Specifications for Drop Front Boxes, Drop on the Long Side, for the Storage of Artifacts

Specification Number 300-321-6/20/02

This specification is provided as a public service by the Preservation Directorate of the Library of Congress. Any commercial reproduction that implies endorsement of a product, service or materials, in any publication, is strictly prohibited by law. This Specification is written for L.C. purchasing purposes and is subject to change when necessary.

I. General Specifications - II. Product Requirements - III. Inspection

I. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. Stock Composition

Pulp:
- Fiber: The stock should be made from rag or other high alpha-cellulose content pulp. It must not contain any post consumer waste recycled pulp.
- Lignin: The stock must give a negative reading for lignin as determined by the phloroglucinol test when tested according to ASTM D 1030, X5 spot stains and shall have a Kappa number of 5 or less when tested according to TAPPI T 236 cm-85.
- Impurities: The stock must be free of metal particles, waxes, plasticizers, residual bleach, peroxide, sulfur (which will be less than 0.0008% reducible sulfur as determined by TAPPI T 406 om-88), and other components that could lead to the degradation of the paper and artifacts stored therein.
- Metallic Impurities: Iron must not exceed 150 ppm and copper shall not exceed 6 ppm when test according to TAPPI T 266.
- Optical Brighteners: The stock must be free of optical brightening agents.
pH:
The stock should have a pH value within a range of 8.0 - 9.5 as determined by TAPPI T 509 om-88, cold extraction (modified by slurrying sample pulp before measurement).
Alkaline Reserve:
The alkaline reserve should be a minimum of 2% and a maximum of 5% calculated as CaCO₃ when tested according to ASTM 4988-89.
Sizing:
Only neutral or alkaline sizing shall be used. No alum rosin or rosin sizing should be used as determined by ASTM D 549-88.
Thickness and Basis Weight:
60 pt. board: the minimum basis weight should be 800 lb./3,000 ft.²
Color:
The color of the stock will normally be tan, cream, buff or will be specified on the purchase order. The color must not be so dark that it obscures color-dependent test evaluations.
Bleeding:The color must show no bleeding when soaked in distilled water for 48 hours while held under suitable weight in contact with white bond paper. The color must not rub off.
Retention:The color of the stock must not change more than 5 points of brightness as measured by directional reflectance at 457 nm (TAPPI T 452 om-92), when exposed 24 hours to a Xenon arc lamp in an Atlas Weatherometer under the following conditions: Irradiance Level: 1.0 watts/m² at 420 nm. Inner filter: Borosilicate glass. Outer filter: clear soda lime glass. Black panel temperature: 50°C. Wet bulb depression: 8.5°C.
Surfaces:
The surfaces of the stock must be free of fingerprints, dirt, bubbles, knots, shives and other abrasive particles.
Creases of Folds:
The stock should not fray, crack or split when folded and/or creased.
Abrasion:
The outer surfaces of the stock must show a loss of less than 2% of the total weight (mounting card and sample) when tested with a #CS10 wheel and 100 wear cycles according to TAPPI T 476 om-84.
Stiffness:
Stiffness will be evaluated according to TAPPI 489 om-86, after conditioning by TAPPI method T 402 om-88.
60 pt. board must have a minimum internal stiffness of 5,600 Taber units in the machine direction and 2,500 in the cross direction.
Adhesive:
If an adhesive is required, it must not soften, run or cause the stock to become transparent or alter the color of the stock. The adhesive must not yellow, discolor, or fail (causing delamination) over time. When used, the adhesive must not extend beyond the joined area.

B. Metal Edge Stays

Description:
The metal edge stays should be made from a single unit of 0.0088 gauge cold rolled steel coated on the exterior with chrome, lacquer or baked enamel. The metal stays should be one inch wide and contain a minimum of 8, 4-prong eyelets per 2 inch length.
Color: The metal edge stays should be chrome or colored so that they blend with the box.
Corner Joints: All cut corner joints of the box should be joined with continuous, tarnish proof, metal edge stays. The stays should stop 1/4 inch from the end of the seam-cut at the top and bottom folded corners to avoid the problem of the stays working loose. The prongs of the stays should fully penetrate the box board so that they are visible on the inside and be free of sharp, raised edges inside and outside.

C. Identification

Information:
Each box should be identified by the name of the supplier or manufacturer, year of manufacture and the actual pH.
Placement and Size:
The identifying information must be embossed or stamped on each box and not be larger than 2.5" long and 1.5" high. It should be centered on the bottom of the box, legible from the outside.
Embossing Method:
If embossed, it should be impressed from the outside of the box. The impression should be legible from the outside only. There should be no penetration to the inside of the box.
Stamping Method:
If stamped, it must be done on the outside of the box. The ink must be a black based ink which does not fade, smear, bleed, or rub off after drying. The inked stamp impression must be neat without excess ink and there must be no penetration to the interior of the box. There must be no ink on the inside of the box from any source.

D. Packaging

Wrapper:
The items must be packed in standard commercial containers which are constructed to ensure that they arrive at the Library of Congress in dry, undamaged condition.
I.D.: The outside of each container must be identified by type, size and number of items within, manufacturing run or batch number and Purchase Order number or RFP number.

