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Accumulator

In automated packaging operations, a device, a table, or a type of conveyor designed to permit gathering of packages or objects. Accumulators isolate one operational unit from another, allowing each to be run independently of the other for short periods of time. Accumulators are used to provide a temporary storage area after an operation that can’t be stopped (such as a baking oven). Accumulators can increase the output of a production line by allowing individual stations to be slowed temporarily to clear a problem without having to stop the entire production line.

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ACL

See applied ceramic lettering.

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Actuator

(a) On aerosols, the ringer button that, when depressed, opens the aerosol valve mechanism and allows for dispensing of the product, (b) A motor or transducer that converts electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic energy to effect motion.

Additive Synthesis (Color)

The combining or adding together of different light wavelengths to produce another color. Additive synthesis usually refers to the combining of red, green, and blue wavelengths since these are the only ones detected by the human eye. Red light plus blue light is seen as magenta, red light plus green light is seen as yellow, and blue light plus green light is seen as cyan. When all three wavelengths are mixed in roughly equal proportions, the human eye sees white.

Adhesion

The attachment of one material to another, primarily by molecular attraction.

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Adhesive

A substance that can be used to join two surfaces. A typical adhesive is a liquid capable of forming molecular attractions to (wetting) the substrates and then solidifying by evaporation of volatiles, cooling, or chemical reaction.

Aerobic

A general term describing those microorganisms that propagate only in the presence of oxygen.

Aerosol

In packaging, a gas-tight, pressure-resistant container, a valve, a product, and a propellant that forces the product from the container when the valve is opened.

Aerosol Container

A container equipped with a dispensing valve, the construction and design of both of which are strong enough to retain the compressed or liquefied gas that acts as the propelling agent for the discharge of the contents through the valve. Aerosol containers must meet Department of Transportation (U.S.A.) or Transport Canada regulations with respect to construction and ability to withstand pressures.

A-flute

See flute.

Airplane Tuck

A folding carton design, where the two tuck flaps are both placed on one panel.

Aluminum Foil

A rolled section of aluminum less than 152 micrometers (0.006 inch) thick.

Ambient

Describes common or prevailing uncontrolled atmospheric conditions. Ambient temperature, for example, would refer to a temperature in the typical room comfort range. A specimen tested at ambient conditions would have been tested at whatever the room conditions were that day.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

A consensus organization for developing standards and test methods. The majority of testing procedures used in the packaging industry have been developed by ASTM committees.

Amorphous Polymers

Plastics that have an essentially random arrangement of the polymer chains. At melt conditions, all thermoplastic polymers are amorphous. See also crystalline polymers.

Ampoule

A relatively small container made from 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.An ampoule is opened by, breaking the stem.

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Anaerobic

A general term describing those microorganisms that will propagate only in the absence of oxygen. Certain types of packaging, notably canned products, create oxygen less conditions in which these organisms can propagate. One of the more common of these, Clostridium botulinum, produces deadly toxins.

Anilox Roll

A metal roller, engraved with a fine cell pattern, used with a rubber roller to meter the ink to the plates in a flexographic printing press.

Animal Glue

A protein-based adhesive derived from animal skins, bones, and hooves. It is not commonly used in modem packaging.

Anneal

Broadly, to expose a material to a controlled heating and cooling cycle in which internal molecular structures have time to move and assume new positions. Metals that have been hardened by rapid cooling or by work stresses are annealed to soften them and make them more malleable. Completed glass containers are annealed by being cooled slowly, to minimize internal stress from uneven cooling. Plastics are also annealed to remove internal stresses.

Anti-Skid

A method of preventing slippage.The anti-skid properties of a corrugated container reflect the ability of stacked boxes to resist slipping or skidding over one another when the load is abruptly shifted or tilted during the distribution cycle.

Anti-Stat

Repels static electricity away from itself and the product it surrounds. Like poly bags, antistatic foam is always pink in color.

Aseptic Packaging

A package and product system in which the product and package are individually rendered aseptic (sterile) and then combined and sealed under aseptic conditions. In contrast, in a typical canning operation neither can nor food is sterile when they are brought together and sealed. Sterility is achieved by heat-treating the sealed can.

ASTM

See American Society for Testing and Materials.

Automatic Bottom

A carton construction having a pre-glued, folding bottom with multiple folded flaps that automatically position themselves to form a composite bottom closure when the carton is erected. Typically used for manual erections.

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Back-off

The loss of torque in a closure following application. See also torque loss.

Bag

A preformed, flexible container, generally enclosed on all but one side, which forms an opening that may or may not be sealed after filling. May be made of any single flexible material, of multiple independent layers of flexible materials, or of laminated materials.The term “sack,” although often used as a synonym for “bag,” generally refers to heavier duty or shipping bags.

Bag-In-Box (BIB)

A packaging system in which a flexible bag or pouch is enclosed in an outer box made of a rigid material such as paperboard or corrugated board. Some retail products are sold this way, but BIB packages are most often found in industrial and hospital- restaurant-institutional product delivery systems.

Bar Code

A machine-readable symbol. The symbol value is encoded in a sequence of high-contrast rectangular bars and spaces. The ratio of the widths of bars to spaces contains the information. A number of different bar code systems are available, depending on the application. The most common code for retailing is the Universal Product Code (UPC).

Barrier

The ability to stop or retard the movement of one substance through another. In packaging, the term is most commonly used to describe the ability of a material to stop or retard the passage of atmospheric gases, water vapor, and volatile flavor and aroma ingredients.

Base Box

A measure used in the sheet metal industry, being the weight in pounds of 112 sheets measuring 14 inches by 20 inches. The amount of applied tinplating is also often reported in base box units. In metric, the preferred unit of measure is kilograms per 100 square meters.

