Container facts for kids
A container is a basic tool. It's like a special space that can hold, store, or carry objects or materials. Think of a box, a bottle, or a jar – these are all containers! They protect the things inside them. Most containers are made from strong, stiff materials.
History of Containers
Humans have used containers for a very long time, maybe even for millions of years! The first containers were probably invented to store food. This helped early humans keep their food safe for longer. It also made it easier to carry food and protect it from animals. Creating ways to store food was a huge step for humans. It was a new idea that other animals didn't have.
The very first containers were likely natural things. For example, hollow gourds (like a hard-shelled squash) were used. People in cultures like the Tharu people and Native Hawaiians used these simple gourds. After that, people started making containers. They wove baskets, carved wood, and made pottery from clay.
Containers kept getting better as human technology advanced. New materials and ways of making things appeared. The ancient Phoenicians were among the first to make glass bottles. They made small, clear glass bottles, often three to six inches long. These were probably used to hold perfume. The Romans learned glass-making from the Phoenicians. They also made many beautiful glass bottles. By the 1700s, the sizes of containers like glass bottles became standard for different products.
In 1810, a Frenchman named Philippe de Girard had an idea for making tin cans. He got a British merchant, Peter Durand, to patent his idea. This canning idea came from earlier work by French inventor Nicolas Appert, who preserved food in glass containers. Durand didn't make canned food himself. Instead, in 1812, he sold his patent to two Englishmen, Bryan Donkin and John Hall. They improved the process and created the world's first commercial canning factory in London. By 1813, they were making their first tin canned goods for the Royal Navy.
For moving goods on a larger scale, big containers were a challenge. Customs officials had trouble checking imports because containers weren't standard. Also, wooden containers, common until the 1900s, often leaked or broke. The standardized steel shipping container was developed in the 1950s. It quickly became very common around the world.
Later, computer-aided design (CAD) made it possible to create very special containers. It also helped design labels that fit unusual container shapes perfectly.
Modern Container Design
When people design modern containers, they think about many things. A good container does more than just protect its contents from bumps or moisture. It should also be:
- Easy to use: Simple for workers to open, close, and put things in or take them out.
- Easy to handle: Simple to move during shipping.
- Good for labeling: Have clear spots for labels that are easy to read.
- Efficient for storage: Shaped so they can be stacked and stored easily.
- Recyclable: Easy to recycle after they are no longer needed.
Types of Containers
Here are some common examples of containers:
- Ceramic containers:
- Cylindrical containers:
- Barrels: Made of wooden strips held together by metal hoops.
- Cans: Often cylindrical and made of thin metal.
- Drums: Similar to cans but usually larger and cylindrical, not always metal.
- Rectangular containers:
- Shipping containers:
- Corrugated boxes: Made from strong corrugated cardboard.
- Intermodal containers: Also called ship containers or cargo containers, used for shipping goods worldwide.
- Intermediate bulk containers: Large containers for liquids or powders, often used in industries.
- Unit load devices: Similar to crates, used for air cargo.
- Flexible intermediate bulk containers: Large bags for dry, flowable products.
Images for kids
-
Intermediate bulk containers, commonly used in industrial settings for the handling, transport, and storage of liquids, semi-solids, pastes, or solids.
See also
In Spanish: Recipiente para niños
