ASTM D4334-18

Standard Practice for Determination of the Dip Tube Retention of a Mechanical Pump Dispenser

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
2.1 This practice may be used to establish performance specifications.  
2.2 This practice may be used as a quality control assessment.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the determination of the force necessary to separate the dip tube from the body of a mechanical pump dispenser (spray or flow types).  
1.2 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2018
• ICS: 55.020 - Packaging and distribution of goods in general
• Technical Committee: F02 - Primary Barrier Packaging
• Drafting Committee: F02.30 - Mechanical Dispensers

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4334-05(2010) - Standard Test Method for the Determination of the Dip Tube Retention of a Mechanical Pump Dispenser
• Effective Date: 01-May-2018

Overview

ASTM D4334-18 is the internationally recognized standard practice for determining the dip tube retention of a mechanical pump dispenser, covering both spray and flow types. Developed by ASTM International, this standard specifies procedures to measure the force necessary to separate the dip tube from the dispenser body, providing a basis for performance specifications and quality control assessments in packaging and dispensing systems. The standard supports manufacturers, suppliers, and quality control personnel in ensuring the reliability and safety of mechanical pump dispensers across various industries.

Key Topics

• Dip Tube Retention: Focuses on assessing the force required to detach the dip tube from the mechanical pump dispenser, ensuring secure assembly and minimizing product failure during use.
• Performance Specifications: Establishes a method for defining or verifying mechanical performance criteria for pump dispensers, which can be used for product development or benchmarking.
• Quality Control Assessment: Serves as a routine quality control test to ensure batch consistency and identify defective products before market release.
• Standardized Testing: Provides guidelines for sample selection, conditioning, apparatus setup (including test stands and clamps), test procedures, and reporting.
• Test Reporting: Outlines essential data to be included in reports, such as identification of pump dispensers, test results, and observed failure modes, promoting transparent and consistent documentation practices.

Applications

ASTM D4334-18 is widely applicable in several sectors that rely on mechanical pump dispensers, including:

• Personal Care and Cosmetics: Ensures the reliability of pumps in products such as lotions, sprays, and liquid soaps, preventing accidental dip tube separation and ensuring consistent dispensing.
• Household and Industrial Chemicals: Used in sprays and cleaning products to guarantee the durability and safety of dispensers under normal use.
• Pharmaceuticals: Supports compliance with packaging regulations by verifying the mechanical integrity of dispensers intended for medical and healthcare applications.
• Packaging Manufacturers: Provides a standardized approach for evaluating new designs or monitoring production lots, aiding in process validation and product improvement.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assists businesses in meeting international standards requirements, especially those recognized under the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) guidelines.

By adhering to ASTM D4334-18, organizations can enhance customer satisfaction, reduce product recalls, and ensure that dispensers function as intended throughout their lifecycle.

Related Standards

For comprehensive quality and performance assessment, the following related ASTM standards may also be relevant:

• ASTM F1154: Standard Test Methods for Integrity of Unit Dose Packaging for Medical Products
• ASTM F88: Standard Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials
• ASTM F1980: Standard Guide for Accelerated Aging of Sterile Barrier Systems for Medical Devices

Further, ASTM D4334-18 follows established principles detailed in WTO’s TBT Committee guidelines, aligning it with global expectations for international standards.

