Overview
ISO 6590-1:1983 - Packaging - Sacks - Vocabulary and types - Part 1: Paper sacks is an international standard that defines the vocabulary and classification used in the manufacture of paper sacks. It covers single- and multi-ply paper sacks (not retail bags), specifying types of sacks, constructional details, materials and the names and descriptions of sack parts. The standard also provides alphabetical indexes in English, French and Russian and is intended as a reference for the paper-sack supply chain.
Key topics
The standard focuses on clear terminology and practical construction definitions, including:
- Definitions for fundamental terms: paper sack, ply, gusset, tube, flat tube, gusseted tube, flush tube, stepped end tube, notched end tube.
- End-closure methods: sewing (stitching), pasting (adhesive bonding) with subtypes such as longitudinal, transverse and bottom pasting, and heat sealing.
- Seams and overlaps: longitudinal and bottom overlaps and whether seams are continuous or interrupted.
- Valve and filling features: definition and function of a valve (filling aperture normally located in a corner).
- Types and classification: tabulated classification of sack types (flat, gusseted, hexagonal or rectangular bottoms, turn-over bottoms, pasted or sewn ends).
- Constructional details and materials: materials used in plies, tube construction and recommended assembly techniques.
- Practical notes such as guidance on useful size limits (for example, a tube circumference of about 550 mm may be considered a practical lower limit for certain purposes).
Applications
ISO 6590-1:1983 is valuable to anyone involved in the design, manufacture, specification or procurement of industrial paper sacks:
- Packaging engineers and designers developing sack formats and closures
- Paper-sack manufacturers and converters standardizing production terminology
- Quality managers and compliance teams ensuring consistent definitions and constructional requirements
- Procurement specialists and buyers specifying sack types and materials
- Technical writers and standards professionals documenting packaging requirements
Benefits include consistent communication across the supply chain, clearer product specifications, and easier comparison of sack designs and construction options.
Related standards
- Developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 122 (Packaging).
- This document is Part 1 of ISO 6590 (paper sacks); other parts of the ISO 6590 series address additional sack materials or topics.
Keywords: ISO 6590-1:1983, paper sacks, packaging standard, sack vocabulary, sack types, constructional details, ply, gusset, pasting, sewing, valve, ISO/TC 122.
