Handle-o-Meter
machine that measures surface friction and flexibility of sheeted materials

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. It is also used to measure the stiffness of packaging film.
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.
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.
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. Machine direction and transverse stiffness are measured separately.
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