ASTM D1974-98(2003)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes
Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes several methods for closing, sealing, and reinforcing fiberboard (solid and corrugated, excluding triple wall) shipping boxes used for shipment. One or several methods listed in this practice may be referenced in regulations, specifications, or contracts. (See Appendix for cross reference).
1.2 This practice is intended to be workable in both inchpound units and SI units. Unit conversions are intended to be functional but are not necessarily exact; this should not significantly affect the performance of the closing, sealing, or reinforcing methods. Descriptions in inch-pound and SI units are considered interchangeable in this practice.
Note 1—All references to this standard should be made by closure number.
1.3 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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: D1974 – 98 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Practice for
Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing Fiberboard
Boxes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1974; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope Elongation of Pressure-Sensitive Tape
D3950 Specification for Strapping, Nonmetallic (and Join-
1.1 This practice describes several methods for closing,
ing Methods)
sealing, and reinforcing fiberboard (solid and corrugated,
D3953 Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals
excluding triple wall) shipping boxes used for shipment. One
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
or several methods listed in this practice may be referenced in
tainers and Systems
regulations, specifications, or contracts. (See Appendix for
D4675 Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping
cross reference).
Materials
1.2 This practice is intended to be workable in both inch-
D4727/D4727M Specification for Corrugated and Solid
pound units and SI units. Unit conversions are intended to be
Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut Shapes
functional but are not necessarily exact; this should not
D5118/D5118M Practice for Fabrication of Fiberboard
significantly affect the performance of the closing, sealing, or
Shipping Boxes
reinforcing methods. Descriptions in inch-pound and SI units
D5330/D5330M Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tape
are considered interchangeable in this practice.
for Packaging, Filament-Reinforced
NOTE 1—All references to this standard should be made by closure
D5486/D5486M Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tape
number.
for Packaging, Box Closure, and Sealing
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D5570 Test Method for Water Resistance of Tape and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Adhesives Used as Box Closure
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D5749 Specification for Reinforced and Plain Gummed
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Tape for Sealing and Securing
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
F592 Terminology of Collated and Cohered Fasteners and
Their Application Tools
2. Referenced Documents
2.2 U.S. Government Documents:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
MMM-A-250 Adhesive, Water Resistant (For Closure of
D644 Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper and
Fiberboard Boxes)
Paperboard by Oven Drying
2.3 Other Standards:
D951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-
International Fiberboard Case Code
tainers by Spray Method
NOTE 2—FEFCO established a code of box styles to facilitate inter-
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
national trade. The box codes consist of four-digit numbers; for example,
ments
a regular slotted container was assigned the code 0201.
D3654/D3654M Test Methods for Shear Adhesion of
Pressure-Sensitive Tapes 3. Terminology
D3759/D3759M Test Method for Breaking Strength and
3.1 General definitions for packaging and distribution envi-
ronments are found in Terminology D996.
3.2 Definitions:
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D10 on Packaging
3.2.1 crown—staple end opposite staple point, connecting
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.27 on Paper and Paperboard.
both staple legs and providing bearing area (F592).
Current edition approved April 10, 1998. Published March 1999. Originally
publishedasD1974–91.LastpreviouseditionD1974–94a.DOI:10.1520/D1974-
98R03.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Standardization Documents, Order Desk, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, ATTN: NPODS.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on International Fiberboard Case Code, European Federation of Manufacturers of
the ASTM website. CorrugatedBoard(FEFCO),37rued’Amsterdam,75008,Paris,France,874-63-76.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D1974 – 98 (2003)
3.2.2 leg—staple part connecting staple crown with staple sufficient for some specification purposes, but others will
point, driven through and into or through materials being require more thorough material and application requirements
fastened (F592). than those given here.
3.2.3 stitch—staple cut and formed from wire immediately 4.5 The list of methods in this practice is not exhaustive;
prior to driving by same machine (F592).
deviation or variation from the listed methods is possible with
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: theapprovaloftheappropriatepartiesreferencingthispractice.
