ASTM D6804-02(2007)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Hand Hole Design in Corrugated Boxes
Standard Guide for Hand Hole Design in Corrugated Boxes
SCOPE
1.1 This standard provides guidelines for designing pre-cut apertures intended for use as hand holes in corrugated boxes during manual handling of boxed cargo.
1.2 LimitationsThis standard offers guidance for package development and for subsequent testing of boxes to measure performance. It is not intended to provide specific information on the design of hand holes.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units are for information only.
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 requirements prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D6804 – 02 (Reapproved 2007)
Standard Guide for
Hand Hole Design in Corrugated Boxes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6804; 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 With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic
of a Lot or Process
1.1 This standard provides guidelines for designing pre-cut
apertures intended for use as hand holes in corrugated boxes
3. Terminology
during manual handling of boxed cargo.
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and dis-
1.2 Limitations—This standard offers guidance for package
tribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
development and for subsequent testing of boxes to measure
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
performance. It is not intended to provide specific information
3.2.1 hand holes—apertures, pre-cut in corrugated boxes by
on the design of hand holes.
box manufacturers, as requested by box purchasers. These
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
apertures facilitate manual handling during distribution and
as the standard. The SI units are for information only.
improve grip during handling.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 It may be desirable at times to provide hand holes in
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
corrugated boxes. Package designers use hand holes to solve
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
ergonomic and handling problems associated with large or
2. Referenced Documents awkward containers. This guide provides an aid for proper
2 hand hole design and use.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2 Ergonomics:
D585 Practice for Sampling and Accepting a Single Lot of
4.2.1 In studying and applying ergonomic principles, of
Paper, Paperboard, Fiberboard, and Related Product
primary concern is the need to provide a safe work environ-
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
ment for material handlers who may be required to lift or
ments
transport packages. A safe work environment is difficult to
D1974 Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Rein-
define and varies with the package in question. Several
forcing Fiberboard Boxes
ergonomic safety issues involve repetitive motions and spine
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
loading in the lifting process. Other issues involve finger and
Packaging Components for Testing
foot protection.
D5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by
4.2.2 In distribution centers or warehouses, low back disor-
Free Fall
ders have been identified as areas of elevated risk. Low back
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
problems continue to represent the most common and costly
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,
musculoskeletal disorders in the work place.
4.2.3 One method used to reduce the concern of distance of
lift (spinal loading) is to bring the reach of the material
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD10onPackagingand
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.27 on Paper and Paperboard
handler’s hands closer to the body. With large or awkward
Products.
boxes, placing hand holes in a more advantageous position can
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2007. Published November 2007. Originally
solve this problem.
approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D6804 – 02. DOI:
10.1520/D6804-02R07.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM “EffectsofBoxFeaturesonSpineLoadingduringWarehouseOrderSelecting,”
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Marras, Granata, Davis,Allread, and Jorgensen, The Institute for Ergonomics, Ohio
the ASTM website. State University.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6804 – 02 (2007)
4.3 NIOSH: access hole instead of hand hole on specifications. This
4.3.1 The National Institute for Occupational Safety and terminology may have to be agreed upon between supplier and
Health (NIOSH) has published Work Practices Guide for user.Fig. 1
Manual Lifting. This document may be of assistance in 4.4.2 Since all end use conditions and requirements cannot
developingproperhandholesandtheirplacementforaspecific be foreseen and since designing for worst case scenario for all
package. applications is prohibitively expensive, designers should fol-
4.4 Improper Use of Hand Holes: low best practices. The prudent designer will consider product
4.4.1 Because of past lawsuits involving the use and misuse and package weight when deciding the proper use of a hand
of hand holes, the corrugated box industry prefers the term hole.
5. General Design Considerations
5.1 Hand holes can take many forms (see Fig. 1). They can:
NIOSH Technical Report No. 81-122 from the US Department of Health and
5.1.1 Be a simple hole in a box,
Human Sevices.
