Improved dunnage material

Description

[0001] This invention relates generally to dunnage material, preparation of such dunnage material and use of such dunnage material.

[0002] Dunnage materials such as foamed plastic particles or strands are known to be highly desirable for use in packaging articles. The foamed particles or strands protect articles in shipping by absorbing shock and by isolation of the articles from shipping container walls. Typical particles or strands are set forth in U.S. Patents 3,188,264 and 3,723,240.

[0003] Dunnage materials are usually placed beneath, around the sides of, and atop articles being packaged in order to isolate the articles from container walls. Packaging relatively light articles in this manner is generally effective. Packaging delicate but relatively heavy articles, such as electronic or optical equipment, in this manner is less effective.

[0004] It has been found that relatively heavy articles tend to settle and migrate, or move through, the dunnage materials due to vibration or handling. For example, in shipments in a truck, van, or rail car, migration of these heavy articles frequently continues until contact is made with a shipping container wall and breakage or other damage occurs. Breakage from this and other causes may be as much as fifteen percent, or even higher, especially where prolonged shipment or handling is involved.

[0005] A number of attempts have been made to reduce migration through dunnage materials.

[0006] Landon, in U.S. Patent 3,292,859 discloses the use of very small, expanded dunnage particles having a surface coating of an adhesive or sticky material.

[0007] Holden, in U.S. Patent 3,188,264, discloses particles having a number of concave surface indentations to promote interlocking between particles.

[0008] Skochdopole et al., in U.S. Patent 3,723,240, discloses asymmetrically foamable strands which curl upon foaming to form a generally helical structure. The helical structures interlock to a degree when placed under pressure.

[0009] Humbert et al., in U.S. Patent 3,251,728, disclose a dunnage material consisting essentially of a tangled interlocking mass of non-linear, elongated pieces of foamed polymer.

[0010] Graham, in U.S. Patent 3,047,136, discloses a dunnage material which consists of a plurality of strings of hollow crushable cylinders, each of the strings being partially cut through at spaced intervals. A resilient or rubbery outer coating may be applied to the strings to reduce sliding of the strings relative to each other as well as to supplement interlocking between the strings.

[0011] Stanley, in U.S. Patent 3,074,543, discloses a packing material in the form of small cylinders (see Fig. 1) fabricated from a relatively stiff, sized paper, which material may advantageously comprise conventional, spirally wound and glued straw stock, such as "straw ends" obtained as a waste product from the manufacture of drinking straws.
The cylinders of Stanley may be provided with a friction-enhancing additive, such as an adhesive coating.

[0012] EP-A- 11 215 relates to free-flowing packaging material made from foamed plastic particles in the form of an asterisk having three legs laying in one plane (see the Figure in the application). The ratio of the thickness D to the height H of the particle and the ratio of the breadth of the leg B to the height of the particle must lay within specified ranges.

[0013] In one aspect the present invention is a packing material comprising a plurality of expanded, resilient, thermoplastic synthetic resinous dunnage particles having an average maximum cross-sectional dimension of at least 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inch) the particles having been prepared by a process including the step of heating foamable pellets to an elevated temperature sufficient to cause the pellets to expand, characterized in that the particles comprise a friction-enhancing amount of a friction-enhancing additive deposited on at least a major portion of an outer surface area of a majority of said dunnage particles which additive reduces the tendency of articles to migrate through the dunnage particles.

[0014] The additive results in the packing material having improved cushioning properties and reduces the tendency of articles to migrate through the dunnage particles.

[0015] In a related aspect, the present invention is a method for preparing packing material in the form of foamed dunnage particles having an average maximum cross-sectional dimension of at least 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inch), wherein the particles are prepared by a process including the step of heating foamable pellets to an elevated temperature sufficient to cause the pellets to expand, characterized in that a friction-enhancing amount of a friction-enhancing additive is applied to at least a major portion of an outer surface area of a majority of said foamed particles.

[0016] In another related aspect, the present invention is the use of the improved packing material of Claim 1 in a method for packaging an article comprising:

(a) providing a packaging container, the container having at least one wall, a top and a bottom, the container also being of sufficient size to contain (1) at least one article to be packaged and (2) an amount of packing material particles sufficient to space the article from the wall, the top and the bottom of the container;

(b) adding a quantity of improved packing material particles to the packaging container, the quantity being sufficient to provide a layer of adequate thickness to space the article to be packaged from the bottom of the container;

(c) placing a first deformable sheet of material over the quantity of dunnage particles; then placing the article to be packaged atop the first sheet of material; and placing a second deformable sheet of material over the article to be packaged;

(d) adding a further quantity of improved packing material particles to the packaging container, the further quantity being placed about the sides, within and on top of the article to space it from the walls and the top of container and from other articles, the further quantity being sufficient to provide a slight overfill of the packaging container;

(e) closing the packaging container to slightly compact the particles by pushing down on the overfill.

[0017] When placed under a compressive force, the first and second deformable sheets will generally deform so that portions of the second deformable sheet come in contact with portions of the first deformable sheet thereby creating an envelope around the article.

[0018] A modification is to wrap at least one deformable sheet of material around the article before it is placed on the layer of dunnage particles.
The improved packing material can also be used advantageously when the article to be packaged is placed in contact with a wall, top or bottom of the container.

[0019] Dunnage particles suitable for use in the present invention are readily prepared from a wide variety of synthetic, resinous, thermoplastic polymers.