3.3.1 closure—the means of securing the flaps or covers of
Depending on the characteristics of the contents, the specific
a box so that the box will not accidentally open during normal shipping container, the acceptable package costs, the distribu-
shipment, handling, and storage.
tion hazards, and the desired degree of assurance of successful
3.3.2 leg thickness—dimension of staple-leg cross section shipment, more stringent methods than those listed may be
measured parallel to staple-crown axis (F592).
needed or less stringent methods than those listed may be
3.3.3 leg width—dimensionofstaple-legcrosssectionmea- adequate. The methods described are typical uses of the
sured perpendicular to staple-crown axis (F592).
closure, reinforcing, or sealing materials; many of these
3.3.4 reinforcing—the means (when required) of improving materials can be used for other box styles or other methods on
the stability and integrity of a fiberboard box or closure so as boxes but all of these are not included in this practice.
to increase the performance level of the box during normal
Materials for box closure, reinforcement, or sealing are com-
handling, shipping, or storage. mercially available which have higher or lower performance
3.3.5 sealing—the means (when required) of making a box
characteristicsthanthoselistedinthispractice;thesemayoften
reasonably impervious to the entrance of extraneous material be used in a lesser or greater quantity than the described
(such as dust) or to prevent the leakage of the box contents
applications of the listed materials.
during distribution.
4.6 This practice assumes the following:
3.3.6 setup—the forming of a knocked-down box (or box
4.6.1 Theshippingcontainerandinnerpackingareproperly
section)intoabox(section)readyforfilling,includingtheend,
designed for the contents and the distribution hazards (see
cover, and section closures made before the box is filled.
Practices D4169 and D5118/D5118M),
3.3.7 staple—preformed U-shaped wire fastener usually
4.6.2 Normal, reasonable care is taken in shipment, includ-
with two same-size pointed or pointless legs connected by
ing storage, handling, loading, and bracing, and
crownlocatedoppositestaple-pointends;designedtobedriven
4.6.3 Normal, reasonable care is taken in the application of
by strike, pneumatic, electric, manual, or spring tools through
the closure, reinforcing, or sealing materials to the shipping
or through and into layers of penetrable material and to hold
container.
two or more pieces together.
3.3.8 wide crown staple—a staple whose nominal width is
5. Materials and Equipment
1 ⁄4 in. (approximately 32 mm) or greater.
5.1 Adhesives:
3.3.9 wide crown stitch—a stitch whose nominal width is
5.1.1 Hot Melt Adhesives—Hot melt adhesives are solid at
1 ⁄4 in. (approximately 32 mm) or greater.
room temperature, liquified by heat, applied molten, and solid
4. Significance and Use
upon cooling to bond two surfaces. They are based on
thermoplasticpolymersmodifiedwithresinsorwaxes,orboth,
4.1 The means of closing the flaps of corrugated shipping
and are usually applied in the range of approximately 300 to
containers is one of the important decisions for a shipper. It
400°F (approximately 150 to 200°C). The adhesive should
may affect the overall material cost, the labor costs, the
maintainitsfunctionalityinenvironmentalconditionsexpected
packaging equipment costs, and the performance of the box
in distribution and storage.
during distribution.
5.1.2 Water-Borne Adhesives—Several types of adhesives
4.2 This practice provides a list of many available proce-
areavailableinwhichwateristhevehicleorsolvent.Theseare
duresforclosing,sealing,andreinforcingboxes.Mostofthese
typically applied at room temperature and the surfaces are
describe a particular packaging material and a particular use of
compressed together until the adhesive develops sufficient
it on a box. Some methods involve package performance
strength to maintain substrate contact. The adhesive should
testing; any closure or reinforcement which passes prescribed
maintainitsfunctionalityinenvironmentalconditionsexpected
tests (usually on the proposed box and contents) is considered
indistributionandstorage.Thefederalspecificationapplicable
tocomplywiththatsectionofthispractice.Performance-based
to adhesives is MMM-A-250.
methods are encouraged because they allow for considerable
5.1.3 Semi-automatic and fully automatic box closure
flexibilityinthechoiceofpackagingmaterialsandmethodsyet
equipment is available for the application of adhesives. Hot
provide assurance of a given level of performance.
melt adhesives are also applied by hand held “guns.” Adhe-
4.3 Adiverserangeofmethodsaredescribedinthispractice
sives work best on clean, dry surfaces. It is important to have
but relative performance levels are not given. Laboratory
theboxflapsheldinplaceuntilthehotmeltadhesivesolidifies
package testing such as Practice D4169 and field experience
or the water borne adhesive develops sufficient bond.
are recommended to rate alternative methods on performance
5.2 Pressure-Sensitive Tape:
for the intended use.
