The US Military has packaging specifications to which companies packing products for military use, if so designated in their contract, should adhere. The central document is the MIL-STD-20731E Standard Practice for Military Packaging. This 183 page document has a great deal of information for contractors to follow, including definitions such as what is reusable, what is consumable, how to prepare the product for packaging, marking, etc. The 2073 document also includes the methods on how to package. For instance, Method 41 – “Watervaporproof bag, heat sealed. The item, preserved, wrapped, and cushioned as required in 5.2.3.6, shall be enclosed in a close fitting heat sealed bag conforming to MIL-DTL-117, Type I, Class E, Style 1, 2 or 3; or Type I, Class F, Style 1; or Type II, Class E, Style 1. (Note: For electrostatic protection refer to 5.2.4.1.)”.
Liberty Intercept Blog
Your Lifeline in a Chaotic Supply Chain
Posted by Joe Spitz on Oct 11, 2024 1:47:10 PM
Navigating the Storm: Overcoming Supply Chain Disruptions with Intercept
Consider all the global supply chain problems the world has faced in recent years, including:
- Recent Dock strikes: Labor disputes have led to delays in cargo handling.
- Suez Canal and Red Sea blockages: Cause significant disruptions to maritime trade routes.
- Storms and other weather events/natural occurrences.
- Accidents: in 2024 a cargo ship crashed into a bridge column in Baltimore, causing the bridge to collapse and port closure for three months.
- West Coast dock labor issues: COVID-related challenges and labor disputes have impacted port operations.
- Trucking stalled: because of a lack of drivers due to COVID.
- Major Logistics companies: Closing their doors for good.
Read MoreTopics: Intercept Technology packaging, barrier packaging, corrosion prevention, supply chain safety net, protective packaging, contamination
Condensation and Corrosion Control: Protect Product Integrity
Posted by Joe Spitz on Aug 16, 2024 1:39:48 PM
Condensation, often manifested as water droplets forming on cold surfaces in humid environments, poses a significant risk to product quality and longevity. This phenomenon is especially prevalent during shipping and storage, where temperature fluctuations are common. Any resulting condensation will accelerate corrosion, leading to product defects, performance issues, and financial losses.
Contaminants present on product surfaces exacerbate corrosion when combined with condensation to form an electrolytic solution. The rapid onset of corrosion can result in visible damage upon product unpacking, rendering products unusable or non-compliant with warranty terms. Even when corrosion is not yet visible to the eye, product failure is accelerated due to corrosion.
To mitigate the risks associated with condensation and corrosion, several preventive measures can be implemented:
Read MoreTopics: corrosion, corrosion prevention, seasonal corrosion, protective packaging, contamination
5 Recycling Problems that Industry Can Help Solve
Posted by Joe Spitz on Aug 8, 2023 12:34:32 PM
There is a well-intended drive in motion to eliminate single-use packaging, because the world is choking on trash and it’s only getting worse. A very large part of the problem is that developed nations are shipping their trash to developing nations, which necessarily are the least prepared to manage it. Too often in the process, trash spills into waterways leading to oceans, disrupting and entangling animal inhabitants, and presenting a health hazard for the residents of these developing nations. All of these factors and more create a mess that is most imperative to solve, and which is something that can be corrected with our help.
Read MoreTopics: how to reduce packaging waste, recyclable, protective packaging, environmental issues
Plan for the Worst
Posted by Joe Spitz on Dec 16, 2021 2:52:25 PM
Prepare for the Worst
The 8 Questions Manufacturers Must Ask
Current supply chain delays have been reported and discussed extensively by news outfits and logistics experts, with predictions that these delays will continue for much longer. The "just-in-time" philosophy is no longer in play. With this in mind, it’s important to note: corrosive gases will always be in the ocean’s atmosphere; the amount of time spent in transit, especially via ocean freight, increases exposure and can affect the reliability of your product.
