1、Designation: D 1974 98 (Reapproved 2003)Standard Practice forMethods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing FiberboardBoxes1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1974; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, t
2、he year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (e) 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. Scope1.1 This practice describes s
3、everal methods for closing,sealing, and reinforcing fiberboard (solid and corrugated,excluding triple wall) shipping boxes used for shipment. Oneor several methods listed in this practice may be referenced inregulations, specifications, or contracts. (See Appendix forcross reference).1.2 This practi
4、ce is intended to be workable in both inch-pound units and SI units. Unit conversions are intended to befunctional but are not necessarily exact; this should notsignificantly affect the performance of the closing, sealing, orreinforcing methods. Descriptions in inch-pound and SI unitsare considered
5、interchangeable in this practice.NOTE 1All references to this standard should be made by closurenumber.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and h
6、ealth practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D 644 Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper andPaperboard by Oven DryingD 951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-tainers by Spray MethodD 996 Terminolo
7、gy of Packaging and Distribution Environ-mentsD 3654/D 3654M Test Methods for Shear Adhesion ofPressure-Sensitive TapesD 3759/D 3759M Test Method for Breaking Strength andElongation of Pressure-Sensitive TapeD 3950 Specification for Strapping, Nonmetallic (and Join-ing Methods)D 3953 Specification f
8、or Strapping, Flat Steel and SealsD 4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-tainers and SystemsD 4675 Guide for Selection and Use of Flat StrappingMaterialsD 4727/D 4727M Specification for Corrugated and SolidFiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut ShapesD 5118/D 5118M Practic
9、e for Fabrication of FiberboardShipping BoxesD 5330/D 5330M Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tapefor Packaging, Filament-ReinforcedD 5486/D 5486M Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tapefor Packaging, Box Closure, and SealingD 5570 Test Method for Water Resistance of Tape andAdhesives Used as B
10、ox ClosureD 5749 Specification for Reinforced and Plain GummedTape for Sealing and SecuringF 592 Terminology of Collated and Cohered Fasteners andTheir Application Tools2.2 U.S. Government Documents:3MMM-A-250 Adhesive, Water Resistant (For Closure ofFiberboard Boxes)2.3 Other Standards:Internationa
11、l Fiberboard Case Code4NOTE 2FEFCO5established a code of box styles to facilitate inter-national trade. The box codes consist of four-digit numbers; for example,a regular slotted container was assigned the code 0201.3. Terminology3.1 General definitions for packaging and distribution envi-ronments a
12、re found in Terminology D 996.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packagingand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.27 on Paper and Paperboard.Current edition approved April 10, 1998. Published March 1999. Originallypublished as D 1974 91. Last previous edit
13、ion D 1974 94a.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Standardization Documents, Order Desk, Buildi
14、ng 4, Section D, 700 RobbinsAvenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, ATTN: NPODS.4International Fiberboard Case Code, European Federation of Manufacturers ofCorrugated Board (FEFCO), 37 rue dAmsterdam, 75008, Paris, France, 874-63-76.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, Wes
15、t Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.3.2 Definitions:3.2.1 crownstaple end opposite staple point, connectingboth staple legs and providing bearing area (F 592).3.2.2 legstaple part connecting staple crown with staplepoint, driven through and into or through materials beingfastened (F 592).3.
16、2.3 stitchstaple cut and formed from wire immediatelyprior to driving by same machine (F 592).3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.3.1 closurethe means of securing the flaps or covers ofa box so that the box will not accidentally open during normalshipment, handling, and storage.3.3.
