1. Tom Hickey, Jess Higgins, Matt Kim, Aarsh Sachdeva, Adit Patel
T202/3
Mr. Wedoff
3/3/11
Pringles Challenge Research Paper
Postal Service:
Types of Shipping:
The two types of shipping from the U.S. Postal Service are Domestic shipping and
International shipping. Domestic shipping is shipping a package in the U.S. International
shipping is shipping something to another country. For this project we will be using
Domestic shipping.
Domestic:
1) Express Mail: The average delivery time of express mail is overnight for most
locations. The prices on this shipping can range from $13.25 to $325.80
depending on the size of the package. The maximum weight allowed is 70
pounds. In addition to this, the package may not be more than 108 inches in
combined length and girth. There is also an addition $12.50 fee for shipping on
Sundays or holidays.
2) Priority Mail: The average delivery time of priority mail is 1-3 days. The pricing
on shipping differs because of the different types of packages, and how much
the package weighs. The types of packages are envelopes, and boxes. The prices
on the envelopes are all $4.95, and the prices of the boxes range from $10.95 to
$14.95. The price also varies with the weight. The weight range is 1 to 70
pounds, and the price ranges from $5.10 to $116.65.
3) First-Class Mail: The average delivery time of first-class mail is 1-3 days. The
price of shipping differs because of the type and size of package, and also the
weight of the package. The three types of packages are letters, large envelopes,
and packages. For letters the weight ranges from 1 ounce to 3.5 ounces, and
the pricing ranges from $0.44 to $0.95. The letters are rectangular, and must be
at least 3 1/2 inches high, 5 inches long, and 0.007 inch thick. It may not
exceed 6 1/8 inches in height, 11 1/2 inches in length, and may not be more than
1/4 inch thick. For the large envelopes the weight
ranges from 1 ounce to 13 ounces, and the pricing ranges from $0.88 to
$2.92. The package is rectangular, and may not be more than 12 inches high,

2. 15 inches long, and 3/4 inches thick. For the packages the weight limit ranges
from 1 ounce to 13 ounces, and the prices range from $1.22 to $3.26. The total
combined length of the package may not exceed 108 inches.
4) Parcel Post: The average delivery time for parcel post shipping is 2-8 days.
The price of shipping the package depends on the weight and the distance the
package is shipped. The price ranges from $4.90 to $107.16. The package may
not weight more than 70 pounds, and may not be more than 130 inches in
combined length and girth. It costs more to ship packages that are more than
108 inches in combined length.
5) Media Mail: This type of shipping is meant for only book, film, manuscripts,
sound recordings, videotapes, and computer readable media. This type of
shipping will not be of use to us for our project.
6) Library Mail: This type of mail is only meant for books, sound recordings,
and academic theses. Therefore, this type of shipping will also be of no use
to us for this project.
Packages:
By looking at the "Pringles Packaging Rubric" I was able to find out that the four
types of packages that we will be using are:
1) USPS Flat Rate Envelope Package 12.5" x 9.5”
2) USPS Small Flat Rate Box5-3/8” x 8-5/8” x 1-5/8”
3) USPS Medium Flat Rate Box 11" X 8.5" X 5.5"
4) USPS Large Flat Rate Box 12” x 12” x 5-1/2”
Materials:
The possible materials that we would use for this project are Jell-O, packaging
peanuts, jam, bubble wrap, pudding, a Pringles chip, saran wrap, and any of the four size
packages that are listed in the "Packages" section which is located in the "Postal
Service" section.
 Jell-O: The Jell-O is a somewhat shock absorbent material that may be useful if
the package that our Pringles chip was in got dropped or bounced around a little
while being shipped.

