The characteristics and application of interactive packaging technology

Abstract: The concept, connotation and characteristics of interactive packaging are analyzed. Introduced three types of interactive packaging technology: sensory packaging, functional packaging, intelligent packaging, and focused on the analysis of smart packaging from materials, structures and machinery. On the basis of summarizing the characteristics of various technologies, the application fields and development trends of interactive packaging technology are pointed out.

Keywords: interactive packaging technology sensory packaging functional packaging smart packaging

Interactive packaging is a new concept that has emerged in the packaging field in recent years. This concept has not yet been completely defined. Its main meaning is the establishment of products and consumers through the implementation of packaging materials and packaging means. A close connection. The emergence of this concept further explains the relationship between packaging and products, emphasizing that packaging is part of the product, and even the product itself. With the development of economy and the advancement of science and technology, the variety of commodities has become more numerous and the role of packaging has far exceeded the definition of traditional packaging. Now consumers are paying attention to the product itself, but also appreciate the function of the package itself.

Here according to the characteristics of interactive packaging technology, separately introduced

Three main types of cross packaging technology: sensory packaging, functional packaging and smart packaging.

1 feel package

Sensory packaging refers to packages that allow consumers to have an intuitive sense of the packaged product, including sensations in the senses of touch, vision, or smell, etc. For example, some feel that the package extracts the smell of internal products to attract guests, such as The smell of toast, chocolate or fruit, the extracted odor is fused into the adhesive or paint, so that the entire packaging department is full of attractive taste.There are some texture and texture of the packaging and visual effects of exaggerated packaging and so on. Another purpose is to maintain the integrity of the product, for example, manufacturers of potato chips add the taste of potato chips to the packaging materials of the products to prevent odor of potato chips.

2 functional packaging

Functional packaging is a scientific method for solving packaging problems related to contents. The East Side (actual product) used to protect the inside of the package does not lose any value. For example, a raised lid is placed on the juice package to increase the shelf life and mouthfeel of the juice during the heat sealing process.

Functional packaging is mainly embodied in protective materials and protective technologies, such as antibacterial plastics, deodorant packaging, rust-proof packaging, aseptic packaging, and safe packaging. Such as commonly used antibacterial plastic can effectively inhibit the microbial growth of its surface, so as to achieve the effect of preventing cross infection. In developed countries, many public facilities such as public telephone microphones, public stair railings, and seats are all made of antibacterial plastic. China's Hangzhou City has launched some "antibacterial buses". The armrests and seats of the buses are made of antibacterial plastic.

Functional packaging can also effectively protect the contents from outside interference, such as blister packs for pharmaceuticals. A printing company abroad printed the product slogan on the outside of a beverage packaging box, and printed the barcode on the inside of the packaging box. Bar codes printed on the inside are difficult to counterfeit and therefore play a security role.

3 smart packaging

Intelligent packaging refers to packaging that has “identification” and “judgment” functions for environmental factors. It can identify and display some important parameters such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and degree and time of sealing. In a strict sense, smart packaging should be part of functional packaging. It is embodied in: using new types of packaging materials, structures and forms to actively intervene and protect the quality of goods and circulation safety; and to use information collection, management, control and processing technologies to complete the optimal management of transport packaging systems. The narrow-minded smart packaging mainly focuses on the internal monitoring elements or advanced bar code and trademark information systems, and uses the principles of sensory packaging and functional packaging to track and monitor products, which are commonly referred to as information-based smart packaging technologies. Currently developed smart packaging mainly includes smart packaging materials, smart packaging structures, and smart packaging machinery.

3.1 Intelligent Packaging Materials

Smart packaging materials often include optical, thermal, moisture sensitive, gas sensitive and other functional materials that can be widely used in food and pharmaceutical packaging. For example, in food packaging, “smart” packaging can change the color, let the customer know the freshness of the food, and show if the food is spoiled due to temperature changes during storage or leakage of the packaging. In addition, Coca-Cola has once done a promotional campaign and hidden a winning message in the shrink film label of the product. Consumers must buy Coca-Cola products and store them in the refrigerator to know if they are winning. This is because the label is printed with temperature-sensitive ink and can only be taken when the temperature drops to a certain level. Eyes noticed.

Smart labels are also now appearing. Labels designed by Flying Nul, a British trademark protection company, rely on the company's existing electromagnetic identification technology to work. This technique can produce magnetic material readable bar codes, which can increase the complexity of the tags so that they are not easily deciphered or copied. Intelligent packaging materials include: long development cycle and high investment, so they are often used as long-term research plans.

3.2 Intelligent packaging structure

Intelligent packaging structure means that the package has certain special functions and intelligent features by designing, adding or improving part of the packaging structure. At present, smart structures are mainly improved from the direction of packaging automation and reliability, thereby increasing the convenience and security of products.

British Faraday PaCkaging PartnerShip has developed a new packaging for pharmaceuticals, which aims to protect children's safety through an intelligent packaging structure.

This structure requires that the opening of the pharmaceutical packaging shell does not require force (appropriate for the elderly), but only requires the alertness and the palm of the adult. As for children, they cannot get medicine because their palms are small. Company representative Pauline Ginger pointed out that traditional medicine packaging often requires additional effort, but it is too laborious for the elderly. For this reason, many people pack medicines into more convenient medicine boxes, so that children can also easily get medicines. Another advantage of the new packaging is that it can be used repeatedly, thus greatly reducing the amount of necessary raw materials and waste, but also reducing the pollution of the surrounding environment. Compared with materials, the smart packaging structure is convenient for improvement, low investment, and short time, so it is more widely used in packaging.

3.3 Intelligent Packaging Machinery

In recent years, with the increasing demand for packaging machinery, there are more and more “intelligent” elements in packaging machinery, including modular design concepts and remote diagnostics. These intelligent elements make the assembly and maintenance of the machinery simpler, and in the packaging process of the product, the requirements for the raw materials for the packaging are reduced, so that cheaper packaging materials can be used. This means that modern packaging machinery and equipment has the potential to cut costs, and it can more easily adapt to the flexible changes in the market, ultimately reducing the payback period for investment. Intelligent packaging machinery is mainly used in some food, medicine, makeup crystals, candy, beverages and other fields.

In addition to intelligent materials, structures and machinery, there are also some smart products with high technological content. According to reports, the University of Milan's San Lafaille University has recently developed a "smart clothing" that can monitor the physical condition at any time. If the patients wear this dress, their life parameters can be transmitted to the hospital through special equipment. They can receive treatment from professionals. This kind of clothing is mainly designed for patients who have had myocardial infarction or who have undergone cardiac surgery. After they put on such clothes, the physical condition can be under the supervision of the doctor at any time and the condition of the foreign exchange has just deteriorated.

4 Conclusion

Interactive packaging technology broadens the field of small packaging, so that packaging is no longer limited to just wrapped products, but should have more features. The combination of smart packaging and innovative design can lead to more high-end interactive packaging products. The development of interactive packaging technology has improved the relationship between products and consumers, met the requirements of modern circulation systems, enhanced the competitiveness of enterprises, and has become the most promising packaging technology.

(Text / Ma Shuang School of Publishing and Printing, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology)

Reprinted from: Packaging World