Bubble Wrap
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Current owner | Sealed Air Corporation (US) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Website | http://www.bubblewrap.com/ |
Bubble Wrap is a pliable transparent plastic material commonly used for packing fragile items. Regularly spaced, protruding air-filled hemispheres ("bubbles") provide cushioning for precious or breakable items.
Bubble Wrap was created by two engineers, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes, in 1957.[citation needed] The term is a brand of Sealed Air Corporation (US) which was founded in 1960 by the two inventors, and thus should only be used for products of that company. Some people use the name generically for similar products.
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[edit] Design
The bubbles that provide the cushioning for fragile or sensitive objects are generally available in different sizes, depending on the size of the object being packed, as well as the level of cushioning protection that is needed. Multiple layers might be needed to provide shock and vibration isolation. A single layer might be used as a surface protective layer.
They can be as small as 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) in diameter, to as large as an inch (26 millimeters) or more, to provide added levels of shock absorption during transit. In addition to the degree of protection available from the size of the air bubbles in the plastic, the plastic material itself can offer some forms of protection for the object in question. For example, when shipping sensitive electronic parts and components, a type of Bubble Wrap is used that employs an anti-static plastic that dissipates static charges, thereby protecting the sensitive electronic chips from static which can damage them.
[edit] Amusement
Because bubble wrap makes a recognizable "popping" sound when compressed and punctured, it can be used as a source of amusement and to alleviate stress. Acknowledging this alternative use, some websites provide a "virtual bubble wrap" program which displays a sheet of bubble wrap that users may "pop" by clicking on the bubbles.[1]
"Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day" is celebrated[2] on the last Monday of January.[3]
[edit] See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bubble wrap |
[edit] References
- ^ http://fun.from.hell.pl/2003-11-24/bubblewrap.swf
- ^ "For Stress Release: Bubblewrap Appreciation Day." Regular Folks United. January 26, 2009. Accessed September 23, 2009.
- ^ "Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day - Sealed Air North America." Accessed September 23, 2009.
- Brody, A. L., and Marsh, K, S., Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 1997, ISBN 0-471-06397-5
