ASTM D7386-08
(Practice)Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Packages for Single Parcel Delivery Systems
Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Packages for Single Parcel Delivery Systems
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This practice provides a guide for the evaluation of shipping units in accordance with a uniform system, using established test methods at levels representative of those occurring in actual distribution. The recommended test levels are based on available information on the shipping and handling environment, and current industry/government practice and experience. The tests should be performed sequentially on the same containers in the order given. For use as a performance test, this practice requires that the shipping unit tested remain unopened until the sequence of tests are completed. If used for other purposes, such as package development, it may be useful to open and inspect shipping units at various times throughout the sequence. This may, however, prohibit evaluating the influence of the container closure on container performance.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides a uniform basis of evaluating, in a laboratory, the ability of shipping units, weighing up to but not exceeding 150 lb (68 kg), intended for the single parcel delivery system to withstand the hazards associated with the distribution environment. This is accomplished by subjecting them to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipated hazard elements encountered in the distribution cycles. This practice is not intended to supplant material specifications or existing pre-shipment test procedures.
1.2 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous materials has not been determined.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in 1.1.
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Designation:D7386–08
Standard Practice for
Performance Testing of Packages for Single Parcel Delivery
Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7386; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Packaging Components for Testing
D5265 Test Method for Bridge Impact Testing
1.1 This practice provides a uniform basis of evaluating, in
D5487 TestMethodforSimulatedDropofLoadedContain-
a laboratory, the ability of shipping units, weighing up to but
ers by Shock Machines
not exceeding 150 lb (68 kg), intended for the single parcel
D6179 TestMethodsforRoughHandlingofUnitizedLoads
delivery system to withstand the hazards associated with the
and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
distribution environment. This is accomplished by subjecting
D6344 Test Method for Concentrated Impacts to Transport
them to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipated
Packages
hazard elements encountered in the distribution cycles. This
D6653 Test Methods for Determining the Effects of High
practice is not intended to supplant material specifications or
Altitude on Packaging Systems by Vacuum Method
existing pre-shipment test procedures.
1.2 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous
3. Terminology
materials has not been determined.
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for the packaging and
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
distribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.2.1 acceptance criteria—the acceptable quality level that
and are not considered standard.
must be met after the shipping unit has been subjected to the
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
test plan. See Section 7.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.2 assurance level—the level of test intensity based on
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
its probability of occurring in a typical shipment.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.3 hazard element—a specific event that occurs in a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
shipment that may pose a hazard to a shipping unit. The
tionary statements are given in 1.1.
elementwillusuallybesimulatedbyasingletestschedule.See
2. Referenced Documents Section 9.
3.2.4 shipping unit—the smallest complete unit that will be
2.1 ASTM Standards:
subjected to the distribution environment, for example, a
D951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-
shipping container and its contents.
tainers by Spray Method
3.2.5 single parcel delivery system—distribution carrier that
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
transports packages weighing up to 150 lb through ground
ments
and/or air transport systems.
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
3.2.6 test plan—a specific listing of the test sequence to be
followed to simulate the hazards anticipated during the distri-
bution cycle of a shipping unit. Included will be the test
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D10 on Packaging
intensity and number of sequential tests to be conducted. See
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD10.21onShippingContainersand
8.1.
Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
3.2.7 test schedule—the specific procedure to be used,
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2008. Published March 2008. DOI: 10.1520/
D7386-08.
including the three assurance level intensities (if applicable),
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and a reference to the test method that is the basis of the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
schedule.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D7386–08
3.2.8 unitizing bag—a bag made of a poly material, mea-
suring approximately 39 by 27 in. (991 by 686 mm), used to
contain and transport several small sized packages and enve-
lopes.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This practice provides a guide for the evaluation of
shipping units in accordance with a uniform system, using
established test methods at levels representative of those
occurring in actual distribution. The recommended test levels
FIG. 1 Members of Sacks and Bags
are based on available information on the shipping and
handling environment, and current industry/government prac-
5.4.1.2 Place the test specimen in the center of the unitizing
ticeandexperience.Thetestsshouldbeperformedsequentially
bag along with the following:
on the same containers in the order given. For use as a
(1) Three express envelopes from a carrier such as USPS,
performance test, this practice requires that the shipping unit
FedEx, or UPS, each filled with 25 sheets of copy paper.
tested remain unopened until the sequence of tests are com-
(2) One padded mailer measuring 10.5 by 14.0 in. (267 by
pleted. If used for other purposes, such as package develop-
356 mm) filled with 50 sheets of copy paper.
