differently structured chemical units (monomers), which repeat a more or less regular pattern in the chain. Also see Polymer.

Defect in glass containers. A narrow, stringy band of glass of a composition different from the rest of the glass surrounding it.

Varieties for packaging, commercial gift wrap and industrial applications.

A closure made of cork, or, by extension, any plug-type closure.

A finish which is closed by means of a cork.

A finish defect. A bright, light check which is not unusually deep and is located on the inside of the top of the finish.

Liquor, wine and beer corks. Cork stoppers available in various sizes.

The entire package required to market a correction fluid product used to white out text on printed material. The package includes a bottle, a neck finish plug to control dispensing, and a closure with brush attached.

Stock and custom shipping containers, merchandise displays, cartons, partitions, inserts, pads, book binding, recycled corrugated cartons and plastic corrugated reshipper containers. Printing, decorating and graphics are available.

A packaging material consisting of a central member (medium) which has been fluted on a corrugator and to which one or two flat sheets of paperboard have been glued to form single-faced corrugated board or double-faced (single wall) corrugated fiberboard. The combination of two mediums and three facings is called double wall and the combination of three mediums and four facings is called triple wall. Corrugated board is generally made in four flute sizes, designated A, B, C and E.

Items intended for packaging cosmetics, including lipstick cases, mascara cases, eye/lip pencils, blush pots, compacts, palette compacts, etc.

A SANCAP Liner Technology product. An aluminum foil / polyethylene / polyester liner bonded to pulpboard. The Cosmetic Liner is composed of aluminum foil laminated to polyester with white P/E and bonded to a specified solid pulpboard. Color: White. Suggested product uses include vegetable oils, lard, floor cleaner, greases and various chemicals, such as acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate, 18% hydrochloric acid and xylene.

Material that is used to enclose an item within a blister pack. It is the material, such as hard or soft temper foil, foil/paper laminates, coated board, etc., that seals to the blister material.

Named for its shape, it is a thin flexible protrusion molded into a closure which will compress against a bottle sealing surface during normal capping operations. It prevents leakage and will seal a variety of bottles. The bottle land (the bottle's sealing surface) must be flat and free of defects because this sealing method requires compression to be effective.

Small, thin or bare spots in an applied coating that have the appearance of pockmarks.

Fine cracks which may extend in a network on or under the surface or through a layer of glass or plastic material.

Child resistant closure. There are several types that have been developed for products that constitute a hazard to small children. Basic principles of CRC's are (1) press-turn, (2) squeeze-turn and (3) combination lock and hidden key.

(1) Applying a seal of aluminum or coated aluminum foil by crimping with a die, generally corrugated. (2) A method of heat-sealing thermoplastic coated papers or thermoplastic films with the pressure exerted by knurled wheels or bars having a corrugated surface. (3) A small flat metal piece that is crimped mechanically to parts of flat strap to maintain tension and connect them permanently.

A finish defect. A finish which has a multitude of fine surface fractures across the top.

A finish defect. A finish which has a bent or crooked appearance. Also called "bent finish".

This is a crimped closure. Flutes are pressed into the flaring skirt of a shallow metal disk, which holds an inner disk of resilient lining material that forms the actual seal.

The neck finish on beer and beverage bottles sealed with a crown cap.

Continuous thread finish. An uninterrupted protruding helix on the neck of a container to accommodate a screw type closure. Designed primarily to seal container finishes with the GPI finish number designations in the 400 series.

Glass, from containers not approved by selectors, that has been crushed or broken and is added to the batch to be remelted and formed into new containers; or recycled broken glass that is used in the manufacture of new glass.

A complete repeating sequence of the operation in a specific process in molding. Cycle time is measured by the elapsed time between one point in the cycle to the same point in the next cycle.

Department of Transportation. United States governmental body that regulates the shipment of materials on public right of ways.

Overpack carton for glass or D.O.T. 2E plastics.

Overpack carton for D.O.T. plastics.

Steel drum from 5 gallon to 55 gallon in size, O/H, single trip.

Steel drum from 5 gallon to 55 gallon in size, T/H, single trip.

Steel drum from 5 gallon to 55 gallon in size, O/H, single trip.

Overpack carton for D.O.T. plastics.

P/E molded container not exceeding 5 quarts, T/H. Requires overpack.

