Corrugated paper boxes are the predominant packaging and shipping material and account for the majority of packaging refuse by weight. Wooden pallets are equally predominant in shipping, transportation and warehousing logistics. The interaction between these two components is complex and unexplored leaving industry to compensate with outdated component specific safety factors. Providing a focused exploration of the box and pallet interaction will open the door for holistic design practices that will reduce cost, weight, damage, and safety incidents. This study was separated into four chapters exploring different aspects of the corrugated box to pallet interaction. The first chapter evaluates the support surface provided by a pallet consists of deckboards spaced perpendicular to the length of the pallet. The resulting gaps between deckboards reduce the support to the box. Gaps were limited to 55% of box sidewall length for practical reasons. The effect of gaps was significant and produced a nonlinear reduction in box strength. Small boxes were more susceptible to gaps than larger boxes. Moving the gap closer to the corner increased its effect while increasing the number of gaps did not increase the effect. A modification to the McKee equation was produced that was capable of predicting the loss in strength due to gaps. The equation is novel in that is modifies a widely used equation and is the first such equation capable of handling multiple box sizes. This study also has practical implications for packaging designers who must contend with pallet gap. Chapter 2 explores the relationship between deckboard deflection and box compression strength. Testing found that reducing the stiffness of the deckboard decreases the compression strength of the box by 26.4%. The location of the box relative to the stringer also had varying effects on the box strength. A combination of deckboard stiffness and gaps produced mixed with results with gaps reducing the effect of stiffness. It was observed that lower stiffness deckboards not only deflect but also twist during compression. The torsion is suspected to have a significant influence on compression but further exploration is needed. The third chapter tests the effect of box flap length on box compression strength under various support conditions. Variables included four flap lengths, gaps between deckboards, low stiffness deckboards, column stacking and misaligned stacking. The results show that the box flaps can be reduced by 25% with no significant effect of box strength under any support condition tested. Furthermore, the box flap can be reduced by 50% with less than 10% loss in compression strength under all scenarios. These results have significant sustainability implication as 25% and 50% reduction in box flap reduce material usage by approximately 12% and 24%, respectively. In the fourth and final chapter, the theory of beam-on-elastic foundation is applied to deckboard bending and corrugated boxes. In this model the corrugated box acts and the foundation and the deckboard is the beam. Rotational stiffness, load bridging, and foundation stiffness changes required the development of novel testing solution and model development. The model was capable of predicting the distribution of force along the length sidewall but was not capable of predicting the ultimate strength of the box. The model developed in the study will be applicable in determining potential weakness in the unit load in addition to optimizing those that are over designed. These four chapters represent a considerable contribution of applicable research to a field that relied on outdated safety factors over thirty years. These safety factors often lead to costly over design in an industry where corrugated box and pallets volumes make event the smallest improvements highly beneficial. Furthermore, this research has opened the door for significant additional research that will undoubtedly provided even greater economic and sustainability benefits. / Ph. D.

Fluorescent light exposure has well documented negative effects on fluid milk through oxidation reactions. A shift to light-emitting diode (LED) lights in retail dairy cases has occurred due to increased energy efficiency, but the effects of LED light on fluid milk are not known. The objective was to study the interaction of light protective additives (LPA) with a high oxygen barrier package under fluorescent and LED lighting conditions simulating a retail refrigerated dairy case. The extent of oxidation in 2% milk packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packages with different light interference properties (UV barrier, 2.1% titanium dioxide (TiO2) LPA, 4.0% TiO2 LPA, 6.6% TiO2 LPA) under light exposure up to 72h was compared to control packages (light-exposed, light-protected). Chemical measures of oxidation included dissolved oxygen content, formation of secondary lipid oxidation products, riboflavin degradation, and volatile analysis by electronic nose. Changes in dissolved oxygen content were associated closely with oxidation changes in milk over 72h. PET with 6.6% TiO2 was the most successful package, based on triangle test methodology, protecting milk sensory quality similar to light-protected milk through 8h LED light exposure. Based on a 9-point hedonic scale, (1=dislike extremely, 9=like extremely), consumers liked milk stored under LED light more (α=0.05; 6.59 ± 1.60) than milk stored under fluorescent light (5.87 ± 1.93). LED light is less detrimental to milk quality than fluorescent light and PET with high levels of TiO2 can protect milk quality for short periods of time under typical retail storage conditions. / Master of Science in Life Sciences

