Connecting to Collections Care

I'm trying to find a source for large (over 3 foot) clear plastic bags that are re-sealable (like ziplock bags) as a way to isolate vulnerable collections while allowing for easy monitoring and access. 
Do you know of a source for very large re-sealable bags? Or a company that would produce custom size bags?
Or, does anyone know of a way to make our own re-sealable bags from poly sheeting?

Thank you,
Genevieve Bieniosek

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Genevieve Bieniosek
she/her
Furniture Conservator
Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12/15/2022 5:35:00 PM
From: James Hascall
Subject: RE: Source for large re-sealable plastic bags?

Hi Genevieve

You may want to do a web search for vacuum storage bags for bedding. Putting that into a search engine yielded a variety of stock items up to 3'x4' by various depths. The ones I've seen have been thick plastic and looked quite durable. The ability to evacuate them leads me to wonder about their use for anoxia treatments with an oxygen scavenger as well.

Good luck,

Jamie

Jamie Hascall
Craftsman, Trainer, Consultant
Mountmakingfocus.com
jamie@mountmakingfocus.com
Seattle, WA

206-954-4141

Genevieve,

Uline.com has larger resealable bags (2, 4, 6, and 8 mil).  I think the largest in 4 mil is 30"x30".  If you need a larger size, Uline also has poly bag sealers (tabletop and handheld), as well as poly sheeting in different thicknesses.  We have needed to enclose pieces of wood furniture for bug treatment and we have used this method to completely seal them up.  The handheld sealers do have a bit of a learning curve.  If you heat the plastic for too long, it melts too much and makes a hole.  If you don't heat it for long enough, it doesn't seal.  So if you go that route, just know that who ever is enclosing the objects might need to practice to get it just right.  I have heard of other methods for household use where you heat knife and put it up against the two pieces of plastic and it melts and seals them together, but that sounds a bit dangerous to me, especially if you need to cover something large.
I hope this helps.
Anna

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Anna Graff
Conservator
LDS Church History Museum
Salt Lake Cty UT
(801) 815-7089
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Original Message:
Sent: 12/16/2022 10:55:00 AM
From: Anna Graff
Subject: RE: Source for large re-sealable plastic bags?

Genevieve,

Uline.com has larger resealable bags (2, 4, 6, and 8 mil).  I think the largest in 4 mil is 30"x30".  If you need a larger size, Uline also has poly bag sealers (tabletop and handheld), as well as poly sheeting in different thicknesses.  We have needed to enclose pieces of wood furniture for bug treatment and we have used this method to completely seal them up.  The handheld sealers do have a bit of a learning curve.  If you heat the plastic for too long, it melts too much and makes a hole.  If you don't heat it for long enough, it doesn't seal.  So if you go that route, just know that who ever is enclosing the objects might need to practice to get it just right.  I have heard of other methods for household use where you heat knife and put it up against the two pieces of plastic and it melts and seals them together, but that sounds a bit dangerous to me, especially if you need to cover something large.
I hope this helps.
Anna

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Anna Graff
Conservator
LDS Church History Museum
Salt Lake Cty UT
(801) 815-7089
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We use large LDPE bags from the Associated Bag Co. and tie them shut with twill tape.
They carry a variety of thicknesses.
They also sell smaller zipper-lock bags, of polyethylene and polypropylene.
associatedbag.com

Uline.com is another source of PE and PP bags.




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Cindy Opitz
Director of Research Collections
Museum of Natural History and Old Capitol Museum
The University of Iowa
Iowa City IA
319-335-0481
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Hi Genevieve,

I have purchased large resealable bags from Associated Bag: Wholesale Packaging, Shipping & Workplace Products | Associated Bag. I am not sure if they have any over 36" (I have not purchased any that large), but they might. They might also be able to do custom orders. 

If you have a heat sealer, you might also be able to buy poly tubing and create your own bags of whatever length you want (only constrained by the width of the tubing, obviously!). 

Hope this is somewhat helpful!
Shay

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Shay Henrion
Registrar
National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center
Harpers Ferry WV
(508) 954-6118
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Thank you all for the very helpful information, it is appreciated!
Genevieve

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Genevieve Bieniosek
Furniture Conservator
Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-16-2022 12:29
From: Shay Henrion
Subject: Source for large re-sealable plastic bags?

Hi Genevieve,

I have purchased large resealable bags from Associated Bag: Wholesale Packaging, Shipping & Workplace Products | Associated Bag. I am not sure if they have any over 36" (I have not purchased any that large), but they might. They might also be able to do custom orders.

If you have a heat sealer, you might also be able to buy poly tubing and create your own bags of whatever length you want (only constrained by the width of the tubing, obviously!).

Hope this is somewhat helpful!
Shay

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Shay Henrion
Registrar
National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center
Harpers Ferry WV
(508) 954-6118
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