, UNITED STATES

STANDARDS for

^ SHELL EGG R

LI BR A R^lñ

AUG13:£58 ^

OEPMtMENT Of AORKWLTMt

^.

SHIPPING

CONTAINERS

•FILLERS and FLATS

• EGG TRAYS

•CARTONS

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT

Agricultural Marketing Service

Agricultural Handbook No. 145

OF

I

AGRICULTURE
CONTENTS

Page

Part I - Shipping containers for shell eggs = • 2

Fiber cases« • •. • •••*... • • • • 2

Wooden cases ••••••••••« 6

Part II - Inner packing materials for shell eggs 11

Fillers 11

Flats • 12

Egg trays. ...•••. 1^

Part III - Cartons for shell eggs •. l6

Part IV - Packs for shell eggs 22

Standard terminology. .......••. 2k

Appendix •. 29

This publication revises and supersedes Agricultural Handbook No. 86,

"United States Standards for Containers, Packing Materials, and Packs for

Shell Eggs," which was issued in July 1955*

The title describes the contents as standards instead of recommended

specifications because of the general acceptance of the material as standard

specifications. They are for voluntary use.

These standards are issued primarily for the use of producers, packers,

distributors, and other egg handlers as a guide in making purchases of new

shell egg containers and inner packing materials and as a basis for the development of uniform specifications for transportation and purchasing agencies.

As different containers and inner packing materials are found to be

satisfactory and practical for use in packing chicken, turkey, and duck eggs,

they will be added to these standards in future revisions.

Washington 25, D. C. Issued June 1958

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. - Price 20 cents
ÜHITED STATES STAHDARDS FOR SHELL EGG PACKS

Poultry Division

Agricultural Marketing Service

Standards for farm commodities are almost as old as commercial agriculture itself, but uniform national standards were not promulgated until after

the passage of the U. S. Cotton Futures Act in 191^.

Broadly speaking, standards serve several purposes:

1. They set up a common language of quality, or specification,

2. They remove the need for personal inspection of products by sellers,

buyers, and lenders of money.

3* They provide a comparable basis for the quotation of market prices

throughout the country.

k. They provide a basis for the settling of disputes over quality or

specifications•

?• They provide a buying guide for consumers or purchasers.

6. They provide a sound, logical basis for the physical separation of

products into quality or specification groups, so that commercial

needs and wants may be filled at a minimum of distribution cost.

?• They aid the seller in obtaining market prices.

8. They improve marketing conditions in many other ways.

National standards are "mandatory," "permissive," or "tentative." In

most cases, standards in the united States are permissive; that is, they are

for voluntary use by the general public as a quality or specification measure

in buying or selling.
-2-

PART I - SHIPPING COHTAIKERS FOR SHELL EGOS

Fiber Egg Cases

A* Domestic fiber egg cases

Egg cases made of either corrugated or solid fiberboard holding

15 or 30 dozen chicken eggs, or 100 or 200 turkey (or duck) eggs, and

meeting the specifications outlined under Section B, below. These cases

shall be identified as follows:

(1) A standard l^-dozen corrugated fiber egg case is made of

double-faced corrugated fiberboard*

(2) A standard 15-dozen solid fiber egg case is made of at least

three-ply (3 thicknesses of material) solid fiberboard.

(3) A truck 15-dozen corrugated fiber egg case is made of doublefaced corrugated fiberboard.

(^) A standard 30-dozen corrugated fiber egg case is made either of

double-faced corrugated fiberboard, or partly of double-faced

corrugated fiberboard and partly of double-walled fiberboard.

(5) A standard 30-dozen solid fiber egg case is made of four-ply

. (4 thicknesses of material)solid fiberboard.

(6) A truck 30-dozen corrugated fiber egg case is made of doublefaced corrugated fiberboard.

(7) A tmick JO^dozen solid fiber egg case is made of at least

three-ply (3 thicknesses of material) solid fiberboard.

B. Specifications for domestic fiber egg cases

Two types of fiber egg cases are in conamon usage. The "standard"

case is designed to withstand rigorous handling and shipment and is approved for rail shipment and storage. The "truck" case is of comparatively light construction and is intended for "one trip" use in a truck

shipment.

Style of

case; Both the standard and truck cases may be of any style.

Size of

case; The minimum inside dimensions of each 15-dozen fiber egg case

and of each compartment in a 30-dozen fiber egg case shall be not

less th€ui 11-3/^ inches long by 11-3/^ inches wide by 13 inches

deep.
-3-

Constructlon: The "standard" case, as referred to in this publication, means a

cue which complies with Package 512 (30-dozen fiber cases) or Package

893 (15-dozen fiber cases) of the uniform Freight Classification^:^

which provides the description of type cases authorized for shipment

by the railroads« The National Motor Freight Classification£/does not

supply any special requirements but merely requires that the eggs be

separated each from the others by pulpbo€trd with contents filling case

so as to prevent shifting of contents

(1) The facings (container board) of corrugated fiberboard shall

be firmly glued to the corrugated sheet (corrugating medium) at all

points of contact. The outer facings on all corrulgated fiber cases

shall be waterproofed. All plies of solid fiberboard shall be firmly

glued together, with the outer ply waterproofed.

(2) Every standard 30-dozen fiber case is scored and folded so

as to provide for double thicknesses of fiberboard for at least two of

the four parts (sides, bottom, ends and partition). Some are required

to have double thicknesses on more than two of the parts.

