NBSIR 74-616

Parcel Post and You

Joel J. Kramer and Clare P. Goodman

Technical Analysis Division

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

November 1974

Final Report

Prepared for Engineering Department

UcS. Postal Service

Washington, D. C. 20260

NBSIR 74-616

PARCEL POST AND YOU

Joel J. Kramer and Clare P. Goodman

Technical Analysis Division

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

November 1974

Final Report

Prepared for Engineering Department

U.S. Postal Service

Washington, D. C. 20 260

U. S. DEPARTMEIMT OF COMMERCE, Frederick B. Dent, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Richard W. Roberts. Director

Parcel Post and You

QUICK REFERENCE

Subj ect Page

US Postal Service and Parcel Post 2

How You Can Help Your P-arcel to be Delivered

Safely and on Time 4

Outer Containers, Boxes, Bags, Packs, Crates,

Mailing Tubes 5

Inside Packaging 9

How to Use Wadding for Mailing Fragile

Carry- Home Packaged Merchandise 13

Closure and Reinforcement 14

Wrapping the Parcel 21

Labeling and Marking Your Parcel 22

Special Markings Such as "Handle With Care" 24

How Good a Packaging Job Have You Done? 24

Packaging Products or Articles Most Subject to

Parcel Damage 25

Specific Packaging Guidelines 26

1
I. TO U.S. POSTAL SERVICE AND PARCEL POST

Pronpt delivery of your Parcel Post packages in good condition is

the aim of the U.S. Postal Service. Millions of parcels are handled each

day in about 35,000 postal facilities in the United States. Parcels of

all different sizes, shapes, Aveights and types enter the mailstream

through the receiving window or the unloading dock. Figure 1 shows a sample of the variety in parcel post for any day.

- (NBS)

Figure 1 . A variety of parcels.

A brief look at how your parcel moves through the Parcel Post system

will help you to understand the environment into which your parcel goes.

Basically, it travels from the acceptance window through various forms of

processing and transportation to its final destination. Packages are moved both manually and mechanically. At large modem facilities, parcel

movement and processing are carried out by semi -automated equipment.

Figure 2 shows one form of mechanization.

V

J
Figure 2 . Conveyor- - one type of postal mechanization. (NBS)

Between cities, parcels are moved by rail, truck, or air and on a single journey your parcel may be transported by several different means

of transportation. Figure 3 shows how parcels are stacked in a truck for

transport to the next distribution point.

Figure 3. Parcels being loaded for highway travel. (NBS)

Long parcels are loaded last.

l\hile your parcel is being carried on its way it may occasionally

experience some of the vibrations and shocks found in all handling, transportation and distribution centers. Your basic responsibility as the

mailer is to get your parcel off to a good start by packaging your goods

adequately and securely.

3
II. HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR PARCEL TO BE DELLVTRED SAFELY AND ON TIME

An adequately packaged parcel will protect your merchandise and

help the Postal Service to process and deliver it without delay. At some

time during processing and transportation your parcel may have others

stacked on top of it or bumped against it.

A parcel m.ay be ciushed. A parcel may receive bumps.

A parcel may be exposed to heat, cold, humidity or rain.

Figure 4.

This brochure presents some basic steps and general information that

will help you package your goods for safe delivery. More specific details

and technical information can be found in the Handbook "Packaging for

Parcel Post." Your postmaster or his representative will have a copy

available.

4{

/
OUTER COMTAINERS

• Should be strong enough to protect against situations like those

shown in Figures 1-4.

• Should be big enough to hold all the items being packed, but not much

larger. Too much space inside allows excessive movement which weakens

internal support for the container.

• Should never be too tight for the contents and packing. The container

below was too small for its contents.

Figure 5 . Ivhen a container is too small for its contents. (NBS)

• Should be made stronger with internal packaging or blocking when

holding fragile or soft merchandise.

• May be:

1. A Box , made of solid or corrugated fiberboard, (See Figure 6).

5
(Courtesy, Fibre Box Assn.)

Figure 6 . Corrugated fiberboard box.

