Specifications
for Card Sleeves and Polyester Jackets for 7"Audio Discs
Specification Number 200-232-8/27/02
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
- This preservation housing is a two-part system of a card stock sleeve with
a polyester (polyethylene terepthalate) three-sides-sealed jacket which fits
over the sleeve. This protects the audio disc from dust and handling. The
sleeves and jackets must meet dimension requirements precisely so that the
jacket fits easily but not loosely over the sleeve.
- The polyester jackets must meet #500-532 Specification for Polyester Three-Sides-Sealed
Enclosures.
- All edges of the card must be cut cleanly with no fraying to avoid dust
or debris on the audio discs.
- The vendor must send samples for size approval before manufacturing the
order.
- Pre-approval of the card is also an option at the manufacturer's request.
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 tested according to TAPPI T 266.
- Optical Brighteners: The stock must be free of optical
brightening agents.
- pH:
The stock should be neutral and have a pH value within a range of 8.0 to
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 have 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:
- 10 pt. card: the minimum basis weight should be 145
lbs/3,000 ft.2
- Folding Endurance:
The stock must meet the minimum requirement of 750 double folds in the machine
direction using a 1 kg. load. Tests to be conducted according to the MIT
Fold Endurance Test as described by TAPPI T 511 om-88, after conditioning
according to TAPPI T 402 om-88.
- 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 and Smoothness:
The surfaces of the stock must be free of fingerprints, dirt, bubbles, knots,
shives and other abrasive particles. The stock is to be smooth, e.g., calendered,
hot-rolled, and/or water polished. The stock must show a smoothness within
the range of 175 to 220 Sheffield units, when tested according to TAPPI
538 om-88.
- 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.
- 10 pt. card must have a minimum internal stiffness
of 80 Taber units in the machine direction and 30 in the cross direction.
Less than this will be cause for rejection of order.
- Adhesive:
If an adhesive is required, it must not soften or run. The adhesive must
not 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.
- Planar Distortion:
There must be minimal planar distortion upon visual inspection.
B. Identification
- Information:
Each card sleeve should be stamped with a line of identification on both
seams. The seam on the tapered side of the sleeve should read: The Library
of Congress. The other seam should have the name of the manufacturer, year
of manufacture, and actual pH. For example: Mfr, 2002, pH 9.0
- Placement and Size:
- Placement: Both lines should be centered on the seams.
Font: The font should be with serif, such as Baskerville or Palatino.
Call for clarification is not available.
- Size: "The Library of Congress" should be in 36 pt.
type, upper and lower case, and fit easily within the 3/4"seam flap. "Mfr.,
year, pH" should be in 10 pt. type, both upper and lower case.
- Stamping Method:
The inked stamp impression should be neat without excess ink and there must
be no penetration to the interior of the jacket. There must be no ink
on the inside of the sleeves. The ink must not smear, bleed, fade
or rub off after drying.
C. Packaging
- Inner Wrapper:
I.D.: If packaged in groups, each package must plainly
identify the type, size and number of items within, the name of the supplier
or manufacturer, year of manufacture, manufacturing run or batch number
- Packing Method:
The sleeves and jackets must be packed in such a way that they arrive flat,
without curling, creases or bends.
- Outer Wrapper:
The items must be packed in standard commercial containers which are constructed
to ensure that they arrive at the Landover Center Annex or the James Madison
Building in dry, undamaged condition.
ID: The outside of each container must be identified by
type (SLEEVE and/or POLYESTER JACKET), size and number of items within, manufacturing
run or batch number, Purchase Order or Contract number.
D. 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 |
10 pt: 145 lbs./3,000 ft2 |
TAPPI 410 om-93 |
Folding Endurance |
750 MD |
TAPPI T 511 om-88, and TAPPI T 402 om-88 |
Color Bleeding |
none |
See above, "I. 8. Color" |
Color Retention |
< 5 points |
TAPPI T 452 om-87 |
Smoothness |
175-220 Sheffield |
TAPPI 538 om-88 |
Abrasion |
< 2% |
TAPPI 476 om-84 |
Stiffness |
10 pt: 80MD, 30 CD Taber units |
TAPPI 489 om-86 |
E. 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.
Card Sleeves and Polyester Jackets for 7" Audio Discs
A. Jacket and Sleeve: overview of use
This preservation housing is a two part system of a card stock sleeve with
a circular cut-out and a polyester (polyethylene terepthalate) three-sides-sealed
jacket which fits over the sleeve. This protects the audio disc from dust
and handling. The sleeves and jackets must meet the dimension requirements
precisely so that the jacket fits easily but not loosely over the sleeve.
See diagram below.
B. Construction
- VENDOR MUST SEND SAMPLE FOR APPROVAL BEFORE BEGINNING THE MANUFACTURING
OF THE ORDER.
- Pre-Approval of the card is also an option an the manufacturer's
request.
- All edges of the card must be cut cleanly with no fraying to avoid
dust or debris on the audio discs.