(3) The two pieces of board forming the manufactiirers* Joint on

each fiber case shall lap not less than 1-1/4 inches and be fastened

with metal stitches not more than 2-1/2 inches apart for corrugated

fiber cases, or not more than 3 inches apart for solid fiber cases.

(k) All corrugated cases shall be made either from double-faced

corrugated board or partly of double-faced corrugated fiberboard and

partly of double-walled fiberboard.

(5) The center partition in the standard 30-dozen cases shall be

fastened or held firmly in place.

(6) The corrugating medium shall be made of board not less than

0.009 inches thick of quality sufficient to produce finished board of

adequate rigidity ana weighing not less than 26 pounds per 1,000

square feet.

(7) The minimum average bursting strength of fiberboard in a

standard 30-dozen case is never lower than 200 pounds per square inch.

Some cases must test 220 potmds and others are required by the rail

regulations to test more than 27^ pounds per square inch. The bursting strength of fiber-board in a 30-dozen truck case shoiild be 200

pounds and in a 15-dozen corrugated fiber truck case should be 175

pounds per square inch.

(8) The minimum combined weight of the two facings of corrugated

fiberboard in a steuidard 30-dozen case and in a 15-dozen case is

1/ Uniform Freight Classification h (Ratings, Riiles and Regulations),

effective September 10, 1957

2/ National Motor Freight Classification No. 1»^, effective May 21, 1957
never less than 6k pounds per 1^000 square feet« The same weight Is

recommended for a corrugated fiber truck 30-dozen case* For a truck

1^-dozen case^ a 73 pound basis weight is satisfactory.

(9) The minimum combined weight of component plies of solid

fiberboard (exclusive of adhesive) in a standard or truck 30-dozen

case is always at least I90 pounds per 1,000 square feet* Some cases

have a basis weight of 237 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Closure of

fiber cases: A fiber case, unless it is constructed with a "self-locking"

closure device, shall be closed with sealing strips, adhesives, or

staples.

(1) All sealing strips used to secure egg cases shall be made of

sulphate paper having a basis weight, when ungummed, of not less than

60 pounds per 500 sheets, 2^ x 36 inches, testing not less than 60

pounds, and being at least 3 inches in width. They shall be applied

as follows for each style of fiber case closure:

(a) On each case having a regular slotted cover, the seam

formed by closing of the flaps shall be completely covered by a

sealing strip which must extend over the ends of the case at

least 3 inches.

(b) For each case having end tuck-in or center tuck-in

flaps, there shall be at least one seeding strip placed across

the center of each compartment cover for a minimum total of two

strips, extending down the sides at least 3 inches.

(c) For each case having a "partial telescope" cover or removable lid of other styles, the cover shall have two sealing

strips placed across it so as to divide the cover into three

equal parts. Each strip shall extend down the sides of the case

at least 3 inches.

(2) Closures effected by adhesives shall be secured by an

adhesive applied to at least 50 percent of the area of contact in such

a manner as to minimize unglued edges.

(3) Closures effected by stapling shall be firmly secured with

well clinched staples.

^* The 2k dozen hatchery case

The minimum Inside dimensions of each 2Í4-dozen fiber hatchery case shall

be not less than 17 inches in length by 13-l/'i- inches in width by 13-lA

inches in depth. This case is specially designed for use with the specially

designed egg tray to hold ^8 eggs ajid for use with the specially designed

vacuum-tray lifting machine to lift h6 eggs at a time. It accommodates seven

6x8 egg trays for a total of 24-dozen eggs. The 2Í4-dozen fiber case is

also being used for farm to plant operations.
5-

Figure 1.—Several examples of standard fiber cases.

3:;i586 BN1587

Figure 2.—Truck 30-dozen fiber cases auid illustrations of the case liners.

BN6010 BN1589

Figure 3.--Solid fiber cases. At left, a solid fiber truck case; at right,

a solid fiber stsmdard case.
-6-

Wooden Egg Cases

A. Standard domestic and export wooden egg cases

Egg cases made of veneer and sawn wood or entirely of sawn wood holding 30 dozen chicken eggs, or 200 turkey or duck eggs, and meeting the

specifications under Section B, below. These cases shall be identified

as follows:

(1) A standard (domestic) 30-clozen veneer egg case has top, bottom,

and sides made of veneer and with the ends and center made of

sawn wood*

(2) A standard (domestic) 30>dozen sawn wood egg case is made entirely of sawn wood.

(3) An export 30-dozen wooden egg case is made entirely of sawn wood,

or it is a case with sides, top, and bottom made of veneer with

the center and ends made of sawn wood.

B. Specifications for domestic and export wooden egg cases

Size of

case: Each wooden egg case, according to its designation, under sec- ,

tion A, above, shall be of such size as indicated in table 1 and

shall comply with the requirements shown in tables 1 and 2*

Materials: Species of wood: The following species of wood may be used:

Group I species: Aspen (popple), basswood, cottonwood, magnolia,

spruce, white fir, white pine, and yellow poplar.

Grgup II species: Hemlock.

Group III species: Blackgum, sweetgum (Red-gum), sycamore, and túpelo.

Group IV species: Beech, elm, and white ash.

