ASTM D3481-97

Standard Test Method for Shelling Two-Piece Child-Resistant Closures That Are Activated by Two Simultaneous Dissimilar Motions

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the force required to separate (or "shell") the snap-fitted outer cap from the inner cap of Type IA, IB, or IC child-resistant closures.  
1.2 This test method does not measure the force required to separate parts of a child-resistant closure system that were originally "screwed-on" instead of "snapped-on" (for example, pull a cap over or through continuous or multi-start threads when the cap was originally screwed on).  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Sep-1997
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D3481-97(2002) - Standard Test Method for Shelling Two-Piece Child-Resistant Closures That Are Activated by Two Simultaneous Dissimilar Motions
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn. Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 3481 – 97
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Shelling Two-Piece Child-Resistant Closures That Are
1
Activated by Two Simultaneous Dissimilar Motions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3481; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2 Type IB child-resistant closure—a two-piece continu-
ous thread closure requiring a localized squeeze force while
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the force
turning; the force must be applied to a designated location on
required to separate (or “shell”) the snap-fitted outer cap from
the closure skirt.
the inner cap of Type IA, IB, or IC child-resistant closures.
3.1.3 Type IC child-resistant closure—a two-piece continu-
1.2 This test method does not measure the force required to
ous thread closure requiring a random squeeze while turning;
separate parts of a child-resistant closure system that were
no orientation of the squeeze force is necessary.
originally“ screwed-on” instead of “snapped-on” (for example,
pull a cap over or through continuous or multi-start threads
4. Summary of Test Method
when the cap was originally screwed on).
4.1 This test method measures the force required to pry the
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
outer cap off the inner cap using a fixture having a contact point
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
under the tip of the skirt of the outer cap and leverage being
information only.
placed on that point and the top of the cap. This procedure is
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
used where a pivotal prying force can be successfully used to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
separate the components of the closure system. Either a torque
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
wrench or a torque meter can be used as a measuring device.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents 5.1 This test method of applying force may be used as a
standard test to compare the characteristics of a given design of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
container/child-resistant closure system with a standard or to
D 3474 Practice for the Calibration and Use of Torque
2 compare the characteristics of container/child-resistant closure
Meters Used in Packaging Applications
2
systems differing in construction.
D 3475 Classification of Child-Resistant Packages
3 5.2 It may be used to simulate certain manipulations that
E 105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
5
may be expected to occur in protocol testing (such as, prying
E 122 Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate a
3 with the teeth or objects in the room, biting, and pulling with
Measure of Quality for a Lot or Process
the teeth).
2.2 Other Documents:
5.3 This test may be used to establish performance specifi-
ISO Bulletin 2233 Packaging—Complete, Filled, Transport
4 cations.
Packages—Part 2: Conditioning for Testing
6. Apparatus
3. Terminology Terminology (see Classification D 3475)
6.1 Testing Machine(s):
3.1 Definitions:
6,7
6.1.1 Torque Meter— with a scale that will read with the
3.1.1 Type IA child-resistant closure—a two-piece continu-
maximum point reading accuracy within the torque range
ous thread closure requiring a random push down while
expected to be measured (for example, usea0to25 T.I.P.
turning; no orientation of the push down force is necessary.
torque meter for readings under 25 T.I.P., nota0to100 T.I.P.
torque meter).
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-10 on
5
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.31 on Child-
Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Poison Prevention Packaging Act,
Resistant Packaging.
1970.
6
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1997. Published February 1998. Originally
Owens-Illinois Torque Meters, available from Secure-Pak, Inc., 4009 Beach-
published as D 3481 – 76. Last previous edition D 3481 – 91. way Blvd., Toledo, OH 43614, or the equivalent, have been found to be satisfactory
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09. for this test method.
3 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. A digital torque instrument, if used, will have an appropriate design and scale
4
Available from the American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th capacity for the container/closure system
...