A SWEET SECRET

If you've ever noticed the zigzag patterns on the edges of packages like bags of chips or chocolate bars, you might wonder why they tear so easily. Plastic, which is made of long polymer molecules, can be compared to fabric made of threads, but on a much smaller scale. The purpose of the ridges is to remove the support of the surrounding polymer fibers. When the edge is flat, the molecules are protected by their mates. However, an uneven edge exposes the molecules on the peaks of the ridges to mechanical damage, making it easier to tear the packaging apart.

Now, let's dive into some unexpected packaging facts. A Swiss company has invented a magic juice box made of agar agar seaweed gel and water. This eco-friendly box is designed for short-term smoothies and juices and withers at the same rate you consume the product inside. It's like the future of packaging has arrived.

That overwhelming smell of coffee that hits you when you open a jar of instant coffee? It's actually just a coffee aroma sprayed onto the lid to provide you with the enticing smell of freshly ground coffee.

Innovative packaging has also been introduced by one of Korea's leading manufacturers of instant noodles. Their packaging can be safely used in microwaves, as some additional materials used can remain intact without melting even at high temperatures, making the process of heating up your lunch much faster.

While almost all food has an expiration date, the same doesn't apply to water. The expiration date you see on water bottles refers to the bottle itself, not the water inside.

Here's an interesting fact about chips: regardless of the brand, all chips have a best-before date that ends on a Saturday. This is because the production week starts on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday.

Did you know that bubble wrap was originally designed to serve as textured wallpaper? It was invented in 1957 by engineers Mark Chavons and Alfred Fielding in New Jersey. They sealed together two shower curtains, trapping air bubbles inside. Although it didn't work as wallpaper, it later became popular as a packaging material. IBM was the first client to use bubble wrap to protect its Mainframe computer during shipping.

Personalized packaging has gained popularity, with 52% of online customers being more willing to repeat purchases from a company that offers personalized shipping boxes. Apple, known for its minimalist packaging, has created a culture around its packaging designs. They even have a special place at their headquarters where packaging designs for new products are developed.

The egg carton was invented in 1911 by Joseph Coyle, a newspaper editor from British Columbia. It was created to resolve a dispute between a local farmer and a hotel owner who complained about broken eggs. This necessity led to the invention of the egg carton.

Nike has created a shoe box made entirely from recycled trash materials, mainly drink containers. This box also doubles as a backpack.

The concept of paper packaging for food dates back to the second century BCE in China. Food was wrapped in thin sheets of Mulberry bark, and the idea spread worldwide. In 1879, a mistake in a paper bag factory in Brooklyn led to the accidental invention of mass-produced paperboard boxes, which revolutionized packaging.

Cardboard boxes have been found to ward off germs due to the manufacturing process. Layers of paper are shaped and bonded at high temperatures, sanitizing the boxes and making them a safe way to package food, even when made from recycled materials.

That little open jar icon on cosmetic packaging is called the Period After Opening (PAO) symbol. It indicates the period of time a product can be used after the package is unsealed. The symbol, featuring a number followed by the letter "M" for months, is found on almost all cosmetic products.

Dents on some plastic milk containers serve multiple purposes. They prevent the container from blowing up if the milk spoils and causes pressure buildup. Additionally, if you freeze the milk, the indentation allows for expansion without breaking the container.

Soda bottles are filled with a gap between the liquid and the cap. This gap is necessary because soda contains carbon dioxide, a gas that can expand when the bottle is heated. Without the gap, the pressure could cause the bottle to break. It also helps prevent overflow when the drink is opened, as the gases escape in the form of bubbles.

The horizontal lines on plastic bottles help hold their shape. Bottles made of soft plastic without these lines would easily twist or break.

Ever wondered why the number 57 is on a Heinz ketchup bottle? It turns out that tapping the area with the number 57 is the sweet spot to get the ketchup flowing. This number comes from the historical advertising slogan "57 varieties" created by the Heinz company in Pittsburgh, USA.

Plastic lids on disposable cups not only keep your beverage inside but also serve as coasters. The lids have special ridges that hug the bottom of the cup, providing a snug fit.

The soft round part under a soda bottle cap helps keep the carbonation from escaping, ensuring that the drink doesn't go flat before you buy it.

These are just some fascinating packaging facts that show the thought and innovation behind the everyday items we use.