Defects in

material: (l) Each case shall be made according to high-grade commercial practice and all pieces shall be cut true to length. All parts

of each case shall be free from all defects that materially weaken

them, expose the contents of the cases to damage, or that interfere

with the fabrication or nailing*

(2) All boards shall be free of knot or knot-holes that exceed 1-1/2 inches in diameter, or exceed I/3 the width of the board.

(3) Ihe Aoisture content of each board shall not be less

than 12% nor more than l&f> of its dry weight at the time of manufacture. In the case of veneer, the moisture content shall be not less

than S% nor more than 15l6*

Construetion: (1) Thé ends of cases shall be of one or two pieces. If

they are two pieces, they may be butt-Jointed, ship-lapped, tongue

and grooved, or Lindermann Jointed.
(2) The centers of all wooden cases shall consist of not more

than two pieces. If butt-joint is used, two corrugated fasteners

must be employed«

(3) The sides, top, and bottom of any wooden case shall be not

more than two pieces. If of two-piece construction, any piece shall

be not less thcui 5-3A inches nor more than 6-1/2 inches in width.

The opening between the side pieces extending lengthwiie at approximately the center of the case shall be not more than 3/^ of an inch.

The top and bottom must cover entire areas of top and bottom of the

case.

Tolerances: No minus tolerauace is permitted on inside compartment dimensions. A plus tolerance of l/8 of an inch is allowed on outside

length and depth of each compartment.

Displacement; Export case about 2.48 cubic feet.

Nailing and

closure: (l) In each domestic wooden case only threepenny (size l-l/B

inches x 15 gauge) cement-coated, large-headed nails shall be used.

(a) The cleats shall be attached to the ends with six

nails to be staggered and long enough to provide

satisfactory clinch.

(b) There shall be at least 18 nails in each side (6 in

each end and 6 in center), 21 nails in the bottom (7

in each end and 7 in the center), and 8 nails in the

top (k in each end). First nails to be placed 3/^

inch from the edges of sides, top, and bottom.

(c) All nails shall be evenly spaced.

(2) In each export wooden case, only fourpenny (size 1-3/8

inches long x 15-1/2 gauge) cement-coated box nails shall be used.

(a) The cleats shall be attached to the ends with 6 nails

to be staggered and long enough to provide a satisfactory clinch.

(b) There shall be at least 21 nails in each side (7 in

each end and 7 in the center), 21 nails in the bottom (7 in each end and 7 in the center), and 8 nails

in the top {k in each end). First nails to be placed

3/4 inch from the edges of the sides, top, and bottom.

Nails in end of cover shall be evenly spaced and

driven into the case end only.

Strapping: On all export cases, two flat straps 3/8 of an inch by 0.015

of an inch or two l6 gauge round wire straps shall be applied. One

strap around each end of the case not more than 1-1/2 inches in from

the end.
-8-

BN-6248X

Figure k.—A standard 30-dozen wooden case.

PMA-199é5

Figure 5«--A standard egg tray pack (30-dozen) in wooden egg case.

Wirebovind Egg Cases

This revision of the specifications for steuidard packages ajid packs

for shell eggs omits the specifications for wooden wirebound egg cases

because they are not presently in use. Wirebound egg cases were practical

during the War period when material shortages created a need for them.
-?-

Table l.-OÍMn8l<ms y of 30-ido2aa voodM egg oas«s

3CMo2«ii vooden «gg

oases

Si» 0 0 f 0 a s 0 g

Insido dlmonalono

Length: Widths Depth

Inside oonpartownt :

diiaensions t Outside dimensions

Ungth: Width: Depth lUngth: Width s DeptîT

Stâkndard (doaestlo)

Toneer 24-1/8:11*3/4: 13 ll>3/4:ll>3/4: 13 25'-y/8:12*1/8 :13»?/8

Saim wood« 24>l/8:ll«3/4; 13

: s

11*3/4:11-3/4; 13

: :

25-7/8:12*3/lé ; l3-'7/l¿

Export soim wood or

eneer-—— — -: 24*1/8:11*3/4: 13 11*3/4:11*3/4: 13 :2é*l/8¡ 12*3/16113*7^6

Table 2« *Dimensions X/ of parts and type of materials of 30«dozen wooden egg oases

jBnds4?

30*dozen wooden

egg oases

: Min« : :

:oaliper: :

I OT X %

tthiotc* tMate

Cleats }/

X Uin« :

:oallpdr:

: or :

:thiok* :Mate.

Length: Width: ness :rial : Length : Width: ness :rial

Centers 47"

: Uin« :

:oallper:

: or :

:thiok* : MateLen^h:Width: ness : rial

Standard (domestlo)

"^Wi^^T—————

:

: : :Sawn :

13 :11-3/4: 7/l6 :wood : 12

: :

: : :Sawn

: 1*1/4: 7/16 :wood

:

: : : Sawn

11-3/4: 13 : 7/l6 : wood

Sawn wood———-

: : :Saim : : : :Sawn

13 :ll'»3/4: 7/16 iwood : 12*1/16:1*1/4: 7/16 :wood

: : : Sawn

11*3/4: 13 : 7A6 : wood

Export sawn wood or

: :

:Sawn : :Sawn

weneer- : 13 :11*3/4: 1/2 : wood : 12*1/16:1-1/4: 1/2 :wood

: : :

: : : Sawn

11*3/4: 13 : 1/2 : wood

Table 2 ..-Continued

Sides y

Min« :

30*do2en wooden

^^ oases

Lengfehi Width:

oaliper:

or :

thiok- :

ness :Material

Top and bottom

Length: Width

Min. :

oaliper]

or

thickness Material

Standard (domestio)

enee r—- - -——— JL 12*1/2 3/l6 : Veneer 25*7/8:12*1/8 2ÙL "^^n^^t

Sawn wood— JL 12-1/2 2l2k

Sawn

wood ?5-7/8»i2-yt6 mL.