Basis Weight

Generally, the weight of a given area of a material. In metric, this is reported as the grammage: the grams per square meter of a given material. Older measuring systems have various traditional units depending on the material. In paper, the basis weight is the weight in pounds of a ream of paper cut to its basic size. The basis weight for most packaging papers is calculated on the area of 500 sheets of 24 by 36 inches, or in pounds per 3,000 square feet of paper. Some white papers are Calculated on a ream of size 25 by 38 inches. For paperboard, basis weight is expressed in pounds per 1,000 square feet.

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Beers Tray

A tray-style paperboard folding carton having glued comers. The tray is folded flat during manufacturing for economy of shipping and storage space. Each comer has a diagonal score on the sidewall that allows the sides of the tray to fold inward into a collapsed position.

B-flute

See flute.

Biaxial Orientation

See orientation.

BIB

See bag-in-box.

Billow Forming

A thermoforming process where the hot, softened plastic sheet is first inflated to increase its area (the billow) and then pulled or pushed to the finished shape, using molds, plugs, pressure, or vacuum. Forming a billow as a first step results in a more even distribution of material in the finished part.

Blank

(noun) A piece of material from which a container or a part will be made by further operation.For example, in metal can manufacture, a blank is the plain, flat metal plate, cut to size but not formed to shape, and in box making it is any die-cut, scored, or otherwise partially prepared section of paper stock, in the flat, to be formed into a paper box.

Blanket Roll

A resilient rubber roll that receives the wet ink image from the printing plate and then transfers it to the substrate to be printed. Printing processes using blanket rolls are often referred to as being offset. Lithography is always offset (uses a blanket roll). Packaging flexography is rarely offset except when used to print round containers.

Blister Packaging

A type of packaging in which the item 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, or other means.

Block Copolymer

A copolymer in which the two participating monomers join in alternating blocks or units.

Blocking

An undesired adhesion between touching layers of a material, as might occur under moderate pressure and/or temperature during storage or use. A common problem with plastic roll stock, stacked plastic sheets, and tapes.

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Blown-Film Extrusion

The manufacture of thin plastic films by extruding a bubble of plastic and then inflating the bubble. In film manufacturing the extrusion and inflation are a continuous process.

Board (Paper)

A thick sheet of paper or other fiber substance. Variations are cardboard (nonspecific term), chipboard, fiberboard, paperboard, containerboard, boxboard, carton board, linerboard, and so on.See also paper and paperboard.

Boxboard

A general term designating the type of paperboard used for making folding cartons and setup paper boxes.

Box Marker’s Certificate

A statement printed on a corrugated fiberboard box or asolid fiberboard box testifying that all applicable construction requirements of the carriers have been observed and identifying and locating the box-maker.

Bottle

A container having a round neck of relatively smaller diameter than the body and an opening capable of holding a closure for retention of the contents. Specifically, a narrow-necked container as compared with a jar, or wide-mouthed container. The cross section of the bottle may be round, oval, square, oblong, or a combination of these. Bottles are generally made of glass or plastics but can also be earthenware or metal.

Bottom Fill

Filling machines that employ this method have valves or stems that reach to the bottom of the container being filled. Such devices permit the filler to work while submerged, preventing turbulence, air incorporation, and foaming while the container is being filled with product.

Branching

Describes a polymer chain that has additional side chains branching away from the main or linear chain.

Brightness

A measure of the reflectance of light. Two objects may both be described as being red; however, the one that reflects the greatest amount of received wavelength will appear to be brighter. Brightness, when used to describe the reflectance of all wavelengths (white light), is used to specify papers. Brightness is expressed on a scale of 0 to 100.

Brightwood Tray

A paperboard tray consisting of a bottom, four sidewalls, and four glue flaps that hinge off two of the sidewalls. The tray (blank) is shipped flat, then erected and glued at the packaging area.

Burst Strength

A measure of the ability of a sheet to resist rupture when pressure is applied to one of its sides by a specified instrument under specified conditions. It is largely determined by the tensile strength and extensibility of the paper or paperboard. The Cady tester and the Mullen tester are the most common burst testing devices. Testing for bursting strength is common to determine grades of corrugated and solid fiberboard.

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Calibration

The reconciliation of a measuring device to a known or absolute value. In its strictest sense, calibration of a measuring instrument implies trace ability to a national standard.

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Caliper

(a) The thickness of a material such as paper, film, or foil, measured under specified conditions, (b) The precision instrument used to measure thickness.

Can

(a) (noun) A container, usually metal, generally having a capacity of less than 40 litres (10 gallons.) The word “can” is usually applied to consumer sizes and institutional sizes, (b) (verb) To pack a product in a can or (in the case of foods) a wide-mouthed glass container for processing, shipment, or storage.

Can End

The factory-applied end is referred to as the bottom end or maker’s end. The end delivered open to the filler is called the top end or the customer’s end.

CAP

See controlled atmosphere packaging.

Cardboard

A term erroneously used as a synonym for paperboard. It is not a recognized term in the paper industry, but it continues to be used to denote a stiff, moderately thick paperboard and as a general term for folding cartonboard, chipboard, corrugated board, and fiberboard.

Carrier Web

A sheet of material whose purpose is to support or carry another material. For example, a polyester film may be metallized and the metallized surface further treated so that a hot iron will transfer a pattern of metallizing to another substrate. The polyester web serves to carry and support the metallizing until it can be transferred. The carrier web is then discarded or recycled. See also release paper.

Carton

A folding box generally made from paperboard. In domestic commerce, the term “carton” is generally recognized as the acceptable designation for folding paperboard boxes but never for a shipping container. In maritime and export usage, the term “carton” refers to a corrugated or solid-fiber shipping container.

