Editing Box

{{other uses|Box (disambiguation)|The Box (disambiguation)}}
{{short description|Type of container}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2023}}
[[File:Låda - Livrustkammaren - 107142.tif|thumb|alt=An upright rectangular wooden box with a hinged lid, clasp fastenings and a handle|A wooden box with a hinged lid]]
[[File:Medium box, open.jpg|thumb|alt=An empty cardboard box with the top closing flaps open|An empty corrugated fiberboard box]]
[[File:Box with cover MET DP241878.jpg|thumb|alt=A small, elaborate box, featuring a hinged lid, two swing doors at the front and a small pull-out drawer; the interior is entirely red and features small items that seem to be part of a toilette set|An elaborate late 17th to early 18th century box ([[Metropolitan Museum of Art]], [[New York City]])]]

A '''box''' ([[plural]]: '''boxes''') is a [[container]] with rigid sides used for the storage or transportation of its contents. Most boxes have flat, parallel, rectangular sides (typically [[rectangular prism]]s). Boxes can be very small (like a [[matchbox]]) or very large (like a shipping box for furniture) and can be used for a variety of purposes, from functional to decorative. 

Boxes may be made of a variety of materials, both durable (such as [[wood]] and [[metal]]) and non-durable (such as [[corrugated fiberboard]] and [[paperboard]]). Corrugated metal boxes are commonly used as [[shipping container]]s.

Boxes may be closed and shut with flaps, doors, or a separate lid. They can be secured shut with adhesives, tapes, string, or more decorative or elaborately functional mechanisms, such as catches, [[fastener|clasps]] or [[lock (security device)|locks]].

== Packaging ==
Several types of boxes are used in [[packaging]] and storage.

* A [[corrugated box design|corrugated box]] is a [[shipping container]] made from [[corrugated fiberboard]], most commonly used to transport products from a warehouse during distribution. Corrugated boxes are also known as cartons, cases, and [[cardboard box]]es in various regions.  Corrugated boxes are rated based on the strength of their material or their carrying capacity. Corrugated boxes are also used as product packaging, or in [[point of sale]] displays. 
* [[Folding carton]]s (sometimes known as a box) are [[paperboard]] boxes manufactured with a folding lid. These are used to package a wide range of goods, and can be used for either one-time (non-resealable) usage, or as a storage box for more permanent use. Folding cartons are first printed (if necessary) before being [[Die (manufacturing)|die-cut]] and scored to form a blank; these are then transported and stored flat, before being constructed at the point of use.
** A [[gift box]] is a variant on the folding carton, used for birthday or [[Christmas]] [[gift]]s.
* Gable boxes are paperboard cartons used for liquids. 
* Setup boxes (also known as rigid paperboard boxes) are made of stiff paperboard and are permanently glued together with paper skins that can be printed or colored. Unlike folding cartons, these are assembled at the point of manufacture and transported as already constructed ("set-up"). Set up boxes are more expensive than folding boxes and are typically used for protecting high-value items such as cosmetics, watches or smaller consumer electronics.
* [[Crate]]s are heavy duty shipping containers. Originally made of wood, crates are distinct from [[wooden box]]es, also used as heavy-duty shipping containers, as a wooden container must have all six of its sides put in place to result in the rated strength of the container. The strength of a wooden box, on the other hand, is rated based on the weight it can carry before the top or opening is installed.
** A wooden wine box or wine crate, originally used for shipping and storing expensive wines, is a variant of the wooden box now used for decorative or promotional purposes, or as a storage box during shipping.
* [[Bulk box]]es are large boxes often used in industrial environments, sized to fit on a [[pallet]].
* An [[ammunition box]] is a metal can or box for ammunition.
Depending on locale and usage, the terms '''carton''' and '''box''' are sometimes used interchangeably. The invention of large steel [[intermodal shipping container]]s has helped advance the [[globalization]] of commerce.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s9383.html|title=Sample Chapter for Levinson, M.: The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger.|last=Levinson|first=Marc|work=[[The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger]]|publisher=Princeton University Press|access-date=17 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122131825/http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s9383.html|archive-date=2013-01-22|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gittins |first=Ross |date=2006-06-12 |title=How the invention of a box changed our world |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/how-the-invention-of-a-box-changed-our-world-20060612-gdnqf0.html |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

== Storage ==
{{See also|Decorative boxes}}
Boxes for storing various items in can often be very decorative, as they are intended for permanent use and sometimes are put on display in certain locations.

The following are some types of storage boxes :
* A jewelry ([[American English]]) or jewellery ([[British English]]) box, is a box for [[wikt:trinket|trinket]]s or [[Gemstone|jewel]]s. It can take a very modest form with paper covering and lining, covered in [[leather]] and lined with [[satin]], or be larger and more highly decorated.
* A [[hat box]] is used for storing or transporting a hat. Hat boxes are often cylindrical or oval.
* A [[humidor]] is a special box for storing cigars at the proper humidity.
* A "strong box" or [[safe]], is a secure lockable box for storing money or other valuable items. The term "strong box" is sometimes used for safes that are not portable but installed in a wall or floor.
* A [[toolbox]] is used for carrying tools of various kinds. They are usually used for portability rather than just storage. 
* A toy box is name of box for storing [[toys]].
* {{Anchor|Boxfile}} A box file is used in offices for storing papers and smaller files.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1VRMPitXlPEC&q=A+boxfile+is+used+in+offices+for+storing+papers+and+smaller+files&pg=PA7|title=FCS Office Practice L3|last=Hewett|first=Gwen|date=2008|publisher=Pearson South Africa|isbn=9781770251274|language=en}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Several Cartons.jpg|Cartons 
File:Cream of Wheat.jpg|A box or [[carton]] of cereal
File:Pakje sigaretten.JPG|Hard [[cigarette pack]] or [[paperboard]] box
File:Archive boxes.JPG|Corrugated box used for storage of archives
File:Yoohoo-boxes.jpg|[[Drink box]]es
File:Milk carton icon.svg|Milk in gable-top carton
File:White-Box-of-Chocolates.jpg|Set-up box made of non-bending paperboard
File:Box (231630111).jpeg|Wooden Box
File:MOVINGBOX.JPG|Moving box
File:Cigar box.jpg|Cigar box
File:Ammunition Boxes, MDVMHC.JPG|Ammunition boxes
FlightCase.jpg|Reusable box or transit case
File:Pizza Toscana in box.JPG|alt=An open pizza box with a pizza inside|A corrugated box with a folding lid used for [[pizza]]
File:600sojudrinkbox.jpg|alt=A juicebox containing soju, an alcoholic Korean beverage|A [[juicebox (container)|juice box]] with {{lang|ko-Latn|[[soju]]}}
File:Bywater Bakery New Orleans Jan 2019 King Cake Boxes.jpg|Cake boxes
File:Fyrverkeri - Låda - Ystad-2021.jpg|A wooden box for [[fireworks]]
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{Commons category|Boxes}}
{{Wiktionary}}
* Soroka, W, "Fundamentals of Packaging Technology", IoPP, 2002, {{ISBN|1-930268-25-4}}
* Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, {{ISBN|978-0-470-08704-6}}
* {{EB1911|wstitle=Box}}

{{packaging}}
{{Paper products}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Containers]]
[[Category:Domestic implements]]
[[Category:Paper products]]
[[Category:Shipping containers]]