The optimization of pallet design in today’s competitive supply chain is imperative to reduce costs and improve sustainability. With over two billion pallets in circulation in the United States, most packaged products are handled using unit loads and the interactions between the unit load components are not being considered in the pallet design process. This study aims to investigate the effect of the interlocking of layers and the pallet stacking patterns on pallet bending. This effect is part of a greater encompassing observed behavior known as load bridging, where a redistribution of the stresses on the pallet dependent on the characteristics of the load is generated. The bending of the unit load was measured under four common support conditions, warehouse racked across the width and length, fork tine support across the width and floor stacking. Five different pallet stacking patterns were then analyzed, comparing different interlocking levels, from column stacking to fully interlocking. It was identified that interlocking the layers causes a reduction in pallet deflection of up to 53% versus column stacking, and is more significant on lower stiffness pallets. The stacking patterns and interlocking levels also presented an effect on pallet deflection, albeit only for very low stiffness pallets when supported on its weakest components. A relationship between the observed results and a ratio of load and pallet stiffness was conducted, suggesting that when the load on the pallet is not significantly high in relation to the stiffness, load bridging won’t be observed. These results provide a guideline on improving pallet design and help furthering the understanding of the load bridging effect. / Master of Science / The optimization of pallet design in today’s competitive supply chain is imperative to reduce costs and improve sustainability. With over two billion pallets in circulation in the United States, most packaged products are handled using unit loads and the interactions between the unit load components are not being considered in the pallet design process. This study aims to investigate the effect of the interlocking of layers and the pallet stacking patterns on pallet bending. This effect is part of a greater encompassing observed behavior known as load bridging, where a redistribution of the stresses on the pallet dependent on the characteristics of the load is generated. Tests were conducted to measure the pallet bending performance under common scenarios, evaluating the effect of five different pallet stacking patterns. It was identified that when the layers of a unit load are interlocked, the pallet presents lower deflection (up to 53%). A relationship between the observed results and a ratio of load and pallet stiffness was conducted, suggesting that when the load on the pallet is not significantly high in relation to the stiffness, load bridging won’t be observed. These results provide a guideline on improving pallet design and help furthering the understanding of the load bridging effect.

Packaging sustainability has become one of the most notable issues of this era. Many researchers have endeavored to characterize or compare the environmental burdens of a single level of packaging, such as primary, secondary, or tertiary packaging. However, goods are often handled, stored, and transported through the supply chain system in unit load form consisting of pallets, corrugated boxes, and load stabilizers. Hence, it is important to holistically understand the environmental impact of not only individual packaging levels, but also the unit load form. We can use the interactions between the unit load components to reduce the environmental burdens generated in the supply chain system. Past studies discovered that pallet top deck thickness has a huge effect on corrugated box compression strength. Using this knowledge, researchers were able to optimize the cost of unit loads by increasing pallet top deck thickness and reducing the board grade of corrugated boxes. This study (1) further discovered how different unit load design factors, such as initial top deck thickness, pallet wood species, box size, and board grade, affect the performance of the previously proposed unit load design optimization method, and (2) we investigated if the unit load optimization method could also enhance unit load sustainability. The study's first phase identified that the benefits of increasing top deck thickness were more pronounced as the initial top deck thickness decreased, higher board grade boxes were initially utilized, and smaller-sized boxes were used. The second phase of this study showed that increasing top deck thickness and reducing the board grade of corrugated boxes could offset environmental impacts by as much as 23%. Environmental benefits were mostly achieved by reducing the amount of relatively more-processed materials in the corrugated boards. This phase also provided preliminary unit load conditions as guidance for unit load professionals to estimate the possibility of optimizing their unit load design in an environmentally beneficial way. / Master of Science / Sustainability-minded individuals, industries, and policymakers recently recognized the environmental burdens associated with packaging as a critical concern to society. Many initiatives and studies have been conducted to prevent and reduce the environmental impacts of individual packaging systems, such as corrugated boxes, plastic bottles, and pallets. However, not many efforts have been made to enhance the environmental performance of a whole unit load, which is the most common distribution packaging form used to transport and store goods. It is essential to understand the physical interactions between unit load components, such as corrugated boxes and pallets, in order to improve a unit load's environmental performance effectively. The unit load optimization concept introduced in the past study, which showed that increasing top deck thickness can reduce the needed board grade of corrugated boxes, was further investigated and utilized in this study to offset the environmental burdens of a unit load by substituting different materials used. To assess the environmental performance of that unit load design optimization method, this study first endeavored to understand further how various unit load design factors could affect the result of unit load optimization, and second, we analyzed many different scenarios using a life cycle analysis method. The study found that the unit load design method that uses deck board thickness to change the amount of corrugated board needed had more potential for lighter pallets with thinner deck boards carrying heavier loads. The results also showed that increasing top deck board thickness and reducing the board grade of the corrugated board could improve the environmental performance of a unit load when the corrugated material is sufficiently substituted with a reasonable amount of pallet material.