Cartonboard

A paperboard used for folding cartons and made from furnish designed to produce a stock that is bendable enough to be folded without cracking along score lines.

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Cascading (Wax)

A wax treatment system in which completed corrugated boxes are passed through a series of flowing curtains of molten wax. The wax coats both of the outer surfaces and also runs down into the medium and around the flutes, saturating the fibers with wax. A cascaded box can be made to be essentially waterproof.

Case

A nonspecific term for a shipping container. In domestic commerce, the term “case” usually refers to a box made from corrugated or solid fiberboard, wood, or metal. In maritime or export usage, “case” refers to a wooden or metal box. It may also refer to a fixed quantity of unit packages as commonly accepted for specific products.

The use of “case” should be avoided in packaging because of a possible confusion with the use of “case” to indicate “in this instance.” For example, the sentence “Damage was found in three cases” can mean either that damage was found in three physical containers or that damage was found in three instances or situations.

Casein Adhesive

An adhesive made from acidified milk curd. Casein adhesives have good cold-water resistance but can be readily dispersed in hot water. This property makes them ideal for labeling refillable beverage bottles, where the label must resist cold-water immersion but must be readily removed at the refill point.

Cast Film

A film that is extruded in a thin curtain from a slotted die and then cooled and solidified by being passed over a chilled roll.

Cavity Mold

A mold for shaping metal or plastics having a cavity form. A female mold.See also plug mold.

Cellular Plastic

A plastic that has been expanded with a gas, resulting in a product having increased volume and decreased density.

Centipoise

One hundredth of a poise. A measure of viscosity, approximately defined as the viscosity of water at room temperature (20.2C).

CD

See cross direction.

C-flute

See flute.

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Changeover

The resetting or reconfiguring of a machine or production line to run a different product or package.

Chemical Pulp

A papermaking pulp produced by treating wood fibers with chemicals, usually based on acid or alkaline sulfur compounds. The chemicals dissolve the lignin compounds that bind cellulose fibers together, freeing the fibers from the wood structure with a minimum of damage to the fiber, thus producing a superior papermaking pulp. See also kraft process and ground wood pulp.

Child-Resistant Closure

A closure designed so that young children have difficulty opening the container. Child-resistant closures are designed to take advantage of a child’s limited ability to combine motions. In most countries the requirements of a child-resistant closure are defined by law.

Chill Roll

A roll used to chill or remove heat from a substrate.

Chipboard

A low-quality paperboard made of recycled paper for use where specified strength or printing quality is not necessary. It may be a bending or nonbending grade. Chipboard is used for pads, dividers, backing sheets, and filler pieces.

CFCs

See chlorinated fluorocarbons.

Chlorinated Fluorocarbons (CFCs)

A group of propellants used in aerosols and as a blowing agent for some plastics until the late 1980s. Concern over depletion of the ozone layer has virtually eliminated CFCs from packaging applications.

Chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE)

A plastic material characterized by good moisture- and oxygen-barrier properties as well as good clarity and easy thermoformability. Its cost restricts it mostly to the pharmaceutical industry. Aclar is an Allied Signal product based on CTFE.

Choked Neck

A narrowed or constricted opening in a glass container.

Chromalin

A preprint proofing method using photographic reproductions. Chromalins are composed of four layers of plastic that simulate the four process colors, bound together into a single page. Chromalins are used to check the positioning of the graphic elements and the approximate colors. True color can be verified only on the press, using the intended substrate.

Clarity

Freedom from turbidity or haze. In flexible packaging materials, clarity testing equipment consists of a light source that, projects a light beam through the film. Clarity is expressed as a function of the transmitted light. (Reference method: ASTM D 2457.)

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Clay-Coated Board

A fully bleached sheet, which is coated with clay to impart a permanence of color and brightness, as well as an excellent printing surface.Although it is primarily used in folding cartons for products such as cigarettes, cosmetics and liquor, it is also used as an outer liner for corrugated applications requiring sophisticated multicolor graphics.

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Closure

Any device used to close a bottle, jar, can, or similar container to retain the contents. Most closures are held in place by a screw thread. However, closures may also snap over the finish, plug in to it, or fasten in another way. A closure may be required to effect a hermetic seal to preserve the contents.

Closure Liner

A layer of material placed inside a closure to provide a cushion to which the container finish is held by compression, thus forming a seal that prevents leakage, evaporation, or the entrance of air into the package. Traditional liners are formed from a soft, resilient backing piece (for example, a pulpboard or cellular plastic) and a facing material selected for chemical compatibility and barrier characteristics appropriate to the product. Flowed-in liners are plastic compounds (usually vinyls) that combine the functions of the backing and facing materials and are applied in liquid form and then cured. Venting liners, designed to vent gases generated by the product, have facings provided with small vent holes or areas that are capable of physically moving when exposed to pressure.

CMQ Plate

Can-making-quality steel. A black plate substantially free of objectionable oxide or scale and lightly oiled to help reduce rusting.

Coefficient of Friction (CoF)

The ratio of the force required to move one surface over another to the total force pressing the two surfaces together. Dynamic CoF is the force required to continue the movement of one surface over another, as opposed to static CoF, which measures the force required to initiate motion. Static CoF is always greater than dynamic CoF.

Co-extrusion

The extrusion of two materials simultaneously from a single die in such a way that the two separate materials fuse together to form a single structure. The two materials still retain their individual properties except for the immediate contact area.

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CoF

See coefficient of friction.

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Cohesion

The tendency of a mass to hold together. The internal bond strength due to the mutual attraction of molecules for one another within a material.

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Cohesive Seal

A seal produced by an adhesive that adheres only to itself and requires only contact pressure to bond. Also known as cold seal.