3.  Packaging peanuts: The Packaging peanuts would also be used as a shock
absorber in case our package were to be treated badly the packing peanuts
would hopefully protect the chip.
 Jam: The jam is just another product that we could use as a shock absorber
instead of Jell-O. It holds the same purpose, but it is not quite as viscous as the
Jell-O.
 Bubble Wrap: We would use the bubble wrap to surround the Pringles chip. This
would mean that the bubble wrap's purpose would be to absorb any shock that
occurs from the result of our package being dropped or mishandled.
 Pudding: The pudding is another substitute for the Jell-O which would serve a
shock absorber.
 Pringles Chip: The Pringles chip is the item that we will be shipping. It must arrive
at the destination intact.
 Saran Wrap: We would use the saran wrap to wrap our chip in. This will allow
the chip to stay dry so it does not break as easily. In addition to this, the saran
wrap will also provide another layer of protection for the chip.
 Package: This is what we will place our chip in so it can be shipped to its
destination.
 Styrofoam: This would be used as a mould for the Pringles chip. It would provide
safety to the chip so it will be less likely to break.
 Air Filled Plastic: The air filled plastic will cushion the Pringles chip so it will be
less likely to crack or break during shipping.
Viable Solutions:
1) Our first idea was to fill up one of the packages halfway vertically with either Jell-O,
pudding, packaging peanuts, jam, or bubble wrap. After this was done, take the Pringles
chip and securely wrap it in the saran wrap. Next, take the Pringles chip that is in saran
wrap and place it inside of the package so the chip is laying horizontally. Then, continue
to fill the package to the top. Once it is full seal the package shut.
2) Our second idea was to heat up a Pringles chip, and then place it on a piece of
Styrofoam facing down, and then very gently push down on the chip so the chip will
make a mould in the Styrofoam. After you do this with one piece of Styrofoam heat
the chip up again and place it in the mould. Then get another piece of Styrofoam and
push very gently down on the chip, but make sure the two pieces of Styrofoam are
lined up very precisely. After this, take the chip out of the Styrofoam and cut it to
fit the package. Then place the chip back in the mould, and place the mould into the
package. Once you do this, seal the package shut.
3) Our third idea was to take the air filled plastic and place it in our package. Fill up
the package halfway vertically and then place the Pringle chip so the bottom curved
part is over the apex of the curve on the air filled plastic. After this is done, continue

4. filling the package with these until it is full. Last, seal the package closed.
Calculations:
1) Volume of Envelope: This will be needed to know in case we use this package
so we will know how much Jell-O, pudding, or Jam we will need.
There is no definite height since the envelope has an apex and is somewhat rounded on
the top and bottom. We will substitute a variable in the place of the actual height.
h=height
12.5"*9.5"*h=118.75*h"^3
2) Volume of Small Flat Rate Box: This will be needed to know in case we use this
package so we will know how much Jell-O, pudding, or Jam we will need.
5.375"*8.625"*1.625"=75.334"^3
3)Volume of Medium Flat Rate Box: This will be needed to know in case we use this
package so we will know how much Jell-O, pudding, or Jam we will need.
11"*8.5"*5.5"=514.25"^3
4) Volume of Large Flat Rate Box: This will be needed to know in case we use this
package so we will know how much Jell-O, pudding, or Jam we will need.
12"*12"*5.5"=792"^3
5)Converting cubic inches to cups so we will know how much Jell-O, pudding, or gel
to put in the package.
A) Envelope:
(118.75*h)"^3*(16.387g/1"^3)*(0.035 ounces/1g)*(16 pints/1 ounce)*
(2 cups/1 pint)=2179.471 cups
B) Small Flat Rate Box:
75.334"^3*(16.387g/1"^3)*(0.035 ounces/1g)*(16 pints/1 ounce)*
(2 cups/1 pint)=1382.638 cups
C) Medium Flat Rate Box:
514.25"^3*(16.387g/1"^3)*(0.035 ounces/1g)*(16 pints/1 ounce)*
(2 cups/1 pint)=9438.256 cups

5. D) Large Flat Rate Box:
792"^3*(16.387g/1"^3)*(0.035 ounces/1g)*(16 pints/1 ounce)*
(2 cups/1 pint)=14535.924 cups
Bibliography
"Prices." United States Postal Services. United States Postal Services. Web. 3/3/11.
"Conversion Formulas." Conversion Formulas | Select Carrier Group. CEVA Ground. Web
3/3/11.
"Convert grams to cubic inch - Conversion of Measurement Units" Convert grams to cubic inch
Conversion of Measurement Units. Web. 3/3/11.