Durability and Creativity With Clamshell Packaging

When consumers hear the term "clamshell packaging" they may imagine that it involves seafood of some variety or another. Many are unaware of just how often they are exposed to this method of marketing.

For example, in a single trip to a large grocery or department store a person may purchase a toy for a child, a "pay as you go cell phone" and a new shaving razor. All three of these very different items will more than likely arrive at the store in clamshell packaging.

Manufacturers have begun to rely on this flexible form of packaging because it can be inexpensively produced to very custom specifications. For example, that children's toy may be a metal car, a small doll, or even a yo-yo, and a clamshell package can be designed, printed and molded to fit each product in a unique way.

Retailers like clamshell packaging as well because it is usually formed with a protective pocket of air around the merchandise, which reduces or even eliminates breakage during shipping and transportation. Should an item receive damage, the clear windows of clamshell packaging allow store clerks to identify unsalable items before they reach the shelves. This saves store owners a great deal of time and money since clerks can package up damaged goods for replacement or refund, and cashiers or customer service staff will not be forced to spend time helping customers who unknowingly bought a broken or damaged item.

Many manufacturers of clamshell packaging are currently at work around the globe, but it is a good idea to work with a company that has domestic as well as foreign offices to guarantee that design and manufacturing issues and schedules meet particular business needs.

Impact MFG is a global provider of clamshell and thermoformed packaging and products. The company has production facilities in the United States and Asia, allowing it to meet the shipping and assembly needs of many large scale, as well as significantly smaller, clients. The company can design, print, assemble and ship packaging products to any client, anywhere in the world. Visit Impact-MFG.com to learn more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_M_Patterson

The Death Of The Plastic Clamshell

Spare me, please. I'm sick of hearing about "wrap rage." It’s worse than ever this year and it’s not even Christmas yet. Despite all the publicity surrounding all the good things packaging does, keep the product safe and secure, the media is on the attack. It seems that this is a subject the public can really get in to (no pun intended). If you are into blogging, check out the words "Wrap Rage" and you will get an earful.

I faithfully respond to the blogs with one or two of my articles explaining the role of packaging in modern society to no avail. People just love to rant about the problems of packaging foisted upon them by the product manufacturers. As if we deliberately made these things difficult to open. Are we advocating increasing the amount of pilferage so we can pay more at retail? I guess we intuitively know what's inside because we don't have to actually see what we are buying. But seriously, don't forget we the "packaging people" are consumers too. Products are packaged a certain way for a reason and its not to make it more difficult.

I recently received sales pitches from companies producing nifty devices to open the plastic consumer nemesis (clamshell) purportedly without mishap. If you recall, I earlier mentioned that a smart marketer would include one of these devices free with every order. (It would have to be on the outside of the package, of course.) If you need some resources for this, please let me know.

I have counted no less than five articles within the week decrying bad packaging but mostly focusing on the poor plastic clamshell. So, I spent a little time thinking about where we would be without it. What is a clamshell?

By definition and its function, a clamshell refers to a formed plastic package used to encapsulate and boldly display a retail product. The formed plastic package has one or more hinges. A single hinged clamshell usually includes a hanger tab that allows the finished product to hang on in-store pegs. A multi hinged clamshell offers additional features that can include a flat base for free standing of the package and the enclosed product.

Let’s think of all the products that come in clamshell and all of those companies that manufacture plastic clamshells. Just GOOGLE that and you will be surprised. Bought any cosmetics, electronics, food, hardware, produce, office supplies, toys, toiletries lately?

There is support for the demise of the clamshell on other fronts too. Granted this came out of Europe but a major new study reveals that, given the choice, almost nine out of every ten shoppers would choose products packed in paper rather than plastic or other materials.
The results were highlighted in a recent survey carried out by IPSOS, the world’s second largest market research agency. IPSOS based their conclusions on interviews with 6,500 consumers in seven major European countries. 93 per cent of the respondents said that they prefer paper because they consider it is more “environmentally friendly,” while 87 per cent of the group would choose paper because of “convenience” factors.

So are we seeing a revolt against the plastic clamshell? Will the plastic clamshell be subjected to a slow lingering death by detractors and naysayers? Or will consumers finally GET OVER IT and go about their business? Time will tell. In any case be sure and send me good examples of plastic clamshell packaging that works.