17、2 leg thicknessdimension of staple-leg cross sectionmeasured parallel to staple-crown axis (F 592).3.3.3 leg widthdimension of staple-leg cross section mea-sured perpendicular to staple-crown axis (F 592).3.3.4 reinforcingthe means (when required) of improvingthe stability and integrity of a fiberbo
18、ard box or closure so asto increase the performance level of the box during normalhandling, shipping, or storage.3.3.5 sealingthe means (when required) of making a boxreasonably impervious to the entrance of extraneous material(such as dust) or to prevent the leakage of the box contentsduring distri
19、bution.3.3.6 setupthe forming of a knocked-down box (or boxsection) into a box (section) ready for filling, including the end,cover, and section closures made before the box is filled.3.3.7 staplepreformed U-shaped wire fastener usuallywith two same-size pointed or pointless legs connected bycrown l
20、ocated opposite staple-point ends; designed to be drivenby strike, pneumatic, electric, manual, or spring tools throughor through and into layers of penetrable material and to holdtwo or more pieces together.3.3.8 wide crown staplea staple whose nominal width is114 in. (approximately 32 mm) or great
21、er.3.3.9 wide crown stitcha stitch whose nominal width is114 in. (approximately 32 mm) or greater.4. Significance and Use4.1 The means of closing the flaps of corrugated shippingcontainers is one of the important decisions for a shipper. Itmay affect the overall material cost, the labor costs, thepa
22、ckaging equipment costs, and the performance of the boxduring distribution.4.2 This practice provides a list of many available proce-dures for closing, sealing, and reinforcing boxes. Most of thesedescribe a particular packaging material and a particular use ofit on a box. Some methods involve packa
23、ge performancetesting; any closure or reinforcement which passes prescribedtests (usually on the proposed box and contents) is consideredto comply with that section of this practice. Performance-basedmethods are encouraged because they allow for considerableflexibility in the choice of packaging mat
24、erials and methods yetprovide assurance of a given level of performance.4.3 Adiverse range of methods are described in this practicebut relative performance levels are not given. Laboratorypackage testing such as Practice D 4169 and field experienceare recommended to rate alternative methods on perf
25、ormancefor the intended use.4.4 The descriptions of materials and methods in thispractice provide direction for the procurement of materials andfor their common uses on boxes. These descriptions may besufficient for some specification purposes, but others willrequire more thorough material and appli
26、cation requirementsthan those given here.4.5 The list of methods in this practice is not exhaustive;deviation or variation from the listed methods is possible withthe approval of the appropriate parties referencing this practice.Depending on the characteristics of the contents, the specificshipping
27、container, the acceptable package costs, the distribu-tion hazards, and the desired degree of assurance of successfulshipment, more stringent methods than those listed may beneeded or less stringent methods than those listed may beadequate. The methods described are typical uses of theclosure, reinf
28、orcing, or sealing materials; many of thesematerials can be used for other box styles or other methods onboxes but all of these are not included in this practice.Materials for box closure, reinforcement, or sealing are com-mercially available which have higher or lower performancecharacteristics tha
29、n those listed in this practice; these may oftenbe used in a lesser or greater quantity than the describedapplications of the listed materials.4.6 This practice assumes the following:4.6.1 The shipping container and inner packing are properlydesigned for the contents and the distribution hazards (se
30、ePractices D 4169 and D 5118),4.6.2 Normal, reasonable care is taken in shipment, includ-ing storage, handling, loading, and bracing, and4.6.3 Normal, reasonable care is taken in the application ofthe closure, reinforcing, or sealing materials to the shippingcontainer.5. Materials and Equipment5.1 A
31、dhesives:5.1.1 Hot Melt AdhesivesHot melt adhesives are solid atroom temperature, liquified by heat, applied molten, and solidupon cooling to bond two surfaces. They are based onthermoplastic polymers modified with resins or waxes, or both,and are usually applied in the range of approximately 300 to
32、400F (approximately 150 to 200C). The adhesive shouldmaintain its functionality in environmental conditions expectedin distribution and storage.5.1.2 Water-Borne AdhesivesSeveral types of adhesivesare available in which water is the vehicle or solvent. These aretypically applied at room temperature
33、and the surfaces arecompressed together until the adhesive develops sufficientstrength to maintain substrate contact. The adhesive shouldmaintain its functionality in environmental conditions expectedin distribution and storage. The federal specification applicableto adhesives is MMM-A-250.5.1.3 Sem
