Bubble wrap

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A sheet of bubble wrap

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. The term is a trademark of the Sealed Air Corporation, and should theoretically only be used for products of that company; the generic term for material of this type is air cellular cushioning material, although bubble wrap is rapidly becoming a genericized trademark.

History

Bubble wrap was created by two engineers, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes, in 1957. Like many innovations, it was accidental: The two were trying to create a textured plastic wallpaper with paper backing that could be easily cleaned.

Types

The bubbles which 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. They can be as small as 1/4 inch in diameter, to as large as an inch 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.

Uses

Bubble wrap is used by some as a distracting amusement or stress relieving activity. These people enjoy popping the plastic bubbles and listening to the sound that it makes. This practice has even spawned a website in which one can move the mouse cursor over "virtual bubble wrap" and hear it pop.

External links

References

  • "Bubble Wrap is a Trademark of Sealed Air". Sealed Air Corporation. Retrieved April 3. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  • "Company History". Sealed Air Corporation. Retrieved April 3. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  • "European Sealed Air Master Distributer". Postal Supplies Direct. Retrieved May 25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  • "Bubble Wrap® Appreciation Day". Fast-Pack.com. Retrieved April 3. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  • "Bubble Wrap® products". Polybags.co.uk. 2006. Retrieved April 14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); External link in |authorlink= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  • "Bubble Wrap® products in the UK". buyboxes.co.uk. 2006. Retrieved May 16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); External link in |authorlink= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  • "Bubble Wrap® humour". bubblewrap.tv. 2006. Retrieved June 26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); External link in |authorlink= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)


Further reading

  • "How To Package Your Product For Shipping". PackagingPrice.com. Retrieved 2006-04-30. — A guide detailing how best to package items that need to be shipped. Includes technical information about using bubble wrap and bubble mailers.