Category: Blog

Dunnage Bag Performance Levels

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Are you using the proper dunnage bags in your load plan? When using dunnage bags to secure your product during transit, certain dunnage bags should be used depending on your load plan, the product being shipped, how the product is being shipped, and the weight of shipment. There are six types of dunnage bags; Over-the-Road (OTR) bags and bags leveled 1 through 5. All dunnage bags come in a variety of sizes to fit your load plan. Over-the-road dunnage bags are intended for use in truckload shipments only. Whereas, Level 1 dunnage bags to Level 5 bags are intended for rail and intermodal shipments. The performance level of each bag can be seen in the chart below from the AAR’s publication Closed Car Loading Guide – Minimum Loading Standards for Freight in General Purpose Boxcars:

The chart shown above should be used by loaders as a reference for the minimum requirements each type of dunnage bag meets. In some cases, higher precautions should be taken, exceeding the minimum requirements. For example, Complete Packaging Systems suggests using Level 5 bags in horizontal applications with cylindrical voids, instead of Level 4 bags, regardless of the shipment weight. Complete Packaging Systems suggests using Level 5 bags in cylindrical voids with horizontal applications because the bags will have pockets they can expand into. The higher pressure building in these pockets can cause the Level 4 bag to decrease in strength by 50%, compared to when positioned in flat wall voids. The contour of the bags that causes these pressure pockets can be seen in the diagram below. In addition to the minimum guidelines in the chart above, each dunnage bag has different PSI requirements and the user should follow the manufacture guidelines printed on the dunnage bags. In section 6.7.18 of their publication Closed Car Loading Guide – Minimum Loading Standards for Freight in General Purpose Boxcars, the AAR also recommends leaving the railcar open after loading the shipment and checking the dunnage bag PSI after 30 minutes for leakage. Finally, the size of the dunnage bag you are using should cover at least two thirds of the adjacent product around the bag. In conclusion, there are many factors that can affect which bag is the right fit for your load plan, so let us help; to find out more about the use of dunnage bags in cargo securement and how they should be applied in your load plan, contact us toll free at 866-858-8800. 

 

 

New Valve Technology

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Here at Complete Packaging Systems we strive to provide innovative products to our customers. That’s why we are pleased to announce the launch of a new valve technology for our lightweight Over-the-road and Level 1 dunnage bags called the Striker Valve. The Striker Valve and its corresponding inflators make the inflation of dunnage bags easier for the user. This new inflation technology simply clips over the striker valve from any angle with little pressure applied, no aligning or struggling required. Once the inflator is attached to the valve, it can be easily rotated around the valve, so you can achieve the perfect angle needed for inflation without having to worry that the inflator will come loose from the valve or that the bag will twist. The Striker Valve inflator also has a low-profile head that fits into tight spaces. Once you are ready to remove the inflator from the valve, it is as simple as pinching the inflator head. The Striker Valve inflation tools are also available in a variety of styles. Whether you want a manual inflator or a digital inflation system for an accurate PSI reading, both styles are available. Both the inflator options are similar to the inflators we currently carry, so they will be comfortable/familiar in your hand when you make the switch. Like our current inflators they allow for fast inflation, filling at a speed of 235 liters/minute with the striker inflator and 500 liters/minute with the digital inflator. To make the inflation process even more comfortable and easy for you, we are offering a range of hose lengths that can be used with the Striker Valve. The hoses connecting the handle of the inflator to the inflator head are available in lengths of 4”, 15” and 10 feet so you can have the perfect distance and reach that you require for your load plan. Deflation of the Striker Valve bags is just as easy as inflation. The Striker Valve has a deflation cap attached. Simply clip the deflation cap over the valve and the dunnage bag will start to deflate. For more information about the Striker Valve dunnage bags and their inflation technology, contact us toll free at 866-858-8800.

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

 

2018 AAR Damage Prevention & Freight Claim Conference

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Earlier this month, Complete Packaging Systems had the pleasure of attending the 126th AAR Damage Prevention & Freight Claim Annual Conference in Nashville, TN. This year’s conference presentations reminded us just how much the industry has advanced over the past few years. Each year the industry seems to flourish in technology developments and safety enhancements. With safety being our main concern, Complete Packaging Systems is eager to attend this conference every year.

This year’s conference covered topics ranging from North American Trade and its impact on railroads to autonomous trucking. Throughout the entire industry, technology changes are being made to make the industry safer and more automated. Autonomous trucking, Positive Train Control, rail trip optimizers, smart sensors, delivery drones and more are all being researched to discover a more efficient way to deliver products safely within a supply chain. Even the testing for rail cars and securement products has advanced. Simulators used to test securement products and modes of transportation have become life-like and can pick up on the smallest vibration or shock that could affect the cargo within.