The objective of this study was to use MAP technology to produce safe, shelf-stable, high quality, hard grated cheeses not requiring preservatives or refrigeration during distribution and sale. Initially, a challenge study with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was conducted to determine the water activity (Aw) level of high-moisture cheeses necessary to prevent the growth of a food pathogen when packaged under a modified atmosphere (25% CO, and 75% N,). Other microbial analysis included mold and yeast enumerations. Secondly, product quality and shelf stability were determined biweekly by sensory, microbial, and instrumental analysis to evaluate product safety and changes in the natural aromas and flavors of hard grated cheeses. Instrument color analysis CIE L* a* b* values were determined to measure color changes. Parmesan cheese with high Aw levels (Aw= 0.90 and 0.88) supported the growth and survival of S. aureus. The microorganism was incapable of surviving at Aw levels of 0.86 and below. S. aureus was not able to survive on Romano cheese. Mold and yeast proliferated on higher Aw Parmesan cheeses. Visible mold was detected on the Parmesan sample of Aw= 0.90 after 8 weeks of storage. No mold growth was observed on Romano cheese. However, yeast were capable of growing on Romano cheese. The sensory evaluation study of hard grated cheeses was unable to detect a difference between the fresh cheese sample and the cheeses packaged under MAP. / Master of Science

Milk is often packaged in translucent containers providing little protection against flavor degradation from light. The effectiveness of TiO2 modifications of high density polyethylene (HDPE) packaging in affecting light-induced oxidation of extended shelf-life milk (2% total fat) and omega-3 fatty acid enriched milk (2% total fat) was studied. Packaging effectiveness was determined by assessing product quality, including changes in flavor, measuring changes in volatile compounds, thiobarbituric reactive substances and riboflavin concentrations.  Products were evaluated over a 35-day shelf-life when stored under fluorescent light (2200 lux) at 4"C. HDPE packaging included clear (no TiO2) serving as control (light exposed: no light barrier, light protected (foil overwrap) and three different TiO2 levels (low, medium, high) for the experimental treatments (total of five packaging treatments). TBARS was a good predictor of the perception of changes in sensory characteristics in 2% milk.. Under the experimental conditions used, a TBARS value of 1.3 mg/L could be considered the limiting sensory threshold for oxidized milk. Riboflavin concentration decreased by 10.5% in the light-protected control over 36 days and 28.5% in the high TiO2 packaged 2% milk, but losses were greater than 40% for all other packages. In omega-3 enriched milk, the high TiO2-HDPE package provided greater protection of sensory quality and riboflavin than clear, low and medium TiO2 packaging. However riboflavin decreased by 28% even in the light protected control which is a higher loss than observed in 2% fluid milk without omega-3 lipids. TBARS was greater than 4 mg/L in all products, including the light-protected control within three days, suggesting that oxidative stability was low. Omega-3 milk packaged in clear HDPE package exceeded MDA of 3 mg/L by day 7, suggesting the milk would have changes in sensory quality related to oxidation. The high TiO2 package protected riboflavin concentration from degradation and controlled MDA concentration the best of the TiO2 treatments through the test period in both fish oil enriched and non-enriched products. / Master of Science in Life Sciences

Pallets play a crucial role in the supply chain with approximately 2.6 billion in circulation in the United States alone. Although often overlooked, pallets can become costly for a company if not designed correctly for their specific supply chain. Durability is an essential characteristic of pallets; it defines the expected life of the pallet in the supply chain. Forklifts are the dominant mode of material handling for palletized products, and they are responsible for the majority of damages experienced by pallets. Despite the prominence of forklifts in the supply chain and their importance in pallet design, there is a lack of research focusing on the dynamic nature of forklifts in the field. The objective of this research paper was to investigate the intensity of the vibrations and shock impacts that forklifts exert during material handling. Forklifts in multiple facilities were instrumented with Lansmont SAVER 3X90 and 3D15 data loggers to measure the acceleration peak, g of shock impacts, duration of impacts, random vibration intensity and RMS (g) values during forklift handling in the field. The highest vibration levels were observed for distribution facilities with an average acceleration (peak, g) of 