Plastic Crates
A plastic crate is a type of plastic container that is usually characterized by the portability and an air-permeable design.
Quick links to Plastic Crates Information
Advantages and Disadvantages of Plastic Crates
- Advantages
- Lightweight
- Ease of Transportation
- Disadvantages
- Not Air Tight
- Not Waterproof
- Short Term Lifespan
- Less Durable
Design of Plastic Crates
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. 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.
Applications of Plastic Crates
- Food Service/Delivery
- Dairy Products
- Beverages
- Meat and Seafood
- General Storage
- Warehousing
Manufacturing Process of Plastic Crates
Plastic crates are manufactured through a process called plastic injection molding. An injection mold is a machine that takes the raw plastic product or stock and processes it into a usable product.
- Beginning with a collection of stock in a hopper, it 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 the 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.