Jar Shapes Demystified

by John Weckerle

In comments to our last post, questions were posed and answers theorized as to the reasons why peanut butter comes in round containers, rather than square ones that would minimize wasted space in crates and boxes used in shipping.  We sent messages to Con Agra (the makers of Peter Pan peanut butter) and Smucker’s asking for clarification, and received this response from Con Agra.  While our proposed reasons probably had some validity, their reason was perhaps more simple: it’s easier to get the peanut butter out of a round container.

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008, by admin and is filed under "Uncategorized ". Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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One Response “Jar Shapes Demystified”

  1. Chuck Ring says:
    June 24, 2008 at 10:42 am

    John,

    I don’t believe Con Agra answered the question with specificity, if they answered the question at all. I have consumed peanut butter from age three to age 68 and I can tell you that a jar (whether plastic, glass or some other material) of peanut butter is not a hurdle that is easily surmounted. All is well when the jar contains an amount of butter that can be attached to a knife, fork or spoon, but once the butter is whisked away from the center, the trouble, i.e., peanut butter knuckles and fingers will show. And, because the mouth of the jar is considerably smaller in circumference than is the portion holding the prize, seldom if ever , can one remove all of the material purchased.

    If mayonnaise and a few other products can be packaged in a semi-rectangular container, there is no reason why Con Agra and others cannot do the same for peanut butter.
    I won’t halt my consumption of peanut butter, but I would consume more if it was easier to consume. And, I know there must be millions; nay, billions of consumers who won’t consume this particular butter because of the knuckle syndrome. ;>)

    There is not a chance that the Con Agra folks have slathered their own product on crackers or bread or mixed it with Karo or chocolate syrup … otherwise, we would have decent, accessible containers and we would not be having this discussion

    I believe that the perfect way for Con Agra and others to rectify these nagging problems, is to have old men such as myself test the products and their containers. There may be some products, such as those French mustards, that even I would not test or consume.

    Have Con Agra call me and I’ll jump on the next train to train them.

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