2. A Bag , like those in Figures 7, 8, and 9. Cushioned, reinforced,

utility or corrugated bags are intended for relatively small, lightweight, non- fragile items without pointed projections or sharp edges.

Cushioned bags can be purchased at post offices.

3. A Container of other type, style, construction, or material suitable for the contents. Such containers include but are not necessarily limited to: paperboard boxes, film packs, bookpacks, wooden

boxes and crates, record packs, drums, cans, mailing tubes, and textile bags.

Figure 7 . Two types of cushioned or padded bags in common use: one with

internal plastic cells; the other with recycled paper fibres

(macerated newsprint)

.

Bag has been cut to show bubble Internal wall of bag bonded to

structure. (NBS) paper cushioning. (USPS)
[Courtesy, Jiffy Manufacturing Company)

Figure 8 . Heavy duty unpadded bag.

• If you use a cushioned, reinforced, utility, or corrugated bag, choose

a size that allows your goods to be slipped in easily but which holds

them snugly in position after they are inside.

• If you must use a regular paper bag or envelope, make sure that it is

reinforced with strong packaging tape. Lightweight paper will not

give the sturdy protection needed from an outer container.

Figure 9 . Corrugated bag. (Courtesy, St. Regis Paper Co.)
• If your box is too small or too snug, get a larger box and cut it

do\\Ti, as shoMi below.

I. Mark line A for the

height of box.

Mark line B for the

size of flaps needed.

2. Cut along line B.

3. Fold along line A,

Figure 10. Procedure for cutting do\\Ti a box.

If your box needs to be made

stronger, find another box

a little larger but of

similar shape. Remove the

flaps of both boxes , turn

the smaller box open side

up and slide the larger

box do\\Ti over it. This

"telescoping" greatly

increases the strength of

the box walls. The bottom

and top may also need reinforcement .

Making a stronger container

(NBS)

Figure 11. Making a telescoping container.
INSIDE PACKAGING:

• Inside packaging prevents damage to the article being mailed and

gives the outside container support and strength.

• Choose one or more of the packing materials described below to hold

your goods in position inside the container. Heavier items need

sturdier, more rigid packaging materials.

1. Cushioning. For relatively fragile goods, many other internal

packing materials are available \\'hose prime function is

cushioning against shock and vibration. These materials include but are not necessarily limited to: polyethylene, ex- panded polyethylene, urethane foam, polyurethane foam, rubberized hair, polyvinyl chloride, plastic foam sheeting, and

cushioned \sTapping.

2. Loose-fill

.

This material fills up space all around the item

being packed. Use clean shredded newspaper; a soft, spongy

material cut into strands; or small plastic foam pieces.

Plastic foam pieces of loose-fill are good for packing light

and medium weight items of any shape. Follow the steps sho\\Ti

in Figure 13 when using loose-fill.

(N'BS)

Figure 12. Shredded newspaper as loose-fill.

9
Packing with loose fill is simple and easy. Maximum

protection for the packaged item is provided by using

,

, , the packing technique described.

3. Fill side voids with

additional loose fill.

Dispense a layer of

loose fill in the bottom

of the box. If the application is critical, be sure

the proper thickness for

adequate protection is

used. Fill the remainder of

the carton or container

to an excess

.

Place the item to be

packaged on the bed of

loose fill.

5. Press down firmly to

close. Cushioning

material will interlock.

Then seal the carton.

(Courtesy, Dow Chemical Co.)

Figure 13. Procedure for packing with loose-fill.

10
3. Partitions and Internal Supports. Partitions separate items

trom each other inside a container so that each piece has its

own snug-fitting section. Supports also are used to protect

items from contact with each other inside and from shock or crushing by other containers. See the Figures helow for ex- amples. Partitions or supports are usually made from corru- gated fiberboard, chipboard, or paperboard although the latter

two should be used only for lightweight item^. Within each

cell, there may be a need for filler material to prevent move- ment .