Denna studie undersöker vilken påverkan förpackningsdesign har inom skönhetsindustrin men även hur hållbara förpackningsalternativ, med fokus på påfyllningsbara produkter, påverkar återköp. Genom en kvalitativ forskningsmetod, där semistrukturerade intervjuer användes för att samla in data, visar resultatet att förpackningsdesignen identifieras som en avgörande faktor för sensorisk njutning och produktupplevelse. Färg, form och materialval spelar en betydande roll i köpbeslut, där färg och material har större inverkan än formen. Vissa färger associeras med lyx och kvalitet, medan material som glas upplevs som högre kvalitet och mer miljövänligt jämfört med plast. Förpackningens funktion är också avgörande, där välfungerande och skyddande förpackningar stärker konsumenternas förtroende. Hållbarhetsfaktorer är viktiga för konsumenterna, där miljövänliga material samt information om hållbarhet på förpackningen har en positiv inverkan. Påfyllningsbara förpackningar lockar konsumenter och kan förbättra varumärkesimagen samt ge ekonomiska fördelar för både konsumenter och producenter. Vidare har påfyllningsbara produkter potential att öka återköpen genom att erbjuda ekonomiska fördelar och möta efterfrågan på miljövänliga alternativ. Konsumenterna sparar pengar genom att köpa påfyllningar istället för nya förpackningar, vilket ökar sannolikheten för återköp. Första intrycket av en produkt påverkar initiala köpbeslut, medan produktens kvalitet och funktion är avgörande för återköp. Företag som investerar i hållbara förpackningslösningar och upprätthåller hög produktkvalitet kan därmed bygga starka kundrelationer och öka kundlojaliteten på lång sikt. / This study investigates the impact of packaging design within the beauty industry, as well as how sustainable packaging options, with a focus on refillable products, influence repurchase behaviour. Through a qualitative research method, where semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, the results show that packaging design is identified as a crucial factor for sensory enjoyment and product experience. Colour, shape, and material choices play a significant role in purchasing decisions, with colour and material having a greater impact than shape. Certain colours are associated with luxury and quality, while materials like glass are perceived as higher quality and more environmentally friendly compared to plastic.The functionality of the packaging is critical, with well-functioning and protective packaging enhancing consumer trust. Sustainability factors are important to consumers, and eco-friendly materials as well as information about sustainability on the packaging have a positive impact. Refillable packaging attracts consumers and can improve brand image as well as provide economic benefits for both consumers and producers. Refillable products have the potential to increase repurchase by offering economic advantages and meeting the demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Consumers save money by buying refills instead of new packages, which increases the likelihood of repurchase. The first impression of a product influences initial purchase decisions, while product quality and functionality are crucial for repurchase. Companies that invest in sustainable packaging solutions and maintain high product quality can build strong customer relationships and increase customer loyalty in the long term.

Les performances, l’encombrement, l’efficacité et la fiabilité des dispositifs sont parmi les enjeux majeurs de l’électronique de puissance. Ils se traduisent sur la conception, la fabrication et le packaging des semiconducteurs. Aujourd’hui, le packaging 3D apporte des réponses concrètes à ces problématiques en regard de l’approche standard (2D). Malgré les excellentes propriétés de ces modules 3D au niveau de la réduction de la signature CEM et du refroidissement, la réalisation, notamment les interconnexions, est complexe. Une approche globale prenant en compte un maximum de paramètres a été développée dans cette thèse. L’ensemble de ce travail s’appuie sur deux propositions que sont la conception couplée entre les composants et le packaging ainsi qu’une fabrication collective à l’échelle de la plaque des modules de puissance. Elles se combinent par la mise en place d’une filière d’étapes technologiques appuyée sur une boite à outils de procédés génériques. Cette approche est concrétisée par la réalisation d’un module de puissance 3D performant et robuste adressant des convertisseurs polyphasés avec des gains aussi bien sur les procédés de fabrication que le module lui-même ainsi que sur le système final.Ce travail offre une nouvelle vision alternative pour l’élaboration des modules électroniques de puissance. Il ouvre également des opportunités pour une fabrication et un packaging plus performants pour les nouveaux semiconducteurs grand gap. / Performances, efficiency and reliability are among the main issues in power electronics. Nowadays, 3D packaging solutions increase standard planar module (2D) performances, for instance EMC. However such integrations are based on complex manufacturing, especially concerning interconnections. Improvements require global and advanced solutions. This work depends on two proposed concepts: a coupled design of the power devices and their associated package and a collective wafer-level process fabrication. A technological offer is proposed based on an innovative power packaging toolbox. Our approach is materialized by the fabrication of a 3D polyphase power module which proved to be more efficient and reliable. The benefits are more precise process manufacturing, lower EMI generation and lower inductive interconnections.As a matter of fact, this work offers a new and advanced technological integration for future power electronics modules, perfectly suitable for the wide bandgap semiconductors.

