KEYNOTE ADDRESS: My Grandchildren’s Packaging: Looking Past the Future to the Past

What will they remember about protective packaging in 2009, when they look back from the future? Will we meet the expectations of a future team of packaging experts? Will they conclude that we used our resources and opportunities well – or less than well? How will our vision affect and define the future?

Education Michigan State University – B.S. in Packaging. R.I.T. – M.S. in Service Management Activities ISTA Vice President – Strategic Innovation, IoPP Member, ASTM D-10 Achievements ISTA R. David LeButt Award, IoPP CPP, IoPP Fellow, MSU Packaging Alumnus of the Year.

back to top

The Leonardo Challenge: Dinosaur Road Trip

The chance of a lifetime. That’s what it was. The opportunity to develop a protective packaging solution for a 77 million year old mummified dinosaur called Leonardo, to ensure that the fossil could be transported from its home in Malta, Montana to NASA Houston to be scanned for remnants of internal organs within the amazingly complete torso of the petrified, mummified Brachylophosaurus Canadensis. Protecting this one-of-a-kind treasure presented a number challenges which led quickly to the recruitment of aknowledgeable and competent packaging team to work on the project, each focusing on their areas of expertise. Bill Kipp from ISTA and Dale Root from Lansmont were enlisted along with David Hagood, Amer Geirl and Jack Rickards from Sealed Air.

This joint presentation will cover the background and history of the project along with the procedures applied to assess the fossil, measure the anticipated shipping environment, evaluate the candidate protective materials and then design and create an effective protective packaging system capable of safely transporting the world’s most complete articulated dinosaur 2,000 miles to its destination at NASA Houston. We’ll also explain how it got the name, Leonardo.

Follow along as we monitor Leonardo the Dinosaur Mummy on the trek to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. A picture’s worth a thousand words, and this project includes 272,731 images that have been integrated with GPS and instrument data streams to provide situational awareness and an intuitive understanding for the cause/effect relationships between the road conditions and vehicle dynamics.

Constructed Probability Spectra is introduced as a direct link from measured field data to vibration test protocol. Build confidence into spectral shape, test level, and test duration.

BILL ARMSTRONG: Education Michigan State University - B.S. in Packaging, 1968 Activities Member of Industry Advisory Councils for MSU School of Packaging and RIT Packaging Department, Past President of ISTA, Past National President of SPHE, Past National President and Chairman of IoPP, Past Board Member of PEF, Past President of MSU School of Packaging Alumni Association, Past Chairman of the IoPP Transport Packaging Committee and Ameristar National Packaging Design Competition Achievements ISTA CPLP-Professional, IoPP CPP, Granted patents on inflatable cushioning design and foam-in-place packaging forms, Many professional articles published in various magazines and Packaging Encyclopedias, Named PEF Packaging Hall of Fame: 2003, Member of MSU School of Packaging Alumni Hall of Fame, Member of NIPHLE Military Packaging Hall of Fame, 1998 MSU National Alumni Service Award, 1992 NIPHLE Annual Achievement Award in Packaging, Member of IoPP College of Fellows.

DALE ROOT: Education B.S. in Packaging, Michigan State University Achievements Developer of Instruments, Equipment and Software to support product and package testing, Past president of the Monterey Bay Dog Training Club, Owner of trained and handled Obedience Trial Champion.

back to top

Packaging, Politicians and Sustainability

Well designed packaging/product systems make a positive contribution to sustainable development but many politicians worldwide find packaging a convenient scapegoat because consumers/voters believe environmental taxes are "good" and packaging is "bad". Some regulations restrict companies' choice of packaging and have negative environmental impact. How should industry tackle this?

Education on-going! Activities Member UK Government's Waste & Resources R&D Committee, Fellow Institute of Packaging, Fellow Royal Society of Arts, member International Solid Waste Association Achievements: Over 20 Years experience on packaging and environmental issues, spent 2 years as consultant to the UK Government's first Minister with responsibility for recycling, coordinated one of the first lifecycle studies on packaging in the 1980s, managed the first detailed analysis of household waste composition in the UK.

back to top

Performance Packaging: Meeting Supply Chain Requirements

This presentation will review the three recent publications by the FBA that provide packaging performance education to various segments of the packaging community. There will be an emphasis on the most advanced of the three publications; “Edge Crush Test: Application and Reference Guide for Combined Corrugated Board”. The “ECT Guide” is a tool to educate packaging engineers in understanding ECT and creating cost-effective packaging solutions to supply chain packaging problems.