[0020] One group of suitable thermoplastic polymers includes polymers which comprise, in chemically combined form, at least seventy (70) percent by weight of at least one alkenyl aromatic compound. Such compounds have the general formula


wherein Ar represents an aromatic hydrocarbon or a ring-substituted halohydrocarbon radical of the benzene series, and R is hydrogen or a methyl radical. Examples of such alkenyl aromatic polymers are homopolymers of styrene, alpha-methylstyrene, ortho-, meta-, and para-methylstyrene, Ar-ethylstyrene, tertiary-butylstyrene and Ar-chlorostyrene; the copolymers of two or more of such alkenyl aromatic compounds with one another; and copolymers of one or more of such alkenyl aromatic compounds with minor amounts of other readily polymerizable olefinic compounds such as divinylbenzene, methylmethacrylate, or acrylonitrile.

[0021] A second group of suitable thermoplastic polymers which are suitable for preparing expanded dunnage particles includes aliphatic olefin polymers which are normally solid polymers obtained by polymerizing at least one alpha-mono-olefinic aliphatic hydrocarbon containing from 2 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule. Illustrative hydrocarbons include ethylene, propylene, butene-1, pentene-1, 3-methylbutene-1, 4-methypentene-1, 4-methylhexene-1, and 5-methylhexene-1. The hydrocarbons may be polymerized alone, with one another, or with various other polymerizable compounds. The polymers of ethylene or propylene alone are desirable because they produce tough, resilient, fine-celled, chemically inert products.

[0022] Examples of suitable polymerizable organic compounds which can be polymerized with ethylene or propylene are vinyl acetate; C₁-C₄ alkyl acrylates, such as ethyl acrylate; styrene; lower alkyl esters of methacrylic acid, such as methylmethacrylate; tetrafluoroethylene; and acrylonitrile.

[0023] Copolymers containing, in chemically combined form, 75 percent by weight or more of ethylene or propylene with not more than 25 percent of one or more of such other polymerizable organic compounds also produce suitable results.

[0024] The aliphatic olefin polymers can be modified by blending with polymeric materials. Illustrative polymeric materials include polyisobutylene, acrylonitrile/butadiene rubbers, poly(2-chlorobutadiene-1,3), polyisoprene, ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers and ethylene/vinylacetate copolymers.

[0025] A third group of suitable thermoplastic polymers suitable for preparation of expanded dunnage particles includes halogenated aliphatic olefin polymers, as well as polymers of a wide variety of ethylenically unsaturated monomers which produce foamable thermoplastic compositions. Illustrative polymers include those prepared by polymerizing isopropenyl toluene; vinyl naphthalene; esters of alpha-methylene aliphatic mono-carboxylic acids, such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, 2-chloroethyl acrylate, 2-chloropropoyl acrylate, 2,2'-dichloroisopropyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, methyl alpha-chloroacrylate, methylmethacrylate, ethylmethacrylate and methylethacrylate; nitriles such as acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile; vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl chloroacetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, vinyl laurate and vinyl stearate; vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ethers, vinyl isobutyl ethers and vinyl 2-chloroethyl ether; vinyl ketone; methyl isopropenyl ketone; isobutylene; vinylidene halides, such as vinylidene chloride and vinylidene chlorofluoride; N-vinyl compounds such as N-vinyl pyrrole, N-vinyl carbazole, N-vinyl indole, N-vinyl succinimide, acrolein, methacryolein, acrylamide, methacrylamide and N-methylol acrylamide; and allyl compounds such as allyl alcohol, methallyl alcohol, allyl acetate, allyl methacrylate, allyl lactate, allyl alpha-hydroxyisobutyrate, allyl trichlorosilane, allyl acrylate and methallyl phosphate.

[0026] Foamable compositions of polymers are readily prepared by incorporating therein a gas, a volatile liquid, a solid gas-releasing blowing agent or a combination of two or more of these which cause expansion of the polymeric material on heating.

[0027] In order to obtain improved cushioning according to the present invention, it is desirable to use expanded dunnage particles which have an average maximum cross-sectional dimension of at least 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inch). Preferably, the particles have an average minimum cross-sectional dimension of at least 1.27 centimeters.

[0028] In one method for preparing the improved packing material, a heat plastified mass of synthetic resinous material is provided in a first step. The heat plastified mass contains an expanding agent. The mass is capable of expansion to form a plurality of closed, gas-filled cells. In a second step, the heat plastified mass is put and maintained under pressure. In a third step, the heat plastified mass is cooled to a temperature which is less than a temperature at which the heat plastified mass would foam under a reduced pressure. In this step, a cooled heat plastified mass is obtained. In a fourth step, the cooled heat plastified mass is extruded, without significant foaming, from a shaping configuration to form elongate strands. In a fifth step, the elongate strands are severed to form a plurality of foamable elements of relatively high bulk density. As an alternative, a die face cutter or similar apparatus could be used to pelletize the cooled heat plastified mass as it is extruded. In a sixth step, the foamable elements, or pellets, are heated to an elevated temperature. The elevated temperature is sufficient to cause the elements to expand and thereby form foamed particles having a plurality of gas-filled cells therein. In a seventh step, a friction enhancing amount of an additive is applied to at least a portion of the outer surface area of a majority of the foamed particles.

