During transportation from the manufacturer to the retailer packages are affected by vibrations, shocks, staticand dynamic loads, as well as by changes in temperature and humidity. In order to improve the quality of the packaging towithstand stresses during transportation it is important to know the parameters that characterize the deformation state inthe package. Corrugated boxes are affected by a phenomenon known as mechanosorptive creep, the basics of which arestill not well understood. That is why it is interesting to know how changes in moisture content affect corrugated boxesand how it is possible to prolong the lifetime of transportation packages. This paper presents an attempt to use the whitelight digital photography method for a three-dimensional analysis of the deformation states near collapse of a corrugatedbox during varying humidity, and attempts to obtain characteristic parameters that can be used to describe deformationstates close to collapse. A series of tests using an optical non-destructive testing method are reported and the results fordifferent test configurations are presented. Comparison is made between tests performed at different load levels andclimate conditions. The optical deformation measurement system used for analysis was ARAMIS® (GOM mbH,Braunschweig, Germany). Advantages and disadvantages of working with this system are also described and suggestionsfor future work are discussed.

The grocery retail industry is striving with low margins and an ever-increasing competition from e-commerce applications. Therefore, as a mean to save time, money andincrease the efficiency in the supply chain, perforated shelf-ready packages (SRP) hassince a long time been used. However, there is also problems related to this perforation; it weakens the transport packaging and makes it more sensitive to damage onthe way to the shelf. The current guidelines are focused on appearance of the box onthe shelf, e.g. how much of the product is seen and evenness of perforate edge, andnot on the mechanical properties of the box.Today there exist much knowledge about perforations inhouse in the die cutting industry. This knowledge is however unattainable for outsiders. Further the questionarises about how well founded said knowledge is. The scientific literature offers littleinformation about the basics of perforation and how it affects the mechanical properties of the board and box. This study is an attempt to build knowledge, useful toconverters and industrial users, in a systematic way.In this paper several different perforations patterns have been studied from a mechanical point of view. The experiments were designed to answer some basic questionsabout how different nick lengths and distances affects the strength of the perforatione.g. at different cut/uncut ratios. Among methods studied were tensile testing, bending stiffness, compression testing and edge compression test. The different methodswere compared regarding sensitivity to discriminate between different perforationpatterns and give a useful classification of the perforation.

This paper summarizes the dynamic analysis of the interaction of corrugated boxes in transport using a pressure-mapping system. The dynamic contact forces on the contact area between boxes in both vertical and horizontal directions were measured, and the position of the instantaneous centre of force was traced, from which the pitch motion of boxes relative to each other was studied. The level-crossing diagrams of the contact forces show a Rayleigh distribution for the vertical contact and a Gaussian distribution for the horizontal contacts. The contact force and acceleration power spectral density from accelerometers and pressure-mapping system were compared. The results show that a pressure-mapping system is an interesting tool for the analysis of the dynamic performance of systems of corrugated boxes under different stacking and loading conditions.

Requirements for dangerous goods packaging are well known, whatever version are used. The testing circumstances are strictly defined for each transportation method (road, rail, air, sea). But nowadays it is becoming a practice that courier express operators transport dangerous goods as single package. This parcel delivery method means a higher risk for all kind of logistics participants. By this service the packages are delivered fast, but handled more roughly than in comparison to LTL (less than truckload) or FTL (full truck load). Naturally, the parcel delivery sector uses its own suitability testing methods, which are also well defined. These procedures are coming from various standards such as ASTM, ISTA or corporate (FedEx) standards.This paper compares the most common parcel delivery testing conditions concerning the drop test requirements of DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulation) using packaging such as paper bag, corrugated fibreboard box, steel drum and plastic jerrycan, respectively. Then the test results were analyzed to present the differences.

Abstract Mechanical stresses from the shocks and vibrations to which air cargo is exposed during transport and handling at airports have been investigated. Field trials were carried out at Arlanda Airport, Stockholm, and John F. Kennedy Airport, New York. It was found that when products are transported in the airport area, they are exposed to much higher stresses than during actual flight. Especially severe conditions were registered during transport at John F. Kennedy Airport. Measured stresses are related to the ground and mode of driving within the airport area, as well as to location on the pallet wagon. Guidelines as regards design of realistic, simulating test programs for product and package design are reported. Future development possibilities and suggestions for further research within the area are discussed.

Abstract A field study was conducted on board a Boeing 747 Combi (freight and passenger) aircraft on the route Stockholm (Arlanda) via Oslo (Gardermoen) to New York (John F. Kennedy Airport) and return to Stockholm (Arlanda). Shock and vibration, acting on the cargo, during air transportation were measured and analysed. The study encompassed all phases of the flight, including taxiing, climb, cruise during both calm and turbulent conditions, descent and approach, landing including touchdown and taxiing to apron. The field data were analysed by conventional frequency analysis and modelling techniques. In order to generalize the results, flight recorder data from the field trial and from other flights are included. Guide-lines for the development of realistic, simulation test programs for product and package design are included.

A need for more efficient standards concerning transport packaging and export packaging has been identified. The exporting industry today has problems finding the right transport packaging materials and solutions for different markets when it comes to performance. There is a lack of knowledge and guidelines to determine the properties of the box that are relevant and contribute to mechanical performance at different points of the distribution chain. In addition each industry branch faces different requirements and demands.

To meet the need, Innventia has started a study aiming towards uniform function standards to optimize corrugated board packaging. In this paper, an overview of the producers and brand owners requirements and demands on transport packaging will be presented. A range of test methods on paper, panel and box level will also be presented. An analysis will be given about their pros and cons.

Further, it will be possible from this study to map out the direction for a focused development effort. There will be in-depth analyses, including:

• Current status, background and problem description with technical and economic implications

• An overview of existing test methods and the need to change or modify them

• Illustrative cases from some goods exporting companies

The exporting industry has problems finding the right transport packaging materials and solutions for export to different markets. Many different standards exist for different purposes. On the other hand, there are missing standards in some cases, e.g. high humidity and creep. Also, each industry branch has different requirements and demands. From the industry’s point of view there is a wish to specify how the packages will be used and which environmental hazards they have to withstand. Performance of the box is important, not the specific paper properties, even if they affect the performance.This presentation will clarify some of the problems the users of corrugated packaging have and ways to improve the situation in an effort for "real optimized" transport packaging. Different test methods for corrugated will be presented and compared with the industries needs on transport packaging. Test methods will be covered at paper level, board level and box level.

In the Research program “Improving corrugated board performance” at RISE several case studies on transport packaging in e-commerce were conducted. Field tests with ecommerce packages with mixed products and laboratory tests with the same products were compared. Laboratory transport tests have been carried out using the standard ISTA 6 Amazon – Over boxing. The field study was carried out through sending packages between two cities in Sweden. All packaging were equipped with field data recorders during each trial, which captured the data relevant to compare transport simulation and the real environment during the e-commerce logistics. A comparison between Amazon testing and reality was made. Similarities between the field studies and laboratory tests are identified. When comparing the results with this and other studies, it was concluded that the ISTA 6 Amazon Ship-in-own-container (SIOC) and ISTA 6 Amazon Over boxing (OB) are demanding tests and this especially concerning the drop tests.