It seems everyone is talking about Consumer Reports publication of the Oyster Awards, for difficult-to-open packages. As most editors of packaging publications can attest, this may be the first officially sanctioned competition of this type, but itβs far from the first time that weβve heard complaints about the subject. βWrap rageβ has been around for about as long as weβve had packaging or containers.
In fact, the same week as the CR report was published, I read a review of a meeting of the Australian Institute of Packaging half a world away. Michael Halleyβs coverage of the meeting was entitled: βSolutions to Packaging Rage.β Part of that program covered a new material that was said to produce an easy-open, peelable seal when blended with many common polymers.
Along the way, one of the speakers described a British report on injuries caused when people were trying to open packaging. Based on a sample, the report extrapolated that nearly 2κ― κ― people every year would be reporting a package injury at a hospital emergency room. And thatβs of a total UK population of 59 million! Frankly, I donβt think the Aussies have too much to worry about. After all, its wine industry pioneered the shift from cork-finished bottles to easier-to-open screw caps. So it seems the Aussies may be more pragmatic than other cultures.
The βevidenceβ suggests that a whole lot of people suffer injuries while trying to access products in packaging. And thatβs reinforced by the American study, as reported in Consumer Reports. Now, Iβve struggled with a number of packages and Iβve often been thankful that this editor has a handy stripping knife. It may not have been designed as a depackaging tool, but it often helps in that function.
For consumersβor packagersβnot familiar with the device, itβs a round-handled metal device that can hold a replaceable small and very sharp angled blade that was designed for cutting copy paper and/or negatives for graphic arts purposes.
The point is that this kind of device makes short work of film or tape that seals packaging, and usually without putting the user at risk, unless otherwise impaired. While itβs great for that, itβs of almost no value in removing the staples that some large appliance manufacturers use to secure their boxes. Thatβs because the super-thin knife blade will snap off and break under even a little pressure. Trust me, I know, and Iβve been glad that I wear eyeglasses!
However, assuming the average consumer might not have access to this device, well, then, sure theyβve got a problem gaining access to some of or most common packaging today. I mean Iβve tried scissors, a bulldogβs mouth, a carpet knife and any number of other sundry cutting devices with only modest success.
Since Iβm from Wisconsin, I do have a chain saw available, but Iβm not inclined to go through all the procedures (e.g., chain tensioning) to get it going just to gain access to a package. After all, my father-in-law used one on my wedding day, but thankfully not on me. But that is another story.
Yes, wrap rage is an issue. So is static electricity when someone opens a package that contains polystyrene peanuts or some other product that likes to fasten themselves to carpet and upholstered furniture. Or devices that donβt work as well as advertised. I stirred up a small hornetβs nest of dissatisfied users when I reported on a new Saran wrap product with a supposedly βno-hassleβ Slideβn Cut bar.
And yes, once or twice (or a few times), Iβve sustained a cut while wrestling with a package. But Iβve never gone beyond putting the finger or hand under cold water and later wrapping it with a bandage. I only go to an emergency room when I think a cut might be infected (such as when tangling with old, rusted barbed-wire fencing in the woods).
To me, the most troubling part of the CR report was not the injuries but the lack of responsiveness on the part of the manufacturers involved. Although many promised to respond to complaints, they failed to do so. So much for these companies being driven by customer satisfaction.
See an archive of Arnie Orloski's Pipeline columns at www.packworld.com/pipeline. Arnie can be reached at [email protected]
