Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/808614
18 ista views • April 2017 • www.ista.org Specifications – Defining the Result Not the Path > CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Specifications are of course the validation part of the trust relationship. These require referee methods and standards well understood by all participants, and a detailed understanding of process and testing validation. Testing shouldn't be a distraction, it should facilitate the successful development and successful relationship. It is necessary whenever a problem arises, but one cannot "test in quality." Quality is something we should all endeavor to build into our processes as often as possible. That requires a detailed understanding of the true functional specification for our packaging. Summary So, what box properties matter? That clearly depends on what you need the box to do and on how the boxes are used. In a warehouse environment, it usually means focusing on stacking strength. The box must be able to support the load applied by the boxes and units above it. ECT and box compression strength are critical properties in these cases. However, for packages shipped individually in the small parcel environment, the requirements are quite typically different. The rough-handling environment requires boxes designed for durability as much as or more than for stacking strength. This may require extra mass in the box and a certain level of puncture resistance, as well as a focused assessment of the product's cushioning requirements. Sealing requirements may be more rigorous here, to ensure the box does not open up in transit. Beyond just getting the product to the customer, there may be other demands made on the box, for example from a printing and marketing perspective or an automated handling perspective. The ideal box balances the various needs of the distribution environment to meet all of them most cost effectively. 1 See, for example: "Responsible Packaging for the Product, Consumers, the Environment," Jane Bickerstaffe, INCPEN, 2014 ISTA Transpack Forum; as well as other resources at incpen.org. 2 Frank, B., "Corrugated Box Compression- A Literature Survey," Packaging Technology and Science, 27(2)105-128, February 2014; DOI: 10.1002/pts.2019 3 Calvin, S., "Rapid Method for Predicting the Short and Long Time Stacking Strength of Corrugated Boxes," in the symposium proceedings Cyclic Humidity Effects on Paperboard Packaging, Laufenberg and Leak ed., Forest Products Laboratory, 1992, 95-104 4 Forsberg, K., "Predicting Long Term Stacking Strength of Corrugated Boxes," in the symposium proceedings Moisture Induced Creep Behavior of Paper and Board, Fellers and Laufenberg ed., Forest Products Laboratory, 1994, 191-204 5 Kirkpatrick, J., Ganzenmuller, G, "Engineering Corrugated Packages to Survive Cyclic Humidity Environments- A Case Study" in Moisture and Creep Effects on Paper and Board Containers, Chalmers ed., Forest Products Laboratory, 1997, 257-264 6 Fibre Box Handbook, Fibre Box Association: Elk Grove, IL, 2015 7 http://fibrebox.myshopify.com/collections/all 8 http://www.ista.org/pages/procedures/ista-procedures.php 200 Larkin Drive, Unit H • Wheeling, IL 60090 • 847.520.4343 • www.advanced-labs.com THE PULSE OF YOUR PROJECT Need package, material or product testing? The professionals at Advanced Packaging Technology Laboratories keep their fingers on the pulse of your project. They monitor every phase so it never skips a beat. Environmental Testing UN/DOT HazMat Package Testing ISTA / ASTM Package Testing Materials Testing Foremost Testing Facility – Vibration tables – Compression tables – Tensile testing equipment – Shock tables – Drop testers – Environmental chambers Customer-centric Experience – Partner with customers to understand company goals and objectives – Packaging professionals through every step of the packaging process – Deliver projects on-time and on-budget – NEW On-line Quoting Tool makes quoting process effortless