34、i-automatic and fully automatic box closureequipment is available for the application of adhesives. Hotmelt adhesives are also applied by hand held “guns.” Adhe-sives work best on clean, dry surfaces. It is important to havethe box flaps held in place until the hot melt adhesive solidifiesor the wat
35、er borne adhesive develops sufficient bond.5.2 Pressure-Sensitive Tape:D 1974 98 (2003)25.2.1 Pressure-Sensitive, Film-Backed TapeThis tapeconsists of a film backing, usually a biaxially oriented polyl-propylene or polyester (some polyvinyl chloride films are alsoused), with a high tack pressure-sen
36、sitive adhesive. No sol-vents, heat, or moistening are needed. The tape should main-tain its functionality in the environmental conditions expectedin distribution and storage. The applicable reference is Speci-fication D 5486.5.2.2 Pressure-Sensitive Filament TapeThis type of tapetypically consists
37、of fiberglass filaments embedded in apressure-sensitive adhesive with a protective film backing.Several grades of tape are available. The tape should maintainits functionality in environmental conditions expected in dis-tribution and storage. The applicable reference is SpecificationD 5530.5.2.3 Pre
38、ssure-Sensitive Paper TapeThis type of tape hasa backing of kraft paper and a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Thetape should maintain its functionality in environmental condi-tions expected in distribution and storage. The applicablereference is Specification D5486.5.2.4 A wide variety of tape dispensi
39、ng and applyingequipment is available. Hand-held dispensers are common.Pressure-sensitive tapes also capable of being applied byequipment at high speeds. Tapes work best on clean, drysurfaces. It is important to give an adequate rubdown topressure-sensitive tapes to develop sufficient bond to hold t
40、heflaps closed.5.2.5 Uses of pressure-sensitive tape in the closure, sealing,and reinforcing methods call for their commonly availablecommercial widths. The widths common in the U.S. Custom-ary system are not identical to the available metric replacementwidths. The most frequent width conversions ar
41、e as follows:U.S. Customaryin.Metricmm0.5 120.75 1812424837NOTE 3The effect of this width difference on package performance isnot considered significant.55.3 Gummed (Remoistenable) Tape:5.3.1 Reinforced Gummed TapesThis type of tape has awater activated adhesive and contains glass reinforcing fibers
42、embedded between two sheets of paper, using nonasphalticbinders. Many constructions are available. The tape shouldmaintain its functionality in environmental conditions expectedin distribution and storage. The applicable reference is Speci-fication D 5749.5.3.2 Gummed Paper TapeThis type of tape has
43、 a backingof kraft paper and a water activated adhesive. The tape shouldmaintain its functionality in environmental conditions expectedin distribution and storage. The applicable reference is Speci-fication D 5749.5.3.3 A wide variety of tape dispensing and applyingequipment is available. Table top
44、dispensers are common.Gummed tapes are capable of being applied by equipment athigh speeds. Tapes work best on clean, dry surfaces. It isimportant to hold water activated tapes in place until theydevelop sufficient bond to hold the flaps closed.5.4 Staples and Stitches:5.4.1 Staples:5.4.1.1 Staples
45、shall be of good commercial quality steeland have a minimum tensile strength of 80 000 psi (550 mPa).They shall have a rust-resistant coating of copper, zinc, or othermaterial. Staples and stiches listed in the closure methods ofthis practice shall meet or exceed the following minimums:Crown Width L
46、eg Width Leg Thickness0.50 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)5.4.1.2 Staples are collated and cohered into strips or rolls.The strips are designed for loading into straight magazines.The roll, also called a coil, allows the loa
47、ding of a large numberof staples into a tool.5.4.1.3 Staples are driven by staplers. Two types of staplersare in common use.(a) One type of stapler uses moving anvils to clinch thestaple legs around the fiberboard. These tools drive the staplelegs through the flaps, simultaneously inserting anvils t
48、hroughthe flap surface to meet and clinch the staple legs so they grabthe inner flaps and secure them to the outer flaps. The anvilsthen retract from the flaps.(b) The other type of stapler uses a stationary anvil to clinchthe staple legs. The anvil may be supported by a pedestal or byan arm attache
49、d to the stapler.(c) Each type of stapler is available as a manual device andas a powered device. The manually operated staplers areusually portable although some are mounted on frames andactivated by a foot pedal. The latter are commonly called“bottomers” used to close the bottom flaps of a box beforefilling. The powered tools may be electric or pneumatic.Staples may be driven by portable staplers or by stationaryheads mounted in semi- or fully-automatic equipment formoderate production requirements.5.4.2 Stitches:5.4.2.1 Stitches shall be of good commer