FIG. 1 Common Hand Hole Types
D6804 – 02 (2007)
5.1.2 Be a complex molded handle with a reinforcement
mounted at the attaching point,
5.1.3 Incorporate rope handles, and
5.1.4 Be reinforced by the box maker with reinforcing tape
applied above them.
5.2 If possible, position hand holes so that product and
internal cushioning material can add support for carrying (see
Fig. 2). If the box must bear all the weight, it is best to position
the hand holes at least two (2) in. below the horizontal score
line of end panels to distribute the compressive forces and
avoid failure. When placing hand holes, consider product
balance and box closure method.
5.3 Some closure methods, such as taping, can affect hand
hole placement. When a hand hole is to be used with a box
style such as an RSC, which is to have a tape closure (see
Practice D1974), it is best to allow enough room (2 to 2 ⁄2-in.)
for the end-leg of the tape (see Fig. 3). For a Bliss style box,
hand holes should be placed just below the top flange (see Fig.
4).
5.4 Several methods are used to reinforce a box above the
hand hole. For example, pressure sensitive, heat activated, and
adhesive based products can be used. Some have fiberglass or
FIG. 3 RSC Style Box with Tape Closure, showing location of
polyester yarn reinforcement, some are tensilized, and some
Hand Hole 2.5 in. below top edge of box
are made of heavy kraft paper (see Fig. 5).
5.5 When possible, use curved type hand holes: they will
not tear as easily as the straight top design (see Fig. 4). The Note that a different type of grasping device will be required
curved design eliminates a sharp edge at the corners, resulting whentestingcurvedhandholesasopposedtostraightones(see
in a more evenly distributed lifting force across the surface. X1.3, Apparatus).
FIG. 2 Box with Internal Cushioning Material, showing location above Hand Hole to provide Added Support for Carrying
D6804 – 02 (2007)
FIG. 4 Bliss Style Box showing Curved Hand Hole located just below the Top Flange
FIG. 5 RSC Style Box showing placement of Reinforcement Material around perimeter of box, just above Hand Hole
6. Evaluation however, within laboratories the methods were useful in
determining relative performance.
6.1 The test methods in Appendix X1 are not ASTM
standards, but are evaluation methods to assist in determining
7. Keywords
the relative performance of hand holes during handling in the
distribution environment. The methods, in experimental trials, 7.1 corrugated boxes; distribution environment; hand holes;
were shown to have high variability between laboratories; manual handling
D6804 – 02 (2007)
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF HAND HOLES IN CORRUGATED BOXES
X1.1 Summary of Methods X1.3.1.3 The user must be sure that the grasping devices,
spreaderbar,andconnectinghardwareareofsufficientstrength
X1.1.1 Method A, Jerk Test—Uses free-fall drop test appa-
to safely hold the load.
ratus in conjunction with a support apparatus and grasping
X1.3.2 Method A, Jerk Test (see Fig. X1.2):
device(s), imparting a sudden sharp arrested motion (jerk) to
X1.3.2.1 Drop Test Apparatus, with a platform or other
the hand hole area of a corrugated box. A grasping device
featurewhichsupportsacorrugatedbox,suchthattheboxmay
similar to that shown in Fig. X1.1 provides contact with the
be released for free-fall from a specified height. Support
hand hole.
apparatus for the grasping device must suspend the box at least
X1.1.1.1 This method is applicable for testing both one- and
6 in. (150 mm) above the floor or test apparatus base. The
two-hand lifting of boxes. It is not intended for horizontal
support apparatus must secure the grasping device(s) so
pulling of the box (see Method B, Tensile Test).
essentially no yielding or elastic stretch occurs when the box
X1.1.2 Method B, Tensile Test—Uses tensile testing ma-
falls and its motion is arrested by the device(s). A chain or
chines having a constant free-running crosshead speed or
flexible steel cable suspended from a rigid support or overhead
constant extension rate to determine the maximum load carry-
hoist may be used for this purpose.
ing ability of the hand hole(s) in the tested
...
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