4.4 The descriptions of materials and methods in this 5.2.1 Pressure-Sensitive, Film-Backed Tape—This tape
practiceprovidedirectionfortheprocurementofmaterialsand consists of a film backing, usually a biaxially oriented polyl-
for their common uses on boxes. These descriptions may be propylene or polyester (some polyvinyl chloride films are also
D1974 – 98 (2003)
used), with a high tack pressure-sensitive adhesive. No sol- important to hold water activated tapes in place until they
vents, heat, or moistening are needed. The tape should main- develop sufficient bond to hold the flaps closed.
tain its functionality in the environmental conditions expected
5.4 Staples and Stitches:
in distribution and storage. The applicable reference is Speci-
5.4.1 Staples:
fication D5486/D5486M.
5.4.1.1 Staples shall be of good commercial quality steel
5.2.2 Pressure-Sensitive Filament Tape—This type of tape
and have a minimum tensile strength of 80000 psi (550 mPa).
typically consists of fiberglass filaments embedded in a
Theyshallhavearust-resistantcoatingofcopper,zinc,orother
pressure-sensitive adhesive with a protective film backing.
material. Staples and stiches listed in the closure methods of
Several grades of tape are available. The tape should maintain
this practice shall meet or exceed the following minimums:
its functionality in environmental conditions expected in dis-
Crown Width Leg Width Leg Thickness
tribution and storage.The applicable reference is Specification
0.50 in. (12.5 mm) 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) 0.017 in. (0.43 mm)
1.25 in. (32 mm) 0.072 in. (1.9 mm) 0.033 in. (0.84 mm)
D5530.
5.2.3 Pressure-Sensitive Paper Tape—This type of tape has
5.4.1.2 Staples are collated and cohered into strips or rolls.
a backing of kraft paper and a pressure-sensitive adhesive.The
The strips are designed for loading into straight magazines.
tape should maintain its functionality in environmental condi-
Theroll,alsocalledacoil,allowstheloadingofalargenumber
tions expected in distribution and storage. The applicable
of staples into a tool.
reference is Specification D5486/D5486M.
5.4.1.3 Staples are driven by staplers. Two types of staplers
5.2.4 A wide variety of tape dispensing and applying
are in common use.
equipment is available. Hand-held dispensers are common.
(a) One type of stapler uses moving anvils to clinch the
Pressure-sensitive tapes also capable of being applied by
staple legs around the fiberboard. These tools drive the staple
equipment at high speeds. Tapes work best on clean, dry
legs through the flaps, simultaneously inserting anvils through
surfaces. It is important to give an adequate rubdown to
the flap surface to meet and clinch the staple legs so they grab
pressure-sensitive tapes to develop sufficient bond to hold the
the inner flaps and secure them to the outer flaps. The anvils
flaps closed.
then retract from the flaps.
5.2.5 Uses of pressure-sensitive tape in the closure, sealing,
(b)The other type of stapler uses a stationary anvil to clinch
and reinforcing methods call for their commonly available
the staple legs.The anvil may be supported by a pedestal or by
commercial widths. The widths common in the U.S. Custom-
an arm attached to the stapler.
arysystemarenotidenticaltotheavailablemetricreplacement
(c) Each type of stapler is available as a manual device and
widths. The most frequent width conversions are as follows:
as a powered device. The manually operated staplers are
U.S. Customary Metric
in. mm
usually portable although some are mounted on frames and
0.5 12
activated by a foot pedal. The latter are commonly called
0.75 18
“bottomers” used to close the bottom flaps of a box before
248 filling. The powered tools may be electric or pneumatic.
Staples may be driven by portable staplers or by stationary
NOTE 3—The effect of this width difference on package performance is heads mounted in semi- or fully-automatic equipment for
not considered significant.
moderate production requirements.
5.4.2 Stitches:
5.3 Gummed (Remoistenable) Tape:
5.4.2.1 Stitches shall be of good commercial quality steel.
5.3.1 Reinforced Gummed Tapes—This type of tape has a
Common nominal crown widths are 0.50 in. (12.5 mm) and
water activated adhesive and contains glass reinforcing fibers
1.25 in. (32 mm). Nominal leg width is 0.100 in. (2.5 mm).
embedded between two sheets of paper, using nonasphaltic
Nominal leg thicknesses are 0.014 in. (0.36 mm) and 0.017 in.
binders. Many constructions are available. The tape should
(0.43 mm). The minimum tensile strength is 100000 psi (690
mainta
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