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Measurement and analysis of ‘small’ packages in next‐day air shipments
Author(s) -
Singh S. P.,
Singh J.,
Chiang K. C.,
Saha K.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
packaging technology and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.365
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1099-1522
pISSN - 0894-3214
DOI - 10.1002/pts.873
Subject(s) - product (mathematics) , transport engineering , dimension (graph theory) , engineering , operations management , computer science , operations research , mathematics , pure mathematics , geometry
Packaged goods are shipped globally using various means of transportation. Over the past two decades, there has been a continuous increase in studies that measure and analyse dynamic events that occur to packages during transportation and handling. These data offer useful information to design and test packages, and provide protection from potential hazards like drops and impacts. However, none of the past studies are directed towards single packages regarded as ‘smalls’. ‘Smalls’ or small‐package product systems are defined as those with volume of less than 0.013 m 3 , a longest dimension of 0.356 m and a weight of 4.54 kg or less. Packages that qualify for these specifications are often mixed together in a large carrying bag and handled with other single parcel shipments. This study measured and analysed the effect of moving this category of single packages through expedited shipments in the USA. The results showed that these packages experienced as many as 27 events comprising of drops or tosses in a one‐way shipment, and a maximum of 5.01 m of near‐zero G travel distance representing long ‘tosses’. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.