Cold Flow

The flow of a viscoelastic material over time when subjected to a load. Usually used in reference to plastics. Also known as creep.

Cold-Seal Adhesive

An adhesive typically based on natural rubber and having the characteristic of great adhesive attraction for itself but little attraction for other materials. Used on plastic films where normal heat sealing can’t be used. The surfaces to which a cold-seal adhesive has been pre-applied are simply brought into contact with one another.

Collapsible Tube

A cylindrical tube shape that is squeezed or flattened to eject the contents. Originally, collapsible tubes were made of tin, lead, or aluminum. Modem collapsible tubes are also made from plastics and from laminated materials.

Color Key

A proof used to show how the color image will be assembled. Produced in layers that match the process or line colors, color keys are tacked onto a mounting paper along one edge. This allows individual layers to be lifted for Inspection. A color key is not as accurate in reproducing colors as a chromalin.

Color Separation

Separation of color artwork into its primary color components through the use of filters (photographic separation) or by electronic scanning. Images are normally separated into the respective process-printing ink colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and the key color, usually black).

Column Stack

A layout of shipping containers in a palletized load wherein all containers are aligned vertically in columns without interlock.

Combined Board

The term used to indicate a completely fabricated sheet assembled from several components, such as “corrugated” fiberboard or “solid” fiberboard.

Combined Weight of Facings

A value used in carrier regulations to specify the amount of paper in a corrugated construction. The weight of the two facings is added together. The weight of the medium is disregarded.

Compatibility

The ability of a container or material to resist chemical degradation or physical change caused by the product, or to chemically change or physically degrade the product contained.

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Composite Can

A rigid container with a body made of paper plies and ends made of metal, plastic, or another material. The body is usually wound from paper alone or paper and plastic laminates in either a spiral pattern or a convolute pattern. Spiral winding can produce only round cans, while convolute windings are able to produce cans in other shapes, as well as round. Round cans are easier to seal hermetically.

Compression

Compression performance is defined as the ability of a container to resist external compressive loads applied to its faces.Adequate compression, or stacking strength, is necessary for a corrugated container to perform its intended function.

Compression Set

The extent to which a cushioning material fails to recover its original form when a load has been removed from it after being imposed for a given period.

Compression Strength

The maximum load that can be applied to a container under specified conditions. Static compression strength usually refers to a container’s ability to withstand a stationary load for a period of time. Dynamic compression strength is the load at failure when an increasing load is rapidly applied. Viscoelastic materials such as corrugated board or plastics will have different compression strength test values, depending on how fast the load is applied. See also dynamic compression and static compression.

Conditioning

Holding paper or other packaging material under controlled conditions so that it attains a specified moisture content and temperature. Preparing packages for test by regulating the moisture content and temperature of the packaging material.

Conductive

Accepts static electricity but dissipates the charge throughout the foam thus reducing it to a harmless level.

Cone-Top Can

A can with a lop having the general shape of a conical section. The top usually has a screw closure.

Constant-Level Filling

A filling system in which the containers are filled to an exact level regardless of variations in the container’s actual volume. This gives a visual appearance more acceptable to the consumer.

Constant-Volume Filling

A filling system in which a precisely measured volume of product is placed into a container. Constant-volume filling is used where dosage is critical or where product cost is high. Small variations in actual container volume will result in visually different fill levels that might be interpreted as irregular fill volumes. The container can be designed so that the actual fill level cannot be seen.

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Consumer Package

The package that ultimately reaches the consumer. The unit of retail sale.

Container

(a) In general, any receptacle or enclosure for holding a product used in packaging and shipping. (b) A large, reusable enclosure to be filled with smaller packages and discrete objects (as in containerization), to consolidate shipments and allow transport on railway flatcars, flatbed trailers, or aircraft; in ships’ holds; or as deckloads.

Containerboard

The paperboard components (liner-board and corrugating medium) from which corrugated board is manufactured.

Continuous-Motion Machine

A machine configuration in which an action is performed on a product or package without stopping the movement of the product or package. Most continuous-motion machines have a rotating carousel into which the package is inserted. The operation (for example, filling, capping, or labeling) is completed while the package is rotated around the carousel and then ejected onto a moving conveyor at the end of the operation. See also intermittent-motion machine.

Continuous Thread (CT)

The helical threaded neck finish of containers or the closures designed for application to these finishes. CT denotes continuity of thread in order to differentiate it from lug or other interrupted thread forms. CT finishes have GPI finish designations in the 400 series.

Continuous-Tone Image

An image in which the gradation from black to white is continuous. Black-and-white photography is a continuous-tone image.

Contrast

Describes the difference between the lightest and darkest portion of an image.

Controlled Atmosphere Packaging (CAP)

CAP describes a storage or warehousing technique rather than a specific package construction or method. Similar to modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), CAP extends product shelf life by changing the composition of the surrounding atmosphere from the normal to some other proportion of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. Unlike MAP, CAP involves monitoring the proportion of gases and adjusting them as necessary. For example, the storage of produce at low oxygen concentrations would slowly deplete the oxygen and increase the carbon dioxide component and the relative humidity. In CAP these would periodically be adjusted to maintain a steady-state atmosphere.

Converter

A manufacturer that takes raw materials and converts them into a usable package or package component. Most commonly used in reference to manufacturers of flexible packaging materials. For example, a converter may print a polypropylene film; combine it with paper, foil, and polyethylene; and slit it to the widths required by a user.

Convolute Winding

A method of winding a composite can body in which the paper or winding material advances to the mandrel in a direction perpendicular to its axis. A tube is formed by having each ply wrapped around itself and placed directly over the preceding ply. The length of the tube is the same as the width of the paper from which it is wound. Also see spiral winding.