Education BSME, Northwestern University, 1962; MBA, Northwestern University, 1964; Quality Through Productivity, University of Tennessee, 1984 Activities TAPPI, IoPP (CPC and TPC Committees), ASTM, NIPHLE Achievements TAPPI: Corrugated Division Chairman, 1992; Division Leadership and Service Award, 1995; Board of Directors, 1997-2000; TAPPI Fellow, 2000; Division Technical Award, 2005; Distinguished Service Award, 2006; TAPPI Quality and Standards Committee Chairman, 1997 to present Technical Editor of TAPPI’s Corrugating International publication. Numerous presentations and published articles on bar code printing, statistical process control, quality processes, ECT, and HACCP. 44 years in the corrugated industry, in 32 of which I have had some association with the FBA.

back to top

Learn How HP Uses Package Testing For R&D Product Development

Using a special 26-drop test method, HP is able to guide product development through extensive drop testing, statistical analysis of drop test data, and determination of a field cost risk assessment.

Education B.S. in Packaging – Michigan State University, MBA - Northwestern Univ. Activities ISTA Achievements 40 years of packaging design experience with Western Electric, Volkswagen of America, Anco Wiper Blades, and Hewlett-Packard. Past winner of two first place awards in SPHE competition (now IoPP). Only non-packaging claim to fame was performing on stage with a partner during a Reba McEntire concert with her singing in the background.

back to top

Substituting Cornstarch-based Foam for Polyethylene and Polystyrene Foam in Glass Packaging

In 2006, Volvo North America integrated cornstarch-based protective packaging foam as a substitute for traditional fossil-fuel based foam for all their glass shipments. This presentation will discuss the process and the results over the past two years.

TOM COLONNESE: Education BS in Business, Syracuse University; MS in Accounting, Barry University; CPA - State of Florida Activities Board Member - Small Business Association of Michigan; Founder - Central Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.

ERIC FISHER: Education Veteran of the United States Air Force; Columbus State Engineering Program Activities IoPP Member; Deacon at Sunbury Christian Church; Upward Basketball Director Achievements A pioneer for establishing reusable packaging materials within warehouse and establishing packaging requirements for aftermarket service.

back to top

Cold Chain Design - What is Needed

Newcomers to Cold Chain Distribution (shipping products cold) may be surprised that more “standardized” information is not available in the public domain. The intent of this paper is to identify areas of research which would benefit the industry and motivate companies to share their research and findings to benefit the industry. It is believed that once this key information is available and considered a foundational base, packaging suppliers and companies will then be able to develop more effective standardized packaging solutions for cold chain distribution, reducing financial and environmental impacts. It is not the intent of this paper to address qualification protocol, procedures, or processes needed to meet government regulations such as required in the pharmaceutical industry.

PAUL RUSSELL: Education San Jose State University, BS, December 1986, Major: Industrial Technology, Concentration: Packaging Technology Activities VP Membership ISTA, IoPP member, ASTM member, San Jose State University Advisory Board Chairman, CalPoly Advisory Board Member Achievements Hold 10 US Patents, IoPP CPP-Life, IoPP College Fellow, San Jose State University - Distinguished Honorary Award.

back to top

Engineering Analysis for Tricky Problems

What is an engineer to do when traditional problem solving techniques aren’t fixing the problem? This is a case study involving performance issues of corrugated boxes shipped from Asia. What started out as a seemingly straightforward issue quickly became a vexing problem unsolved by traditional packaging analysis. Learn about the approach HP engineers took to solve the issue, and the questions it raises about our understanding of corrugated box performance.

Education Ph.D., Michigan State University Activities Adjunct Associate Professor, Clemson University Achievements Manages teams responsible for all HP printer and scanner hardware packaging.

back to top

Analysis of In-flight Aircraft Vibration

This presentation will discuss the research performed in order to characterize and analyze in-flight aircraft vibration of a turbo propeller (feeder) aircraft. Methods of collection and results will be presented to better understand the cargo environment of feeder aircraft as they transport packaged products.

