Packing wet books

This is a response to Linda Cranstons request for information on
packing wet books in "milk" crates.

Our firm has been professionally vacuum freeze-drying books in
excess of twelve years.  We have handled literally hundreds of
thousands of wet volumes, business papers, medical files--most any
form of wet document.

It has been our experience that the *most* efficient and effective
container to utilize for the freezing and vacuum freeze drying
procedure is, with out a doubt, dairy milk crates.  They are indeed
quite easily stacked when properly packed, and simple to move on two
wheelers or on pallets.  They can also be shrink wrapped.  Over the
years we have experimented with various methods for labeling the
crates, as this is essential for identification of the materials. We
have found a label that is stable throughout the entire process, but
yet easily removed upon completion.  We do not recommend tape or
string for labeling purposes.

The crates we use have been repeatedly exposed to the most extreme
conditions with no failure.  They are almost indestructible.
Ideally, when a loss has occurred, we send a truck filled with empty
crates to the site along with a team of experienced packers to
remove the files or books from the premises. We can also return the
books the same way.  This alleviates the purchase of supplies
(Corrugated boxes, trash can liners, increased personnel to handle
the packing) on the part of the entity which has already suffered a
loss.

In regard to the use of corrugated boxes--wet and damaged paper and
books are not necessarily uniform in size.  If the boxes utilized
are not correctly and completed packed, it is possible the boxes
will begin to crush each other in the void areas, such as corners,
and create further damage to the books. We have seen this occur
frequently when boxes are improperly packed, the uniformity of the
stacking is lost at this point and boxes can begin to fall over.
Boxes may be cheaper initially, however they are not re-usable.  New
boxes have to be used to return the conserved items.

Crates are easier to handle in that they have two handles for easier
movement, and are uniform in size. Frequently when people are in a
rush situation, they use any box available with no regard to uniform
size or strength, this creates quite a problem trying to stack them.
Crates are considerably easier to pack at a loss site, and if
properly packed and stacked there is no need for a lid, particularly
if you have proper movers to handle the crates.

It was indicated in a previous DistList that lined boxes can be used
for the freezing portion of the process, however the liners would
need to be removed prior to vacuum freeze drying.  This is an
additional handling step, which therefore adds an additional risk
factor due to over handling the items.  It is also labor intensive.

I would be happy to address any further questions,  please do not
hesitate to contact me.

Patrick B. King
Midwest Freeze-Dry, Ltd.
7326 N. Central Park
Skokie, Illinois 60076
847-679-4756

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:75
               Distributed: Wednesday, February 26, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-10-75-006
                                  ***