Convoluted

A process in which flexible foam passes through a machine which distorts and cuts it in a way that leaves interlocking high and low points. This is commonly used for items such as circuit boards, which can have an uneven surface and need something that can conform to it.

Copolymer

Any polymer that has been produced from two monomers. More generally, the term is used to describe any polymer that has been produced from more than one monomer.

Cork

The light, tough bark of the cork oak tree. A closure made of cork or, by extension, any plug-type bottle closure.

Corner Cut Tray-CC Tray

Similar to the design style tray except the corner formed by scoring and slotting are cut off in the manufacturing process. This then forms a simple tray, which cannot be set up by joining at the corners. This tray is often used as interior packing in a shipping container and usually covers the top or bottom of the object in the box.

Corona Treatment

A treatment to alter the surface of plastic and other materials to make them more receptive to adhesives or printing inks. An electrical discharge creates ozone, which in turn oxidizes the substrate surface and creates polar sites that contribute to strong bond formation.

Corrugated Board

A packaging material consisting of a central member (medium) that has been fluted on a corrugator and to which one or two flat sheets of linerboard have been glued to form single-faced corrugated board or single wall corrugated board.  

Double wall is the combination of two mediums and three facings, and triple-wall is the combination of three mediums and four facings. Corrugated board is generally made in one of four flute sizes, designated A, B, C, and E. See also flute.

Cover For HSC

(A.)Full telescoping bottom and cover.Both top and bottom are HSC’s but the dimensions of the outer HSC cover are adjusted to fit over the bottom HSC to the full depth of the bottom HSC. ( B ) Telescoping bottom and partial telescoping cover, HSC style.Same as (A) above, except the HSC cover only extends part way down the depth of the HSC bottom.

Crease

(a) (noun) A line or mark made by folding any pliable material, or a similar mark, however produced.(b) (verb) To form a crease in a sheet of any material, usually for the purpose of providing a bending line.

Creasing Rule

An oval-edged steel strip used to form a crease or bending line in paperboard or boxboard stock.See also cut-scoring rule.

CR Closure

See child-resistant closure.

Creep

See cold flow.

Critical G

The acceleration level, expressed in G, beyond which damage is likely to occur.

Cross Direction (CD)

The direction at right angles to a material’s flow through a machine. Flow direction through a machine may impart directional properties to a material. For example, paper acquires a directionality during manufacture known as cross direction (perpendicular to the paper flow through the machine) and machine direction (parallel to the paper flow).

Crosslinked

A polymer in which individual molecular chains are linked by side branches to adjacent chains.Crosslinking may be present to varying degrees. A heavily crosslinked polymer is classed as a thermoset plastic.

Crown Closure

A metal closure that crimps over a bead on a bottle finish. The major application has been for carbonated beverages.

Crystalline Polymers

Plastics with high molecular regularity in their molecular formation are considered to be crystalline in nature. These typically more dense polymers include polyamides, polyesters, and polyethylene. Many properties of a polymer are related to the degree of crystallinity. See also amorphous polymers.

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Crystallization

The formation of regular molecular patterns within a mass of material, resulting in physical changes in the properties of the material, particularly the way it refracts light.

CT Closure

See continuous thread.

Cullet

Glass recovered from production rejects or from consumer recycling programs, crushed, and added to the normal glass furnace charge. In addition to reducing waste going to landfill, cullet also reduces the energy required to fuse new raw materials into glass.

Curtain Coating

A wax treatment for corrugated boxes in which the box blank is passed under a curtain of molten wax. The wax coats the box, providing for a surface that will shed water. A box can be coated on one or both sides. The box will still absorb atmospheric moisture, since the majority of fibers (in the interior of the flutes) are still exposed to air.

Cushioning

The protection from physical damage afforded to an item by placing about its outer surfaces materials that have been designed to absorb the shock or reactions caused by external forces. Resilient materials are used for cushioning.

Cut-Scoring Rule

A steel strip, one edge of which is ground to the center or a side face. Used for partially cutting through boxboard stock, for example, making a partial cut for the purpose of forming a fold line. See also creasing rule.

Cylinder Board

A grade of paperboard made on a cylinder-type papermaking machine. Cylinder boards have several layers of pulp pressed together to form a single sheet with calipers of 380 micrometers (0.016 inch) and up. The fibers tend to orient themselves into the direction in which they pass through the cylinder machine, causing the board to have considerable differences in stiffness and tear strength in one direction as compared with the other. Cylinder boards generally use recycled fibers for the center plies and a clay-coated white liner to produce a good printing surface.

Cylinder Machine

A papermaking machine in which a rotating screen cylinder is used to remove fiber from the finish. A number of cylinders, usually six to eight, in sequence are used to build up a multilayer paperboard. Sometimes referred to as a vat machine.

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Dead Fold

The ability of a material to remain in place when folded or creased. Aluminum and paper are described as having good dead-fold properties, while most plastics have poor dead-fold properties.

Deflection

A term used in compression testing to indicate the deformation or reduction in dimensions made in the testing direction between established preload and ultimate failure load.

Deformation

Any distortion of the form or outline of an article.

Demographics

A statistical description of specifically measurable aspects of the population. For example, age, gender, income level, educational level, home ownership, and so on.

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Density

The weight of a given volume of a material. In English units this is usually expressed in pounds per cubic foot. In metric units density is given in kilograms per cubic meter, although in packaging, grams per cubic centimeter is more common. Relative density is the ratio of the density of the observed object to that of water. (Density of water is 1 gram per cubic centimeter.) Relative density, being a ratio, is unit less.

Design Brief

The central planning document in a package development project. A package design brief is a comprehensive document detailing what the package is supposed to achieve, in what marketplace, with what customers, by what means, and in conjunction with what other activities. The design brief has a full, detailed description of the objectives developed for the project.