[0029] The friction-enhancing additive is suitably any material which meets three criteria. First, it must be capable of being deposited on the outer surface area of the dunnage particles. Second, it must remain on the outer surface area of the dunnage particles for a useful length of time. The useful length of time is that which is sufficient to allow one or more articles to be (a) packaged with the dunnage particles, (b) shipped or transported to a desired destination, with or without intermediate periods of storage, and (c) unpackaged, again with or without intermediate periods of storage. Third, the additive must impart to the outer surface area of the dunnage particles an increased coefficient of friction. Preferably, the additive promotes at least a minimum amount of adhesion between the dunnage particles.

[0030] In order to determine whether an additive meets the aforementioned criteria, a modified peel test was developed. The results of the peel test were compared with results of a vibrational settling test to establish a correlation between the tests. The tests are set forth in hereinafter.

[0031] Materials which meet the aforementioned criteria include synthetic polymer latexes, pressure sensitive adhesives and glues, low molecular weight polymers, waxes, contact cements, starch-derived adhesives, urethane adhesives and protein-derived adhesives.

[0032] Low molecular weight polymers, as used herein, are those polymers which have a ring and ball softening point of greater than about 30° Centigrade, preferably greater than about 50° Centigrade. Ring and ball softening points are determined in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials Test E-28.

[0033] Starch-derived adhesives include pastes, such as wheat paste, dextrins, borated dextrins, jelly gums and the like. Suitable starches are those represented by the formula (C₆H₁₀O₅)_n where n = 1 to about 1,000,000.

[0034] Protein derived adhesives include animal glue, casein and the like.

[0035] Useful synthetic polymer latexes are those which meet the aforementioned criteria and which are aqueous colloidal suspensions of particles of a polymer obtained by emulsion polymerization. The colloidal suspensions are generally stabilized by addition of one or more suitable surface active agents.

[0036] Suitable latexes include those based on, for example, styrene-butadiene copolymers, acrylic copolymers, butadiene acrylonitrile polymers, vinylidene chloride copolymers, vinyl chloride copolymers and copolymers of vinyl alkanoates, such as vinyl acetate.

[0037] Beneficial results are obtained when the polymer latex contains a carboxyl functionality. A suitable level of carboxyl functionality is from 0.01 to 25 percent by weight of polymer. The carboxyl functionality is obtained by including one or more alpha,beta-olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers with other polymerizable monomers to be used in preparing the aforementioned latexes.

[0038] Suitable carboxylic acid monomers contain from three to twelve carbon atoms per molecule. Such acid monomers include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, alpha-chloroacrylic acid, alpha-cyanoacrylic acid, crotonic acid, beta-acryloxypropionic acid, hydrosorbic acid, sorbic acid, alpha-chlorosorbic acid, cinnamic acid, beta-styrylacrylic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, mesaconic acid and aconitic acid. Beneficial results are obtained with carboxylic acid monomers containing from three to six carbon atoms per molecule such as acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.

[0039] Satisfactory results are obtained when the additive is a latex of a styrene-butadiene copolymer which has a carboxyl functionality. Such copolymers typically have polymerized therein (a) styrene in an amount of from 40 to 70 percent by weight of copolymer, (b) butadiene in an amount of from 15 to 40 percent by weight of copolymer, and (c) carboxylic acid monomer(s) in an amount of from 0.1 to 20 percent by weight of copolymer.

[0040] Acrylic copolymers typically have polymerized therein (a) one or more alkyl acrylates which contain from one to eighteen carbon atoms per alkyl moiety and (b) one or more monomers which are copolymerizable therewith. The alkyl acrylates beneficially have from four to ten carbon atoms per alkyl moiety. Illustrative alkyl acrylates include butyl acrylate, amyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, heptyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, nonyl acrylate, decyl acrylate and various isomers of these acrylates such as isooctyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

[0041] Satisfactory results are obtained when the additive is an acrylic copolymer or interpolymer which has polymerized therein (a) from 40 to 80 percent by weight of polymer of at least one alkyl acrylate and (b) from 20 to 60 percent by weight of polymer of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer which is copolymerizable therewith.

[0042] Illustrative copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomers include alpha-olefins containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms; vinyl esters of alkanoic acids containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms, such as vinyl acetate and vinyl octoate; ethyl and methyl esters of methacrylic acid; styrene; and vinyl chloride.

[0043] Vinyl chloride latexes which contain either vinyl chloride homopolymer or interpolymers of vinyl chloride also provide satisfactory results. Vinyl chloride interpolymers typically have polymerized therein from 50 to 97 percent by weight of polymer of vinyl chloride and from 3 to 50 percent by weight of polymer of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer which is copolymerizable therewith. Illustrative copolymerizable monomers include the alkyl acrylates hereinabove specified, the vinyl esters of alkanoic acids hereinabove specified, alkyl esters of methacrylic acid containing from one to four carbon atoms per alkyl moiety, and vinylidene chloride.

[0044] Latexes are generally prepared by emulsion polymerization using anionic or nonionic surfactants or mixtures thereof. Suitable anionic surfactants include sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium diamyl sulfosuccinate, sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate. The nonionic surfactants which may be considered exemplary include nonyl or octyl phenoxypolyethoxyethanol condensates wherein the ethylene oxide content may vary from 5 to 50 moles. Conventionally, two or more of these nonionic surfactants may be employed. Latex preparation is achieved using conventional polymerization methods.