Sam

Sawn

wood

or

eneer

£xport sawn wood

or veneer 25-1/8; 12-1/2

: Sawn

: wood

7/32 : or

_^_weneer

26-1/8:12*3/16

:

7/32

2J Dimensions given in inches«

1/ Ends vertical grain*

^ Cleats nailed to ends«

^ Centers horizontal grain«

^ If two*pieee construction, a piece shall be not less than 5*3/4 inches nor more than 6*1/2 inohes

in width«
-10-

Figure 6.—Example of stauidard egg case filler.

BN-6232

Figure 7.—Standard filler at left; Jumbo filler at right

BM-1590

H-24731

Figure 8.—A standard filler and flat pack (30-dozen) in fiber case illustrating two types of standard flats.
-11-

PART II - INMER PACKING MATERIALS FOR SHELL EGGS

Fillers for Egg Cases

A. Fillers

Strips of paperboard fastened in such a manner as to permit folding

when not in use and as they rest on flats in an egg case^ form individual

square cells (honeycoznb effect) in which eggs are held in place«

(1) A standard egg filler has 36 individual cells arranged in 6 rows

of 6 cells each and holds 36 chicken eggs« Ten such fillers are

used with 12 standard flats in egg cases to hold 36O eggs«

(2) A turkey or duck egg filler has 25 individual cells arranged in

3 rows of 3 cells each and holds 23 turkey or duck eggs« Eight

such fillers are used with 10 turkey or duck egg flats in cases

to hold 200 eggs«

B« Specifications for fillers

Style of

fillers: Each filler shall be of honeycomb style«

T^pe of

board; Each filler shall be made of solid (entirely) news board or of

vat-lined board (usually 2 liners of news board with a center of chipboard layer between) and shall meet the requirements shown in table %.

Table 3«—The sizej/and weightg/of fillers

Minimum outside:

dimensions :

Minimum<

: weight:

of 10 :

tfillers:

Filler cells

Filler :

designations

:Total

; No«<

:No.:

¡in :

row!

: No.;

of :

rowsInside

dimensions

(1) A standard egg \

^A 1 1 A«* 1

11-1/2 square :

: by 2-5/16 :; 38 i' 36 ;i 6 i; 6 •

: I-25/32 square Ijy

nxjLer----—-- j : 2-5/16

(2) A turkey or j

duck egg filler:

II-I/2 square

1 by 2-1/2 i 38 ! 25 i: 5 '! 5 !; 2 square by 2-1/2

1/ Size given in inches«

2/ Weight given in ounces«
-12-

Flats for Egg Cases

A* Flats

Square pieces of molded pulp on top of which are raised cups in

which the small ends of the eggs rest as they are held in place by fillers

in an egg case. On the bottoms of the flats are extended posts which

rest on the filler below. These flats shall meet the specifications under B, below*

(1) A standard egg flat has 36 individual cups arranged in 6 rows

of 6 cups each, to accommodate 36 chicken eggs. Twelve such

flats are used with 10 standard egg fillers in egg cases to

hold 360 eggs.

(2) A turkey or duck egg flat has 25 individual cups arranged in

5 rows of 5 cups each, to accommodate 25 turkey or duck eggs.

Ten such flats are used with 8 turkey or duck fillers in egg

cases to hold 200 eggs.

B. Specifications for flats

Style of

flat: Flats shall be one of the following styles:

(a) Round cups and square posts, or

(b) Octagonal cups etnd square posts.

Ifeterial: Each flat shall be made of molded news pvilp and meet the

requirements shown in table k»

1/ 2/

Table k.—The size, weight, number, and dimensions of cups and posts of egg flats

• «

Outside dimension«;'Minimum :

r weight :

: of :

12 flats:

! Cups on flats :

Total;

No. ;

No.'

in

row!

:NO. !

: of !

¡rows;

: Diameter ,

of each cup:

, at top :

of cup ¡

Flat :

designations : Minimum : Maximum ' ;

¡Length

of

posts

(1) A standard ;

egg flat—:

'11-7/16 S

square

11-11/16j

: square ; 15 1 36 i 6 Î 6 ! 1 ;i 3/16

(2) A turkey :

or duck :

egg flat—'

11-7/16

, square ;

! II-II/16Í

square : 15 l 25 !' 5 '.5 Î 1-3/16 ; 1/k

1/ Dimensions given in inches,

2/ Weight given in ounces.
-13-

^^^ ^^^ ^ ^ ^, ^

4 "^i ^i ^i û-^j \

çT%c ;%r. ;\rrXy ?>ir:>»^ u.

t» i.» ^T wT wT W

et Cl S!» C» ^j wf^

LT CT C» wf CT W

^

BN62I3 BN6214

Figure 9.—One style of egg case flat. At left, the round cups on top of

flat; at right, the posts on the bottom of the flat.