Read MoreTopics: oil-free packaging, reliability, plastics, supply chain safety net, quality assurance, recyclable, protective packaging, outdoor storage
It's a Small World: How Intercept Packaging Fits
Posted by Elaine Spitz on Jan 22, 2014 10:54:00 PM
I have the black and white map (at left) hanging in my house. It is a digital map of all of the flights across the world over the course of one day. When I am feeling pensive I look at it and think how small the world can be and how quickly I can get, literally, anywhere. On the other hand, the colored map (below right) shows the trade routes of British (yellow), Dutch (green), and Spanish (red) from 1750 and 1800. It’s amazing what 200 years can do.
Topics: supply chain safety net, protective packaging, Static Intercept
Packaging: It's All in the Swing
Posted by Joe Spitz on Dec 6, 2011 9:43:00 AM
The weather has been unseasonably warm in New England recently, allowing us in this hardy group to participate in outdoor activities such as one of my favorites, hitting golf balls at the driving range. Because of surgery and the subsequent recovery, I haven’t been able to golf for the last few years, but with nice weather and a now-healthy body, it was great to swing the club at the ball again. Of course, for a rusty golfer, there were more misses than that crisp feeling of striking the ball cleanly.
Topics: better packaging, good packaging matters, packaging industry, protective packaging
Protective Packaging, the Unsung Hero of Consumer Packaged Goods
Posted by Elaine Spitz on Aug 30, 2011 6:23:00 AM
I asked Simon Twilley of Pack TV to supply me with a blog post topic. His quick answer was this: "Protective Packaging, the unsung hero of Consumer Packaged Goods, or Fast Moving Consumer Goods". While his alternative title, "Why All That Arty Farty Brand Stuff Would Never Get To The Shelf Without Protective Packaging" was a bit tongue-in-cheek, the topic is valid, as new materials, converting methods, printing, and labeling flood the consumer marketplace.
Topics: retail packaging, protective packaging
Packaging Mil Spec Clarification
Posted by Joe Spitz on May 19, 2011 5:42:00 AM
The US Military has packaging specifications to which companies packing products for military use, if so designated in their contract, should adhere. The central document is the MIL-STD-20731E Standard Practice for Military Packaging. This 183 page document has a great deal of information for contractors to follow, including definitions such as what is reusable, what is consumable, how to prepare the product for packaging, marking, etc. The 2073 document also includes the methods on how to package. For instance, Method 41 – “Watervaporproof bag, heat sealed. The item, preserved, wrapped, and cushioned as required in 5.2.3.6, shall be enclosed in a close fitting heat sealed bag conforming to MIL-DTL-117, Type I, Class E, Style 1, 2 or 3; or Type I, Class F, Style 1; or Type II, Class E, Style 1. (Note: For electrostatic protection refer to 5.2.4.1.)”.
Topics: how to reduce packaging waste, good packaging matters, military, protective packaging
Why Good Packaging Matters
Posted by Elaine Spitz on Apr 21, 2011 7:55:00 AM
Packaging is the third largest industry in the U.S. Packaging is a $100+ billion a year industry and growing as technology continues to develop new materials and processes based on consumer demand for quality, safety and more earth-friendly applications.
Topics: good packaging matters, packaging, protective packaging
Packaging Goods for Export
Posted by Elaine Spitz on Apr 19, 2011 3:02:00 PM
Because Liberty Packaging is in the industrial packaging business, when information comes out regarding exporting, we pay attention. The big picture in this fragile economy requires U.S. manufacturers to export more and Liberty Packaging wants to do our part to help. For our economy to grow and come out of this unemployment slump, we can’t depend upon our government or U.S. consumers to drive sales; there is not enough demand here for the type of high value manufactured goods that our country produces. As most every informed citizen knows, a great quantity of the manufacturing of low end consumer goods has left our shores to be produced in economies with less expensive labor.
Topics: export, carbon footprint, industrial packaging, how to reduce packaging waste, packaging, protective packaging