An Assignment On

Determination of Drop Test of Food Packages

Course Code: PTM-322
Course Title: Food Packaging and Storage Technology.
Submitted To:
Md. Nazrul Islam
Assistant Professor & Chairman
Department of Post-Harvest Technology and Marketing, Faculty of
Nutrition and Food Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology
University, Dumki, Patuakhali-8602

Submitted By:
Group-08

Sayed Rakibul Karim Monika Das

ID.:1907050 Reg.:09064 ID.:1907051 Reg.:09065
Level-3. Semester-2 Level-3. Semester-2
Session: 2019-2020 Session: 2019-2020

Md. Rakibul Hasan Murad Wajihatun Nesa

Chowdhury
ID.:1907052 Reg.:09066
ID.:1907053 Reg.:09067
Level-3. Semester-2
Level-3. Semester-2
Session: 2019-2020
Session: 2019-2020

Date of submission: 17th January 2024

 Determination of Drop Test of Food Packages

INTRODUCTION
Packaging drop tests replicate the rotating impacts and drops that packages could encounter
while being handled and transported. These tests make it possible to determine the damages
that a package’s corners, edges and surfaces may suffer, as well as knowing how a drop
may harm the conveyed cargo. It is possible to assess a package's capacity to safeguard the
goods being transported and optimize it to ensure the load's safety with the help of an
appropriate drop test process.
The drop strength of corrugated boxes during transit can be determined using the drop
tester. A carton drop tester offers both an angle and vertical descent. This helps determine
the value and quality of the packaging.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the drop test on food packages are listed in the below:
1. It will provide the opportunity to know information on a package's ability to withstand
impacts and permits the adjustments required to ensure product safety.
2. Describe how the protection of the items or the package results in cost savings for
businesses. Packaging drop tests assist in preventing under-packaging, which puts items at
risk and results in greater expenses due to shrinkage or product destruction during transit,
as well as over-packaging, which is more costly for enterprises.
3. Tests will enable the product to be assessed and checked for conformity with industry,
legal, and company standards.
TYPES
Drop testing is the general phrase used to test the impact resistance of a product or package.
There are several test standards under this heading that cover specialized testing inputs.
Various drop test method based on their standard are exposed in the below:
• Free-Fall Drop Test: The package is allowed to fall freely from a specified height
onto a hard surface. This simulates the impact of a package hitting the ground during
handling or transportation.
• Corner Drop Test: The package is dropped on one of its corners to assess its ability
to withstand impact on vulnerable points.
• Edge Drop Test: The package is dropped on one of its edges to evaluate how well
it protects the contents from impact on the edges.
 • Flat Drop Test: The package is dropped flat on its largest surface to examine its
resistance to damage when landing on a flat surface.

Figure: A Drop Tester

Some Standards that Authorize the Drop-test.

• ASTM D5276 - The most commonly referenced drop test, free fall impacts
simulate containers of various sizes being dropped from different heights and
orientations. Distribution standards such as ASTM D4169, ASTM D7386, ISTA
3A and ISTA 2A dictate these variables.
• ASTM D4003 - Horizontal impact testing challenges a product or package’s ability
to withstand impacts of a horizontal nature. In the in-use environment, you would
see these when a forklift abruptly rams into its target, or when two rail cars carrying
freight are connected together, resulting in an impact event.
• ASTM D5277 - The use of an Incline Impact test machine can be used to help
diagnose damage which may result from rail car switching, pallet marshalling or
other mechanical means.
• ASTM D5265 - Different from a freefall impact, this tests the ability of a long,
narrow package to withstand another object falling onto it. This test is conducted
with the ends of the package supported, thereby creating a ‘bridge’.
• ASTM D6344 - Concentrated impacts simulate a low-level impact from a outside
source onto a package system. This may be the result of adjacent freight, sorting
damage or conveyor belt and chute impacts.
• ASTM D6055 - This standard addresses the hazards that are present when
containers are mechanically handled (that is to say, moved with a forklift or similar
method).
 • ASTM D6179 - Also specific to mechanically handled containers, these inputs
focus on rotational and flat impacts onto the base and edges of the package system.
• ASTM D880 - Another form of horizontal impact testing typically conducted onto
the package system, where ASTM D4003 is typically conducted onto products.
• IEC 60068-2-31 - Tumble testing is conducted by subjecting products to a
repetitive low-level impact.