BN6217

Figure 10.—At left, eggs upright in flat cups, filler removed; at right,

the top of a molded pulp flat.

?ig V=r V=r \=r ^ Nfar^.

BN6215 Dn62ié

Figure 11.—A style of egg case flat. At left, octagonal cups on top of flat;

at right, the posts on the bottom of the flat.
-llfA, Egg Trays

Standard egg trays are square and have posts or prongs on the tops and

bottoms. The prongs on the top of the egg tray form the lower half of a cell

by which the eggs are held. The prongs on the bottom complete the cells by

providing room for the large ends of eggs as the egg trays rest in an egg case.

These egg trays shall meet the specifications under section B, below.

(1) A standard egg tray has 30 individual cells arranged in 6 rows

of 5 cells each, formed by the posts or prongs. The bottcan of

such an egg tray consists of the same number of cells. Fourteen

such egg trays are used in egg cases to hold 3^0 chicken eggs.

(2) A turkey or duck egg tray has 20 individual cells arranged in 5

rows of k cells each, formed by the posts or prongs. The bottom

of each egg tray consists of the same number of cells. Twelve

such egg trays are used in egg cases to hold 200 turkey or duck

eggs.

(3) A hatchery egg tray has k& individual cells arranged in 8 rows

of 6 cells each, formed by the posts or prongs. The bottom of

each egg tray consists of the same number of cells. Seven such

egg trays are used in egg cases to hold 288 chicken eggs.

B. Specifications for egg trays

Material: Egg trays shall be made of spruce ground wood or news pulp.

All egg trays shall meet, according to their designation, the requirements shown in table ^.

Table 5.—The sizei/and weight£/of egg trays and number and dimensions of cells

: Maxlmm

outside !

dimensions

Ceils

Egg tray ¡Mialmum weight of '

•Total:

: No.

iNo. of'

cells:

. in a :

! row ;

No.;

of :

rows:

[Average

designations ; 11* .

Egg !

: trays :

: 12 !

Egg '

:trays

1 7 !

! Egg

: trays •

center

¡distance

between

posts

fl) A standard

egg tray ;

! 11-3A square -. : by 1-7/8 ; 2k ' : 30 !'. 5 : 6 \ 1-13/16

(2) A turkey or !

duck egç tray-"

• 11-3A square

: by 2 ; 20 S '. 20 • k <! 5 !• 2-1/16

(3) A hatchery :

egg tray —:

, 17 by 13-1/Í+ !

by 1-7/8 ! : 20 ; kS \ 6 i 8 ¡ 1-7/8

1/ Dimensions given in Inches

2/ Weight given in ounces
-15-

BNé218

Figure 12.--Egg tray. At left^the top of egg tray; at right,egg tray with eggs,

Figure 13.

BNé240x BH-6241X

-Turkey or duck egg tray. At left, the top of egg tray; at right,

egg tray with turkey eggs.

Figure Ik.—Hatchery egg tray holding 48 eggs.

BN6242X
-16-

PART III - CARTONS FOR SHELL EGGS

Retail Egg Cartons

A» Cartons

Cartons made of paperboard which hold one dozen chicken eggs for consximer use and which aeet the specifications under Section B, below. These

cartons shall be identified as follows:

(1) A standard 2x6 carton has .2 rows of cells for 6 "large,"

"medium," or "extra large"i/chicken eggs in each row. If

this carton is perforated in the middle, it can be broken

in half to become 2 cartons, each holding 6 eggs in 2 rows

of 3 each,

(2) A small 2x6 egg carton has 2 rows of cells for 6 "small,"

or "peewee"±/chicken eggs in each row.

(3) A Jumbo 2x6 egg carton has 2 rows of cells for 6 "jximbo"

or "extra large"±/chicken eggs in each row. If such a

carton is perforated in the middle, it can be broken in half

to become 2 cartons, each holding 6 eggs in 2 rows of 3 each.

(^) A standard 3 x k egg carton has 3 rows of cells for k "large,"

Medium," "small," "peewee," or "extra large"!/chicken eggs in

each row.

(5) A Jumbo 3 X ^ Qgg carton has 3 rows of cells for k "Jumbo" or

"extra large"i/chicken eggs in each row.

B* Specifications for egg cartons

Style of

carton: The 2x6 and 3 x'if cartons may be of any style. The top cover

may have windows covered with or without cellophane.

Size and construction; Each carton, according to its designation (under Section A,

above), shall be of such size as indicated in table 6 or ?•

Material: (l) A 2 x 6 egg carton (small, standard, and Jumbo) shall be

made of patent coated, single manila, vat-lined, bleached board or

vat-lined news board.

(2) A 2 X 6 molded pulp carton (standard and Jumbo) shall be

made of white or grey molded pulp.

(3) A 3 X ^ egg carton shall be made of bending chipboard,

bleached manila news back, patent coated news back, or egg carton

stock.

(k) A 3 X If molded pulp carton shall be made of white or grey

molded pilp.