Education Clemson University - B.S. Packaging Science 2006 Clemson University - M.S. Packaging Science 2008 Activities ISTA member Achievements ISTA CPLP - Technologist

back to top

Supply Chain Environment, What's Really Going On

What is happening within the Supply Chain from the Producer all the way to the Retailer. How some large companies often underestimate packaging; they do not believe in the advantages that a well designed and, of course, tested packaging can offer. The only thing that matters to them are the costs, and not the product and packaging integrity. Many times they do not realize the contribution that good packaging can make to overall system cost savings. Once they realize that, the opportunities begin to grow for us, the packaging people. This presentation will show how that trend is starting to change.

Education Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey-Bachelors Degree in Marketing and in Mechanical Engineering Activities ISTA Member, Contributor in Developing Patent Packaging Systems, Packaging Design Consultant Achievements Designed multiple packaging solutions for large CPG companies under the Pallet Ready or Ready to Ship, Display and Sell (SDS) principals.

back to top

A New Way to Test a Unitized Load for Rough Handling

Of the several pre-shipment packaging tests we perform to qualify a full Unitized Load (UL) ASTM D 6179, Rotational Edge Drop - Test Method A or Test Method C depending on the weight of the UL, is one of the more subjective tests. However, these tests are the most important. If the UL fails this test the rest of the sequence tests are aborted because if the load can’t be moved successfully it is too unstable for the continued testing of shipping and warehousing capability. Those of you who have practiced these test methods are all too aware of the potentials of trashing the wooden pallet, not to mention the load, and the associated ergonomic/safety issues one is exposed to during the testing. To that end we have designed and developed a new testing apparatus for practicing these test methods.

Education Indiana University, San Jose State University Activities IoPP CPP, ISTA CPLP - Technologist, IoPP Transport Committee Chair, ASTM, TAPPI, MSU CDP BOD Achievements Past President IoPP Golden Gate Chapter.

back to top

Cosmetic Packaging Damage and B2B Shipments

This presentation challenges the practicality of the "retail standard" of physical packaging condition.

Education MS in Packaging from Michigan State University Activities Member IoPP Achievements 2005 Ameristar Award Winner, Several Patent Awards, BEYA Modern Day Technology Leader.

back to top

Reducing Damages and Shipping Costs with Less Packaging

Many companies could benefit from understanding their distribution systems better. Case studies will show how re-thinking design and laboratory testing can result in dramatic cost reductions.

Education BS and MS degrees in Packaging, Michigan State University Activities International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), Western Packaging Association (WPA), Institute of Packaging Professinals (IoPP) Achievements Owner of Packnomics, LLC, a consulting company devoted to thinking inside, outside and beyond the box. Four patents related to packaging and foam recycling. Honored with the E-chievement Award on National Public Radio...the only packaging engineer to ever receive this award.

back to top

Case Studies of Successful Industry Applications Using Shock and Vibration Recorders

This presentation discusses the successful utilization of shock and vibration recorders to collect transportation data. The projects covered were all focused on solving product damage issues that were occurring during shipping by either truck or rail. Transportation data was utilized in the laboratory or solely for evaluation of the transportation hazards. The industries covered are consumer beverage, bottle industry, and construction materials.

MARK HUGHES: Education B.S. in Wood Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts and M.S. in Forest Products, University of Minnesota. Activities ISTA Associate Member and ASTM Member. Achievements Updated the Signode laboratory to include Random Vibration / Incline Impact Equipment utilizing Shock / Vibration Recorders in the field, Speaker at the ITW Technology Conference in Mumbai, India in 2006 and 2005, Packaging Patent awarded in 2005 on Biased Strap Tension Retaining Device and 2004 OSHA Voluntary Star Site Manager Safety Award.

MIKE KAUFMAN: Education B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois, Chicago. Activities Member of ISTA and IoPP. Achievements Holder of US Patent.

back to top

Transportation of Cultural Properties

Cultural properties move globally because they are regularly loaned between museums. Although packaging methods still rely mostly on "experience," Tokyo National Museum has been trying to adopt a more scientific approach. This presentation introduces field measurement projects jointly done by Tokyo National Museum and eXcearch LLC. Interesting facts were discovered from air shipments.