Design Speed

The theoretical capacity of a machine or line under perfect running conditions. The speed of the machine as designed, running empty, is the design cycle rate.

Die

(a) Any metal device that is used to cut or impart a shape to another material. For example, a steel-rule cutting die is used to cut paper or paperboard shapes from a press sheet, (b) A device used to shape metal in drawn can or draw-and-iron can manufacture, (c) A device to give form to an extruded plastic material.

Die-Cut

Any operation in which a form that incorporates sharp cutting edges is pressed into a substrate to cut out a designed shape. For example, cutting dies are used to cut paperboard shapes that will subsequently be folded into cartons.

Differential Tinplate

Electrolytic tinplate having different weights of tin coatings on opposite sides of the sheet.

Dimensional Stability

The ability of a material to retain its dimensional shape under given processing or use conditions.

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Distribution Package

A package whose primary purpose is to facilitate efficient distribution and to protect and contain the product during distribution.

Double Wall Board

A corrugated board construction composed of three linerboards and two fluted mediums. The board is stiffer and stronger than single wall and is used for containing heavier products such as major appliances.

Double-Reduced Steel

Steel that is rolled to a thickness somewhat greater than desired, annealed to remove work-hardening, and then rerolled to the required thickness. The effect of work-hardening after the second rolling produces a stiffer, higher-temper steel.

Double Seam

The seam at which the can ends are attached to the can body. The joint is formed by curling the top or bottom cover flange over and around the body flange of a can, resulting in a chime section of five thick nesses of metal and forming an extra-strong, leak proof joint.

DPI

See screen.

Draft

The degree of taper of a sidewall or the angle of clearance designed to facilitate removal of articles from a mold.

Draw-and-Iron Can

A two-piece can that is produced by pushing a drawn initial shape through a series of ironing rings, each with a diameter slightly less than the previous one. This has the effect of ironing out and thinning the metal in the can walls, producing a can with greater metal area than the starting blank. Since the can walls are very thin, the can is used only in those applications in which an internal pressure is able to support the can walls. Examples are carbonated beverages and some juices that use nitrogen to produce internal pressure.

Draw-and-Redraw Can

A two-piece can that has a body formed to shape by pushing (drawing) a flat can blank through a circular die ring and then, in a second operation, re-forming the can through a second draw operation. Draw and redraw cans are able to have depths greater than the can diameter. Unlike draw-and-iron cans, wall thickness is the same as in the starting blank. Drawn can a two-piece can that has a body that is formed to shape by pushing (drawing) a flat can blank through a circular die ring. Typically, the depth of a drawn can is no greater than the diameter.

Drop Test

The method of determining if a packaging design adequately protects the contents. It is not necessary to test all designs. This should be utilized only if a customer requires it.

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Dry-Bond Laminating

A laminating method where two substrates that are not readily permeable to adhesive solvent vapors are joined. An adhesive is applied to one substrate, and then the coated surface is dried of all volatiles. Depending on the adhesive formulation, the remaining adhesive solids will be tacky or can be made so by nipping the substrates against a heated combining roll.

Dry-End Treatment

In papermaking, any treatment, such as clay coating, that is applied after the paper is formed and partly or completely dried. Dynamic coefficient of friction See coefficient of friction.

DS Lid

Is the same as DST, but designed to fit over the design style tray partially or fully on the depth dimension.

DST – Design Style Tray

This container, when assembled by the user, looks something like an HSC but is not joined by the manufacturer, using adhesives, etc. as the RSC or HSC. The tabs formed by scoring and slotting at each of the four corners are folded in, joined, and set up by the user who joins them with adhesive or occasionally staples. This box is often seen in use as a 4-6 pack beer container with open top.

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Dynamic Compression

Describes the rapid application of a compressive load, for example, by a clamp truck handling corrugated boxes, or the laboratory determination of box compressive strength using a stress/strain machine. See also compression strength and static compression.

Dyne Level

A measure of surface energy. The dyne level will indicate whether a material’s surface will be receptive to forming a chemical bond with an adhesive, coating, or ink. Generally, in packaging, the dyne level of a surface needs to be 37 dynes or higher, depending on the nature of the adhesive substance. (Reference method: ASTM D 2578.)

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Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)

Beyond the actual cost of manufacture, product cost is affected by the cost of setting up the production line and the cost of storing inventory beyond what can be immediately used. The longer the production run, the lower the setup cost per part. However, inventory costs increase as more product needs to be stored beyond immediate needs. EOQ describes the point at which the two costs added together are at a minimum.

ECT

See edge crush test.

Edge Crush Test (ECT)

A test used to determine the stiffness of a corrugated board. Briefly, a small section of board standing on edge is compressed to failure. The load at failure can be related to the probable compression strength of a shipping container made from that board.ECT values are one of the optional corrugated board specifying values required by carrier rules.The other option is the Mullen burst test. (Reference method: TAPPIT811.)

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Efficiency

See output efficiency.

E-flute

See flute.

Elastomer

A material that has high elongation properties. Most packaging elastomers are synthetic polymers, except for natural rubber. Elongation the difference in length, expressed as a percentage of the original length, when a plastic specimen is subjected to a tensile load. Elongation at yield is the elongation at the point at which the specimen will not return to its original dimensions. Elongation at break, or ultimate elongation, is the elongation at fracture.

E.L.E Ester-Like Ether

Polyurethane foam which has a look and feel of polyester.

Environmental Chamber

A chamber or enclosure used to create specific environmental conditions, most typically ranges of temperature and humidity. Environmental chambers are used to simulate use conditions, usually for the purpose of accelerated testing of packages and products.