- Card Sleeves
- Overall Construction
- Each sleeve should consist of one blank 10 pt. card stock which meets
the specifications above.
- THE GRAIN (machine direction) of the card stock should run PARALLEL
TO THE FOLD and open end of the sleeves and perpendicular to the seams.
- The sleeves must allow the insertion of phonograph discs without binding
or gaping.
- The front and back of the sleeves should be the same height. i.e.,
the cut edges on the open end should be aligned.
- The sleeves must be sturdy enough to withstand normal wear and tear
during use.
- THE SLEEVES MUST LIE FLAT, NOT GAPE AND NOT CURL OR HAVE PLANAR DISTORTION.
- Seams
- The sleeves are constructed with seams of folded flaps adhered to the
outer side.
- The flaps should be on two opposite sides creating side seams which
are 3/4" wide. Center or L-seam constructions are not acceptable.
- The flaps should have rounded corners (see diagrams).
- The seams should be sealed along the complete length of the flaps by
an adhesive which is at least 1/8" away from the fold edge and as close
as possible to the cut edge of the seam flap without extending beyond
the seam.
- The seams must remain adhered and not fail during use and for the lifetime
of the sleeve.
- The seams should be smooth and flat with no puckering.
- There must be no adhesive which extends beyond the flap on the inside
or the outside of the enclosure, nor should the adhesive cause lumps
in the card.
- The gap between the fold of the seam flaps and the back sheet of the
envelope should not be more than 1/8" on the inside.
- Bottom Corners of the Sleeves
- There should be no opening at the bottom corners of the sleeves that
would allow dust to enter.
- Central Cutout
- A circular cutout should be centered and aligned on both the front
and back of the inner sleeves.
- THE EDGES OF THE CUTOUT MUST BE SMOOTHLY CUT WITH NO FRAYING.
- Squareness
- All angles of the sleeves must be square except the tapered edge.
- Polyester Jacket
- The polyester sleeve should be constructed of 3 mil polyethylene terepthalate
which meets LC Specification for Polyester, #500-532.
- The jacket should fit easily but not loosely over the sleeve, without any
puckering, gaping or binding.
C. Workmanship
- The folders must be cut straight with accurately squared sides.
- The sizes should be accurate.
- All edges of the card must be cut cleanly with no fraying to avoid dust
or debris on the discs.
D. Outer Dimensions (See diagram)
- THE POLYESTER JACKET MUST FIT NEATLY OVER THE CARD SLEEVE.
- THE VENDOR MUST ASSURE ACCURACY OF SIZES TO ENSURE THE PARTS FIT
WELL.
- THESE OUTER DIMENSIONS ARE THE MINIMUM SIZE WITH A TOLERANCE TO
BE 1/16" LARGER, AND NOT SMALLER, AS LONG AS THE PARTS FIT.
Outer Dimensions |
7" |
Card Sleeves
Distance from bottom fold to open end: |
7 1/8" |
Distance from side to side:
(seam fold to seam fold) |
7 1/4" |
Center Hole Diameter: |
3 1/4" |
Polyester Jacket |
7 7/16" x 7 7/16"
|
THE GRAIN IS PARALLEL TO THE FOLD, PERPENDICULAR TO THE SEAMS FOR
THE CARD SLEEVE.
Tapered Drop Cut on Card Sleeves: The "leading edge" (on right when
facing the side with seams) of the sleeve should be tapered. The drop should
be 1/4" lower than if squared. The taper should begin 2.5" from the outer right
edge ending 1/4" lower than if cut square. See diagram.
The gap between the fold of the seam flaps and the back sheet of the card
sleeve should not be more than 1/16" on the inside. The polyester
jacket should fit easily but not loosely over the sleeve, without any
puckering, gaping or binding. The jackets should extend approximately 1/16
to 1/8" beyond the inserted sleeve.
|
|
Card Sleeve
arrow indicates grain direction |
Polyester Jacket |
III. INSPECTION: Card Sleeves
and Polyester Jackets for 7" Audio Discs
An examination will be made to determine whether the items comply with the
specifications. 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 or buff or as specified on the
purchase order or Contract.
- Edges or creases of the card 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.
- The card sleeves and polyester jackets must be cut straight
with squared sides.
- The jackets must fit easily but not loosely without any gaping,
puckering or binding. The manufacturer must assure accuracy of
sizes to ensure the parts fit well.
- The sizes should be accurate, with no tolerance from required
sizes. The edges should be smooth and even and should meet exactly.
- The folds should be accurate and uniform.
- The grain (machine direction) of the folder stock should
run parallel to the fold.
- The sleeves should be flat; there should be no planar distortion.
- Identification should be stamped as specified I.B. on
the seams of the card sleeves.
- The Outer Wrapper must ensure arrival in dry, undamaged
condition and be identified as specified.
FAILURE TO MEET ANY OF THE SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE CAUSE FOR REJECTION.