NOBUYUKI KAMBA: Education BS in physics, Tokyo Metropolitan University (1977), and MA in conservation science, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts (1979), Ph.D. in research on microclimate control (1997). Activities Member of International Institute of Conservation (IIC), International Council of Museums (ICOM), and executive members of the Japan Society for the Conservation of Cultural Properties (JSCCP). Achievements prize from the Japan Society for the Conservation of Cultural Properties in 2008.

MASAHIRO TAKAGI: Education B.E. in Communication Engineering, Tokai University Activities ISTA member, Japan Packaging Institute member.

back to top

Analytical and Experimental Techniques for Unit Load Design

This presentation will discuss techniques for combining finite element analysis and experimental measurements to improve the design of unit loads. These methods are particularly relevant in light of the continuing trend toward the use of caseless secondary packaging to support cost saving and sustainability initiatives.

Education BSME, University of Cincinnati

back to top

Alternate Method to Record and Analyze Shock from Field Measurements

Collecting field shock data and converting it into useful information can be challenging. As a result, we have investigated alternate methods to convert shock data from the field to representative laboratory tests. Our first and second generation devices and analysis methods will be explained along with their advantages and limitations.

Education B.S. and M.S. - Michigan State University Activities ISTA, IoPP, Western Packaging Association, ASTM Achievements ISTA CPLP-Professional, IoPP CPP- Lifetime, US Patent holder.

back to top

Using Computer Aided Engineering Processes in Packaging Design Development

While Mabe successfully utilizes a Computer Aided Engineering based design process for product development, they have extended these methods to improve the packaging design and optimize the product-packaging system. The objectives of this project were to use computer modeling to simulate the effect of distribution environment events to the product-packaging system at early stages of the product design development and perform optimization to improve product protection.

JOSÉ MARTINEZ-RIVERA: Education Master of Science in Packaging - Michigan State University Activities Management of the packaging area and packaging laboratory of Mabe, Development of packaging projects for new products and improvement of the packaging for current products Achievements Six Sigma Green Belt Certified Silver Level. Chicago 2008 Marathon.

MAHESH PATEL: Education Bachelor of Engineering (BEng Hons) from the University of Westminster, UK Activities SAE, AIAA Achievements Mr Patel has been developing and designing products using computer simulation methods for the past 19 years. His simulation experience covers Aerospace and Rockets, Automotive, BioMed, Consumer Goods, Electronics and Packaging.

back to top

Driving Sustainable Packaging Development with Customized Packaging Testing

Lessons learned from rolling out a mandatory testing protocol, customizing ISTA 3E and ISTA 3A for Sam's Club specific business needs and odd-shaped items, along with how packaging testing supports Sam's sustainability goals will be presented by Robert Parvis. ISTA will provide an update on the Sam's Club Test Procedure Development Program.

ROBERT PARVIS: Education University of California, Berkeley - B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Activities IoPP member Achievements Significant contributions to the Wal-Mart Packaging Sustainable Value Network; Developed packaging for new item launches at a large CPG company, with a focus on display and Club-ready packaging

ERIC JONESON: Education B.S. in Packaging from Michigan State University. Activities ISTA President, AIAG, IoPP, AAR, MSU Consortium for Distribution Packaging representative, member of the MSU Packaging Alumni Association Board of Directors. Achievements ISTA CPLP Professional, numerous technical presentations, publications and training sessions, Transportation packaging expert witness.

back to top

Hazards Along The Supply Chain

Products must be designed and packaged to be durable to supply chain hazards. This paper considers the diversity in supply chains and the importance of effective supply chain mapping. Case studies will be presented showing how packaging optimisation can be supported by appropriate testing linked to good supply chain knowledge.

Education B A (hons) Physics Activities Editor-in-Chief, “International Journal of Packaging Technology & Science”, ISTA Board Member 1996 - 2002; Lectured on Packaging MSc course in UK and South Africa.

back to top

Kurtosis in Vibration Testing

What is Kurtosis? (a definition for the non-statistician) What does it look like on a vibration table? What might it do to our product? Is it related to "Shock-On-Random?" Will it bring us closer to putting the real world in our lab? Hershey's is experimenting with Kurtosis control, and we'll share our findings.