Figure 15. One type of product support. (NBS)

11
4. Comer Pads. Such pads

fill the comers of the

container to support the

container and help prevent parcel contents from

shifting position inside.^

Fiberboard, newspaper,

plastic, or fabrics make

good comer pads . This

figure shows one type.

(Courtesy, Fibre Box Assn.)

Figure 16. Comer Pads

5. Plastic Bags. These bags protect your merchandise against dirt,

dust, scratching, etc. Plastic bags should be used mainly

inside other containers but some of heavy grade are now being

employed as extemal shipping containers for unbreakable goods

that have no sharp comers or edges . Make sure the bag has no

holes or tears. Plastic bags should have an adequate tie or

tape closure.

6. Wadding. This material \\Taps , pads, lines, blankets, or simply

stuffs the inside of a container. Wadded and conpressed news- paper or wadding made of cellulose or cotton materials will

pack non-fragile items satisfactorily. Suit the thickness to

the needs of the item. Follow the steps in Figure 17, and make

sure that: (a) All critical points of the merchandise are protected; (b) All spaces are filled; and (c) The wadding

is crumpled tight enough to provide protection but not overly

tight.

12
3. Pad all points, edges, and corners.

4. Cover merchandise with enough 5. Close the top with a little

wadding to provide cushion. pressure to make the package

a secure unit.

Figure 17 . Procedure for using wadding for mailing fragile carry-home

packaged merchandise.

13
CLOSURES AND REINFORCEMENT:

Tapes

:

Gummed or Pressure Sensitive Tape. For light packages under 20

pounds, use tape of at least 60 pounds basis weight, two inches

wide. See Figure below for application steps. Do not use for

heavy packages over 20 pounds. For heavy packages use the tape

described below.

1. Apply first strip to 2. Press down overlap on 3. Seal edge seams

far flap, then close ends (3 inch overlap on with 3 inch overlap

flaps and seal center seam, each end.) beyond comers.

4. Bend around sides a. id pull tightly into

position.

5. Fold corners over the 6. Repeat steps 3, 4, top and press firmly, then and 5 on the other end

fold attd press top. of the box.

Figure 18 . Applying gummed or pressure sensitive paper tape.

2. Reinforced Tapes . These gummed tapes consist of a rolled or laminated paper structure with glass, rayon, or polyester fibers

embedded throughout. Three different reinforcement patterns

are shown below.

Lengthwise Combination Bi-Diagonal

14
To apply reinforced guimied tapes, activate the gum with warm water

or other specified liquid. Firmly apply to the box, allowing the

tape to extend three inches over the adjacent side of the box.

Two strips of tape are necessary for light duty packaging when

used as shown in Figure below. Only one strip is needed if the

bottom has been stitched, stapled, or glued. However, if the con- tainer has been used before, tape should also be applied to the

bottom.

\

1. Apply one strip of

tape, at least 2" wide,

to far flap. Overlap

3" on each end.

2. Close flaps and

seal center seam.

3. Fold down and

press overlaps on each end.

Figure 19. Applying reinforced gummed tape or pressure sensitive

plastic tape.

3. Pressure -Sensitive Plastic Tape (requires no wetting). Use only

polyester backed plastic tape at least two inches wide and apply

as shown in Figure 19 (above). For gross weight over 20 pounds,

the polyester backed tape must be at least 0.0015 inches (1 1/2

thousandths) thick. Thinner polyester tapes may be used for light

weight parcels. Polyester backed tapes can be distinguished from

other plastic tapes by their extreme resistance to tear and puncture.

4. Pressure- Sensitive Filament Tape (requires no wetting). Recommended for reinforcing cartons. This is an extremely strong tape

of plastic film with reinforcing strands of glass or synthetic

fibers.

A reinforcing strip of pressure-sensitive filament tape is called

a "clip". Large boxes (over 20 pounds) which need more reinforcement

should have two or more C-clips as shown in Figure 20. L-clips are suitable for ends of light-weight parcels. When added strength or security is needed, closures can be reinforced with C-clips of pressuresensitive filament tape. (See Figure 20).