[0045] Polymer latexes containing up to about 60 percent by weight total polymer solids may be conveniently sprayed. For optimum results, solids concentrations of 35 to 55 percent are preferred.

[0046] Any spraying method capable of atomizing the additive may be employed. Accordingly, the particular method of spraying is not critical to production of the improved dunnage particles of the present invention. Thus, air, airless or aerosol systems may be employed. Low fluid delivery rates and low atomization pressures are advisable since these will minimize overspray and misting of the adhesive into the surrounding atmosphere. The fluid delivery system most suitable is an airless sprayer with a pneumatic pump. Other suitable spraying equipment includes a pressurized vessel in combination with conventional air spray equipment and peristaltic action pumps.

[0047] The additive to be sprayed is generally delivered into the spray equipment at a rate of 50 to 500 wet grams per minute, preferably 100 to 400 wet grams/minute. The amount of atomization pressure required will be proportionate to the adhesive delivery rate and will typically range from 35 to 550, preferably 70 to 550 kilopascals (kPa).

[0048] Application of additive to foamed dunnage particles is not limited to spray equipment and methods using such spray equipment. Accordingly, additives may be applied by brush, by roller or by any other means so long as a sufficient quantity of additive is applied to the dunnage particles.

[0049] The improved dunnage particles, if prepared and dried in advance of packaging, may be readied for use simply by applying a light water mist or steam spray to the surface thereof. The mist or spray may be applied to the improved dunnage particles prior to, simultaneously with, or subsequent to addition to a packaging container. If the improved dunnage particles have clumped together, as is the case where the improved dunnage particles are being re-used, the mist or spray beneficially wets the additive sufficiently to allow the improved dunnage particles to separate into individual particles or small, but useable, clumps.

[0050] The additive is acceptable if it provides, under the modified peel test hereinafter described, a peel strength of at least 1.5 grams per centimeter. The additive beneficially provides a peel strength of greater than 9 grams per centimeter. The additive desirably provides a peel strength of greater than 40 grams per centimeter. The additive preferably provides a peel strength of 150 grams per centimeter. Greater peel strength is acceptable but is not necessary.

[0051] Another way of determining whether or not an additive is acceptable is to determine an overall settling value under the modified vibrational settling test hereinafter described. The overall settling value is suitably less than 65, beneficially less than 45, desirably less than 30 and preferably less than 25.

[0052] The peel strengths and overall settling values specified hereinabove are readily obtained with an amount of additive of from 1400 to 6000 grams of wet additive per cubic meter of foamed dunnage material. Beneficial results are obtained with an amount of additive of from 1600 to 3400 grams of wet additive per cubic meter of foamed dunnage material.

[0053] Amounts of additive in excess of 6000 grams of wet additive per cubic meter of dunnage material will satisfactorily modify the coefficient of friction of the foamed dunnage material. In other words, amounts of wet additive of up to 10,000 and more grams of wet additive per cubic meter of dunnage can be used according to the present invention. Such amounts are, however, excessive and may be undesirable for several reasons such as cost effectiveness, uneconomical drying rates and damage to the article(s) being packaged.

[0054] Amounts of additive of less than 1400 grams of wet additive per cubic meter of foamed dunnage material are generally unsatisfactory because they do not provide sufficient coverage of the foamed dunnage material.

[0055] One advantage of the improved dunnage particles of the present invention is that they provide lower vibrational settling values than conventional dunnage particles. In other words, migration of articles through the improved dunnage particles is less likely than with conventional dunnage particles.

[0056] A second advantage is that the improved dunnage particles, when used in packaging, provide reproducible cushioning properties. Conventional dunnage particles provide erratic cushioning properties. Reproducibility is highly desirable in the area of package design.

[0057] A third advantage is that the improved dunnage particles of the present invention tend to stick together until pulled apart, particularly when the additive is an adhesive, a glue, a contact cement and the like. Conventional dunnage particles have no tendency to stick together and are known to spill over the edge of the package and to scatter over the surface upon which the package is resting. Picking up the scattered dunnage particles is time consuming and bothersome. The improved dunnage particles will, depending upon the amount of additive, be removed from the package either as several small clumps of particles or as a few large masses of particles.

[0058] A fourth advantage is that by varying the amount of additive applied to the improved dunnage particles, a broad spectrum of package properties can be attained. In other words, it is possible to tailor the improved dunnage particles to meet a specific need. With conventional dunnage particles, there is a very narrow spectrum of package properties.

[0059] These advantages are attained with relatively low levels of additive. Application of the additive to the dunnage particles is neither complicated nor expensive. At low levels of additive, drying time is short thereby providing minimal interference with normal package handling procedures.

Modified Peel Test

[0060] General purpose polystyrene film having one side surface sulfonated was used for the peel test. The film had a thickness of 6.35 micrometers and was commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company under the trade designation Trycite® 1101. Samples having a size of 2.54 centimeters in width and 33 centimeters in length were cut from the film so that the latter dimension was in the machine direction.

[0061] The samples were prepared for peel testing in the following manner. Using a #10 Meyer rod, one end of the sulfonated side of the film sample was coated for a distance of about ten centimeters with the additive to be tested. The film sample was then folded over so that an equal distance of sulfonated surface from the other end of the sample was in intimate contact with the coated portion. The film samples were then placed in a dessicator and aged for a period of 72 hours. The dessicator had a relative humidity of from 17 to 20 percent and a set temperature of from 21° to 24° Centigrade.

