Source for tubes for paste storage

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In the Abbey Newsletter of December 1989 (p.147) there is a
description of making paste and then storing it in sealed,
sterilized tubes.  This allows the paste to be stored without
refrigeration for many months without becoming spoiled, and in fact
the open tubes will not spoil for several weeks either.  The result
is that one only has to take an hour every four to six months to
make enough paste for four or five people. Thus there is a savings
in time, but also in materials since no paste has to be thrown away
due to spoilage.  I "rediscovered" this system while in Sweden last
year.

The problem for us in America is that there doesn't seem to be a
source for the tubes.  A couple of us have tried several companies,
but to no avail.  One, Sheffield in Connecticut, was willing to sell
the tubes but had an extremely large minimum order.  Others did not
even respond to requests for information.  Unfortunately the Thomas
register only lists a few companies, and they appear to be directed
toward manufacturing companies rather than us conservators.

I have found a source for the tubes abroad, however, and am
preparing an order which I expect to send through in May.  The tubes
are lined metal with an adhesive sealant at the end.  The paste is
made in the usual manner, poured into the tubes and the end folded
over to seal the tube. The tubes are then boiled to sterilize the
contents.  They need no refrigeration, even after being opened.

These tubes will be about half the size of a toothpaste tube (25 mm
in diameter and 142 mm long), and should run about $1.50 to $1.75
each plus postage from Seattle.  I won't know the final price until
the get the order together.

If you are interested in participating in this order please let me
know via email, or call me at home on Fridays, weekends or evenings
at 206-527-0780.

Mark Andersson
University of Washington

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:78
                 Distributed: Thursday, March 19, 1998
                       Message Id: cdl-11-78-007
                                  ***