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How to Make a Paper Box Absorb Impact

Mechanical engineers study ways to create and design materials that can absorb impact. One engineering field, packaging science, is devoted to the research, development and application of packaging materials and methods. An important role is to perform impact analysis to find ways to control damage that may happen to boxes and their products during transport. To make a paper box absorb impact, place materials inside of it that can help withstand actions, such as drops or collisions. Reinforce the box with tape

Things You'll Need

Paper box
Foam blocks or sheets
Foam peanuts
Foam tape
Egg crate
Shredded paper
Newspaper
Cardboard
Packing tape
Bubble wrap

Instructions

- 1
  Pack the box with loose materials, such as foam peanuts or shredded paper. Crumpled newspaper may be used as an alternative to shredded paper.
- 2
  Cut rigid foam blocks or sheets so that they are slightly less than box̵7;s height and width. They must be small and thin enough not to rip the box open. Place them around the sides and bottom.
- 3
  Add heavyweight cardboard to the box, instead of foam. Pad the sides and bottom with it.
- 4
  Cut a sheet of bubble wrap into a rectangle large enough to cover the entire inside of the box. Alternatively, cut the bubble wrap into pieces large enough to fit against the sides and pack the bottom with a material, such as rigid foam or heavyweight cardboard.
- 5
  Obtain an egg crate, cut it to the box̵7;s dimensions and place it inside. Acceptable substitutes are a flexible sheet of foam used for crafts or packaging, or several pieces of foam tape.
- 6
  Reinforce the outside of the box with packaging tape. Do not use duct or masking tape, because they are not constructed for packing.

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