A plastic crate is a type of plastic container that is usually characterized by portability and an air-permeable design. They are generally light-weight in their construction to allow for ease of transportation. However, their lightness does not indicate compromised strength or durability.Most plastic crates are not air tight or waterproof and are used for short term storage or for shipping.
Plastic crates can be designed in open or closed configurations. Closed plastic crates are designed with detachable or hinged lids, while open crates may be lidless and feature a grid pattern through which the crate's contents are visible. Most of the demand for plastic crates comes from the food service and delivery industries. Dairy products, beverages, meats, seafood and all manner of other food items are delivered in plastic food crates. Plastic crates are often found in general storage and warehousing facilities to organize, store and transport goods. They are often made with handles and can be stacked or nested for easy storage. The plastic used to make crates comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes and is able to withstand variable temperatures, impact and the weight of other loaded and stacked crates.
Plastic crates are manufactured through a process called plastic injection molding. An injection mold is a machine that takes raw plastic product, or stock, and processes it into a usable product. Most plastic injection molders begin with a collection of stock in a hopper which is directed into a conveyance channel. A screw will turn in the conveyance channel which, combined with heating, helps to liquefy the plastic in preparation for the mold. A mold is a specially shaped cavity that, when filled with liquefied plastic, gives the plastic its shape. Under strict temperature control measures, the newly molded plastic is allowed to cool and harden. Once hardened, the product is cleansed of imperfections if present and then shipped or sent to additional processing. Every mold is capable of imprinting the customer or molding company's name into the finished product; the mold needs only to be designed with protruding letters positioned appropriately. In many cases, the stock used for plastic crate design is made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is a thermoplastic known for its durability.