[0062] After aging, the samples were removed from the dessicator. The samples had a bonded end and a loop end. The loop end was then cut to yield two free ends of approximately equal length. The free ends had no additive coated thereon.

[0063] An Instron Universal Testing Machine, Model Number 1123 was used to determine peel strength. The Instron testing machine had two sets of jaws which were spaced apart and opposite each other. One set of jaws was stationary and affixed to the machine. The other set of jaws was attached to a load cell which in turn was attached to the mobile crosshead of the machine.

[0064] The free ends of the samples were placed into the two sets of jaws. One free end was clamped by the stationary set of jaws. A second free end was clamped by the set of jaws attached to the load cell. The crosshead of the machine was actuated so as to move the set of jaws attached to the load cell away from the stationary set of jaws at a speed of either 200 or 254 millimeters per minute. The crosshead speed had no effect upon peel strength. The samples were pulled apart until they separated along their entire length. The load cell registered the peel strength for the sample.

Vibrational Settling Test

[0065] The purpose of this test was to determine whether an article packaged in dunnage material moved due to vibration and, if so, how much. The test was a modified version of the vibrational settling test described in United States Federal Specification PPP-C-1683, Section 4.9 for expanded polystyrene loose-fill cushioning material.

[0066] About 57,000 cubic centimeters of dunnage material were placed in an open-topped box. The box measured 100 centimeters in length by 60 centimeters in width by 60 centimeters in height. A 0.635 centimeter mesh screen was placed over the opening in the box.

[0067] A Craftsman Model 919.1561410 spray gun, having a capability for either internal or external fluid to air mixing and being commercially available from Sears, Roebuck and Co., was used to spray an admixture of a dye and the additive to be tested for friction enhancement down through the screen onto the dunnage material. The dye was used to provide a visual indicator of coverage of the additive onto the dunnage material. The spray gun had a reservoir portion into which the admixture was placed for application thereof onto the dunnage material. The reservoir portion was pressurized to a pressure of 275 kilopascals gauge in order to provide a consistent flow rate of about 0.11 liters of admixture per minute. The flow rate provided a force of spray sufficient to cause a mixing of the dunnage material within the box.

[0068] Spraying was continued until a visual inspection of the dunnage material showed that a generally uniform coating of the admixture was deposited on the dunnage material.

[0069] The rate of spray, in terms of wet grams of additive per minute, varied with the additive being applied. In other words, as density of the additive changed, the rate of spray also changed. By way of example only, an additive having a specific gravity of about 1.0 at a temperature of 24° Centigrade had, when applied using the aforementioned spray gun at a pressure of 275 kilopascals gauge, a flow rate of from about 100 to about 140 wet grams of additive per minute for a nominal flow rate of 125 wet grams of additive per minute.

[0070] A cardboard test box having interior dimensions 30 centimeters by 30 centimeters by 30 centimeters was filled about halfway with the coated dunnage material. A load box having exterior dimensions of 15 centimeters by 15 centimeters by 15 centimeters and weighing either 2.4 or 7.3 kilograms was placed into the test box in such a manner as to yield a 7.6 centimeter (± 2.54 centimeter) gap between the top of the load box and the top of the test box. The 2.4 kilogram load box was used to supply 1035 Newtons per square meter loading. The 7.3 kilograms load box was used to supply a 3105 Newtons per square meter loading.

[0071] An additional amount of coated dunnage material was added to the test box to fill it even with the top of the test box. Consistent with recommended packaging guidelines for expanded, thermoplastic loose-fill dunnage mateirals, the test box was then overfilled with a pyramid or crown of the coated dunnage material. The crown had a depth of about 2.54 centimeter, the depth being measured from the top of the test box to the top of the crown. The lid of the box was then closed and taped shut with fiberglass reinforced tape.

[0072] After being closed, the test boxes and their contents were allowed to dry at a temperature of 21° ±9° Centigrade for a period of about sixteen hours. No specific control of humidity or of temperature was attempted during drying.

[0073] A small hole, measuring 0.356 centimeters in diameter, was made in the center of the top of the test box.

[0074] A stiff piece of stainless steel wire also 0.356 centimeters in diameter, was inserted into the hole and thereafter pushed through the dunnage material until it contacted the top of the load box. The length of wire between the top of the test box and the top of the load box was measured and recorded as "initial displacement".

[0075] The test box and its contents were placed on a table capable of vibrating at a frequency of 4.5 Hertz with a vertical displacement of 2.54 centimeters. The table was designated as an MTS Series 840 Servo-hydraulic Vibration Test System and was commercially available from MTS Systems Corporation.

[0076] The table had a square sample receiving surface which measured 90 centimeters on a side. An internally screw threaded aperture having a diameter of 0.953 centimeter had been machined into the sample receiving surface at each corner thereof. An externally screw threaded rod was threadably engaged with each of the threaded apertures. Four rubber strips measuring 66 centimeters long by 1.91 centimeters wide by 0.64 centimeter thick and having hooks attached to each end thereof were connected between adjacent screw threaded rods so as to form a peripheral boundary around the table. The four rubber strips, also known as boundary strips, were spaced above the table surface a distance of about 13 centimeters. Two additional rubber strips, identical to the other rubber strips were connected between opposing boundary strips so as to divide the sample receiving surface into four equal sqaure sample holding areas.

