3 Videos Showing the Benefits of Vacuum Packaging

Vacuum packaging offers benefits for consumable and non-consumable products. The removal of air from a vacuum bag creates a modified atmosphere within the bag. That atmosphere can be modified in many different combinations to preserve and protect products. Some benefits of vacuum packaging are unknown for people new to the process. Below are 3 videos to help explain some advantages of packaging products with vacuum packaging.

Video #1 - Is Vacuum Packaging Waterproof?

Vacuum packaging can be used to secure items immersed in water. With the right seal and bags, products can be underwater for long periods without being inundated with water. Many military-grade vacuum packaged items require a minimum seal and bag thickness. The wider and thicker seal seams and bags provide additional protection for submerged items. For in-house testing, we have submerged supplies underwater for 7 days without leaking. We have also sent vacuum packaged samples to military buyers that tested fully emerged bags at 10 ft. for 90 days. The bags and seal withstood the test.

If vacuum packaging any products that could be exposed to water, we recommend at least a 5 mm seal thickness. A wide seal will help ensure no leakage during storage. Be sure a vacuum bag is being used when vacuum packaging. A vacuum bag is made to hold a vacuum inside the bag. It creates a barrier between the products and outside atmosphere. A standard poly bag will not hold a vacuum and over time will allow seepage. The bags used should specifically indicate being barrier bags.

Video #2 - Vacuum Packaging Metal Products to Prevent Rust

Many people overlook vacuum packaging when shipping metal products overseas. During the trip on the water, humidity can cause rust on products. Creating a barrier between the products and exterior environment will help reduce or eliminate corrosion while on the water. We have tested this with a customer and in-house. In the first package, we used a standard vacuum seal. The second package was nitrogen flushed, then vacuumed. We sent the marked packages back to the customer and they sent the products out on the next container going overseas.

Upon arrival, the gas flushed product did not have any rust. The vacuum sealed product had minimal rust and the non-wrapped products had substantially more rust than the two products we packaged. The gas flushed package prevented all corrosion by modifying the atmosphere within the package. We used nitrogen to flush all of the air and humidity out of the package and then vacuumed the nitrogen from the package. The result was a tight-fitting package with no moisture or oxygen to cause rust. Read below for more information on gas flush vacuum packaging.  

Video #3 - Use Gas Flush to Protect and Preserve Products

The use of gas flush when packaging will preserve products without chemicals. The most common gas used in gas flush vacuum packaging is nitrogen. Nitrogen makes up 78% of the atmosphere around us. The flushing process fills the package with the nitrogen or another gas of choice. After the flush has occurred, the nitrogen can be vacuumed or left in the package. If left in the package, the finished look is the same as a bag of new potato chips.

The pillowed package is filled with a gas to increase shelf life and protect delicate products within the package with extra cushion. Many products around the world use gas flush or gas flush vacuum packaging to reduce food spoilage. Packaged salads, nuts, chips, and meats are packaged with gas flush. Because of the change in atmosphere within the package, Gas flushing is also known as MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging).

Conclusion

Vacuum packaging is more than the home use Foodsaver most people are familiar with. Consumable and non-consumable items can be protected and stored for long periods of time with vacuum packaging. The recommended requirements for vacuum packaging are determined by the product being wrapped. We have helped thousands of companies find the right packaging solution for their products.

Call 1-800-441-5090 or ask a question below about vacuum packaging your products.