What has technology missed?

[Tractor Seabee]

One problem there is terminology and acceptance. A few years back I did some searching for information and pricing on modular homes; the kind they build off site and bring in by semi, then assemble by crane moving whole rooms or wings at a time. The end product looks identical to a stick built home and uses all of the same standards and processes. No matter what terms I used, the bulk of what I found was the typical mobile or sectional (double wide) homes.

Authorities having Jurisdiction (AHA) are part of the problem. They still try to lump modular manufactured buildings into the trailer syndrome. There are actually three codes depending on the manufacturing process.
1. Mobile/Sectional that are built to a DOT code which also covers RVs. They are trailer frames tied together and the interiors are thin paneling on 2" walls. This is dying out and most are old stuff in place. Hard to insure, impossible to sell, nobody loans on them any more.

2. Modular homes that are built to a HUD code; the dominant market with lots everywhere. They are designed and built to be easily re-located. The code requires gypsum wallboard and current insulation values but the code is not as onerous as building codes. They are set on metal stands or concrete blocks usually. You can specify and pay extra for a concrete foundation. They are rolled in on temporary axles. When new they can be financed and insured. Not sure on the secondary market.

3. True manufactured modular units manufactured and assembled per the International Building Codes and Energy code. Always set on a permanent full foundation and considered a permanent structure. AHA's normally have no problems except extra inspections by their inspectors. Basements and up to 3 stories are common. The big $ saving on these permanent structures are real short field construction time, assembly line construction, and construction in a controlled atmosphere. $ savings probably 15-25% depending on amenities. These are premier homes. High rise office, apartment, hotel, and condo buildings are manufactured and built all over the world except the US. Due to high production rates the end cost can be brought down considerable from today's cost. Construction Unions are probably a big factor in our lagging behind the rest of the world.

Ron

 

[Wakey]

I don't know how some seniors are supposed to open some packaging. It's beyond ridiculous.

I asked my grandfather that a few years ago.. How he opened blister type packages. He wrinkled his lip and said "scissors?" :laughing:

I had been using disposable breakaway razor knives. They work but I was just waiting to cut myself.

 

[Industrial Toys]

They put inner film over a sour cream container. Hard to get started and what a mess.

Or the tabs on juice cartons. I have strong fingers and I often can hardly pull them out. Sometimes the pull ring even breaks.

I mean seriously, is there such a threat to product tampering that we must endure this. And the added expense.

 

[goeduck]

They put inner film over a sour cream container. Hard to get started and what a mess.

Or the tabs on juice cartons. I have strong fingers and I often can hardly pull them out. Sometimes the pull ring even breaks.

I mean seriously, is there such a threat to product tampering that we must endure this. And the added expense.

I agree they need to make them easier to take off. Seems like a larger tail end of the film would do the trick. I keep my fingernails short and it is tough to get them started. Sometimes I go get the needlenose pliers (to which my wife cringes).

 

[dmccarty]

They put inner film over a sour cream container. Hard to get started and what a mess.

Or the tabs on juice cartons. I have strong fingers and I often can hardly pull them out. Sometimes the pull ring even breaks.

I mean seriously, is there such a threat to product tampering that we must endure this. And the added expense.

In a word, yes. Remember the Tylenol poisonings back in *** 1982 ***! Can't believe it happened that long ago. :shocked: Seems like yesterday. I don't think they ever caught the ^&*() who killed all of those people. There are enough nuts in the world to keep poisoning people via food and medicine products if it was easy to do.

I do not find the medicine and food packaging that much of a problem but other products they package to minimize shoplifting is a different story. Have to use scissors and/or a utility knife. Always worry about getting cut with either the utility knife or the packaging itself. :shocked::thumbdown:

Later,
Dan

 

[2LaneCruzer]

In a word, yes. Remember the Tylenol poisonings back in *** 1982 ***! Can't believe it happened that long ago. :shocked: Seems like yesterday. I don't think they ever caught the ^&*() who killed all of those people. There are enough nuts in the world to keep poisoning people via food and medicine products if it was easy to do.

I do not find the medicine and food packaging that much of a problem but other products they package to minimize shoplifting is a different story. Have to use scissors and/or a utility knife. Always worry about getting cut with either the utility knife or the packaging itself. :shocked::thumbdown:

Later,
Dan

Back in the 50's and 60's I worked in a grocery store. We were always finding empty packages back in the shelves; mostly cosmetics and after shave lotion. The winos would drink the after shave; it was known as "Green Lizard". The new packaging certainly cuts down on them removing the packaging and sticking the item in their pockets today. Although it's amazing what some women can get in their purses (whole chicken) or under their skirt (baby clothes).

 

[SirMaxwell]

The unsolved, likely inside job, poisoning of Tylenol back in 1982 happens to coincided nicely with the FDA's increasing requests for more strict labeling of whet is likely the most dangerous OTC drug sold. Their crazy poisonous medication, 2x the daily dose can cause liver failure. The "Security Theater" product Security measures are there due to Tylenol's desire to recover sales of some 30+% of J&J total gross. Very sorry for the families of the tampering, some 6 or 7 folks, but did you know:

"...Acetaminophen toxicity is the second most common cause of liver transplantation worldwide and the most common in the US. It is responsible for 56,000 emergency department visits, 2600 hospitalizations, and 500 deaths per year in the United States. Fifty percent of these are unintentional overdoses.[5][6]..."

5. Ye H, Nelson LJ, Gómez Del Moral M, Martínez-Naves E, Cubero FJ. Dissecting the molecular pathophysiology of drug-induced liver injury. World J. Gastroenterol. 2018 Apr 07;24(13):1373-1385. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

6. Kennon-McGill S, McGill MR. EXTRAHEPATIC TOXICITY OF ACETAMINOPHEN: CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE EVIDENCE AND PROPOSED MECHANISMS. J Clin Transl Res. 2018 Jan 15;3(3)

Security Theater is rampant, rights destroying, freedom sucking blight. IMHO of course. (Patriot Act, NSA, HSA, TSA, etc)

 

[bcp]

Utility knife with a hooked blade works great for opening those plastic things.



Bruce

 

[Fuddy1952]

Years ago I saw a documentary about a packaging inventor named Crickenberger. He discovered there was a WOW effect based on how things were packaged.
So two identical ball point pens, one bulk packaged in an open box...the other blister packed on a cardboard back hanging on a pegboard. People will pay more for the second one. It's also like opening a gift.
There's even a Crickenberger scale based on the complexity of opening things.
I tried looking online...didn't see it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

There is enough open food that can be poisoned. Produce for instance. Besides if someone returned a tampered package back to the store, I doubt anyone would notice if it was not factory sealed, if the person took care. Just the packaging industry making work for itself.

Then, there is the matter of making instructions as small in print as possible. Maybe we had it worse, as all our products have that stupid french on them, cutting the space for instructions in half..