IMPORTANCE

Product drop testing and package drop testing provide insight into their design by
evaluating how well items withstand tumbles, drops, and other types of impact throughout
their lifecycle. Armed with this information, manufacturers can address design flaws and
different build options to improve durability in order to minimize product damage, loss,
and associated costs. In addition to shipping and distribution environments, products may
be at risk of being dropped during use, installation, or repair by the end-user.

Below, we’ve listed some of the primary advantages of drop testing:

• Allows the shipper to evaluate the package system’s ability to protect the product
during shipments
• Allows manufacturers to assess the type of packaging required for safe
transportation
• Provides information useful to mitigate the risk of potential shipping hazards
• Reduces the risk of product damage and the associated costs
• Assesses a product or package system’s adherence to government, business, and
company requirements.

What Types of Products are Tested?

Many different products can benefit from impact drop testing. Some of the product drop
testing performed with this method include:

• Electronics (i.e. smartphones, personal computers, tablets)

• Lab equipment
• Medical devices
• Pharmaceuticals
• Bulk food packaging

In general, drop tests are a good idea if you're shipping delicate or high-value goods that
aren’t suitable for rough handling, or if your products are likely to be rejected by consumers
if they're not in perfect shape.

Some specific food packages that are drop tested: Glass jars, canned products, snack foods,
frozen foods, dairy products, processed meats etc.
PROCEDURES

The specific procedure for drop testing food packages can vary depending on industry
standards and the type of package being tested. However, a general procedure might include
the following steps:

1. Determine the drop height, number of drops, and the specific orientations (free-
fall, corner, edge, or flat) based on the intended use and distribution conditions.
2. Ensure that the food packages are filled with representative contents to simulate
real-world conditions. Seal the packages securely.
3. If needed, use accelerometers or other sensors to measure the impact forces during
the drop.
4. Use specialized equipment such as a drop tester that allows precise control over
the drop height and orientation.
5. Drop the packages according to the selected parameters. Repeat the test for the
specified number of drops.
6. After each drop, visually inspect the packages for damage. Assess whether the
contents are compromised.
7. If instrumentation is used, analyse the collected data to quantify the impact forces
and assess the performance of the packaging.
8. Based on the results, make any necessary adjustments to the packaging design or
materials to improve its durability.
9. Record the testing conditions, procedures, and results for future reference or
compliance with industry standards.

Drop Box Face in the Drop Test Procedures:

SOME VARIABLES

Three variables are used to define the tests:

1. The drop's height, which replicates what happens when employees touch the goods in
real life. Typically, its height ranges from 100 to 450 mm, but in certain really strict
situations, it can reach 900 mm. Based on ergonomic standards (which take the weight and
dimensions of the package into consideration), the fall height is determined.

2. The point of drop for the cargo, which can change depending on how frequently effects
might harm the merchandise. checked areas typically include the package's base, edges,
and corners; however, for flat products, all sides are checked.

3. The quantity of droplets the packaging absorbs, which is typically six drops for a single
product (but an additional series of six drops may be included). Measurements of the
damages incurred during the distribution cycle are made on separate areas of the package
for each drop.

INSPECTION

The package is examined for damage to both the packaging and its contents following each
drop. To ascertain if the packaging satisfies the necessary level of protection, the standard
offers pass/fail criteria. The package's base, edges, and corners are usually the checked
areas; however, for flat products, all sides are verified.

CALCULATION

Particle P is dropped from rest from a height of h1 above a fixed floor. Immediately prior
to impact with the floor, P has a speed of vP2. After impact, P has a rebound speed
of vP3 eventually reaches a maximum height of h4 before falling back down.

Energy-analysis
Using conservation of energy, we can show that: vP2 = - √(2gh1).
In a similar way, conservation of energy gives us that: vP3 = √(2gh4).
Determination of the coefficient of restitution (COR)
Based on the definition of the COR, we can write:
e =-vP3/ vP2 = √(h4/h1)

RESULTS
The above result says that we can extract the COR for an impact during a drop test by taking
the square root of the ratio of the rebound height to the initial drop height.

REFERENCE

JKM BASIC PHYSICAL PACKAGING PROPERTIES important.pdf

https://www.westpak.com/testing-services/package-testing/drop/

https://www.purdue.edu/freeform/me274/course-material/animations/impact-drop-tests/