The value of rib design in food packaging: from packaging company and consumer perspectives

Abstract: Have you ever wondered why there are ribs on bottles or cans? Perhaps you can guess that ribs are applied to the packages because of some technical functions. In fact, ribs carry more value than you can imagine. According to the literature review and the research on 100 Swedish consumers, ribs have both pros and cons but the former surpasses the latter. Originated from the demand of preventing deformation, ribs are applied to food packaging and lead to other advantages, including technical, economic, environmental, marketing and consumer convenience. Based on the findings of ribs’ functions and consumer perception toward ribs, ten rib design concepts for Tetra Pak containers are suggested.