0.353 g. Based on the results of the vibration data collection, the vibration profile for laboratory simulation was proposed. The results of the shock measurement showed that LTL facilities recorded the highest average shock impact of all the facilities investigated, with an average acceleration value of 4.74 g with an average shock duration of 7.42 msec. The intensity of shock events measured during the FasTrack procedure was slightly greater than what was observed for the LTL facility indicating that the FasTrack simulation is slightly harsher than the field handling of pallets. Based on the results of the shock measurement, new intensity levels were recommended for the incline impact test to better represent the harshness of handling in the field. The results of this study will be used to revise the durability testing procedures used in pallet testing standards in order to better represent the current material handling processes found in modern supply chains. / Master of Science / With 2.6 billion pallets in circulation within the United States alone, pallets play a significant role in the supply chain. Pallets can become costly for a company if not designed correctly for their specific supply chain, so it is important not to overlook a pallet. Durability is an essential characteristic of pallets; it defines the expected life of the pallet in the supply chain. The forklift is the most common mode of material handling for the transportation of palletized products within a warehousing system, and they are responsible for the majority of damages experienced by pallets. Despite the prominence of forklifts in the supply chain and their importance in pallet design, there is a lack of research focusing on the dynamic shock and vibration characteristics that forklifts experience in the field. The objective of this research paper was to investigate the intensity of the vibrations and shock impacts that forklifts exert on pallets during material handling. Forklifts in multiple facilities were instrumented with Lansmont data loggers to measure the dynamic characteristics of both shock and vibration in the field. The highest vibration levels were observed for distribution facilities. Based on the results of the vibration data collection, a vibration profile for laboratory simulation was proposed. The results of the shock measurement showed that Less-than-Truckload (LTL) facilities recorded the highest average shock impact of all the facilities investigated. The intensity of shock events measured during the FasTrack procedure was slightly greater than what was observed for the LTL facility indicating that the FasTrack simulation is slightly harsher than the field handling of pallets. Based on the results of the shock measurement, new intensity levels were recommended for the incline impact test to better represent the harshness of handling in the field. The results of this study will be used to revise the durability testing procedures used in pallet testing standards in order to better represent the current material handling processes found in modern supply chains.

Labeling is one way consumers evaluate products for purchase. Environmental labeling is used to provide environmental information to the consumer. If a person is familiar with a particular labeling process they may be more inclined to consume such product. This study used the Tobii© T60 eye-tracking system to determine differences in gaze durations and time to first fixation between the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label and an unsubstantiated label. Labels were placed on two different products (toilet paper and paper plates) and four locations (top-right corner, bottom-right corner, top-left corner, and bottom-left corner). Additionally, after the participants viewed the images they were asked to complete the six-question GREEN Consumer Values scale and then asked to sort eighteen different images based on label type and price. Participants did not differentiate between the two labels. Labels placed in the bottom-right corner received the least amount of attention (as measured by fixation duration) when compared to labels placed in the other three corners. Eye-tracking data was then split at the median and two groups were created: low label fixators versus high label fixators. High label fixators scored overall higher on the GREEN Consumer Values scale than low label fixators. Participants sorted the 18 products based on price, putting the lowest-labeled product first 84% of the time. Future studies could include looking at other environmental labels and broader populations. / Master of Science

Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) and CTFE copolymeric films are being used in the electronic packaging industry as insulating dielectric layers between microwave circuits. Since these films are semicrystalline and, in this application, are being used as hot melt adhesives, the cooling rate is an important processing variable, affecting the crystallinity of the CTFE films which in turn affect many properties including dielectric characteristics and mechanical properties. In this study, the crystallinity of CTFE and CTFE copolymeric films as a function of cooling rate was characterized by WAXS and FTIR. As expected, the degree of crystallinity decreased as the cooling rate increased. Analysis of mechanical properties as a function of cooling rate by tensile testing showed that the mechanical behavior of the films became more ductile with faster COOling rates. Since the cooling rate has also been shown to significantly influence adhesion in previous studies, the effect of cooling rate on the bond strength between CTFE and a glass substrate was analyzed. Peel testing with a lab-built Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) and CTFE copolymeric films are being used in the electronic packaging industry as insulating dielectric layers between microwave circuits. Since these films are semicrystalline and, in this application, are being used as hot melt adhesives, the cooling rate is an important processing variable, affecting the crystallinity of the CTFE films which in turn affect many properties including dielectric characteristics and mechanical properties. In this study, the crystallinity of CTFE and CTFE copolymeric films as a function of cooling rate was characterized by WAXS and FTIR. As expected, the degree of crystallinity decreased as the cooling rate increased. Analysis of mechanical properties as a function of cooling rate by tensile testing showed that the mechanical behavior of the films became more ductile with faster COOling rates. Since the cooling rate has also been shown to significantly influence adhesion in previous studies, the effect of cooling rate on the bond strength between CTFE and a glass substrate was analyzed. Peel testing with a lab-builtPolychlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) and CTFE copolymeric films are being used in the electronic packaging industry as insulating dielectric layers between microwave circuits. Since these films are semicrystalline and, in this application, are being used as hot melt adhesives, the cooling rate is an important processing variable, affecting the crystallinity of the CTFE films which in turn affect many properties including dielectric characteristics and mechanical properties. In this study, the crystallinity of CTFE and CTFE copolymeric films as a function of cooling rate was characterized by WAXS and FTIR. As expected, the degree of crystallinity decreased as the cooling rate increased. Analysis of mechanical properties as a function of cooling rate by tensile testing showed that the mechanical behavior of the films became more ductile with faster cooling rates. Since the cooling rate has also been shown to significantly influence adhesion in previous studies, the effect of cooling rate on the bond strength between CTFE and a glass substrate was analyzed. Peel testing with a lab-built apparatus was performed on CTFE/glass laminates revealing that the adhesive bond strength increased as the cooling rate was increased. Thus, optimum adhesion is achieved with faster cooling rates. This was attributed to the higher fracture energy and greater ductility of the adhesive which have been shown to be important factors in the relationship between cooling rate and adhesion. In addition to these investigations, the morphology at the interface was examined by optical microscopy since the crystallization of semicrystalline polymers adjacent to a substrate can result in a substrate-induced morphology known as transcrystallinity along the interface. These optical microscopy studies were inconclusive. / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 C525 / Master of Science

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.

Thesis (PhD (Afrikaans and Dutch))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Medisynevoubiljette (MVB’s) is bekend vir hulle gebrek aan toeganklikheid. Dit word veral dan ook ’n ernstige aangeleentheid indien talle mense siek word en selfs onnodig sterf as gevolg van nie-nakoming of wanbegrip van die instruksies wat in hierdie dokumente voorsien word. Dit is logisties onmoontlik om ’n direkte verband te bewerkstellig tussen nie-nakoming en die tekortkoming van spesifieke mediese voubiljette. Dit is in beginsel ook moontlik om die MVB uit te skakel as moontlike oorsaak van nie-nakoming. Daarom word die beoogde funksies van die voubiljet bepaal, en ondersoekmetodes toegepas om die kwaliteit daarvan te bepaal. Sodoende word tekortkominge in hierdie dokumente teen die beoogde funksie van die dokumente blootgelê en word ruimte geskep vir die herontwerp van die dokumente. Die vakgebied Dokumentontwerp erken verskillende ondersoekmetodes wat op ’n kontinuum tussen teksgerig en lesergerig geplaas word. In hierdie studie word ’n teksgerigte studie uitgevoer deur middel van ’n kontrolelys wat opgestel is om die tekortkominge in medisynevoubiljette bloot te lê. Die teoretiese raamwerk waarbinne dit geskied is die Funksionele en die Sistemies Funksionele Linguistiek. ’n Kenmerk van dié raamwerk is dat dit genre betrek as die struktuur waarbinne dokumente opgestel en evalueer kan word. Die elemente van genre, naamlik register – met inbegrip van die konsepte diskoersveld, tenoor en modus - en kommunikatiewe doelwit, speel ’n belangrike rol hier en omvat beginsels waarby dokumentontwerpstudies kan baat. Die indelingskriterium wat gebruik word vir die genreindeling is doelwit wat implikasies inhou vir die resultate van teksevaluering. Om die daadwerklike kommunikatiewe