P/E molded container 5 gallon to 55 gallon in size, T/H, requires overpack.

P/E molded container 13.5 gallon to 55 gallon in size, T/H, requires overpack.

P/E molded container 5 gallon to 14 gallon in size, T/H, requires overpack.

P/E molded container 1 gallon to 55 gallon in size, T/H, requires overpack.

P/E molded container 2-1/2 gallon to 30 gallon in size, T/H, reusable.

P/E molded container NE 7 gallon in size, O/H, non-reusable.

Steel drum 2 gallon to 55 gallon in size, O/H, single trip.

Steel drum 5 gallon to 55 gallon in size, T/H, single trip.

Steel drum 5 gallon in size, O/H, non-reusable.

Steel drum 5 gallon in size, T/H, non-reusable.

Steel drum w/poly liner 5 gallon to 15 gallon in size, non-reusable.

Normally part of an applicator closure. Popular for cosmetic, household and pharmaceutical products. Usually fitted with sponges or cotton, wool or felt pads, like those provided with liquid shoe polish or bingo ink bottles. 

Depressing (in a blanking die) a portion or portions of the cap below the ordinary surface level, usually to form lettering or decoration. Sometimes the background, rather than the lettering itself, is debossed, leaving the letters at the original level of the cap, thus giving the appearance of embossing; otherwise the lettering itself is pressed down, giving the appearance of engraving.

Services include silk screening, hot stamping, pad printing and pressure sensitive labeling. Use of UV and conventional inks on automatic, semi-automatic and manual equipment.

Services include silk screening, pressure sensitive labeling, ceramic decorating, acid etching, frosting, color spraying, heat transfer, hot stamping, therimage labeling, and pad print decorating. Use of UV and conventional inks on automatic, semi-automatic and manual equipment. Available on different sizes, styles and shapes.

Services include silk screening, heat transfer labeling, pressure sensitive labeling, hot stamping, therimage labeling, offset printing, pad printing, frosting and spraying. Use of UV and conventional inks on automatic, semi-automatic and manual equipment. Available on different sizes, styles and shapes.

A cap having a deeper skirt (more "H") and generally a heavier thread than the 400 finish series.

Any technique or method which removes excess material (flash) from a molded article, specifically from those places where parting lines of the mold may have caused the excess material to form.

Weight of a gas, liquid or solid substance per unit of volume, expressed in grams per cc or pounds per cubic foot.

Dental brushes, tips, and handles.

Stock and custom deodorant sticks in round, oval or flat-pack design, with push-up or propel/repel assembly.

Thread on the finish of glass containers in which the thread is reduced in depth or "depressed" at the two points where the thread crosses the mold parting line.

A drying agent possessing a high affinity for water vapor, it is used to control the humidity level in sealed packages. Please read our white paper on Choosing In Wall Desiccants for more information.

Any of various materials used as drying agents during the packing process. Common desiccants include silica gel and calcium oxide. A wide choice of standard and custom desiccant items is available to accommodate any package. Please read our white paper on Choosing In Wall Desiccants for more information.

Treatment of plastic materials which minimizes the effects of static electricity on the surface of the articles. Can be accomplished either by spraying the surface with specific materials, or incorporating materials into the molding compound. Destaticization prevents dust and dirt from being attracted to and/or clinging to the surface of the article.

Any tool or arrangement of tools designed to cut, shape, or otherwise form materials to a desired configuration.

The "C" dimension of a bottle is the opening control diameter (inside diameter) at the top of the neck finish.

The outside diameter of the neck. The difference between the "E" and "T" dimensions divided by two determines the thread depth.

BOTTLE "H" Dimension: The height of the neck finish. Measured from the top of the neck to the point where the diameter "T", extended down, intersects the shoulder. The bottle finish "H" must be greater than closure "H" (corrected for the thickness of the compressed liner or other sealing elements). CLOSURE "H": The "H" dimension is measured from the inside top of the closure vertically down to the bottom of the closure skirt. 

Effective "H" must take into consideration the liner, or other sealing element, if one is used. To determine effective "H", liner thickness or other sealing element under compression must be determined and subtracted from unlined "H".

The minimum opening through the finish and neck expressed by measuring the inner diameter of the neck at its narrowest point. Specifications require a minimum "I" to allow sufficient clearance for filling tubes. Linerless closures, with a plug or land seal, and dispensing plugs and fitments require a controlled "I" dimension for proper fit.