15
C-Clip

(3- surfaces

;

far side

hidden)

L-Clip

(2 -surfaces)

(NBS)

Figure 20. Pressure-sensitive filament tape clip application.

• All materials are at normal room temperature and free of

dust or other foreign matter.

• Hie tape sticks securely. Gummed and reinforced kraft must

be adequately wetted and properly smoothed onto the carton.

Figure 21 shows a parcel taken from the mailstream because

of inadequately wetted gummed tape.

• The tape sticks to the whole surface of the container, part

cularly at the ends

.

• Do not use plain cellophane or masking tape for closing or reinforcing packages.

IVhen applying any type of tape, make sure that:

16

/
(NBS)

Figure 21. Results of improperly vretting and applying gummed tape.

• Stapling and Stitching:

Stapling is the process of closing a parcel with a piece of

preformed metal wire dispensed from a magazine-fed machine. Stitching is the process of closing a parcel with a machine which uses a short piece of wire formed from a continuous coil at the moment of

use. Stapling and stitching are useful for closing cushioned and

corrugated bags, unpadded utility bags, and reinforced bags. Boxes

may also be closed by using staples or stitching.

(Courtesy, Jiffy Manufacturing Co.)

Figure 22. Stapling a cushioned bag.

17
Mien using staples or stitching:

Use only heavy duty staples. The typical lightweight home or office stapler is not usually adequate.

Space staples evenly across the area to he closed. Do not

leave gaps greater than three inches . Bags should be closed

with at least three staples

.

Cover the closure with tape if staples are used.

Staples do not provide a dust or moisture-proof closing. When

contents can be damaged by foreign substances, apply tape to

seal closure.

Staples must pass conpletely through at least two thicknesses of

container material to be effective. For fold-over closures, the

staples must pass through four thicknesses and be clinched.

Use another method such as tape or glue for closing rather than

staples, if the outside packaging material is w^eak.

Staples can be hazardous (as shown below) if they are not properly applied or become loose during handling. Be sure the

staples do not show sharp ends. When loose or oversize,

staples injure postal customers and employees, scrape or mar

equipment, snag clothes, and damage other parcels. Staples

should be clinched tightly and covered with tape to prevent

snagging. Staples too long for the job should not be used.

Figure 25. Hazardous staple. (NBS)

18
Locking Tabs

:

Certain types of containers are designed with their flaps cut in

such a way that they will interlock when closed. These closures must

be taped for security.

Cuffs

:

Cuffs are extensions on certain types of mailing tubes that are tucked inside the tube to retain the contents after they have been

inserted.

Metal Clips:

Metal clips are used to secure lids of cans or similar con- tainers. The specific design used by the mailer must be approved by

the Postal Service.

Adhesives

:

To achieve a good closure with adhesives, it is necessary to

allow sufficient drying time while adequate contact pressure is maintained between the two adhering surfaces. Depending on the container,

the adhesive should cover 50-75% of the overlapping area.

l\'hen applying adhesives to a regular slotted container, the top

and bottom flaps of the fiberboard box should be firmly glued together. At least 50% of the surface area of contact between the

flaps should be covered with adhesive, and the adhesive should be

spread to within 1/4 inch of the edges of the inner flaps as shown

below.

Figure 24. Proper adhesive application for a regular slotted con- tainer.

19
l\Tien using adhesives

:

(ft Make sure the adhesive is applied securely so as to prevent lifting

' of edges in handling.

• Make sure the adhesive selected is recommended for the packaging

material. Many containers are treated to repel water, grease, or both and exceptional care must be taken in the selection of adhesives for such packaging materials.

• When adhesive has been applied, make sure adequate time and enough

contact pressure have been given to form the bond properly.

• Make sure adhesive has not been applied too thinly. A thick film

is generally stronger than a very thin one.

• Take special care with glossy surfaced shipping containers, the

glaze sometimes causes adhesion problems.

• If you are using plastic containers, be sure the adhesive is

appropriate to the type plastic involved.

