[NHCOLL-L:2280] Re: "paper or plastic"

[Jean-Marc Gagnon]

The largest PET lidded container we designed is 7" x 9" x 4" but at that
size, the typical weight of the content tends to become greater and requires
careful handling so that the flexibility of the container does not become a
hazard. But to be honest, we should always handle containers carefully,
holding them from the bottom and not from the sides only. So that should not
be a major issue for PET containers and skeletal parts. It may be more of an
issue for heavy minerals or fossils.
 
Jean-Marc
 
 
Jean-Marc Gagnon

Gestionnaire en chef / Chief Collection Manager

Collection des Invertébrés / Invertebrate Section

Musée canadien de la nature / Canadian Museum of Nature

Boîte postale 3443, Succ. D / P.O. Box 3443, Station D

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 6P4

Tel.: (613) 364-4066

Télécopieur / Fax: (613) 364-4027

courriel / e-mail:  <mailto:jmgagnon at mus-nature.ca> jmgagnon at mus-nature.ca

Site web / Web site:  <http://www.nature.ca/> www.nature.ca

-----Original Message-----
From: Rebecca Newberry [mailto:newberry at smm.org] 
Sent: Friday, May 07, 2004 11:06 AM
To: gregory.watkins-colwell at yale.edu
Cc: nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:2278] Re: "paper or plastic"


We use both.  We use the PET boxes designed by the Canadian Museum of Nature
to house smaller specimens.  You can see through them, which is nice when
monitoring for pests.  They don't absorb grease either, in case bones don't
get fully degreased before they go into storage.  (Not that that ever
happens!)  They are also substantially cheaper than the equivalent cardboard
boxes.  On the down side, the smaller PET boxes can be a little tippy and
have a tendency to pop open if they get pressure from the sides, as in a
crowded drawer.  (Not that that ever happens, either!)  I don't think these
PET boxes come in a larger size than about 6"x8"x4".

We use acid free cardboard metal edge boxes and acid free banker boxes for
larger specimens.  They are much sturdier than the PET boxes, but you can't
see through them. They also absorb grease, which ruins them.  Lining the
interior with ethafoam reduces the grease factor.  We've also considered
placing mylar windows in the lids of some of the medium sized boxes to
improve pest monitoring.

Rebecca   


Gregory Watkins-Colwell wrote:


Skeleton storage boxes:  plastic or cardboard?  I'd be interested in hearing
the various opinions on this.  I have my opinion... but what do others
think?

greg



******************************************************
*       Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell                      *
*       Herpetology and Ichthyology                     *
*       Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History  *
*       170 Whitney Avenue, P. O. Box 208118            *
*       New Haven, CT  06520-8118                       *
*       Phone: 203/432-3791                     *
*       FAX: 203/432-2874                               *
*       http://www.peabody.yale.edu <http://www.peabody.yale.edu/>
*
******************************************************


-- 

Rebecca Newberry

Conservation Assistant

Science Museum of Minnesota

120 W. Kellogg

St. Paul, MN 55102

(651) 265-9841

newberry at smm.org <mailto:newberry at smm.org> 

www.smm.org <http://www.smm.org> 




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