Standardised terms: Steige or Stiege?

The name of a packaging material used for the storage and transport of fruit, vegetables, plants, etc. and for the presentation of goods for sale is the crate, which is often also called a „staircase“, as before the introduction of standardised terms for the individual specialist areas, very often no exact distinctions were made.

What is correct in packaging terminology? „Stiege“ or „Steige“ was also a measure for 20 pieces until the introduction of the metric system in the German Empire in 1872.

Packaging crate

In the standard DIN 55405 „Packaging - Terminology - Terms“ is published under Number 10,810 the Rise (engl. fruit crate) is described as „stackable, stable packaging made from

• Wood, consisting of a base, two side panels and two end panels, which are joined together by corner mouldings“. The latter are the load-bearing elements for stacking and usually protrude upwards to prevent slipping when stacking;
• „moulded plastics or foamed plastics in box form“, partially collapsible (so-called Folding trays);
• „Solid or corrugated cardboard, usually in box form“ or made of
• Material combinations of „different types“.

It does not completely enclose the packaged goods, but is open at the top. Its basic dimensions are - adapted to the Pallet - 400 x 600 millimetres or 300 x 400 millimetres.

Staircase and riser

In contrast, today Staircase especially in southern Germany and Austria, „an out successive stages The term “wooden staircase" refers to a "formed ascent or descent to overcome differences in height". Wooden steps were used all over the world in early history. Initially, the branches of tree trunks were used like the rungs of a ladder, followed later by simple constructions, which were also called climbing trees.

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?