Furthermore, the AAR has published numerous General Information Series over the past year, helping to continuously improve freight standards and guidelines for shipments passing through rail. Along with the new GISs, new securement products have been developed and tested to ensure product arrives safely to its destination; ranging from products designed to hold down barrels during transit to products that prevent cars and automotive from shifting during transit.

A lot of developments and changes were discussed at the AAR Conference regarding what we can look forward to in the next generation in the industry, filled with technology advancements and automation. Participating in the annual AAR Damage Prevention & Freight Claim conference keeps us up-to-date with the newest industry regulations and developments. For more information about the conference, contact us toll free at 866-858-8800.

 

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

Centerline Guidance Mark

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If you are currently using our Level 4 or 5 Cyclone dunnage bags, you may start to notice a small black line on either side of some of our bags. Complete Packaging Systems is currently in the process of applying a small black line on the sides of our new L4 and L5 Cyclone bags ranging from 96” to 108” in length, so you can easily reference where the center of the bag is. Having the centerline marked on the dunnage bags during a horizontal application will allow you to easily line up the markings on the bag with the lengthwise centerline of a rail car, ensuring the bag is evenly distributed across the rail car. It is important to have the center of the dunnage bag lined up to the lengthwise centerline of a rail car so the weight of the paper rolls will be evenly distributed across the bag during transit. If there is uneven distribution of weight on the dunnage bag, the load will not meet industry regulations and can become unstable, causing the rolls adjacent to the bag to spin out and make the load unsafe. Also, when there is too much pressure on one side of the bag it can cause one side of the dunnage bag to be pinched while the other side expands to hold in all the air.

By applying a centerline guidance mark to our Cyclone L4 and L5 bags ranging from 96” to 108” in length it will help our customer’s line up the dunnage bag evenly across the lengthwise centerline of rail car when used in a horizontal application. This is just one example of the way Complete Packaging Systems strives to make load planning in cargo securement easier for our customers. Please note, this guidance mark is being applied to all to our new productions of L4 and L5 Cyclone bags ranging from 96” to 108” in length and the bags you currently receive may not obtain the mark yet. We thank you for your patience, as we make this beneficial transition. For more ways Complete Packaging Systems can assist you with your companies load plan, contact us toll-free at 866-858-8800.

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

T-Strap Hangers Vs. Tape

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When shipping paper rolls, many load plans require strap to be placed around the rolls to help unitize the rolls. It is important the cargo strap stays in place on the rolls and doesn’t fall to the floor during transit or the strap becomes useless for securement. Some shippers use tape to hold up the strap, but using tape can have its disadvantages. Tape can come loose from your paper rolls during transit and fall to the floor. This is mainly due to two reasons. First, during transit the strap shifts from side to side around the rolls. As the strap shifts, the tape is pulled with the strap causing the tape to slowly be pulled away from the rolls. Second, the weight of the strap pulls down on the tape throughout the entire shipment, forcing apart the tape adhesive and the surface of the paper roll.  Once the tape is completely pulled away from the paper roll, there is nothing to hold the strap in place, causing it to slip down the rolls and onto the floor. So, what’s the superior solution for holding up your cargo strap during transit? T-Strap Hangers. T-Strap Hangers are die cut pieces of thick, high quality cardboard that have a strong adhesive on the back. T-Strap Hangers are specifically designed to hold the cargo strap used around your paper rolls in place and prevent it from falling. The upside down “T” shaped cut of the T-Strap Hanger allows the strap to rest in two cut grooves during transit. By having the strap rest in these grooves, it allows the strap to slide from side-to-side as the unitized rolls shift slightly during transit, but it doesn’t allow the strap to fall downward because the grooves will act as hooks for the strap. T-Strap Hangers are also incredibly easy to install. Simply, peel the covering off the adhesive located on the back of the T-Strap Hanger, stick the T-Strap Hanger onto a paper roll, and put the strap into the cut-out grooves. The strong adhesive on the hangers will keep it secured to your paper rolls while the design of the hangers will allow the strap to shift with the rolls and keep it at the required height from the trailer floor. Overall, T-Strap Hangers are the simple and superior way of keeping the cargo strap around your paper rolls in place during transit.

For more information regarding T-Strap Hangers and how they could be used in your load plan, contact us toll free at 866-858-8800.

