Have you ever looked for a „can opener“ to get to your supplies? The use of the word „tin“ for the packaging material „can“ is a frequently used, non-standardised term, which we would like to clarify here.
As early as the 14th century, the Middle High German word „büse“ used for guns and since the 15th century for handguns. Today, a rifle is a hunting or sporting rifle with a rifled barrel.
The packaging material, on the other hand, which is referred to as a „can“ or „tin“ in accordance with DIN 55405 „Packaging - Terminology - Terms“, has predominantly a Cylindrical shape and is made of glass, aluminium or tinplate as well as composite materials („composite cans“) and also plastics. It can hold volumes of up to around ten litres. Two-piece cans consist of base and lid, three-part cans consisting of body, base and lid.
From luxury item to everyday object
The name „Can“ was initially associated in Germany from the 17th century until the 19th century with the term for a Luxury item - a container made of porcelain, enamel or precious metal with a lid, which was used to store equally valuable contents such as sugar, salt, confectionery or tobacco.
In the 20th century, it was above all the „Tin cans“ The use of food storage containers for the hermetically sealed storage of preserved food was an important part of supplying the population and the army. In the 1960s, the food storage containers developed in the USA finally became popular. Beverage cans are also becoming increasingly popular in Germany. They usually consist of a one-piece cylindrical metal body and a folded aluminium lid with various opening aids and, in some cases, a resealable plastic lid. As a deposit has been introduced for drinks cans since 2003 and recycling has increased, criticism of this packaging has decreased.
[infotext icon]In our series "Standardised terms" we take a closer look at some (frequently misused) technical terms in the packaging industry.All articles in the series:
Packaging standardisation - development and application
Standardised terms - Part 1: Bag or pouch?
Standardised terms - Part 2: Carton or box?
Standardised terms - Part 3: Can or tin?
Standardised terms - Part 4: Steige or Stiege?
Standardised terms - Part 5: Crate, box or harass?
Standardised terms - Part 6: Drum or barrel?
Standardised terms - Part 7: What actually is a "tray"?
Standardised terms - Part 8: What is a blister pack?
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