View source for Handle-o-Meter

{{Short description|Machine that measures material characteristics}}
{{Short description|Instrument for measuring friction and flexibility}}
The '''Handle-o-Meter''' is a testing machine developed by [[Johnson & Johnson]] and now manufactured by [[Thwing-Albert]] that measures the "handle" of sheeted materials: a combination of its surface friction and flexibility. Originally, it was used to test the durability and flexibility of [[toilet paper]] and [[paper towels]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u44qAQAAMAAJ |pages=58–61 |title=Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry |volume=48 |issue=1–6 |year=1965 |publisher=[[Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry]]}}</ref> It is also used to measure the stiffness of packaging film.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/app.1963.070070303 |title=Relationship between dynamic modulus of thin films and stiffness, as determined by the Handle-O-Meter |first1=Orin C. |last1=Hansen Jr. |first2=Leon |last2=Marker |first3=Karl W. |last3=Ninnemann |first4=Orville J. |last4=Sweeting |year=1963 |doi=10.1002/app.1963.070070303 |journal=[[Journal of Applied Polymer Science]] |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=817–832}}</ref>

The test sample is placed over an adjustable slot. The resistance encountered by the penetrator blade as it is moved into the slot by a pivoting arm is measured by the machine.<ref name="Robertson2016">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BizOBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA96 |page=96 |title=Food Packaging: Principles and Practice, Third Edition |author=Gordon L. Robertson |year=2016 |isbn=9781439862421 |publisher=[[CRC Press]]}}</ref>

==Details==
The data collected when such nonwovens, tissues, toweling, film and textiles are tested has been shown to correlate well with the actual performance of these specific material's performance as a finished product.<ref name=handle-o-meter>{{cite web|title=Handle-O-Meter softness testing machine|url=http://www.thwingalbert.com/handle-o-meter.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924024256/http://www.thwingalbert.com/handle-o-meter.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2012|publisher=Thwing Albert|access-date=2 March 2013}}</ref>

Materials are placed over a slot that extends across the instrument platform, and then the tester hits test. A beam then protrudes through the slot and a [[strain gauge]] measures the force that the material exerts on the beam. Stiff materials offer greater resistance to the movement of the beam.<ref name="Robertson2016" /> Machine direction and transverse stiffness are measured separately.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GyCtAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT83 |pages=148–150 |title=The Complete Technology Book On Plastic Films, Hdpe And Thermoset Plastics |year=2006 |isbn=9788178330112 |publisher=NIIR Project Consultancy Services}}</ref>

There are three different test modes which can be applied to the material: single, double, and quadruple. The average is automatically calculated for double or quadruple tests.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Restrictions on measuring the friction between the platform and the material limit the instrument's accuracy.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0950-7671/42/8/327 |journal=[[Journal of Scientific Instruments]] |title=The measurement of flexural rigidity of thin polymeric films |author1=D H Morton |author2=A Marks |volume=42 |issue=8 |year=1965 |page=591 |doi=10.1088/0950-7671/42/8/327|bibcode=1965JScI...42..591M }}</ref>

==Features==
*Adjustable slot openings
*Interchangeable beams
*Auto-ranging
*2 x 40 LCD display
*Statistical Analysis
*RS-232 Output and Serial Port
*Industry Standards:
*ASTM D2923, D6828-02
*TAPPI T498
*INDA IST 90.3

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150608195704/http://www.rycobel.be/product-downloads/D-04-15-Handle-O-Meter.pdf Manufacturer's datasheet]

[[Category:Textiles]]
[[Category:Machines]]
[[Category:Quality control]]
[[Category:Toilet paper]]


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