Moving Boxes

Strong and clever: moving boxes not only help with transport, but also with organisation.

If a cardboard box has the reputation of being particularly strong and robust, then it is the moving box. But why actually, and when is a cardboard box clever?
That's exactly what we're talking about here!

What makes moving boxes so strong?

The answer "corrugated cardboard" is of course correct, but not sufficient.

Corrugated cardboard differs first in the number of corrugations: Usually it is single or double corrugated, more rarely even triple. But the differences also lie in the shape of the corrugation (C-flutes are more robust than B-flutes), in its thickness (1.30 is more stable than 1.10), and in the basic stiffness of the cardboard from which the moving box is made. Unfortunately, there are no technical specifications for this; but you can actually feel the difference if you try to bend the cardboard by hand.

With a moving box, it's all optimised for maximum stability, and some quality single wall movers are more stable than cheap versions of double wall shipping boxes.

But there are also reasons for this effort:

Of course, moving boxes - most of the time - have to carry heavy loads. But for textiles or toys, for example, a sturdily built, single-wall version is easily sufficient. For books, files or crockery, however, a sturdy double corrugated box should be used.

To ensure that the bottom of the box can cope with this, it is often designed with 3 layers using a special folding technique so that the weight can be well distributed and does not break through. That actually almost belongs under 'clever'; but here the special folding method is directly important for the load-bearing capacity.

But a sturdy cardboard box has to withstand even more than weight: shocks and blows, for example, which can easily happen when carrying - but also on the transport truck. Or, in the worst case, even a fall. Hopefully, you have not skimped on the padding material; that should not be neglected even with the sturdiest cardboard box. Especially not with high-quality electrical appliances or the good china.

And then there was the problem of stacking the removal boxes; this is of course essential on the loading area for space consumption. Sounds easy, but it's not - because if there are 5 or 6 boxes on top of each other and the corrugated cardboard is not sturdy enough, the bottom one will simply be crushed! Admittedly, this requires a bit of logistics; you won't exactly put the heaviest box on top. But in the heat of the moment, you can't always sort as thoroughly as you would like - and then the cardboard box should be able to cope with the extra weight without buckling.

What makes a clever moving box?

A moving box is a bit trickier to construct than an ordinary shipping box.

We have already explained that a special folding process creates a multi-layered and therefore highly resilient base. But these sturdy helpers are also built differently than usual: A clever moving box allows the lid to be closed without adhesive tape. A clever moving box allows the lid to be closed without adhesive tape by interlocking the lid elements in a stable way. There are different solutions for this in detail, but the decisive factor is that the moving box can be closed without additional aids - and safely for transport!

All in all, 'without tape' is an important keyword: No clever constructed moving box needs any help at all to erect and close: You unfold it, load it, snap the lid into place - and that's it. If not, it is - exactly - not cleverly designed. And if you feel you have to secure it with tape after all, you probably paid too much attention to the price when you bought it. Or you simply overloaded it; with large boxes, that can happen easily. Just think about things like books!

Moving boxes not only have to carry heavy loads, they also have to be easy to carry. This, of course, requires a handle - and this should not just be punched out: Such a handle not only tears immediately, it's also a quick way to hurt your fingers. A clever folding technique and a recessed handle that can be folded inwards this critical element can not only be defused, but also significantly strengthened and thus stabilised. Just imagine what would happen if you were carrying the aforementioned good china down the stairs - and halfway down the handle snapps off without much warning...

And after the move? All the boxes have arrived safely at their destination - and promptly the search begins. What is where? In which box is X in? And where has box Y gone? Of course, you can meticulously label each moving box individually, thanks to permanent markers. But that requires a lot of effort and is time-consuming. It is more convenient if each box is equipped with a clear (and uniform!) register print, where you can simply put a cross to mark in which room it belongs; or what kind of things are in it. This is quick, clear (if all moving boxes use the same register), and saves a lot of hassle during unpacking.

You see: Moving boxes are more than just simple boxes. They are - strong and clever!