• Banding or Strapping: '

Bandings and strappings are primarily used for self-containing

and reinforcing containers after they have been properly closed or sealed. Plastic and metal strapping as well as reinforced filament

tape are typically used for this purpose. Care must be taken in

application to make certain that bandings are tight and will not loosen

and fall off.

If you have closed your container properly with tape or staples,

tying cord or twine around it probably isn't necessary even though it

will give added support and reinforcement. Ties should not be used

as the only means of closing a parcel. If you do tie your parcel:

1. Use strong twine or cord.

2. Don't skimp on the amount, use enough.

3. Follow the steps shown in Figure 25.

Reinforced tape may be used as an alternative to tying.

• Ties

:

11
L Loop twine around 2. Tie a Knot

parcel as shown

3. Repeat I and 2 as 4. Completed parcel

shown

Figure 25 . Tying procedure.

WRAPPING THE PARCEL:

• Do not rely on wrapping alone to serve as a container for sending

goods through the mail; the mailer of the parcel in the Figure

below did just that!

(NBS)

Figure 26. Do not rely on the wrapping alone to protect a parcel.

21
t Heavy paper wrapping may be used on the outside of a parcel to cover a reused box if there is unnecessary printing on it. To

eliminate needless use of wrapping paper, unwanted markings can be

covered with paper tape, blotted out with ink, or simply crossed-out.

• To wrap a container, follow the steps shown in the Figure below.

2. Wrap paper

around container

4. Fold in corners 3. Fold down ends

5. Secure with strong tope

Figure 27 . Wrapping a container v;ith paper prior to tying or banding.

LABELING AND MARKING YOUR PARCEL:

• Addressing the Parcel

A good address label is absolutely essential to get your

parcel to the right addressee:

1. Print or type clearly all letters and numbers.

2. Use letters and numbers big enough to be read easily from a distance of 30 inches.

3. Use an ink or other printing medium which is not soluble in

water and cannot be rubbed off easily with light finger

pressure.

22
4. Put no other information within two inches of any edge of

the address label.

5. For added protection, place a supplemental address label

inside the package.

Attaching the Label

1. Apply label to a flat surface free from dust, dirt or other

particles that might reduce sticking power.

2. Be sure that all of the label makes contact with the surface.

3. Smooth out all folds or wrinkles.

4. Use extra smoothing pressure on comers and edges.

5. If tags must be used, attach them firmly, preferably with a wire leader, making sure that sharp edges are clinched or blunted and taped.

6. Avoid unprotected flimsy, multi-copy or carbon-copy labels. The

Figure below shows what can happen to labels of this kind. Use

plastic label protection tape for added security in holding and

protecting the label.

(NBS)

Figure 28 . What may happen to a carbon-copy label.

23
7. Place label on only one side or surface of the package.

8. Use transparent plastic label protection tape when there is doubt

about ability of label to stick or the ability of inks to resist

smudging.

9. Use of an additional "From" and "To" address label inside of

the package is encouraged.

Special Markings Such as "Handle With Care" :

1. Use only when your merchandise really is fragile or breakable,

but remember that since mechanized equipment can't read

caution markings , such markings will not make up for inadequate

packaging.

2. Use markings approved by the Postal Service in preference to

others.

3. Use "Fragile" only for delicate items such as glass.

4. Use "Perishable" only for contents that will degrade or decompose rapidly such as meat, produce, plants, or certain chemical

samples.

5. Use "Do Not Bend" only when contents are protected with stiff- eners inside the container.

II. HOW GOOD A PACKAGING JOB HAVE YaJ DONE?

The Postal Service makes every effort to handle your parcels with

care, but you can still test the adequacy of your packaging by asking

yourself some of the following questions. If you can answer "Yes" to

all of them, your package will have a better chance for successful

delivery.

1. Would you let your parcel roll off a table? (A drop of this

kind may be experienced in transportation or mail handling.)

2. Would you let another parcel roll off a table and hit yours on the top? (Your parcel could experience this.)

3. Is your parcel protected against internal leakage or from

possible exposure to rain, cold, or heat?