Education AST in Electronics and Computer Technology. Course work in Industrial Arts at Millersville University. Activities ISTA Member & Member of ISTA Technical Council, IoPP Member & Treasurer of Central Penn Chapter of IoPP, Member of Hershey's RFID Team. Achievements ISTA CPLP-Technologist, IoPP CPP, Certified Electronics Technician, Co-Author & Presenter of Hershey's Packaging 101, Taught Electronics Technology for 14 years, Ran Hershey’s Packaging Lab for 16 years.

back to top

Optimizing Cube Utilization and Supply Chain in the Distribution Environment (The Cube Chain Method)

The Damage Boundary Method often leads to a wasteful package, because it does not consider the supply chain and cube utilization. The Cube Chain Method is an alternative package development technique that focuses on both these aspects in an attempt to address the issue.

Education B.S. in Industrial & Systems Engineering (2004) and M.S. in Industrial & Systems Engineering w/ Concentration in Packaging (2009) Activities ISTA.

back to top

New Experimental Tools for Improving Corrugated Box Performance

It is well known that transportation means high and varying stresses for products as well as packages. To develop boxes with the ‘right’ amount of material and the right construction is crucial. The vibrations and shocks acting on pallets during transportation are transferred to the corrugated boxes and considerably reduce the strength and life time of the boxes.

Important parameters to consider are stacking strength, load distribution and the degree of stacking misalignment.

This paper presents a technique for investigating these stresses based on a pressure sensitive film, which gives many measuring points and a pictorial description of the stresses that occur.

A series of tests using static as well as random and sinusoidal vibration testing have been done utilising this technique and results have been presented for different positions on the pallet.

Also advantages and disadvantages with this technique will be described and new knowledge possible to elaborate will be discussed.

Education Lic Eng Activities Deputy chairman of the Technical Advisory Board on Mechanical Environment of CEEES (Confederation of European Environmental Engineering Societes), Member of ISTA European Executive Council.

back to top

Adapting your packaging development process to changing supply chains

Large retailers have become the dominant power in almost all supply chains. They have started to sets demands for packaging, both for compliance with their distribution system, as well as related to sustainability (e.g., Wal-Mart scorecard). Meeting the challenges of these new supply chains, and successfully balancing distribution requirements with marketing requirements and sustainability requirements is one of the great challenges of both brand owners and packaging suppliers. This presentation will use real business cases (mainly from Royal Philips Electronics) to illustrate how to meet those challenges.

Education Delft University of Technology, M.S. (cum laude) Activities currently finishing Ph.D. thesis, teaching within Design for Sustainability group at DUT.

back to top

ISTA Technical Update

This session will discuss recent changes to ISTA Test Procedures, current activities of the Technical Council, and other related issues. There will also be a brief recognition of successful applicants from the CPLP Workshop.

Education B.S.E.E. from Stanford University, 1962. Activities ISTA member, IoPP member, chair of ASTM D10.15 (Fragility Assessment), Editorial Board member - Journal of Packaging Technology & Science. Achievements ISTA CPLP-Professional, IoPP CPP-Fellow, first recipient of ISTA's R. David LeButt award.

back to top

University Update: Michigan State University Center for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability

As packaging has moved toward becoming a “decision science” and there is greater appreciation of packaging’s importance to new product development, in terms of consumer behavior, retail and brand value, product quality, supply chain and profitability, there has been an even stronger recognition of the impact of packaging on the global ecosystem. New demands that packaging not only deliver quality products, but also have minimal impact on the environment are leading to additional expectations of packaging as a science. To fully address the need for an integrated approach to research, outreach and education focused on issues of innovation and sustainability, we have established the Center for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability at MSU. The Center will bring together university scholars, students and practitioners to address issues associated with sustainability; develop measurements, tools and strategies for quantifying and reducing environmental impact throughout the value chain; and build leadership capacity to address the environmental impact of packaging. The Center will serve as a bridge between corporate and packaging industry professionals, University scientists (in packaging, engineering, business, the environment, and other areas), distributors and consumers. It will offer an entry point for industry to have easy access to School of Packaging expertise and to cultivate collaboration. It will serve as a clearinghouse for advancing knowledge, disseminating information and fostering action that enables corporations and industry to adopt and implement sustainable packaging practices.

Education B.S. in Agriculture, Murray StateUniversity (1981), M.S. (1984) and Ph.D. (1986) in physiology and endocrinology, North Carolina State University Activities Dean of the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources since 2001.

back to top