Evaluating the influence of wrapping turns for a new packaging method called sustainable specific suspension (3S) packaging

Abstract

3S packaging, which stands for sustainable specific suspension packaging, wraps a product on a piece of cardboard using stretch wrap film. This cardboard is then folded and slipped into a box. The product is protected on all six sides by air if impact forces occur. This research focuses on the number of wraps needed to keep the peak acceleration lower than the maximum acceleration that can be tolerated by the product. A new test method is presented, based on existing drop test methods. It is shown that the protection in one specific shock direction (perpendicular to the tray length) is much more affected by the number of wraps than the other, lengthwise, direction. This allows for a focus on that direction when optimizing the number of wraps. The variation in the measured acceleration peaks and the sudden change in acceleration indicate that the package has reached the protection limits and contact is made between the object and the enveloping cardboard box. Combined with the required degree of protection, one can evaluate whether the object is sufficiently protected.