<p>Predmet doktorske disertacije obuhvata izbor ambalažnog materijala i uslova pakovanja, pakovanje tradicionalnog pekarskog proizvoda pite sa sirom, kao i očuvanje proizvoda tokom skladi&scaron;tenja.<br />Polupečene pite sa sirom su proizvedene i pakovane u petoslojne i sedmoslojne polimerne kese, pri atmosferskim i u uslovima modifikovane atmosfere pakovanja, sa dodatkom i bez dodatka sakupljača kiseonika. Nakon pakovanja, pite su skladi&scaron;tene i ispitivane po sledećoj dinamici: 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 i 16 nedelja skladi&scaron;tenja. Izvr&scaron;ena su ispitivanja ambalažnih materijala i ambalaže, kao i upakovanog proizvoda. Tokom ispitivanja ambalažnih materijala i ambalaže određivana su: fizičko-hemijska i strukturna svojstva ambalažnih materijala, barijerna svojstva ambalaže, koncentracija gasova u ambalaži i kvalitet formiranih varova. Ispitivanja upakovanog proizvoda su se odnosila na: fizičko-hemijska svojstva pite sa sirom, senzorska svojstva pite sa sirom i mikrobiolo&scaron;ka ispitivanja pite sa sirom.<br />Primenjeni ambalažni materijali su pokazali odgovarajuća fizičko, mehanička i strukturna svojstva. Takođe, oba ambalažna materijala pokazuju dobre barijerne karakteristike na ispitivane gasove. Izračunavanjem ukupne zapremine kiseonika koja može biti propu&scaron;tena kroz ambalažu tokom skladi&scaron;tenja je utvrđeno da je upotreba sakupljača kiseonika od 100 ml dovoljna da omogući skladi&scaron;tenje pite sa sirom, pakovane u obe vrste ambalaže, u vremenskom periodu od 122 dana (16 nedelja), bez promene koncentracije kiseonika veće od 1%. Analizom koncentracije gasova u ambalaži je utvrđeno da su najmanje oscilacije merenih gasova tokom skladi&scaron;tenja pokazali uzorci pakovani u petoslojne, kao i sedmoslojne kese, u atmosferi vazduha sa dodatkom sakupljača kiseonika. Fizičko-hemijska svojstva (kiselinski stepen, peroksidni broj, sadržaj vlage, aw vrednost) uzoraka pita sa sirom su se menjala tokom skladi&scaron;tenja, zavisno od vrste ambalaže i uslova pakovanja. Period skladi&scaron;tenja utiče na senzorski kvalitet proizvedenih pita sa sirom. Nakon 16 nedelja skladi&scaron;tenja pita sa sirom upakovanih usa sirom kese od petoslojnog i sedmoslojnog ambalažnog materijala, u atmosferskim uslovima, sa dodatkom sakupljača kiseonika, ne dolazi do promena ukupnog broja kvasaca i plesni.<br />Na osnovu ciljeva doktorske disertacije, izvr&scaron;enih ispitivanja i postignutih rezultata, može se zaklučiti da su predloženi ambalažni materijali, kao i uslovi pakovanja doprineli produženju održivosti tradicionalnog pekarskog proizvoda - pite sa sirom.<br />Primenom barijernih ambalažnih materijala, kombinovanjem atmosferskih uslova pakovanja i sakupljača kiseonika, moguće je skladi&scaron;titi pite sa sirom u dužem periodu.</p> / <p>The subject of doctoral thesis includes the selection of packaging material and packaging conditions, packaging of traditional bakery product phyllo dough pastry with cheese, as well as the preservation of the product during the storage period. Partially baked phyllo dough pastry with cheese have been produced and packed into five and seventh layer polymeric bags, by using atmospheric and modified atmospheric packaging conditions, with and without the addition of the oxygen scavengers. After the packaging, phyllo dough pastries have been stored, and the dynamics of researches has been referred to: 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 week of storing.<br />Researches of packaging material and the product of packaging have been conducted. Examination of packaging material includes: physicochemical and structural properties, barrier properties, concentration of gases inside the packaging and the quality of welds. Examination of the product of packaging includes: physicochemical properties, sensorial properties and microbiological properties of the phyllo dough with cheese.<br />Applied packaging materials have shown an adequate physical, mechanical and structural performances. Furthermore, both packaging materials have shown good barrier characteristics against examined gases. By the calculation of total oxygen volume, which might penetrate throughout packaging materials during storing period, it can be concluded that the application of 100 ml oxygen scavenger is sufficient to provide the storing of phyllo dough pastry, packed in both packaging materials, during a period of 122 days (16 weeks) without oxygen concentration changes higher than 1%. The analysis of gas concentration in packaging has shown that the smallest oscillations of gas concentration during the storage have been determined inside the packaging of five and seven layer packaging material, in air conditions by using oxygen scavengers.<br />Physicochemical performances (acid number, peroxide value, moisture content and aw value) of the samples vary depending on the packaging material and the packaging conditions, during the storage period. The storage period affects the sensorial quality of phyllo dough pastries. After sixteen weeks of storage, phyllo dough pastry with cheese, packed into five and seven layer packaging material, in air atmosphere, with the addition of oxygen scavenger, did not show the increase of the total number of yeasts and molds.<br />Based on the goals, conducted research and results obtained, it might be concluded that suggested packaging materials, as well as the packaging conditions contribute to the additional sustainability of traditional bakery product - phyllo dough pastry with cheese. By the application of barrier packaging material, and combining the atmosphere packaging conditions and the oxygen scavenger it is possible to store phyllo dough pastry for a longer period.</p>