L dimension is the minimum vertical dimension to the top of a concealed bead for closure thread clearance. It is measured from the top of the finish to the point where diameter "E" extended parallel to centerline intersects the bead.

Measured from the top of the finish to the top edge of the first thread. The "S" dimension is the key factor which determines the orientation of the closure to the bottle and the amount of thread engagement between the bottle and cap.

The outside diameter of the closure, including the thread. The tolerance range of the "T" dimension determines the mate between the bottle and the closure.

A finish defect. A finish which has a scaly appearance and which may even have black spots in it.

A neck defect. A neck which has a dirty or scaly appearance.

A general defect. Ware which has carbonaceous or dirty deposits on it.

Injected molded two piece dispensing closure. The one hand, one finger action closure has gained high consumer preference particularly on personal care and sun care products. Contrasting colors can be incorporated into the design by selecting different colors for the closure body and disc. Also called Press Top.

Discrimination, consistent with ILO conventions, is defined as treating people differently because of certain characteristics, such as race, color, or sex, which results in the impairment of equality of opportunity and treatment.

Literature displays, corrugated display cases designed for specific product lines, customized displays, plastic and wire displays, and cold-product displays.

Disposal refers to any end-of-life management process including recycling, recovery for reuse, composting, incineration or landfilling, etc.

In addition to the manufacturers included in RapidFind, a multitude of stock products is available through a distributor network. Items such as bottles, pharmaceutical supplies and equipment, drum handling equipment, container components, raw materials, laboratory supplies, packaging products, kitchenware, baby items,

maintenance and safety supplies, wine and beer making equipment and supplies, veterinary products, food service products, painting products, shipping supplies, paper products, chemical products, nail care accessories and wood pallets, can be purchased and shipped from warehoused stock.

A device, made of various materials, which separates the space within a container into two or more spaces, cells, compartments, or layers. Dividers may be plain, interlocking, scored, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. The primary purpose of dividers is to separate the articles and/or to furnish cushioning.

A closure where the whole top surface is domed, starting at the shoulder. Doming adds to streamlining of package appearance and to the apparent height.

A finish defect. A finish which is incompletely filled.

A general defect. A series of fine vertical laps near the shoulder or neck.

A container made by the metal drawing process which consists of forcing a flat piece of metal into or over a die. This results in a container body with an integrated bottom end.

Promotional glassware, drinking jars, pitchers and milk bottles.

Paper cups and plastic-coated paper cups with lids.

Tumblers, coffee mugs, stadium cups, promotional drink cups, juice cups, souvenir drink cups, and sports bottles.

Any test method in which the article being tested is dropped in a specified manner for a specified number of times or until the article fails from impact. Normally done in full cases from heights as specified by DOT specifications (10 points), but may be designed to incorporate effects of deacceleration, pallet loading, temperature, humidity, or other variables that could lead to product damage.

A specific bottle style, available in glass and plastic, intended to accommodate closures with dropper squeeze bulbs and pipettes.

A closure with an attached squeeze bulb and dispensing pipette intended for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, medical, laboratory, and health and personal care markets. Various options available to suit individual package requirements.

Flanges, plugs, caps, lids, fittings, clips, vents, seals, seal removal tools, gaskets, liners, drum trucks, drum overpacks, funnels, containment units, pumps, pour spouts, spigots, wrenches and valves.

Steel, stainless steel, polyethylene, composite, and fiber drums. Styles include open and closed head, tight head, round, square, bulk, lined and unlined, seamed and seamless, lock-ring, drums with agitator assemblies, overpack/salvage drums, and reconditioned drums.

Refers to a molding compound containing all necessary ingredients mixed in a way that produces a dry, free flowing, particulate material. This term is commonly used in connection with polyvinyl chloride molding compound.

A Unipac (formerly 3M Cap-Seal) product. A two piece welded liner. DeltaSeal 1000 (DSB 1000) has a 0.70mm folding box board/polyolefin film/20 micron lacquered aluminum foil/heatseal coating construction. The overall caliper is 0.8mm. It seals to glass, PET, P/E and P/P. Good choice of lining material for dried powders and beverages in glass, and a range of foodstuffs packaged in a variety of plastics.