Develop cardboard dividers for jars using complete closed containers in their actual shipping condition. A lid may be wider than the body, while filling changes the mass of the product and pack. Measure the whole assembly, then check contact zones, the box base and the intended distribution configuration.
Measure the body and closure separately
Record the body’s diameter or width, maximum lid size and overall height. For a non-cylindrical jar, examine corners and diagonals. A cell suited to the body can leave neighbouring lids able to touch above the divider. Conversely, a cell sized only around an overhanging lid can provide additional movement around the lower part of the jar.
Photograph the container with its label, tamper band, ribbon or decorative cover where applicable. Identify features that must remain visually undamaged. Show the levels at which board contact is acceptable. This helps determine partition height and whether a supplementary component is required, rather than leaving those decisions to the operator when the products arrive.
Use the mass that will actually be shipped
A trial with empty jars does not necessarily represent the filled case. Prepare products with the intended mass and distribution of contents. Where real contents cannot be used, agree a representative substitute with the laboratory and record its limitations. A conveniently available substitute may not reproduce the same interactions within the container or pack.
Calculate the mass of the complete case: jars, contents, lids, box and protection. This informs handling and test preparation. It does not directly establish the required divider strength. The base, supports and outer case also participate in the pack’s function, particularly when many containers are grouped into a single handling unit.
Investigate contact between lids
Lids can meet while the bodies remain separated. Inspect the arrangement from the side and above, then assess possible movement under the agreed test conditions. A metal edge, raised feature or closure tab may create a local contact. Identify it during design and verify that the relevant clearance or protective feature remains effective after the selected journey.
For assortments, do not assume that all closures sit at the same height. A taller lid could meet the body of an adjacent jar. Include these relationships in the cell drawing and loading matrix. Where several commercial compositions are planned, identify and examine each one rather than validating only the most convenient sample arrangement.
Protect labels and appearance-critical surfaces
An appearance defect can make a product unacceptable even when the glass is intact. Define decorated areas, rejected defects and inspection conditions. Reference photographs help distinguish pre-existing marks from damage arising during packing or distribution. Keep those references with the trial record so that future inspections apply the same criteria.
Estic-Maillot cardboard partitions are used for several families of glass containers, including candle jars and packaged food products. Material and contact surfaces still need to be selected for the particular application. Light contact may be acceptable for one finish but unsuitable for another label, coating or decoration.
Distinguish container protection from direct food contact
In a case of closed food jars, the divider protects the outside of the container. Estic-Maillot’s product information describes food-related applications without direct contact. Preserve that distinction in the specification. A project involving exposed food requires its own assessment and documentation; board positioned around a closed jar does not demonstrate suitability for direct food contact.
Describe the packing area’s cleanliness requirements and the response to leakage. Wet or contaminated packaging should not be treated as equivalent to the approved dry assembly. Product-specific compliance matters belong with the relevant responsible teams. A mechanical packaging specification should not be used as an unsupported declaration about food-contact performance.
Compare common packaging with dedicated formats
Producers alternating between several jar sizes may wish to use one box and one divider. Compare that stock simplification with preparation time and the likelihood of incorrect assembly. A shared pack is useful only when its authorised variants are clear and the fit of each has been checked. A nearly compatible format often encourages uncontrolled manual adjustments.
Imagine two hypothetical batches: six narrow pots and six wider jars using the same outside box. The designer might consider two dividers or another internal arrangement. Evaluate identification, storage space and trials alongside the number of purchased references. The option with fewer stock codes is not necessarily the simplest or most reliable at the packing station.
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- Closed representative containers and lid projections.
- Filled unit mass and case composition.
- Decorated areas and appearance criteria.
- Assortment layouts and authorised substitutions.
- Internal box dimensions and existing accessories.
- Distribution, storage and preparation conditions.
To develop a suitable partition, contact Estic-Maillot with the complete containers. Evaluate the prototype with the final box and closure, then retain the approved definition for future orders. If a lid or jar supplier changes, use that file to decide which checks need repeating.
Frequently asked questions
Is the jar diameter in a catalogue enough?
Check what that dimension describes. A lid, angular shape or decorative feature may project beyond it. Measure the complete container and state the variation already known.
Can the pack be approved using empty jars?
Empty jars can help assess fit, but may not represent the shipped filled pack. For relevant performance tests, use the actual product or a representative substitute agreed with the laboratory.