The current trend in electronics manufacturing is to decrease the size of electronic components while attempting to increase processing power and performance. This is leading to increased interest in thinner printed wiring boards and finer line widths and wire pitches. However, mismatches in the thermomechanical properties of materials used can lead to warpage, hindering these goals. Warpage can be problematic as it leads to misalignments during package assembly, reduced tolerances, and a variety of operational failures. Current warpage prediction techniques utilize isotropic volume averaging to estimate effective material properties in layers of copper mixed with interlayer dielectric material. However, these estimates do not provide material properties with sufficient accuracy to predict warpage, as they contain no information about the orientation of the copper traces. This thesis describes the development of a new technique to predict the warpage of a particular substrate. The technique accounts for both the trace pattern planar density and planar orientation in determining effective orthotropic material properties for each layer of a multi-layer substrate. Starting with the trace pattern image, this technique first divides the trace pattern into several smaller areas for a given layer of the substrate and then uses image processing techniques to determine the copper percentage and average trace orientation in each small area. The copper percentage and average trace direction orientation are used in conjunction with the material properties of copper and the dielectric material to calculate the effective orthotropic material properties of each smaller area of the substrate. A finite-element model is then created where each layer is represented as a concatenation of several small areas with independent directional properties, and such a model is then subjected to sequential thermal excursion as seen in the actual fabrication process. The results from the models have been compared against experimental data with a great degree of accuracy. The modeling technique and the results obtained clearly demonstrate the need for the proposed subdivisional orthotropic material property calculations, as opposed to homogeneous isotropic properties typically used for each layer in computational simulations, as these more accurate directional properties are capable of predicting warpage with higher accuracy.

The submitted thesis deals with the Packaging Act representing the basic legislature, which was necessary to implement into the Czech legislature based on the European EU law. This Packaging Act no. 477/2001 is the first legal Act of its type in the Czech Republic. Apart from this Act, the thesis also deals with relevant relations, which are based on the general waste management as given in the Act no.185/2001, Coll. on Waste. Management of packaging and packaging waste, similarly to general waste, is governed by the hierarchy of waste management based on the Waste Act. This acute topic, i.e. waste, has been solved with for a long time. Today the society prefers waste prevention, followed by its re-use and use of waste. Only the last option is to remove waste by putting it to dump yards. The European directive no. 94/62/ES on Packaging and Packaging Waste in the wording of the guideline no. 2004/12/ES determines the limits and deadlines until when these limits must be achieved in individual European states. These limits relate to the minimum and maximum quantity of used packaging waste. The Packaging Act imposes to persons, who launch packaging or packed product to market, also other duties, such as reduction of packaging's weight and volume upon preservation of their functional features,...

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