T7 U. S. Weight Classes for Consumer Grades of Eggs (see Appendix,page 2^
-17-

Table 6.—Chipboard egg cartons vlth respect to size

Carton designations

Plze of carton l/

Mlnlmvim

outside dimensions

Length t Width : Height

Maximum

outside dimensions

Leniyth ; Width tHeight

Standard 2x6- 11-1/2 3-13/16 2-7/16 11-^/8 J£7Z8. 2-1/2

Small 2 X 6 10-7/16 3-7/16 2-3/16 11-^8- 3-7/8 2-5/16

Jumbo 2x6- 11-1/2 3-7/8 2-11/16 11-5/8 3-15/16 l-U^

Standard ^ x k : 7 5-1/4 : 2-1/4

1/ Dimensions given in inches.

Table 7>—Molded pulp cartons with respect to size

Carton designations :

; Size of cartons 1/

! (outside dimensions)

: Length ;: Width : Height

0uancLSircL ¿ x o iveguxciF•---------;! 11-11/16 :\ k ! 2-11/16

standard 2x6 "Tri-fold" ¡\ ll-U/16 :\ 4-1/2 : 2-3/4

R+flnr^flT*H ^ V 1L.....<•••........... ! 8 !! 6 ; 2-5/8

-TiiniHo ^ Y 11.....................< V UlUUV/ J A. •r"»""""""""*""*""""""'"»"-""""'«»«»""*»«»,\ 8-3/16 ;\ 6-1/4 ! 2-11/16

1/ Dimensions given in inches.

Egg cartons as inner packing material

Egg cartons holding one dozen chicken eggs in 2 rows with 6 eggs in

each row identified on page l6 as small and standard cartons meeting the

specifications as given on this page are inner packing material when used

to pack 15 cartons (l80 chicken eggs) in a 15-dozen fiber egg case or

30 cartons (36O chicken eggs) in a 30-dozen fiber, or wooden egg case.

Carton Flat

The carton flat is a molded pulp flat with parallel V-shaped knotched

ridges arranged to hold one of the styles of chipboard cartons (Fig. 15,

left illustration).
-18-

Flgure 15.—Several examples of chipboard cartons.

BN1592

Figure 16.—Examples of molded pvilp Cartons.

BÍÍ1593
.19-

Figure 17.—Exaaiple of 3-dozen chipboard carton.

Figure 18.—Molded pulp carton flat.

BN-6243X

BN-1591

EH-1594

Figure 19. A carton pack, each layer reversed with carton flat in place.
-20-

BN-6244X

Figure 20.—A fiber case for 15-dozen cartoned eggs.

BN-6249X

Figure 21.—A fiber case for 15-dozen hatching eggs.

BH-6245X

Figure 22.—A fiber case for 2Í4--dozen hatching eggs.
-21-

BN-6250

Figure 23.--A fiber case for 24-dozen hatching eggs.

BN-6246

Figure 2U.--A 6x8 hatchery egg tray vrith eggs.

BÎJ-é247x

Figure 25.— A 6 X 8 vacuum-tray lifter designed for a hatchery egg tray.
-22-

PART IV - PACKS POR SHELL EGGS

Only new cases and packing materials viU be considered in the packs

specified in this part. Standard fiber, standard, and export wood .cases shall

be used for domestic or North American rail shipments* For domestic truck

shipments, the aforementioned cases or truck fiber cases may be used*

Pack Identification

A. A 1^-dozen egg pack shall consist of a standard or truck 15-dozen fiber

egg case in vhich 5 standard egg fillers and 6 standard egg flats are used

to accommodate l80 chicken eggs.

B. A 1$-dozen egg tray pack shall consist of a standard or truck 15-dozen

fiber egg case in which 7 standard egg trays are used to pack l80 chicken

eggs.

C. A 15-dozen carton pack shall consist of a standard or truck 15-dozen fiber

egg case in which 15 small or standard 2x6 egg cartons are used to

accommodate l80 chicken eggs. An egg flat shall be used on the bottom

and/or top of the case whenever necessary to take up slack space, or a

carton flat may be used between each layer for this purpose for certain

style chipboard cartons.

D. A 12-dozen carton pack shall consist of a standard or truck 15-dozen fiber

egg case in which 12 Jumbo egg cartons are used to accommodate ikk chicken

eggs. Egg flats shall be added to the bottom and/or the top of the case

whenever necessary to take up slack space, or a carton flat may be used

between each layer for this purpose for certain style chipboard cartons.

E. A 100 turkey or duck egg pack shall consist of a standard or truck 15-dozen fiber egg case in which k turkey or duck egg fillers and 5 turkey or

duck egg flats are used to accommodate 100 turkey or duck eggs. Extra

flats shall be added to the bottom and/or top of each case, when necessary

to take up slack space.

F. A 100 turkey or duck egg tray pack shall consist of a standard or truck

15-dozen fiber egg case in which 6 turkey or duck egg trays are used to

pack 100 tiirkey or duck eggs. Extra flats shall be added to the bottom

and/or top of each case, when necessary to take up slack space.

Ö» A 30-dozen egg pack shall consist of a standard 30-dozen wooden, fiber, or

a truck 30-dozen corrugated fiber egg case in which 10 standard egg fillers

and 12 standard egg flats are used to pack 36O chicken eggs.

^* A 30-dozen egg tray pack shall consist of a standard 30-dozen wooden,

fiber, or a truck 30-dozen corrugated fiber egg case in which Ik standard

egg trays are used to pack 36O chicken eggs.
-23-

I. A 30-dozen carton pack shall consist of a standard 30-dozen wooden, fiber,

or a truck 30-dozen corrugated fiber egg case in which 30 small or standard 2x6 egg cartons are used to accommodate 36O chicken eggs. An egg

flat shall be used on the bottom and/or top of each compartment of the

case when necessary to take up slack space, or a carton flat may be used

between each layer for this purpose for certain style chipboard cartons.

