• Low weight and easy to handle.


• The relatively soft walls have a cushioning effect.


• The box can have any design, although it is recommended to use sizes fitting on the standard design of pallets.


• The boxes are delivered flat and assembling boxes can be done locally.


• The material can be printed to give the box a pleasant and recognisable appearance. Also the label can be included in this print.


• Range of sizes and shapes and their availability


• Inexpensive and can be easily manufactured, printed, and stored


• Good impact strength

Disadvantages of fibreboard boxes:

• Moisture and high humidity can seriously weaken the box. Washed produce should be dried before putting it into the box. Empty boxes should be stored in a dry place preferably flat on top of pallets and not for long periods of time. For certain commodities waxed carton boxes are preferred.
  

• The low rigidity causes the stacking strength to be lower than for wooden or plastic crates. The fibreboard boxes are easily damaged by rough handling and ropes and too much weight on top of the box can crush the perishable produce inside.
  

• Ventilation holes are usually small, because large holes would seriously influence the strength of the box. It is advised that the hole surfaces are at least 5 percent of the total box surface. Decreasing the size of the holes by not properly closing telescope boxes or not properly stacking the boxes will decrease heat exchange, resulting in higher temperatures of the produce and increased spoilage. Vertical oblong slots, instead of round holes, have the advantage that the hole stays partly open even when the telescope box lid is not completely closed.
  

• The boxes are not re-usable.
  

• Poor insulation
  

Features

1. Versatility


2. High strength and low weight characteristics


3. Product containment and Protection features


4. Ready adaption to a wide range of product techniques


5. Use of renewable resources and suitability for recycling and suitability for graphic design
   
   
   The relatively soft walls have a cushioning effect. The box can have any design, although it is recommended to use sizes fitting on the standard design of pallets. The boxes are delivered flat and assembling boxes can be done locally.
   
   Corrugated fibreboard boxes are manufactured in a similar manner to the solid fibreboard boxes but are made of a corrugated fibreboard sheet sandwiched between thin layers of coated solid fibreboard . Corrugated fibreboard boxes consists of 2 layers of cardboard called ‘liners’ and a corrugated central part called ‘’fluting’’. The liner is manufactured from long fibres in order to make it strong and hard-wearing. The fluting is manufactured from short fibres in order to make it stiff and resistant to pressure. This fantastic construction forms rows of stiff waves capable of sustaining large weight.
   
   
   Durability
   
   The strength of corrugated fibreboard is determined by the type of fluting material, the type of facing material and its thickness and a single or double wall. Fluting and facings are kept in place by water resistant glue. New box designs are usually tested for bursting strength, puncture strength, flat crush strength and edge crush (stacking) strength. Strong quality corrugated cardboard boxes may easily be stacked on top of each other and are very pressure and push resistant both at the sides as well as the top. Heavy duty corrugated cardboard boxes may endure falling, vibrations, temperature fluctuations, moisture and even being subjected to water at the bottom for many hours without damage to the cardboard.
   
   Functions
   
   Corrugated fibreboard boxes also known as cardboard boxes are used for packaging commercial goods or storing goods and materials. Corrugated cardboard can be cut and folded in infinite sizes and shapes. It is also possible to print on corrugated cardboard and as a consequence the packaging may serve both as a protection of goods as well as an advertisement display.
   
   
   Practices
   
   Positioning

• Store boxes flat from the time they are received until they are ready for use. (Damage to the edges of boxes can occur if they are stored on edge, which can affect runnability on automatic equipment, closure and product protection.)
  
  Stability in storage


• Leave the strapping, bundling or other unitizing device in place until boxes are ready for use


• Alternate bundle direction or alternate loose boxes at intervals for greater stability.


• Avoid stacking boxes too high whether loose or banded because of slight instability of stack. (Although close, most boxes are not totally flat. The extra thickness of the tab used at the joint adds a bulge, usually near the centre, giving a tilt to a loose stack of boxes. Alternating directions of bundles when stacking compensates for the tilt and increases stability.
  
  Crushing and puncture


• When building pallet loads of flat boxes, use deck boards to distribute weight evenly


• Stack boxes only on smooth, clean surfaces


• Use good materials handling procedures, do not drop or throw bundles or pallets into place


• Don’t stand, sit or climb on stacked boxes, or place heavy objects on them(This may crush or distort the flutes in corrugated boxes which will reduce their protective abilities. Any uneven pressure on the flutes can cause crushing or puncture.)
  
  Storage Environment


• Store boxes on the floor, on pallets or other flat dunnage


• Store boxes indoors and protect them from overhead moisture


• Avoid temperature and humidity extremes and fluctuations in storage area