geslaagdheid van die dokument te bepaal, word ’n lesergerigte studie uitgevoer in die vorm van ’n vraelysondersoek. Hierdeur word die verband gelê tussen die uitsprake wat gelewer word na toepassing van ’n kontrolelys en hoe die leser die teks ervaar. Die kontrolelys stel praktiese kwessies op die voorgrond. Die voordeel van kontrolelyste is dat hulle “Ja”- of “Nee”-antwoorde uitlok wat die evalueerder help om die resultate te kwantifiseer. Daar is ’n magdom faktore wat inwerk op ’n evalueerder se besluit om “Ja” of “Nee” te antwoord daarom moet die antwoorde gewoonlik gekwalifiseer word. Dit is juis in die kwalisering van antwoorde dat die kwantifiseerbare aspek daarvan ondermyn word. Daarom moet die stellings wat vir die kontrolelys geld, voorskriftelik wees. Voorskriftelikheid suggereer veralgemening wat die doel van die ondersoek kan verbysteek. Daarom is daar in die stellings probeer om soveel as moontlik van die omstandighede waaronder “Ja” of “Nee” geantwoord kan word te ondervang. Dit sorg ook in ’n mate vir die kwalitatiewe aspek van die studie. Die kwalitatiewe aspek word verder akkommodeer deur ruimte vir bespreking van die faktore wat teksopstellers se keuses inperk en vir aanbevelings vir verbetering van die stellings. Die benadering neem die polisentriese aard van besluitneming deur teksopstellers in ag. Die studie is bedryfsgerig. Die farmaseutiese bedryf erken die behoefte aan kommunikasie wat spesifiek op die leek gerig is. Daarom is daar deur die bedryf ’n studie geloods waarvoor bepaalde lesergerigte pasiëntinligtingsdokumete geskep is. Die bedryfsaspek van hierdie studie is in die vergelyking tussen hierdie tekstipe, wat die PID genoem word, en die MVB. Daar is ook opsigte waarin die PID verbeter kan word. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Pharmaceutical package inserts are renowned for their lack of accessibility. This can prompt a serious situation when people become ill and even die unnecessarily as a result of noncompliance with or misunderstanding of the instructions provided in these documents. It is logistically impossible to establish a direct relationship between non-compliance and the deficiencies of any given package insert. In principle it is possible to eliminate the pharmaceutical package insert as the possible cause of non-compliance. For this reason the envisaged functions of the inserts are established and research methods applied to determine their quality. In this way deficiencies in the document are exposed against the envisaged function of the document and the ground is prepared for these documents to be redesigned. The field Document Design recognizes various research methods which occupy different positions on the continuum between text orientation and reader orientation. In this study the text orientated study is conducted by means of a checklist that has been compiled to expose the shortcomings of pharmaceutical package inserts. The theoretical framework within which the study is undertaken is Functional and Systemic Functional Linguistics. A feature of this framework is that it involves genre as the structure within which documents are compiled and evaluated. The elements of genre, namely register – including the concepts field, tenor and mode – and communicative goals, play an important role here and incorporate concepts from which document design studies can benefit. The criterion for categorizing texts into genres is goal which has implications for the results of text evaluation. In order to determine the actual communicative success of a document, a reader orientated study is conducted in the form of a questionnaire. In this way the relationship between the findings after the application of the checklist and how the reader actually experiences the text is revealed. The checklist brings practical issues to the fore. The advantage of a checklist is that it invites “Yes” or “No” answers which help the evaluator to quantify the results. There is a multitude of factors influencing the evaluator’s decision to choose “Yes” or “No” and therefore the answers usually have to be qualified. It is in this qualification of the answer that the quantification is undermined. Therefore the statements that are valid for the checklist must be prescriptive. Prescriptiveness suggests generalisation which can go beyond the objective of the study. An attempt has therefore been made to preempt the circumstances under which “Yes” or “No” would be an appropriate answer. This, to some extent, takes care of the qualitative aspect of the study. The qualitative aspect is further accommodated by allowing space for the discussion of those factors that restricted the choices of text compilers and for the recommendations for improvement of the statements. The approach takes the polycentric nature of decision making by the text compiler into account. The study is industry orientated. The pharmaceutical industry acknowledges the need for communication that is specifically aimed at the lay person. For this reason the industry launched a study for the purposes of which a Patient Information Leaflet was compiled. The industry orientated part of this study resides in the comparison between this text type, called the PIL, and the existing package insert. There are areas in which the PIL too can be improved.