ment, it may be useful to open and inspect shipping units at
(3) One padded mailer measuring 12.5 by 15.0 in. (317 by
various times throughout the sequence. This may, however,
381 mm) filled with 50 sheets of copy paper.
prohibit evaluating the influence of the container closure on
(4) One each of the following box sizes in the following
container performance.
table are constructed from single wall 32 ECT or 200 bursting
testcorrugatedfiberboard,withallvoidspacefilledwithpaper,
5. Test Specimen
sand, foam, etc. to achieve the specified weight and to prevent
5.1 Test specimens consist of representative samples of
shifting of the dummy packages.
complete shipping units, including actual contents. Products
Box Size Specified Weight
with blemishes or minor defects may be used if the defective
8 by 5 by 2 in. (203 by 127 by 51 mm) 1 lb (0.4 kg)
component is not to be studied by the test and if the defect is
9 by 6 by 2 in. (229 by 152 by 51 mm) 1 lb (0.4 kg)
documented in the report. Dummy or simulated test loads are 11 by 11 by 4 in. (279 by 279 by 102 mm) 2 lb (0.9 kg)
11 by 8 by 4 in. (279 by 203 by 102 mm) 2 lb (0.9 kg)
acceptable if testing the actual product might be hazardous. If
7 by 6 by 4 in. (179 by 152 by 102 mm) 4 lb (1.8 kg)
a dummy load is used, it should be instrumented to determine
12 by 12 by 3 in. (305 by 305 by 76 mm) 4 lb (1.8 kg)
8 by 8 by 8 in. (203 by 203 by 203 mm) 10 lb (4.5 kg)
if the fragility level of the actual product has been exceeded.
6 by 6 by 6 in. (152 by 152 by 152 mm) 2 lb (0.9 kg )
Take care to duplicate the load characteristics of the actual
10 by 5 by 5 in. (254 by 127 by 127 mm) 2 lb (0.9 kg)
product, and to avoid unnecessary handling.
5.4.2 Rectangular Containers—The procedure for identifi-
5.2 Care must be taken to ensure that no degradation has
cation of the members (faces, edges, and corners) of rectangu-
occurred to either the product or the package if the test
lar containers as shown in Fig. 2 shall be as follows:
packages have been shipped to the test site. If any doubt exists
5.4.2.1 Place the container in its most stable riding orienta-
as to the condition of the package, repack the product in new
tion with one of the smallest faces directly in front of the
packaging material before testing.
observer.
5.3 The number of test replications depends on the desired
5.4.2.2 Label the surface that is facing up as Face 1.
objectives of the testing and the availability of duplicate
5.4.2.3 Label the right side as Face 2.
products and shipping containers. Replicate testing is recom-
5.4.2.4 Label the bottom as Face 3.
mended to improve the reliability of the test results.
5.4.2.5 Label the left side as Face 4.
5.4 Identification of Package Test Specimen Members:
5.4.2.6 Label the end nearest the observer as Face 5.
5.4.1 Small Containers Bagged for Transport by Carrier,
5.4.2.7 Label the end farthest from the observer as Face 6.
Sacks and Bags—Small packaged products (smaller than
5.4.3 Cylindrical Containers—The procedure for identifica-
800 in. (13 110 cc)andlessthan10lb(4.5kg)andthelongest
tion of the members (top, bottom, sidewall, and chimes) of
dimension of the package is 14 in. (356 mm) or less) shipped
cylindrical containers as shown in Fig. 3 shall be as follows:
through the single package environment are traditionally unit-
5.4.3.1 Place the container in its intended shipping position.
ized with other packaged-products in transport bags by the
parcel delivery carriers. The procedure for the identification of
the members of ‘packaged-products defined as test sample
TS-1’(bags and sacks) as shown in Fig. 1 shall be as follows:
5.4.1.1 With the empty unitizing bag laying flat:
(1) Label the surface that is facing up as Face 1.
(2) Turn the bag over and mark the opposite face as Face 3.
(3) Label the opening of the bag as Face 2.
(4) Label the opposite end of Face 2 as Face 4.
(5) Label one of the side faces as Face 5.
(6) Label the opposite side face as Face 6. FIG. 2 Members of Rectangular Containers
D7386–08
Criterion 2—Package is intact.
Criterion 3—Both criteria 1 and 2.
7.2.1 Often, this means that the shipping container and its
contents are suitable for normal sale and use at the completion
of the test cycle. Detailed acceptance criteria may allow for
accepting specified damage to a product or its package. The
form and content of acceptance criteria may vary widely, in
accordance with the particular situation. Methods may range
from simple pass-fail judgments to highly quantitative scoring
or analysis systems.
