{"id":15045,"date":"2026-10-16T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.estic-maillot.com\/bottle-dividers-designing-cells-for-mixed-assortments\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T07:00:00","slug":"bottle-dividers-designing-cells-for-mixed-assortments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.estic-maillot.com\/en\/bottle-dividers-designing-cells-for-mixed-assortments\/","title":{"rendered":"Bottle dividers: designing cells for mixed assortments"},"content":{"rendered":"

A mixed bottle assortment should not be designed around the widest bottle alone. Check every position, its neighbours and any accessories projecting beyond the body. Cardboard dividers must prevent damaging contact while allowing reliable loading. Significant differences in shape may call for unequal cells, additional protection or a different arrangement.<\/p>\n

Create a record for every complete bottle<\/h2>\n

For each reference, record height, maximum width, base shape and closure projections. Identify decorated areas, sensitive labels and required orientations. A square bottle needs attention to its diagonal, while an asymmetric shape may occupy a different envelope when turned. Measurements must represent the position intended inside the box.<\/p>\n

Photograph bottles with their final closures. A decorative stopper, handle or added cap can change compatibility between neighbouring cells. List seasonal variants and commercial substitutions that may be used. Otherwise, a prototype may protect only the initial assortment while the contents of the gift or sales pack change later.<\/p>\n

Fix a position matrix<\/h2>\n

Prepare a top view showing which product belongs in each cell. This allows neighbouring features and the distribution of mass to be reviewed. It also assists the packing operator by showing both position and orientation. If several assortments share one outer pack, identify a matrix for each and review every authorised configuration.<\/p>\n

Consider a hypothetical pack containing two cylindrical bottles and one rectangular bottle. Three identical cells might leave too much freedom around the narrow shape or insufficient space for the rectangle’s diagonal. Enlarging every cell does not necessarily resolve this. Examine the positions, each product’s freedom to rotate and the contacts that become possible when it does.<\/p>\n

Compare common and differentiated cells<\/h2>\n

Equal cells can simplify supply and assembly. They may work where product envelopes are sufficiently similar and movement remains controlled. Differentiated cells can provide a closer fit but require greater attention to assembly orientation and order preparation. Compare those benefits against the actual conditions in your packing operation.<\/p>\n

The Estic-Maillot partition page<\/a> describes custom designs and peripheral arrangements. Develop such features with the packaging designer rather than treating them as substitutes for qualification. An intentional empty zone can have a defined function, whereas an unexamined gap may allow undesirable movement. The approved drawing should distinguish those situations clearly.<\/p>\n

Look above the divider walls<\/h2>\n

Bottle bodies can be well separated while their closures approach one another above the partitions. Examine side views and possible movements as well as the horizontal layout. Differences in height may also cause an upper component to rest on a single closure. Make an explicit decision about that contact: either permitted and validated, or removed through the design.<\/p>\n

Inspect labels during loading and removal. An otherwise unbroken premium assortment may be rejected because of an appearance defect. Agree acceptable marks with the customer or product owner, preferably using photographs. The required condition at receipt should include presentation, not merely the absence of broken glass.<\/p>\n

Control commercial substitutions<\/h2>\n

A sales team may wish to replace an unavailable bottle with another of equal capacity. Equal capacity does not establish equal diameter, height or mass distribution. Maintain a list of approved references for each position. A substitution outside that list should trigger a fit review and an assessment of its effect on the complete pack.<\/p>\n

This is particularly useful when an external service packs the assortment. Supply a clear layout, product photographs and a process for handling discrepancies. Operators should not have to choose a new orientation or remove a partition to make an unfamiliar product fit. Such local adaptations create unofficial configurations whose protective behaviour is difficult to control.<\/p>\n

Test the loading process as well as the final arrangement<\/h2>\n

Load the complete assortment in the proposed order. Observe whether inserting a broad bottle moves a neighbour or makes a later cell inaccessible. Check that operators can recognise the correct orientation without repeatedly consulting a complicated drawing. If the design is symmetrical but the assortment is not, an identification feature or simple visual instruction may be needed.<\/p>\n

Then examine removal at the destination. A closely fitted product should remain accessible without pulling on a fragile closure. Consider whether the receiver removes all products together or one at a time over several days. The pack should be assessed for that intended use, including any partial arrangement that remains after the first products are removed.<\/p>\n

Prepare a representative validation programme<\/h2>\n