| This study investigated the corrugated fiberboard specification that are recommended in the Fibre Board Association Handbook as part of Item 222 of the National Motor Freight Classification for shipping flowable items such as fasteners, nuts, bolts and printed paper using single parcel shipping environment (UPS, FedEx, USPS). Three different box sizes were selected to hold two types of flowable products: Box A - 9.5&inches; x 9.5&inches; x 7.5&inches; containing 55 lbs of steel nuts, Box B - 7.5&inches; x 7.5&inches; x 18&inches; containing 35 lbs of clay-coated paper, and Box C - 18&inches; x 12&inches; x 12&inches; containing 97 lbs of clay-coated paper. Boxes were fabricated from six different grades of corrugated fiberboard: 150 lb/sq.in. B-flute, 175 lb/sq.in. C-flute, 200 lb/sq.in. C-flute, 275 lb/sq.in. C-flute, 275 lb/sq.in. BC-flute, and 350 lb/sq.in. BC-flute. The performance of boards was evaluated by laboratory test using ISTA Project 3C Version Date: June, 1999, and the actual shipment using UPS 2nd Day Air delivery service between MI and CA. The study found that the Project 3C does not represent the damage levels found in field shipment. The existing specifications (Item 222) do not provide adequate containment of these types of products in these environments. This study recommends to double the requirements for bursting strength when such items need to be shipped in the single parcel environment and to limit the maximum package weight to 35 lb. |