FIG. 3 Members of Cylindrical Containers
8. Hazard Elements and Test Schedules for Single Parcel
5.4.3.2 Label the surface that is facing up as Face 1.
Shipments
5.4.3.3 Turn the container over and label the opposite side
8.1 The Hazard Elements and Test Schedules are catego-
(bottom) as Face 3.
rized as follows:
5.4.3.4 Draw two perpendicular lines across the diameter of
Schedule Hazard Element Test Section
the container on Faces 1 and 3. Connect the lines so there are
A Handling—manual and automated Drop, impact 10
four equidistant lines on the sidewall of the container.
D Vibration Vibration and 11
Vibration under load
5.4.3.5 Label the line to the observer’s right as Face 2.
I Impact, stability Bridged impact 12
5.4.3.6 Label the line on the observer’s left as Face 4.
J Impact, stability Hazard impact 13
5.4.3.7 Label the line nearest the observer as Face 5.
K Low pressure High altitude 14
5.4.3.8 Label the line farthest from the observer as Face 6. L Impacts, punctures Concentrated impacts 15
M Impacts Tip-over impacts 16
N Drops Rotational edge drops 17
6. Conditioning
6.1 Conduct the test at standard conditions and compensate
9. Procedure
for the effects of any climatic condition. Condition containers
9.1 Describe shipping unit in terms of size, weight, and
in accordance with Practice D4332 and document the actual
form of construction. See 3.2.6. Use the following criteria to
conditions used. A conditioning period of 72 h, or sufficient
define the package test sample(s).
time to reach equilibrium of all parts of the package and 3
9.1.1 Is the test specimen smaller than 800 in. (13 110 cc)
product is recommended. Tests should be conducted in the
ANDlessthan10lb(4.5kg)ANDthelongestdimensionofthe
conditioned atmosphere whenever possible. If not possible,
package is 14 in. (356 mm) or less AND the carrier unitizes
conduct the tests as soon after removal from the conditioning
small and light shipping units in a bag with other small and
atmosphere as practicable. Recondition the shipping units to
light shipping units?
the standard atmosphere as necessary during the test plan.
9.1.1.1 If Yes, the test specimen is defined as TS-1.
6.2 In some circumstances, it may be necessary to conduct
9.1.1.2 If No, proceed to 9.1.2.
some or all of the tests at special climatic conditions, such as
9.1.2 Is the test specimen’s shortest dimension 8 in.
those given in Practice D4332, orTest Method D951, or others
(203 mm) or less,AND the next shortest dimension is four (4)
(salt, spray, water immersion, humidity, or temperature). The
or more times larger than the shortest dimension AND the
sameclimaticconditionshouldbeusedforanyassurancelevel.
cubicvolumeofthepackageismorethan800in. (13 110 cc)?
A conditioning period of 24 h, or sufficient time to reach
9.1.2.1 If Yes, the test specimen is defined as TS-2.
equilibrium of all parts of the package and product is recom-
9.1.2.2 If No, proceed to 9.1.3.
mended. Tests should be conducted in the conditioned atmo-
9.1.3 Is the test specimen’s longest dimension 36 in.
sphere whenever possible. If not possible, conduct the tests as
(914 mm) or moreAND both the other dimensions are 20 % or
soon after removal from the conditioning atmosphere as
less of that of the longest dimension?
practicable. Recondition the shipping units as necessary during
9.1.3.1 If Yes, the test specimen is defined as TS-3.
the test plan.
9.1.3.2 If No, the test specimen is defined as TS-4.
9.1.4 See flow chart in Fig. 4 for description and examples
7. Acceptance Criteria
for package description and type determination.
7.1 Acceptance criteria must be established prior to testing
9.2 Determine Acceptance Criteria—Acceptance criteria
and should consider the required condition of the product at
are related to the desired condition of the product and package
receipt. The organizations conducting the test may choose any
at the end of the distribution cycle. See Section 7.
acceptance criteria suitable for their purpose. It is advisable to
9.3 Write Test Plan—Prepare a test plan by using the
compare the type and quantity of damage that occurred to the
sequence presented in Table 1 for the test specimen defined in
test specimens with the damage that occurs during actual
8.1.
distribution and handling or with test results of similar con-
9.4 Select Samples for Test—See Section 5.
tainers whose shipping history is known.
9.5 Condition Samples—See Section 6.
7.2 In many cases, the acceptance criteria can be the
9.6 Perform Tests—Perform tests as directed in reference
following:
ASTM standards and as further modified in the special
Criterion 1—Product is damage-free.
instructions for each test sched
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