J. A 2^<-dozen carton pack shall consist of a standard 30-dozen wooden, fiber,

or a truck 30-dozen corrugated fiber egg case in which 2k Jumbo egg cartons are used to acconmodate 288 chicken eggs. Egg flats shell be added

to the bottom and/or top of each case when necessary to take up slack

space, or a carton flat may be used between each layer for this purpose

for certain style chipboard cartons.

K. A 200 turkey or duck egg pack shall consist of a standard 30-dozen wooden,

fiber, or a truck 30-dozen corrugated fiber egg case in which 8 turkey or

duck egg fillers and 10 turkey or duck egg flats are used to accommodate

200 turkey or duck eggs. Extra flats shall be used on the bottom and/or

top of each compartment when necessary to tsúte up any slack space.

L. A 200 turkey or duck egg tray pack shall consist of a standard 30-dozen

wooden, fiber, or a truck 30-dozen corrugated fiber egg case, in which 12

turkey or duck egg trays are used to pack 200 txirkey or duck eggs. Egg

flats shall be used on the bottom and/or top of each compartment in the

case when necessary to take up any slack space.

DN-1359

Figure 26.—A standard 30-dozen fiber case, side removed. Left side, an

example of eggs packed in egg trays; right side, an example

of eggs packed in flats and fillers.
STANDARD TEEî/IINOLOGÏ

! Board—An abbreviated term for fiberboard, paperboard, container board,

etc«, Twhich are used in making shipping containers, folding boxes,

and cartons•

a. Container board—Sheets of fibrous materials, usually in rolls,

for use of manufacturers in making solid or corrugated fiber

shipping containers»

b« Corrugated board—A sheet of container board that has passed

tlirough a corrugating machine, receiving a number of corrugations (flutes).

c* Fiberboard~Two or more plies (thicknesses) of container board,

pasted together, or one or more sheets of container board

pasted to a corrugated sheet to make solid or corrugated

fiberboard*

d# Liner board—A term used to designate container board that is

used as an inner or outer facing in the manufacture of corrugated or solid fiberboard»

e# Paperboard—A general term descriptive of a sheet made of fibrous

material on a paper machine or a wet machine, 0»012 of an

inch or more in thickness« Also included under this term

are certain grades 0.009 of an inch or over in thickness,

such as corrugating material, light ireight chip, etc« It

is commonly made from i/rood pulp, straw, -waste papers, or

any combination of these* The general classifications are

container boards (usually shipped in rolls) and box boards

(customarily shipped in sheets)« There are also other types

of boards, iwhich fall within this groxç, such as binder

board, electrical pressboard, imitation pressboard, etc«

f. Solid fiberboard—^Two or more plies (thicknesses) of container

board pasted together«

g« Test board—A general term for fiberboard, or paperboard that is

required to meet a specified bursting or puncture test, a

definite caliper, and a definite iweight«

2« Bursting strength—^The pressure required to rupture a specimen when it is

tested in a specified instrument, under specified conditions; commonly used as an important measure of the strength of paper, paperboard,

or fiberboard«

3» Cady-Tester~A machine used to test the bursting strength of paper, paperboard, or fiberboard«

li^ Cleat—A wooden, metal, or fiberboard strip attached along the edge of a

wooden, wirebound, or fiberboard container, used to connect an adjacent panel, or to fasten to the panel between the edges for reijoforcement and stiffening«
•25-

5. Corrugated fiberboard--A sheet of corrugated board on one or both sides of

Tïhich a sheet of container board has been pasted»

3L. Single-faced corrugated fiberboard--^à sheet of corrugated

board, on one side of irtiich is pasted a sheet of container board

h.' Double-faced corrugated fiberboard~A sheet of corrugated

board, on both sides of which a sheet of container

board has been pasted*

c» Double-iñfalled corrugated fiberboard—A combination of singleand double-faced corrugated fiberboard pasted together

to form a combination of three sheets of container board

Tfiith two sheets of corrugated board betwsen»

6. Flute (or corrugation)—Refers to one of the undtilations (corrugations) on

a corrugatea board»

a# A^'Flute—Approximately 36 flutes or corrugations per foot, approximately 0#180 of an inch high*

b# B-Flute—Approximately $1 flutes or corrugations per foot, approximately 0»097 of an inch high*

c* C-Flute—Approximately U2 flutes or corrugations per foot, approxinately 0*UbO of an inch high*

?• Joint—^The point where two parts of a container are joined or put together*

a* Butt-joint-«A type of lumber joint in which two squared surfaces

are brought together and fastened with two or more corrugated fasteners*

b* Lindermann joint—Consists of a projection along the edge of one

piece of board extending into a corresponding recess in the

edge of the adjoining part, the projection and the recess

extending the length of the pieces*
-26-

c. Manufacturers * j oint'-^sually refers to the point vdiere the two

parts of a box are joined by the manufacturer» This term

is usually used in connection idth the manufacture of fiberboard boxes <>

d« Ship^lap joint—Consists of a groove or slot made in the edge of

one piece of board to receive another piece of board having

an identical groove or slot which Yäien inverted and placed

together forms a smooth surface»