[0077] Four test boxes, prepared as hereinbefore described and of approximately equal weight, were placed on the sample receiving surface. One of the test boxes was placed within each of the sample holding areas. The test boxes were not secured to the table in keeping with the guidance set forth in United States Federal Specification PPP-C-1683, Section 4.9. The test boxes had to be approximately equal in weight in order to maintain a balanced load on the table.

[0078] After the four test boxes were placed on their respective sample holding areas, the table was actuated. After a period of thirty minutes, the table was stopped. The same stiff piece of wire was inserted through the hole once again until it touched the top of the load box. The length of wire between the top of the test box and the top of the load box was measured and recorded as "final displacement".

[0079] Any increase in length from initial displacement to final displacement was converted to a percentage and recorded as "percent settling".

[0080] It was found that percent settling values at the 3105 Newtons per square meter loading (7.3 kilograms load box) were much larger than those at the 1035 Newtons per square meter loading (2.4 kilogram load box). In order to develop a meaningful pass-fail evaluation, a total settling value was calculated. The total settling value was determined by multiplying the settling value at the 1035 Newtons per square meter loading by a factor of 6.71 to obtain a product and then adding the product to the settling value at the 3105 Newtons per square meter loading.

[0081] The following experiment is for purposes of illustration only and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0082] A number of additives were evaluated for suitability using the "Peel Test" and the "Vibrational Settling Test" set forth hereinabove. Table I contains a description of the additives together with an abbreviated code for such additives. Table II contains peel test data and vibrational settling test data for each of the additives and for a control to which no additive had been applied. The dunnage material used in the vibrational settling tests was an expanded polystyrene particulate material commercially available under the trade designation Pelaspan-Pac^TM from The Dow Chemical Company, the particles having an average minimum cross-sectional dimension of about 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inch) and an average maximum cross-sectional dimension of about 2.86 centimeters (1.125 inch).

[0083] From the data presented in Table II, it is clear that a disparity exists among various additives. Some, such as additives A3, A4, A7 through A9, A11, A12 and A13 markedly improve the overall settling value of dunnage material. Others, such as additives A1 and A2, actually promote settling as indicated by an increased overall settling value.

[0084] A reduction in the overall settling value is desirable because it indicates that the dunnage material will then be more effective in cushioning articles which are packaged therewith.

Claims

1. A packing material comprising a plurality of expanded, resilient, thermoplastic synthetic resinous dunnage particles having an average maximum cross-sectional dimension of at least 1 .27 centimeters (0.5 inch) the particles having been prepared by a process including the step of heating foamable pellets to an elevated temperature sufficient to cause the pellets to expand, and characterized in that the particles comprise a friction-enhancing amount of a friction-enhancing additive deposited on at least a major portion of an outer surface area of a majority of said dunnage particles which additive reduces the tendency of articles to migrate through the dunnage particles.

2. The packing material of Claim 1 wherein the dunnage particles are formed from a synthetic resinous material, the resinous material being selected from the group consisting of (a) polymers which comprise, in chemically combined form, at least about seventy percent by weight of at least one alkenyl aromatic compound; (b) aliphatic olefin polymers which are normally solid polymers obtained by polymerizing at least one alpha-mono-olefinic aliphatic hydrocarbon containing from 2 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule; and (c) halogenated aliphatic olefin polymers.

3. The packing material of Claim 1 wherein the friction-enhancing additive is selected from the group consisting of synthetic polymer latexes, pressure sensitive adhesives, glues, low molecular weight polymers, waxes, contact cements, urethane adhesives, starch derived adhesives and protein derived adhesives.

4. The packing material of Claim 3 wherein the additive is a synthetic polymer latex, the latex containing a polymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene copolymers, acrylic copolymers, butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers, vinylidene chloride copolymers, vinyl chloride copolymers and vinyl alkanoate copolymers.

5. The packing material of Claim 3 wherein the polymer has polymerized therein styrene in an amount of from 40 to 70 percent by weight of polymer, butadiene in an amount of from 15 to 40 percent by weight of polymer and acrylic acid in an amount of from 0.1 to 20 percent by weight of polymer.

6. The packing material of Claim 1 wherein the amount of additive is from 1400 to 6000 grams of wet additive per cubic meter of expanded dunnage particles.

7. The packing material of Claim 3 wherein the additive provides a peel strength of greater than 1.5 grams per centimeter and an overall settling value of less than 65.

8. A method for preparing packing material in the form of foamed dunnage particles having an average maximum cross-sectional dimension of at least 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inch), wherein the particles are prepared by a process including the step of heating foamable pellets to an elevated temperature sufficient to cause the pellets to expand, characterized in that a friction-enhancing amount of a friction-enhancing additive is applied to at least a major portion of an outer surface area of a majority of said foamed particles.

9. The use of the packing material of Claim 1 in a method for packaging an article comprising:

(a) providing a packaging container, the container having at least one wall, a top and a bottom, the container also being of sufficient size to contain (1) at least one article to be packaged and (2) an amount of packing material particles sufficient to space the article from the wall, the top and the bottom of the container;

(b) adding a quantity of packing material particles of claim 1 to the packaging container, the quantity being sufficient to provide a layer of adequate thickness to space the article to be packaged from the bottom of the container;

(c) placing a first deformable sheet of material over the quantity of dunnage particles; then placing the article to be packaged atop the first sheet of material; and placing a second deformable sheet of material over the article to be packaged.