Don't forget you too can be famous or infamous depending which side of the fence you sit. Be sure and submit your Oyster Award Candidates. Go to their website and nominate your package for this year's awards.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoAnn_Hines

How to open clamshell packaging

Dealing with "clamshell" or "oyster" packaging (the rigid, sealed plastic that lots of electronics come in) can be a real nightmare. In fact, the term "wrap rage" was coined to describe the anger and frustration that inevitably arises when trying to pry the ubiquitous packaging open.
Thousands of people end up in emergency rooms each year with lacerations and puncture wounds from battling with the nearly impossible-to-open packaging. Many more get minor wounds from using sharp objects to open packages, according to American Medical News.
It's not the best choice for the planet either. Clamshell packaging is typically made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is considered the most environmentally damaging plastic around. Its production releases toxic chemicals that make their way into our food supply and it's difficult to recycle.
Companies use the universally despised packaging because it secures items during shipping and helps prevent shoplifting. It's also easy to display in stores and allows consumers to see what they are buying.
Some businesses are finally getting the message that consumers have had enough. Amazon launched its Frustration-Free Packaging initiative to help reduce packing waste and wrap rage. An added bonus is that is saves consumers time as this video demonstrates. Sony, Microsoft, and Best Buy are also making efforts to phase out the aggravating packaging.
In the meantime, there's a surprisingly simple tool that can tackle clamshell packaging quickly, efficiently, and without injury -- a rotary can opener. The best part is you probably already have one sitting in a kitchen drawer. The video below shows how it's done.

Here are a few other tips you might want to keep in mind:

• Buy products without clamshell or any excessive packaging when you have a choice.
• Before you break out your can opener, check to see if the packaging has any tiny tabs or perforations (an addition some companies have made in response to consumer complaints).
• Finally, if you like gadgets and you're not up for the can opener idea, there are a whole bunch of products on the market that are designed specifically to open clamshell packaging. Here's Consumer Reports' round-up of "Tools you can use to crack the case."

Article Source : Yahoo!Green

Clamshell Packaging - A New Form of Packaging

Clamshell packaging provides a new form of packaging that can allow the consumer to get a good look at the product, while at the same time it protects the product from minor damages and dirt. This type of packaging is available in different sizes and shapes. To get a more custom look it is possible for a manufacturer to add color, and the company's logo to the design package.

Older methods of product protection include Styrofoam and bubble wrap. Styrofoam is still used for product protection to surround and keep in place a box containing a delicate object prior to being shipped, and likewise, bubble wrap is also used quite widely by others for the same purpose. These products however are not adequate to protect newly manufactured products from scratches and other damage. Suppliers and manufacturers of a number of products have taken upon themselves to create their own materials for even better product protection. Some people have turned to using blister product wrap to protect their merchandise from dents and scratches while in transit.

Clamshell packaging has surpassed these older forms of product protection. In this new type, a molded plastic form is used to cover and enclose the product completely from dust, moisture, and dents as the package moves from one location to another and through various temperatures and climates while in transit.

This new type of product protection is an advance over the older blister form of packaging and gives a more advanced protection for newly manufactured products. The consumer products that are normally used for such product protection are headsets, mp3 players, mobile DVD players and many other electronic gadgets. Products such as these need the extra protection from moisture that can build up in transit from supplier to consumer. Clamshell packaging is not like the products seen in the supermarket that are used to contain perishable foods; instead it is made of a strong durable plastic that has been molded to fit the shape of the product being shipped.

The airtight fit of these help prevent molds for growing inside and damaging the product while it is being shipped. These clamshell packages can now be custom made from select manufacturers so as to provide a must better look and fit and to match exactly the size and shape of the product to be shipped.

This custom design does not allow any shifting of the product inside. The design gives an exact fit to the product, with has much thicker wall to the material than was usual in the older blister packaging. Since the product is entirely encased, there is no possibility that the product will come in contact with other items during its journey.

Clamshell packaging has now become very popular with manufacturers because it can be created very inexpensively and to very specific design specifications. Many consumers are probably not aware how often they come in contact with this type of marketing. As an example, a small doll, a yo-yo, toy action figure; for each one of these a custom clamshell packaging will be designed, molded and printed to fit each one uniquely.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Connelly