4. Is the address label easily readable from a distance of 30

inches and is it securely attached?

24
If you cannot answer "Yes" to all of these questions, repackage or reinforce your parcel before you mail it. When in doubt about how to

package special articles , check with your postmaster or his Customer

Service Representative.

IV. PACKAGING PRODUCTS OR ARTICLES MOST SUBJECT TO PARCEL DAMAGE

Some items shipped through the mail exert unusual and unexpected

pressures on their containers. USPS survey data indicate that improper packaging of books, fabrics, and unrestrained hardware results in

greater parcel damage than is normally found with other categories of

merchandise.

• Books

Always band or tie books together (in both directions) before

putting them into any container. The Figure below shows what frequently happens to books when the box is all that holds them together.

Figure 29 . How Not to package books. (NBS)

• Heavy or Awkward Goods

If you are planning to ship heavy or awkwardly shaped units such

as metal parts or hardware, good internal packing is essential. Package these items so that:

1. They cannot move, hammer, or shift inside the container;

25
2^ . The container closure or comers will be strong enough to

bear the load; and

3. Additional protection is provided by the use of two-waytaping or tying on the outside of the parcel.

The Figure below shows what happened to one shipper's product

when the package did not prevent shifting of the contents.

CNBS)

Figure 50 . Unrestrained hardware.

• Fabrics

When a tightly sealed corrugated container filled with soft goods

is struck by a heavier parcel, the container will literally "explode"

like an inflated paper bag. Ventilation of the external container

helps greatly in reducing these internal pressures.

V. SPECIFIC PACKAGING GUIDELINES

For specific guidance on packagirig a particular item or type of

item, and for a more comprehensive and complete description of

materials and containers, please refer to the handbook Packaging

For Parcel Post available from your postmaster or his Customer

Service Representative.

26
VI. LET USPS HELP YOU

In this little booklet the U. S. Postal Service has tried to

show you some basic ideas about how to package your goods to help

them get to their destination in acceptable condition. The Postal

Service will take the best possible care of your parcel, but it is

your responsibility as the mailer to build into your package the

necessary protection for its journey. For further help, please call

on your local postmaster or his CXistomer Service Representative.

27
NBS.n4A CREV. 7-73)

U.'j. DEPT. or COMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. 1-lJM.K .-M ION OK RI-.l'OKl NO. NBSIR 7h-6l62. Gov't Acccs,si No.

3. Kccipunt's Accession No.

4. rrn.K and suhtitli-;

Parcel Post and You

5. Publication Date November. 197^

6. Performing Organization Code

7. AUTHOR(S)

Joel J. Kramer and. Clare P. Goodman

8. Performing Organ. Report ^Jo. NBSIR 7h-6l6

9. PERI-ORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10. Project/Task/W'ork Unit Nc

1+311; 1+36

11. Contract/Grant No.

73-01268

12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Complete Address (Street, City, State, ZIP)

Engineering Department

U.S. Postal Service

1*75 L'Enfant Plaza West, S.W.

Washinpiton, D.C. 20260

13. Type of Report & Period Covered Final

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

16. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary ol most si^ilicant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here.) The U.S. Postal Service has been implementing a program aimed at reducing damage

to Parcel Post. One phase of this program concerns the relationship between

packaging and parcel damage. This report briefly describes the Parcel Post

processing environment and presents packaging guidelines for the occasional

nailer of Parcel Post packages. Topics covered include: outer containers, inside

packaging, closure and reinforcement, and labeling and marking.

17. KEY WORDS (six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only the first letter of the first key word unless a proper name; separated by semicolons

)

Damage reduction; packaging; Parcel Post

18. AVAILABILITY |

' Unlimited ^2 Fof Official Di stribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

I

' Order From Sup. of Doc, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402, SD Cat. No. CH

I I Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

Springfield, Virginia 22151

19. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS REPORT)

UNCL ASSIFIED

20. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS PAGE)

UNCLASSIFIED

21. NO. OF PAGES

27

22. Pr

USCOMM-DC iS0^i-P7«