Meaning
Industrial bulk containers provide a standardized method for storing and transporting large volumes of dry flowable materials. Gaylord packaging consists of a heavy-duty corrugated cardboard box mounted on a wooden pallet, typically holding up to one thousand kilograms of plastic resin pellets. This bulk package is the primary format for supplying raw materials to medium and large injection molding facilities.
Bulk Storage
The multi-wall corrugated cardboard construction resists bulging under the high outward pressure exerted by thousands of loose pellets. This strength allows the loaded boxes to be stacked up to three high in warehouses to maximize floor space.
Material Handling
Molding plants use pneumatic vacuum systems to draw plastic pellets directly from the container to the drying hoppers above the molding machines. This automated transfer reduces manual handling and protects the resin from contamination. A protective liner is suspended inside the box to prevent pellets from contacting the cardboard fibers or collecting dust during transit.
Moisture Protection
Hygroscopic polymers like polyamide or polycarbonate absorb moisture from the surrounding air, which can ruin the molding run by causing hydrolytic degradation of the polymer chains. In these cases, Gaylord packaging includes a heat-sealed aluminum foil or thick polyethylene inner liner to act as a barrier against humidity. If this barrier is punctured during transport, the resin will require extensive pre-drying to prevent severe cosmetic and structural defects in the molded parts.