E. Testing

Responsibility:
The supplier is responsible for meeting all the requirements specified herein. The Library of Congress has the right to perform any of the tests set forth in the specification where such tests are deemed necessary to ensure that supplies conform to prescribed requirements.
Sampling:
To sample for testing, shipments will be sampled according to MIL-STD-105E at inspection level S-2 with an acceptance quality level of 2.5 percent defective from each lot offered. Copies of MIL-STD-105E are available from Naval Publications and Forms Center, Standardization Document Order Department, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.
Methods:
Tests will be conducted in accordance with specified test methods of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). Publications describing these tests may be ordered directly from the technical associations at the following address:
- ANSI, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
- ASTM, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- TAPPI, One Dunwoody Park, Atlanta, GA 30348

Tests:

Requirements		Test Method
Lignin:	negative/Kappa 5	ASTM D 1030, X5 or TAPPI 236 cm-85
Reducible Sulfur:	< 0.0008%	TAPPI T 406 om-88
Iron:	< 150 ppm	TAPPI T-266
Copper:	< 6 ppm	TAPPI T-266
pH:	8.0 - 9.5 pH	TAPPI T 509 om-88. cold extraction, slurried pulp
Alkaline Reserve:	2 - 5%	ASTM D 4988-89
Alum Rosin Sizing:	negative.	ASTM D 549-88
Basis Weight:	60 pt: 800 lbs./3,000 ft²	TAPPI 410 om-93
Color Bleeding:	none	See above, "I. A. 6. Color"
Color Retention:	< 5 points	TAPPI T 452 om-87
Abrasion:	< 2%	TAPPI 476 om-84
Stiffness:	60 pt: 5,600 MD 2,500 CD (Taber units)	TAPPI 489 om-86

F. Quality Assurance Inspection

Sampling:
To evaluate non-tested requirements, shipments will be sampled according to MIL-STD-105E at inspection level S-2 with an acceptable quality level of 4.0 percent defective from each lot offered.

II. PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS: Drop Front Boxes, Drop on the Long Side, for the Storage of Artifacts

A. Construction, illustrated below

The boxes should be constructed as illustrated below
The boxes should consist of two blanks of 60 pt. board stock which meets the specifications above
Pulls are not acceptable
Metal edge stays should secure the box corners as indicated above and in the illustration below
The boxes must be sturdy enough to withstand normal wear and tear during use
The grain of the board should be parallel to the long direction of the box
The lids should have a secure, but not binding, fit
Reinforced Sides for boxes 20 x 24 x 1.5" or larger
*Two short sides on the base box and the two long sides of the lid should be reinforced by folding the side onto itself towards the inside of the box and should come flush to the edge of the 90° corner. There should be no excess which would interfere with the closing of the box.
Thumb Cuts: Boxes over 2.5" high or boxes with reinforced sides should have a half round thumb cut in middle of the long sides of the lid and should be approximately 2.5" long and 3/4" high, measured from the lower edge of the lid side.

B. Workmanship

All boxes must show good workmanship. They should be clean, free from frayed or torn edges, improperly aligned panels or interior trays, and unnecessary scores or cuts. All dimensions of the box maker's blank should be accurately cut, scored and slotted so that the assembled parts fit closely without binding. Lids should remain shut when closed, but not bind. Edges must be straight, corner joints must meet exactly, and corners must be 90 degrees.

C. Dimensions

Dimensions will be specificied on the purchase order or RFP.

drawing of drop front box w/drop on long side

III. INSPECTION: Drop Front Boxes, Drop on the Long Side, for the Storage of Artifacts

An examination will be made to determine whether the items comply with all requirements. The qualities and characteristics which will be examined include the following.

Testing Inspection

Materials must pass all composition and performance specifications stated in "I. General Specifications"

Visual Inspection

Color must be tan, cream, buff or will be specified on the purchase order or RFP
Style must be as illustrated in specification
Edges or creases of the board must not fray, crack, or split
Surfaces must be free of fingerprints, dirt, knots, shives and other abrasive particles
Adhesives must not soften or run, nor cause the stock to become transparent or alter the color of the stock. The adhesive must not yellow or discolor, fail (causing delamination), or extend beyond the joined area.
Construction should be as illustrated and meet the following criteria:
1. The boxes should consist of two blanks of 60 pt. board stock which meets the specifications above.
2. Edges must be cut square and clean and sizes accurate
3. No unnecessary cuts or scores
4. Assembled parts should fit closely without binding
5. Side edges should meet exactly and corners should be 90 degrees
6. Boxes must not be warped and should lie flat
7. Boxes must be sturdy enough to withstand normal wear and tear during use
8. Pulls are not acceptable.
9. Metal edge stays should secure the box corners as indicated above and in the illustration.
10. The grain of the board should be parallel to the long direction of the box.
11. The lids should have a secure, but not binding, fit.
Reinforced Sides for boxes 20 x 24 x 1.5" or larger:
1. Two short sides on the base box and the two long sides of the lid should be reinforced by folding the side onto itself towards the inside of the box and should come flush to the edge of the 90° corner. There should be no excess which would interfere with the closing of the box.
Thumb Cuts: Boxes over 2.5" high or boxes with reinforced sides should have a half round thumb cut in middle of the long sides of the lid and should be approximately 2.5" long and 3/4" high, measured from the lower edge of the lid side. (see illustration)
Metal Edge Stays
1. One inch wide
2. Securely attached all along the length and penetrate the board
3. The stays should stop 1/4 inch from the end of the seam-cut at the top and bottom folded corners
4. Not have sharp, raised edges inside or outside
5. Color should be chrome or blend with the box.
Identification must be
1. Centered on bottom of box
2. Be no larger than 2.5 x 1.5"
3. If stamped, black ink must not fade, smear, bleed, rub off; have excess ink or penetrate to the interior
4. If embossed, the impression must not penetrate to the inside of the box
Identification information must include
1. Name of supplier or manufacturer
2. Year of manufacturer
3. Actual pH (± 0.2)
The Wrapper must be identified as specified and ensure arrival in dry, undamaged condition.

FAILURE TO MEET ANY OF THE SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE CAUSE FOR REJECTION.

Home >> Supply Catalog >> Specifications