Environmental Stress Cracking

The fracture of a plastic part due to movement of molecules trying to relieve internal stresses. Stress cracking is a physical phenomenon and is not related to chemical compatibility. However, certain agents are known to accelerate or contribute to stress cracking, even though they themselves do not chemically react with the plastic. Environmental stress-crack resistance is abbreviated ESCR. (Reference method: ASTM D 2561.)

Equilibrium Moisture Content

The moisture content of a substance at which it will neither gain nor lose moisture in an atmosphere having a given relative humidity.

Equilibrium Relative Humidity

The humidity at which the moisture content of a material and the surrounding relative humidity are in equilibrium. The material will neither absorb moisture nor lose moisture to the air.

Equity

The value, trust, or recognition given to a product or company based on a long-standing satisfaction with the product or company.

ERH

See equilibrium relative humidity.

ESCR

See environmental stress cracking.

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Essential Oil

A volatile substance that can be detected by the sense of smell, and an important component in the perception of flavor or aroma. Also referred to as a sensory active agent (SAC).

Ethalam

Polyethylene roll stock, which is laminated in layers to achieve a desired thickness.

Ethylene-Ethyl Acrylic Acid (EEA)

A polar polymer that is used in various adhesive preparations to improve heat sealabilty in difficult substrates. EEA develops good bonds with aluminum foils. Used in blends with other resins to improve heat seal and other properties.

Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA)

A polar polymer used as the base or backbone polymer for most packaging hot melt adhesives.

Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol (EVAL)

Can be regarded as a copolymer of polyethylene in which varying amounts of the -OH functional group have been incorporated. EVAL is one of the best oxygen barriers available to packagers. However, its susceptibility to water requires that for most applications it be laminated into a protective sand which with materials that will keep the EVAL layer away from water. The abbreviation EVOH is sometimes used instead of EVAL.

Expanded Polyester

(AKA: Ester) Government spec, flexible foam, which is highly durable, flame-retardant, and resistant to discoloration.

Expanded Polyethylene

(AKA: Ethafoam) Semi rigid, closed dell foam, which is extruded into planks of various thicknesses.This is usually used for heavier items.

Expanded Polystyrene

(AKA: E.P.S) Rigid foam, which is fabricated and cut using wire, heated with electricity. It is also available in antistatic form.

Expanded Polyurethane

(AKA: Ether, Flexible) Flexible open cell foam of various densities, poured to form large “buns” which can be sliced to any thickness.

Extensible

A material that is capable of being stretched under normal processing conditions.

Extrusion

The process of forming a thermoplastic by forcing the polymer melt through a shaped orifice. The extruded plastic is immediately chilled, and the resulting shape would be in the profile of the extrusion die.

Extrusion Bonding

A process wherein a film of molten polymeric material is extruded and immediately pressed between two substrate materials while still hot. The cooled polymer will bond the two materials together.

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Extrusion Coating

A process wherein a film of molten polymeric material is extruded onto the surface of a substrate material and cooled to form a continuous coating.

Eye-Mark

A machine-recognizable mark, printed on web-fed packaging materials. The eye-mark is the reference point from which the machine will register other operations such as further decoration, heat sealing, or package cutoff.

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Face Liner

That linerboard of a corrugated construction that will eventually be printed and used as the exterior face of a corrugated box. In the manufacture of corrugated board, the face liner is the second one applied to the fluted medium. The linerboard against which the corrugated flutes are first pressed will typically have a series of faint embossed lines resulting from the heat and pressure of the corrugating rolls.

Ferrule Seal

A metal seal that is clamped around the finish of a glass bottle. Ferrule seals are used to join the aerosol actuator fitment to a glass bottle, and to hold the rubber septum in place over a glass vial.

FFS Machine

See form-fill-seal machine.

Fiberboard

The general term applied to fabricated paperboard used in container manufacture. May be of either corrugated or solid construction.

Film (Plastic)

Generally used to describe a thin plastic material usually not more than 76 micrometers (0.003 inch) thick. Above this, thin materials are usually referred to as a sheet.

Finish

That part of a glass or plastic container that will receive the closure device.

Fin Seal

A type of seal resulting from sealing together the contiguous edge areas of two sheets, usually by heat, resulting in a finlike protuberance.

Flame Treatment

A treatment that involves exposing a material (such as a plastic bottle) to a gas flame to increase the polarity of the surface. The amount of flame treatment depends on the condition and position of the flame and the time of exposure. See also corona treatment.

Flaps

The closing members of a fiberboard box.

Flash

Excess plastic material that is squeezed out between the mold parts during molding.

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Flask Filling

See volumetric filling.

Flex Cracking

Cracking or fracture of a substrate as a result of repeated flexing, as might be experienced during manufacture or shipping.

Flexible Packaging

A package or container made of flexible or easily yielding materials that, when filled and closed, can be readily changed in shape. Normally applies to bags, envelopes, pouches, or wraps made of materials ranging in thickness from 13 to 76 micrometers (0.0005 to 0.003 inch), such as paper, plastic films, foils, or combinations of these.

Flexography

A method of printing using flexible rubber or photopolymer printing plates in which the image to be printed stands out in relief. Fluid ink metered by an engraved roll is applied to the raised portions of the printing plate and then transferred to the substrate.Flexographic printing is used to print sheets of preformed corrugated board and for printing roll-fed plastics and papers.

Flexural Modulus

The ratio, within the elastic limit, of the applied stress on a test specimen in flexure to the corresponding strain in the outermost fibers of the specimen, measured in pounds per square inch or kilograms per square centimeter. (Reference method: ASTM D 790.)

Flexural Strength at Yield

The measure of resistance of the material to fracture during bending. Measured in either pounds per square inch or kilograms per square centimeter. (Reference method: ASTM D 790.)