(d) adding a further quantity of packing material particles of claim 1 to the packaging container, the further quantity being placed about the sides, within and on top of the article to space it from the walls and the top of container and from other articles, the further quantity being sufficient to provide a slight overfill of the packaging container;

(e) closing the packaging container to slightly compact the particles by pushing down on the overfill.

Revendications

1. Matériau d'emballage comprenant une multiplicité de particules de garnissage, expansées, résistantes aux chocs, en résine synthétique thermoplastique et présentant une dimension de section transversale maximale moyenne d'au moins 1,27 cm (0,5 pouce), les particules ayant été préparées selon un procédé comprenant une étape consistant à chauffer des pastilles expansibles à une température suffisamment élevée pour provoquer l'expansion des pastilles, caractérisé en ce que les particules contiennent une quantité augmentant le frottement d'un adjuvant d'augmentation de frottement, déposée sur au moins une partie majeure de la surface externe d'une majorité desdites particules de garnissage, lequel adjuvant réduit la tendance des marchandises à se déplacer à travers les particules de garnissage.

2. Matériau d'emballage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les particules de garnissage sont formées à partir d'une matière résineuse synthétique, cette matière résineuse étant choisie dans le groupe constitué par (a) les polymères qui comprennent, sous forme chimiquement combinée, au moins environ 70 % en poids d'au moins un composé alcényl-aromatique, (b) les polymères d'oléfines aliphatiques qui sont des polymères normalement solides, obtenus par polymérisation d'au moins un hydrocarbure aliphatique α-mono-oléfinique, comportant de 2 à 8 atomes de carbone par molécule, et (c) les polymères d'oléfines aliphatiques halogénés.

3. Matériau d'emballage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'adjuvant augmentant le frottement est choisi dans le groupe constitué par les latex de polymères synthétiques, les adhésifs sensibles à la pression, les colles, les polymères à faible masse moléculaire, les cires, les mastics de contact, les adhésifs à base d'uréthane, les adhésifs dérivés d'un amidon et les adhésifs dérivés de protéines.

4. Matériau d'emballage selon la revendication 3, dans lequel l'adjuvant est un latex de polymère synthétique, ce latex contenant un polymère choisi dans le groupe constitué par les copolymères styrène/butadiène, les copolymères acryliques, les copolymères butadiène/ acrylonitrile, les copolymères du chlorure de vinylidène, les copolymères du chlorure de vinyle et les copolymères d'alcanoates de vinyle.

5. Matériau d'emballage selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le polymère contient, à l'état polymérisé, du styrène en une proportion de 40 à 70 % en poids du polymère, du butadiène en une proportion de 15 à 40 % en poids du polymère, et de l'acide acrylique en une proportion de 0,1 à 20 % en poids du polymère.

6. Matériau d'emballage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la quantité d'adjuvant vaut de 1400 à 6000 grammes d'adjuvant humide par mètre cube de particules de garnissage expansées.

7. Matériau d'emballage selon la revendication 3, dans lequel l'adjuvant confère une résistance au pelage supérieure à 1,5 g/cm et une valeur globale de tassement inférieure à 65.

8. Procédé de préparation d'un matériau d'emballage sous forme de particules de garnissage expansées, présentant une dimension de section transversale maximale moyenne d'au moins 1,27 cm (0,5 pouce), dans lequel les particules sont préparées selon un procédé comprenant une étape de chauffage de pastilles expansibles à une température suffisamment élevée pour provoquer l'expansion des pastilles, caractérisé en ce qu'une quantité augmentant le frottement d'un adjuvant d'augmentation du frottement est appliquée à au moins une partie majeure de la surface extérieure d'une majorité desdites parti cules expansées.

9. Utilisation du matériau d'emballage de la revendication 1, dans un procédé pour emballer une marchandise, comprenant :

(a) le fait de se procurer un conteneur d'emballage, ce conteneur comportant au moins une paroi, un dessus et un fond, ce conteneur étant également d'une taille suffisante pour contenir (1) au moins une marchandise à emballer et (2) une quantité de particules de matière de garnissage suffisante pour que la marchandise ne touche ni la paroi, ni le dessus, ni le fond du conteneur ;

(b) le fait de mettre une certaine quantité de particules de matière de garnissage améliorée dans le conteneur d'emballage, cette quantité étant suffisante pour constituer une couche d'épaisseur adéquate pour écarter la marchandise à emballer du fond du conteneur ;

(c) le fait de placer une première feuille de matériau déformable par-dessus la quantité de particules de garnissage, puis de placer la marchandise à emballer par-dessus la première feuille de matériau, et de placer une seconde feuille de matériau déformable par-dessus la marchandise à emballer ;

(d) le fait d'ajouter une quantité supplémentaire de particules de matière de garnissage améliorée dans le conteneur d'emballage, cette quantité supplémentaire se plaçant autour des côtés, à l'intérieur et au sommet de la marchandise, de façon à écarter chacun des articles des parois et du dessus du conteneur, ainsi que des autres articles, et cette quantité supplémentaire étant suffisante pour constituer un faible trop-plein dans le conteneur d'emballage ;

(e) et le fait de fermer le conteneur d'emballage de façon à comprimer faiblement les particules en tassant le trop-plein.