 

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

Get Creative with Recycling: CYCLONE Dunnage Bags

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Are you receiving a shipment with cargo secured by CYCLONE dunnage bags? If you are currently throwing away dunnage bags after receiving a shipment and are looking for a method of disposing of them that is a little more eco-friendly, try recycling our bags! Our CYCLONE dunnage bags are made up of recyclable materials. Just contact your local recycling facility to set up a recycling program with them and help shrink your company’s eco-footprint.

Can’t recycle the bags? Try reusing them at home! Simply cut one end of the bags and slide them over the things you want to cover, like patio furniture or your BBQ to keep them from getting damaged by the harsh outdoor weather. There are many ways you can replace regular tarps with used dunnage bags. In some cases, a used dunnage bag may even be more effective than a tarp because of their sewn sides, ensuring the item underneath is covered completely with no openings along the sides. If you have a camping trip coming up, use an old dunnage bag for storage or as a cover to keep your equipment and/or firewood dry. Don’t let the durability of our CYCLONE dunnage bags go to waste, find ways to reuse our dunnage bags for other applications.

Before using old dunnage bags at home, ensure you have received permission from your manager to take the bags home for personal use. Your company may already have a recycling or reuse program in place.

For more information about our CYCLONE dunnage bags and the sizes we offer, contact our knowledgeable sales team toll-free at 1-866-858-8800.

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

Damage Prevention before Loading Roll Paper

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Our cargo securement products help prevent damage to the goods in your load during transit, but did you know there are steps that should be taken even before you start loading a railcar? Upon receiving a railcar, many people simply open the door, sweep out any debris, and start loading in their product. However, upon receiving a railcar, a thorough examination of the exterior and interior of the car should be completed. After ensuring the car doors are in working condition, the railcar should be inspected for water leaks, holes, large protrusions, bowing sidewalls, or excessive rust indicating a leak. If there are rough surfaces, or small protrusions in the railcar, they can be covered with something such as fiberboard, as suggested in section two of the AAR’s publication Best Practices for Loading Roll Paper, to ensure they won’t cause damage to your product. If a sidewall is slightly bowed, fill the bowed area with the proper cargo securement equipment described in section two of the AAR’s publication Best Practices for Loading Roll Paper, so it’s flush again before loading your product. If you need to use any wall anchors in the railcar, make sure they are fully intact before loading product. By taking the time to do an inspection of the railcar before loading, you can prevent your product from being damaged by water leaks or ripped by sharp objects in the railcar. It is the shipper’s responsibility to reject the railcar and inform the railcar provider of any damage in the railcar. Once the damage is brought to the railcar company’s attention, they can determine if the car needs repairs or needs to be replaced.  Reporting damaged railcars will help remove them from the tracks until they are restored, preventing further product damage. Implementing a railcar inspection procedure and using cargo securement products when shipping via rail can help ensure your products get delivered safely to their destination.

For more information about what should be included in your railcar inspection procedure or load consultation services, contact our knowledgeable sales team toll-free at 1-866-858-8800.

 

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

The Importance of a Load Plan

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Have you ever wondered how such large, heavy paper rolls can shift so much during transit? Throughout their journey from point A to point B by rail, constant forces are being applied to the paper rolls. As described in the AAR’s publication “Best Practices for Roll Paper”, these forces come from a series of shocks, vibrations, or a combination of both. The force created by shock is caused by the train periodically switching tracks or a buildup of slack between railcars, which can lead to slight tugs on the railcars when removed. Force distributed to the rolls caused by vibrations is typically created at the wheels of the railcar when travelling across the tracks and any non-uniformities in the tracks or wheels.  Force placed on the railcar caused by vibrations and shock is then distributed to each roll within the car. The force travels throughout the paper rolls in different patterns, dependent on how the load plan is laid out. If the rolls are lined up in a lengthwise alignment, then the force will travel lengthwise down the railcar and across the rolls. If the rolls are placed in an offset pattern, the force will be distributed throughout each roll, continuing to travel either lengthwise down the railcar or towards the sidewalls of the railcar. This is demonstrated in the picture below. If a poor load plan is used for a load of roll paper with large open voids in the container, a roll could have the potential to shift into the open void. In turn, the rolls around the shifting roll would then also shift. The slow shifting of rolls during transit could cause unsafe unloading as the rolls can end up leaning against doorways or have the potential to fall over. Movement during transit can also cause damage to the rolls. It is important that railcars do not contain large open voids which the rolls can move into during transit and that certified load plans are in place. The paper rolls should be secured in place by certified cargo securement equipment.  Many factors need to be considered when creating a load plan for paper rolls to ensure they get to their destination safely.