Flute

The undulation or corrugationpressed into medium paper as used in the construction of corrugated fiberboard. Flute sizes have been standardized by carrier regulations and are designated by size (from largest to smallest) as A-flute, C-flute, B-flute, and E-flute. There is a size specification for D-flute, but no commercially significant quantities are made.

Foam-in-Place

A chemical process, usually based on urethane chemistry, that produces foamed cushioning conforming to the item.

Foil

An unsupported thin metal membrane less than 152 micrometers (0.006 inch) thick. Above 152 micrometers thickness, the metal is called sheet. In many European countries the French word feuille (also pronounced “foil”) is used to describe any thin material (for example, plastic films) as well as thin metals.

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Folders

Each of these are self-locking, which permits the customer to set them up without the use of adhesives or tape, the box is made with a number of slots, locking tabs and slits.In the manufacturing process, special dies are used to “punch” these out on our equipment. These dies are made using an imported birch plywood on which steel strips (rule) are mounted that do the cutting, creasing, and slitting at relatively high speed on our due cutters.

A. Mailers

These containers are used by our customers to ship a wide variety of small products which usually fit snugly inside the box.The container is assembled, by snapping the side and ends into the die cut slots. The container has a lid which is part of the box which then folds over and locks into place. It can be sealed with a small piece of tape to hold the closed lid firmly in place.

B. Garment Box

A style of mailer die cut made to self-locking. The box is designed with a long length and width and shallow depth to hold shirts, and other articles of clothing. Of ten purchased by clothing manufactures. Besides the self-locking sides and ends the box has a lid that folds down and tucks in.RSC’s with long length and width and shallow depths are also used as garment boxes.

C. Bin Box

A die cut open top box with self-locking sides and ends.The front section bevels downward.This box can be used to hold small parts on storeroom shelves. Many auto dealers and auto parts stores buy this style.

D. Ecco Mailers

Ecco mailer has ears that lock in, giving the product further protection from dust and dirt. It also provides a tighter packaging than the mailer styles.Both the Mailer die cut folders and Ecco Mailer can be produced with or without dust flaps. Dust flaps are an extra ear-shapes piece of corrugated which is an integral part of the mailer. These are folded into the mailer to prevent dust and dirt from entering the container.

Folding Carton

A plain or printed container made of bending grades of paperboard, in a variety of sizes and shapes. Delivered either flat or folded, glued, and collapsed, to be set up, filled, and closed by the user. This is a general class of paperboard container distinct from setup boxes and corrugated and solid fiber boxes.

Font

The complete set of letters, numbers, and punctuation marks of a particular design and size.

Formation

The evenness with which cellulose fibers are distributed in a finished paper. Short cellulose fibers flow out fairly evenly and produce a paper with good formation. Long fibers tend to tangle and flow out in clumps during papermaking. This results in an uneven distribution of fiber in the paper. The different fiber densities will affect local paper properties such as density, tear strength, and ink absorption, to name a few.

Form-Fill-Seal Machine

A filling machine that is fed with a flexible packaging stock from a roll. The stock is folded to the desired package shape and stabilized by heat sealing. The product is placed into the formed package, and the remaining Opening is sealed. Machines can be configured so that the stock travels horizontally through the machine (horizontal form-fill-seal) or vertically through the machine (vertical form-fill-seal).

Fourdrinier Machine

A paper making machine in which the mixture of cellulose fiber and water is poured out onto a moving screen in the first step of forming the paper sheet.

FPF- Five Piece Folded

This box is shipped flat, has five panels or sides. The fifth panel forms a tuck-in pieces when set up by the customer. It is often used to ship such articles as umbrellas, light fixtures, and window shades. When the box is opened by the customer, it is through the small inner and outer flaps at each end.The long objects such as fluorescent light tubes, are drawn out through the end. This box is not joined in any way by the manufacturer, but is assembled and closed by the user. Through die-cutting this box can be made self-locking so that the box locks together without the us of a closure material like tape on the ends.

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Fragility (of a Product)

A quantified value of some input, such as vibration, compression, or shock, at which loss of value or damage will occur.

Fragility Factor

Most commonly, fragility factor is used to describe the shock level, expressed in G, at which some part of the product will be damaged.

Fragility Factors

Are used to calculate the area and thickness of shock-absorbing materials when designing protective packaging.

Free-Flowing Powder

A powder that will flow freely and form an even cone with a low angle of repose when poured out onto a level surface. Such powders will have an even density throughout and can be metered by dispensing a set volume. See also non-free-flowing powder.

Friction-Fit Pry-Off Closure

A closure that depends on a friction fit (interference fit) for the seal. Paint can covers and cocoa tin lids are examples.

Furnish

The mixture of cellulose fibers and other additives that will be fed into a papermaking machine to form the paper.

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Gain

In printing, the increase in dot size inherent in the transfer of ink to a substrate. Flexography in particular has significant gain from the designed dot size. Gain can cause process colors to be inconsistent and can fill in universal product codes and make them unreliable.

Gang Die

A cutting die, most typically as used for folding carton manufacture, that will cut a number of cartons from the press sheet with each pressing, as opposed to a one-up die that cuts a single carton.

Gas Permeability

The ability of a gas or other volatile substance to penetrate and pass through a material. Materials that will allow significant passage of gases are said to be permeable, while materials that resist or stop the passage of gases are said to offer gas barrier properties.

Gas Transmission

The movement of gas through packaging materials. The gas transmission (permeability) through a film is measured in terms of the volume of gas (at standard temperatures and pressure) that will pass through a given area of film of a given thickness over a given time and at a specified temperature and humidity.

Gauge (also Gage)

(a) (noun) An instrument for exact measuring, (b) (verb) To measure exactly.

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