The Language of Shipping Products

Every industry has its own specific language of terms. The vegetable and fruit packaging industry is no different. Some of the items may sound familiar while others are tossed around by those who work in packaging companies all the time. Some of the most common terminology among those of us who provide fruit packaging in California, like Pacific AgPak, includes the following:

Poly Bags: Poly bags, also known as polyethylene bags, are used in many industries. They are used to protect goods during shipment from dirt, dust, and moisture. Some of the most common poly bag styles are flat and closable.

Pouches:  A retort pouch is a kind of food packaging made from a laminate of flexible plastic and metal foils. The retortable pouch enables the sterile packaging of a wide variety of food and drink and is used as an alternative to traditional industrial canning methods.

Master Boxes: The master box is the final outer box used for packaging. It is the large outer container that is marked with the number of units inside and shipping directions. Meant to protect the smaller units inside, the master box absorbs all of the damage of transit without harming any of its contents.

Clamshells: A clamshell container is one piece with two halves joined by a hinge that enables it to come together to close. Clamshells are often made of a shaped plastic material that resembles the shape of a clam.

Tills: Tills are cost-effective containers made from a variety of materials and used for protecting mushrooms as an alternative to foam.