^^^

e» Tongue and grooved—A type of lumber joint consisting of a tongue

and groove on opposite edges to provide close fitting into

an adjacent grooved or tongued piece»

8« T^tnination—^To overlay or build up in thin sheets or layers»

a» Laminated wood—A piece of viood made up of plies that have been

joined together with glue or mechanical fastenings* The

grain of all plies is parallel«

b. Laminated fiberboard—^Two or more pieces of container board

pasted together»

9. Liner—A fiber sheet corrugated or solid inserted in the container next to

the sides, ends, top, bottom, or in the center of a box to provide

additional protection and rigidity to fiber boxes»

10. Moisttire content of wood—^Weight ,of the water contained in the wood usual3y expressed in percentage of the -weight of the oven dried woods»

13» Mullen Tester—A machine to test the bursting strength of paper or fiberboard. See also Cady Tester - definition 3*

12» Pack—A completely packaged product, ready for shipment»

13» Point—A term used to describe one unit of thickness of paper, paperboard,

or container board, the actual unit being one thousandth of an inch

(a point is 0»001). (The term is sometimes used to designate Mullen

or Cady test iinits»)
-27-

Ui« SaiTO -wDod—Jtough or surfaced Itimber that has been divided into tuo or more

thicknesses by saidng«

15» Shook—The unassembled but completely fabricated parts of a box, crate, or

barrel«

16# Standard-"-An established or authorized measure of iweight, dimension, quality, or the like; especially, something serving as a model»

17» Test--^ process or a procedure by -which the performance of a material container, or any other object is determined»

a« Beach (G, E» Puncture Test)"'-A testing machine developed to evaluate the puncture resistance and score line strength of

boxes# The amount of penetration or resistance is indicated

on a scale#

b« Cady or Mullen test—k test to measure the bursting strength of

fiberboard, in lïhich a Cady or Mullen Tester is used. It

consists essentially in clamping tbs dry fiberboard between

two surfaces having concentric circular openings of about

1«25 inches in diameter and then applying hydrauHc pressure

through a rubber diaphragm secured to one of the circular

openings so as to burst a hole through the board exposed to

the opening. The pressure required to burst the board is

recorded by means of a pressure gage calibrated to read in

pounds per square inch. This test is fully described in

Rule Ul of the Unifoijn Railroads Freight Classification«

c# Compression Test—Test simulating heavy stacdcing of packaged materials. Registers poundage exerted and amount of cosqparession or yield*

d. Flat crush test—The flat crush test measures the force required

to crush the corrugations in a sheet of combined board#

Generally, specimens cut for this test are about 3^ square #

e« Impact (Conby Test)—A test simulating rough handling on freight

cars. Uses a dolly riding on inclined rails ndth juapact

against a solid iwall«

f • Revolving drum test—A rough-handling test for packed shipping

containers. This test is designed to simulate the handling

a box receives in transportation.

18. Veneer—Thin sheets of wood produced on a rotary lathe or by slicing or

samng»

a. Rotary-Cut Veneer—^Veneer cut in a continuous strip by rotating

a log against the edge of a knife in a lathe«

b. Sa-wn Veneer—Veneer produced by sawing.

c« Sliced Veneer—Veneer that is sliced off by moving a log bolt

or filch against a large knife«
-28-

U. s. WEIGHT CLASSES

(illustrations - Actual Size)

DN-893

Figure 27.—The six U. S. Weight Classes, and the minimum weight for each in

ounces per dozen.
-29-

APEENDIX

Table B.—Minimum weights of consumer and wholesale grades of eggs in the Ü.

Weight Classes for Shell Eggs, by size or weight class.

CONSUMER GRADES

Size or

Weight class

Minimiua net weight

per dozen

uunces

30

27

2k

21

18

13

Minimum net weight

per 30-dozen

Pounds

Minimum weight for

individual eggs at

rate per dozen j/

Ounces ^~

Jumbo

Extra largeLarge

Medium

Small

Peewee

56 ! 29

50-1/2 : 26

1^5 : 23

39-1/2 : 20

3h : 17

28 » -*-

l/ Minimum weights listed for individual eggs at the rate per dozen are

permitted in various size classes only to the extent that they will not reduce

the net weight per dozen below the required minimum, consideration being given

to variable weight of individual eggs and variable efficiency of graders and

scales which should be maintained on a uniform and accurate basis*

WHOLESALE GRADES

Per 30 dozen eggs j Weights for individual eggs at rate

per dozen

Weight j

classes : Average net

^weight on a.

jlot Vbasis:

: Minimum :

net weight:

: individual:

' ease^basisî

Minimum:

weight;

. Weight variation tolerance for

not more than 10 percent, by

; count, of individual eggs.

» Pounds

: 50-1/2 '

39-1/2 '

3^

[ Pounds i

; 50 :

hk :

• 39

: none j

'Ounces

Extra large--'

Large ;

Medium

Small :

26 :

23

: 20

: none :

:Under 26 but not under 2k ounces

iUnder 23 but not under 21 ounces

•Under 20 but not vinder 18 oujices

none

1/ Lot means any quantity of 30 dozen or more eggs.

2/ Case means standard 30 dozen egg case as used in commercial practice

in the United States.

T^U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1958 O -470342