Keywords: ASTM D4334-18, dip tube retention, mechanical pump dispenser, quality control, performance specifications, packaging standards, dispenser assembly, test method, standard practice.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4334 − 18
Standard Practice for
Determination of the Dip Tube Retention of a Mechanical
Pump Dispenser
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4334; 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 3.2.2 Clamp, to secure the dip tube. The clamp shall hold
the dip tube in such a way that there is no slippage between the
1.1 This practice covers the determination of the force
dip tube and the clamp.
necessary to separate the dip tube from the body of a
3.2.3 Arrange the fixturing so that the tube is maintained in
mechanical pump dispenser (spray or flow types).
a position parallel to, and within the colinear plane of, the
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
applied force.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.3 Scale, graduated in either millimetres or inches.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4. Sampling
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 Select an appropriate number of dry, unused pump
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
dispensers at random for precision and accuracy desired. Use
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
of 10 test specimens is recommended, but a minimum of three
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
is acceptable.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5. Conditioning
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 If possible, condition the test specimens at 23 6 3°C (73
2. Significance and Use
6 5.4°F) for not less than 4 h. If the test specimens are not
conditioned at the recommended temperature, this should be
2.1 This practice may be used to establish performance
noted in the test report discussed in 7.1.
specifications.
5.2 Test pumps should be tested no sooner than 24 h after
2.2 This practice may be used as a quality control assess-
ment. assembly when possible. If the pumps are not conditioned at
the recommended time, this should be noted in the test report
3. Apparatus
discussed in 7.1.
3.1 Test Stand—The test apparatus shall be capable of
6. Procedure
applying a smoothly increasing load to the test specimen until
the dip tube is separated from the body of the mechanical pump
6.1 Attach fixtures and clamp to the test standard in accor-
dispenser.
dance with the manufacturer’s instructions and in a manner
consistent with the pump’s geometry.
NOTE 1—The condition of 3.1 is fulfilled by most motor driven tensile
strength testers with a constant rate of elongation.
6.2 Insert the dip tube securely into the clamp and tighten to
NOTE 2—The test stand should be equipped with a maximum force
prevent slippage.
indicator.
6.3 Adjust the test stand so that there is 25 mm of exposed
3.2 Clamps:
dip tube length.
3.2.1 Fixture, to secure the upper part of the mechanical
pump dispenser. The fixture shall secure the dispenser in such NOTE 3—At this time, there should be a zero reading on the force gage.
a way that there is no slippage between it and the test
6.4 Operate the test stand at 250 mm (10 in.)/min until the
specimen.
dip tube has separated either fr
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4334 − 05 (Reapproved 2010) D4334 − 18
Standard Test Method Practice for the
Determination of the Dip Tube Retention of a Mechanical
Pump Dispenser
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4334; 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
1.1 This test method practice covers the determination of the force necessary to separate the dip tube from the body of a
mechanical pump dispenser (spray or flow types).
1.2 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 consult and establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Significance and Use
2.1 This test method practice may be used to establish performance specifications.
2.2 This test method practice may be used as a quality control assessment.
3. Apparatus
3.1 Test Stand—The test apparatus shall be capable of applying a smoothly increasing load to the test specimen until the dip
tube is separated from the body of the mechanical pump dispenser.
NOTE 1—The condition of 3.1 is fulfilled by most motor driven tensile strength testers with a constant rate of elongation.
NOTE 2—The test stand should be equipped with a maximum force indicator.
3.2 Clamps:
3.2.1 Fixture, to secure the upper part of the mechanical pump dispenser. The fixture shall secure the dispenser in such a way
that there is no slippage between it and the test specimen.
3.2.2 Clamp, to secure the dip tube. The clamp shall hold the dip tube in such a way that there is no slippage between the dip
tube and the clamp.
3.2.3 Arrange the fixturing so that the tube is maintained in a position parallel to, and within the colinear plane of, the applied
force.
3.3 Scale, graduated in either millimetres or inches.
4. Sampling
4.1 Select an appropriate number of dry, unused pump dispensers at random for precision and accuracy desired. Use of 10 test
specimens is recommended, but a minimum of three is acceptable.
5. Conditioning
5.1 If possible, condition the test specimens at 23 6 3°C (73 6 5.4°F) for not less than 4 h. If the test specimens are not
conditioned at the recommended temperature, this should be noted in the test report discussed in 7.1.
This test method practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F02 on FlexiblePrimary Barrier Packaging, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F02.30 on Mechanical Pump Dispensers.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2010May 1, 2018. Published March 2011June 2018. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 20052010 as
D4334 – 05.D4334 – 05(2010). DOI: 10.1520/D4334-05R10.10.1520/D4334-18.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4334 − 18
5.2 Test pumps should be tested no so
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