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Re: Space Bags
I used the ThermaCare packets as an intentional renegade anoxic treatment for already infested woolens. Having seen the product at the drugstore promoting its air-activated heat therapy and reading on the box that it contained packets of the same materials found in Ageless sachets, I bought a box to examine the contents, which did look confirmingly like the gravel found in Ageless sachets. Since Ageless has its primary use in the food industry, it seemed likely that this was another, cross-over use , I decided to try it for anoxic treatments.. And it DID work as a scavenger it what appeared to be identical reactions to laboratory/workshop use of Ageless with EVOH plastic film: Immediate buildup of heat in the packet, followed by a decompression of the Space Bag and a cooling of the ThermaCare patch to room temp, all within an hour. Since the patch was guaranteed for 8 hours of air-activated heat, this leads me to think that this is an air-tight enclosure. However, I do not know how long this environment lasts- or if air slowly leaks in, what the permeability of the plastic is.
I've always though that "one day" I'd get on the phone and get more info from the manufactures of both products.....
On Jan 14, 2005, at 9:44 AM, Frisina, Ann wrote:
Just trying to fully understand the treatment. Are you promoting the hatching of moths and beetles by inserting the Therma Care heat packs and then starving them of oxygen?
-----Original Message-----
From: Textile Conservators [mailto:TEXCONS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Jane Hammond
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2005 5:50 PM
To: TEXCONS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Space Bags
I've also wondered the same. I have used them to store my own woolens and have also experimented, successfully, with non-traditional anoxic treatments on some bug-fested sweaters, using Space Bags and ThermaCaret air-activated heat packs sold in the drug stores for sports injuries. The pacs appear to contain the same ingredients as Ageless (see below) and certainly have the same granular feel both before and after exhaustion of materials. Plus, the adhesive side designed to stick to your back allows the very warm packet to be attached to whichever side becomes "top" in the SpaceBag, away from the object. So far, the SpaceBags have provided an airtight seal - at least for the 8-hour life of the packets-and the packet/packets deactivated (cool down) within 30 min.
I mentioned this bit of Outsider Treatment to some textile conservators at a recent regional meeting but haven't really had time to really pursue the possibilities or do the investigative work needed. Any feedback or ideas would be greatly appreciated . If proved safe, it would great to know emergency help for infestations was as close as the local drugstore.
Jane Hammond
Here's info about ThermaCare I just pulled up:
ThermaCare is an innovative topical heat therapy that provides pain relief combined with long-lasting deep muscle relaxation. Each ThermaCare HeatWrap has a heat pack area composed of oval heat discs (ThermaCells) that contain iron, carbon, sodium chloride, sodium thiosulfate, and water. When these heat cells are exposed to atmospheric air, they undergo an exothermic oxidative reaction that produces detectable levels of heat (40°C) for up to eight hours.
On Jan 13, 2005, at 3:08 PM, Mary Ballard wrote:
Hi everyone: Our shy & retiring computer administrator Mignon (who keeps us
organized) sent us this query & there seems to be a lot of interest, so I
hope everyone will think about it & respond to the list, with cc:'s to the
originators.
"Mignon Erixon-Stanford" <erixonm@xxxxxxxxxx> 01/13/05 02:18PM >>>
Question for the textiles experts...
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kiersten Latham" <kierstenl@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <RCAAM@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2005 1:01 PM
Subject: Re: Space Bags
I am VERY interested in this question too. Amazingly, I was just
thinking
similar thoughts earlier this week!
Kiersten F. Latham, Collection Manager
Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center
1100 N. Plum Hutchinson, KS 67501
620-662-2305 x309
-----Original Message-----
From: Registrars Committee of the AAM on behalf of Susan Smyer
Sent: Thu 1/13/2005 11:51 AM
To: RCAAM@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Space Bags
Good morning everyone,
I need to store large numbers of sheet, pillowcases and wool blankets
for lengthy periods of time and I don't have much climate-controlled
space for storage. Have any of you used Space Bags that vacuum out air
and compress the bags? They are made from polyethylene and nylon which
is probably OK to use, but I would like to know if they off-gas or do
anything horrible to textiles.
Thanks for your help.
Susan Smyer
Collections Manager
Battleship TEXAS SHS
3527 Battleground Rd.
La Porte, TX 77571
(281) 479-2431 ex.239
susan.smyer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mary W. Ballard
Senior Textiles Conservator
Smithsonian Center for Materials Research & Education
4210 Silver Hill Road, Suitland MD 20746 USA
tel: 301-238-1210 fax: 301-238-3709
email: ballardm@xxxxxxxxxxxx