Ansprüche

1. Verpackungsmaterial enthaltend eine Vielzahl expandierter, elastischer Verpackungseinlageteilchen aus einem thermoplastischen, synthetischen Harz mit einer mittleren maximalen Querschnittsabmessung von wenigstens 1,27 Centimetern (0,5 Inch), wobei die Teilchen durch ein Verfahren hergestellt worden sind, das den Schritt des Erwärmens schäumbaren Granulats auf eine zum Ausdehnen des Granulats ausreichend erhöhte Temperatur einschließt und
dadurch gekennzeichnet ist,
daß die Partikel eine reibungserhöhende Menge eines die Reibung erhöhenden Zusatzstoffes enthalten, welches auf wenigstens dem größten Teil einer Außenoberfläche der Mehrzahl dieser Verpackungseinlageteilchen abgelagert ist, wobei dieser Zusatzstoff die Neigung der Gegenstände mindert, durch die Verpackungsteilchen zu wandern.

2. Verpackungsmaterial nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Verpackungseinlageteilchen aus einem synthetischen Harzmaterial gebildet sind, wobei das Harzmaterial ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus (a) Polymeren, die, in chemisch gebundener Form, wenigstens 70 Gew.-% wenigstens einer alkenylaromatischen Verbindung enthalten, (b) aliphatischen, normalerweise festen Olefinpolymeren, erhalten durch Polymerisation wenigstens eines alpha-monoolefinischen aliphatischen Kohlenwasserstoffs mit 2 bis 8 Kohlenstoffatomen pro Molekül und (c) halogenierten aliphatischen, olefinischen Polymeren.

3. Verpackungsmaterial nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der reibungserhöhende Zusatzstoff ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus synthetischen Polymerlatices, Haftklebern, Leimen, Polymeren mit niederem Molekulargewicht, Wachsen, Haftkitten, Urethanklebstoffen, von Stärke abgeleiteten Klebstoffen und von Proteinen abgeleiteten Klebstoffen.

4. Verpackungsmaterial nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Zusatzstoff ein synthetischer Polymerlatex ist, wobei der Latex ein Polymer enthält, das ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Styrol-Butadien-Copolymeren, Acryl-Copolymeren, Butadien-Acrylnitril-Copolymeren, Vinylidenchloridcopolymeren, Vinylchloridcopolymeren und Vinylalkanoatcopolymeren.

5. Verpackungsmaterial nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das Polymer Styrol in einer Menge von 40 bis 70 Gew.-% des Polymeren, Butadien in einer Menge von 15 bis 40 Gew.-% des Polymeren und Acrylsäure in einer Menge von 0,1 bis 20 Gew.-% des Polymeren in einpolymerisierter Form enthält.

6. Verpackungsmaterial nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Menge des Zusatzstoffes 1400 bis 6000 Gramm des feuchten Zusatzstoffs pro Kubikmeter der expandierten Verpackungseinlageteilchen beträgt.

7. Verpackungsmaterial nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Zusatzstoff eine Abschälfestigkeit von mehr als 1,5 Gramm pro Centimeter und einen Gesamtsetzwert von weniger als 65 aufweist.

8. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Verpackungsmaterials in Form von geschäumten Verpackungseinlageteilchen mit einer mittleren maximalen Querschnittsabmessung von wenigstens 1,27 Centimetern (0,5 Inch), wobei die Teilchen durch ein Verfahren hergestellt worden sind, das den Schritt des Erwärmens schäumbaren Granulats auf eine zum Ausdehnen des Granulats ausreichend erhöhte Temperatur einschließt und
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß eine reibungserhöhende Menge eines die Reibung erhöhenden Zusatzstoffs auf wenigstens dem größten Teil einer Außenoberfläche der Mehrzahl dieser aufgeschäumten Teilchen aufgebracht wird.

9. Verwendung des Verpackungsmaterials nach Anspruch 1 in einem Verfahren zum Verpacken eines Gegenstands durch

(a) Bereitstellen eines Verpackungsbehälters mit mindestens einer Wand, einer Oberseite und einer Unterseite, wobei der Behälter außerdem eine ausreichende Größe besitzt, um (1) wenigstens einen hierin zu verpackenden Gegenstand und (2) eine Menge an Verpackungsmaterialteilchen in genügender Menge, um den Gegenstand von der Wand, der Oberseite und der Unterseite des Behälters entfernt zu halten, aufzunehmen,

(b) Hinzufügen einer ausreichenden Menge von Verpackungsmaterialteilchen nach Anspruch 1 in den Verpackungsbehälter, um eine Schicht von ausreichender Dicke bereitzustellen, um den zu verpackenden Gegenstand von der Unterseite des Behälters räumlich zu trennen,

(c) Plazieren einer ersten verformbaren Platte eines Materials über der Menge der Verpackungseinlageteilchen, dann Plazieren des zu verpackenden Gegenstands auf der ersten Platte des Materials und Plazieren einer zweiten verformbaren Platte eines Materials über den zu verpackenden Artikel,

(d) Hinzufügen einer weiteren Menge der Verpackungsmaterialeinlageteilchen nach Anspruch 1 in den Verpackungsbehälter, wobei die weitere Menge an den Seiten im Bereich vom und oberhalb des Gegenstands plaziert wird, um diesen von den Wänden und dem Oberteil des Behälters und von anderen Gegenständen entfernt zu halten, wobei die weitere Menge ausreichend ist, um den Verpackungsbehälter geringfügig zu überfüllen,

(e) Schließen des Verpackungsbehälters, um die Teilchen durch Niederdrücken der Überfüllung geringfügig zusammenzudrücken.