Find more information on the importance of a load plan, load plan assistance, or rail regulations by reading the AAR’s publication “Best Practices for Roll Paper”, or by contacting our knowledgeable sales team toll-free at 1-866-858-8800.

The picture below shows the different  forces applied to paper rolls during transit and how the force is distributed throughout the railcar depending on the load plan. This image can be found in the AAR’S publication, “Best Practices for Roll Paper”.

 

 

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

Get Creative with Recycling: LoadSecure™ Friction Mats

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Do you find yourself throwing away LoadSecure™ friction mats after receiving a shipment? You can put them to good use! Our LoadSecure™ friction mats can be recycled or even reused at home!

If your employer keeps a close eye on their eco-footprint then they can work with Complete Packaging Systems to recycle used LoadSecure™ friction mats. Along with our manufacturing partner, Complete Packaging Systems offers a LoadSecure™ rubber matting recycling program. Our customers can send used LoadSecure™ rubber matting to our manufacturer in Lebanon, PA for a chance to receive a rebate calculated by weight returned. The rubber matting simply needs to be free of contaminants and approved by manufacturing for the recycling process. The recycling program is a great way to be environmentally conscious and is sustainable for all parties involved.

 

If your employer does not have a disposal/recycling program in place for LoadSecure™ friction mats and will allow you to take them home, then there are plenty of creative ways to reuse them! Below are just some of the ways you can cut down and reuse LoadSecure™ friction mats:

  • Line the trunk of your car or the bed of your truck. The mats will provide grip, stopping items from sliding around, and they are easy to rinse off!
  • Under furniture! Cut the friction mats and place small pieces under chair legs, tables, couches, etc. to help stop furniture from sliding and protect the flooring underneath!
  • Inside your drawers/cabinets. Use them to line your kitchen drawers and cabinets to prevent damage caused by cutlery and items sliding when opening drawers. They also help prevent damage caused by spills.
  • Place them in or over pet crates. They are easy to rinse off when needed and when placed over a crate they will block the light/noise and help create a sheltered nook for your pet.
  • Re-doing your flooring? Line your floor with friction mats before placing the flooring down. They work well to eliminate noise and provide a protective layer.

When reusing our LoadSecure™ friction mats for personal use, make sure you ask your employer if you are allowed to take the used rubber matting. Although, it may seem like they are being thrown away, your employer may already have another use for them or have their own recycling program in place. If you receive the “go ahead” from your manager, be creative and reuse LoadSecure™ friction mats in your home!

If more information about our LoadSecure™ friction mats or the rubber recycling program offered, please contact us toll-free at 1-866-858-8800.

 

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

 

C.O.F. Rating on Rubber Friction Mats

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Have you ever wondered why rubber friction mats are printed with yellow numbers and writing? In this blog, we will be covering the C.O.F. value, why it’s important, and a rough idea on how it’s calculated.

The C.O.F. value (the number printed in yellow) stands for coefficient of friction, measured in G force. It’s calculated in an independent laboratory by testing the amount of force needed to move an object across a surface, while taking into account the friction between the object and the surface it is on. In order to measure the C.O.F. rating of rubber friction mats, a weight of 100 grams is placed on a tilt board lined with a friction mat. The tilt board is raised slowly, and the maximum angle is measured at the exact moment the weight begins to slide down the tilt board. The larger the angle, the more effective that particular friction mat is, which means it would be awarded a larger C.O.F. value.

Friction mats are meant to replace wood and block bracing, so the minimum industry standards have been measured to the following for rubber friction mats:

  • 0.5 G in the rearward direction towards the doorway
  • 0.5 G for side to side movement toward the walls of the trailer or container
  • 0.8 G toward the nose of the trailer or container

At Complete Packaging Systems, we believe that a minimum standard is never enough. That is why we have far exceeded industry standards, by a factor of at least 33%, to ensure our customers are confident when using our LoadSecure™ rubber friction mats.

Furthermore, the rubber friction mats must be clearly printed with a numeric C.O.F. rating and the manufacturer’s brand name, as this is what roadside inspectors use to verify the mats meet industry standards. Another feature of our mats is the printing repetition of the C.O.F. value is every 3 inches down the entire mat and placed only 5 inches from the edge. This becomes important, as inspectors must be able to easily see the rating. If you are following proper loading procedures, and leaving at least 6 inches of exposed friction mat towards any and all voids in the trailer or container, you can be certain that our printing will show the C.O.F. value.

Using our LoadSecure™ friction mats will not only save you time and money, it will create a safe, secure, and approved load every time. For more information on our LoadSecure™ friction mats, contact our load consultation services toll-free at 1-866-858-8800.

 

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine