ASTM D3968-97

Standard Test Method for Monitoring of Rotational Torque of Type IIIA Child-Resistant Closures

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of rotational torques of Type IIIA child-resistant closures as a means of monitoring normal functioning of the child-resistant package.  
1.2 This test method is not intended to supplant preexisting closure or package specifications or preexisting incoming material test procedures.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address 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 D3968-97(2002) - Standard Test Method for Monitoring of Rotational Torque of Type IIIA Child-Resistant Closures
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-1997

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn.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 3968 – 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
Monitoring of Rotational Torque of Type IIIA Child-Resistant
1
Closures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3968; 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 torques by using an appropriate torque meter.
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of rotational
5. Significance and Use
torques of Type IIIA child-resistant closures as a means of
5.1 The application of this test method provides a means for
monitoring normal functioning of the child-resistant package.
evaluating one of the variables affecting the ability of the
1.2 This test method is not intended to supplant preexisting
closure-container system to function as specified.
closure or package specifications or preexisting incoming
5.2 Variability in rotational torque measurements is prob-
material test procedures.
ably due to the use of the torque meter to measure relatively
1.3 This standard does not purport to address the safety
small torque values, differences in critical package dimensions,
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
and the aging of components.
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
6. Apparatus
limitations prior to use.
5,6
6.1 Torque Meter —Select a torque meter with a scale
having the smallest range that will span the torque range
2. Referenced Documents
expected to be measured (for example, usea0to 10-lbf·in.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
torque meter for readings under 10 lbf·in., nota0to25 lbf·in.
D 3474 Practice for The Calibration and Use of Torque
2 torque meter).
Meters Used in Packaging Applications
2
D 3475 Classification of Child-Resistant Packages
7. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
3
E 105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
7.1 Sampling of package specimens for this test method
E 122 Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate a
3 shall be in accordance with statistically valid procedures. Refer
Measure of Quality for a Lot or Process
to Practices E 105 and E 122 for more specific information.
7.2 Use package specimens whose component containers
3. Terminology
and closures are within their respective specifications.
3.1 Definition:
7.3 Use package specimens with a known number of closure
3.1.1 rotational torque—the moment of force or system of
applications.
forces tending to cause rotation of a Type IIIA closure on the
7.4 Use a sufficient number of package specimens for the
finish of its container.
desired statistical correlation.
3.2 Description of Term Specific to This Standard:
4
3.2.1 Type III child-resistant closure —a reclosable snap
8. Calibration
closure requiring an alignment of two points on closure and
8.1 Calibrate the torque meter in accordance with Practice
container followed by a pushing off of the closure top or lip to
7
D 3474.
remove the closure (taken from Classification D 3475).
9. Conditioning
4. Summary of Test Method
9.1 Conduct the testing of assembled packages at standard
4.1 Representative samples of packages with Type IIIA
conditions of 23 6 2°C (73.4 6 3.4°F) and 50 6 5 % relative
child-resistant closures are evaluated for closure rotational
humidity after their conditioning under these same standards or
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- Owens-Illinois Torque Meters, available from Secure-Pak, Inc., 4009 Beach-
Resistant Packaging. way Blvd., Toledo, OH 43614, or their equivalent, have been found satisfactory for
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1997. Published February 1998. Originally this purpose.
6
published as D 3968 – 80. Last previous edition D 3968 – 91. A digital or automated torque instrument, if used, will have an appropriate
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09. design and scale capacity for the container/closure system to be evaluated. Torque
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. results will be available in either electronic display or print out formats.
4 7
Examples are the Bristol-Myers, Brockway (Celluplastics), Calmar, Plastic Follow calibration procedure of manufacturer if a digital or automated torque
Research, and Stull Closures. instrument is to be used.
1

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NOTICE:¬This¬standard¬has¬either¬been¬superseded¬and¬replaced¬by
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