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General |
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Q. What's
the difference between water soluble and dispersible? |
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A. Water soluble
film completely dissolves whereas dispersible film just breaks
down into minute
particles. |
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Q. What are the main ingredients in water soluble film? |
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A. PVOH (Poly Vinyl Alcohol) is
the main ingredient in packaging grades of soluble film.
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Q. Does a PVOH
which is sold as Cold Water soluble dissolves quicker in warm/hot
water? |
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A. Yes, the
energy provided by water is linked to the water temperature,
the higher that is, the
quicker the dissolution process will
happen. |
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Q. Are there any special storage conditions needed for MonoSol
films? |
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A. When storing avoid extreme humidity
and temperatures. Cold storage or very low humidity for
example,
can cause the film to become brittle. Laundry bags under normal
conditions should be
kept in their re-sealable bag. Care should
be taken at all times not to allow the film to become
wet.
Ideal
storage conditions are 10-20?C with 30-60% relative humidity.
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Q. What
shelf life do the films have? |
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A. Shelf life can
vary between different film grades; please enquire about the
specific
film/application you are interested in. |
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Q. Can I have a film that
does not react up to a given temperature and that will dissolve
as soon as
the temperature goes above that temperature? |
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A. No, PVOH?s reaction to water
is driven by water temperature and depends of the type of
polymer,
but there no such reaction that will have the film dissolve only
above a given
temperature and not react before
the water reaches this temperature. This is the reason the
water
solubility characteristics are defined as ?dissolution time,
at a given temperature and a
given agitation.
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Q. What's
the difference between blown and cast films? |
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A. Blown film is
produced by direct extrusion of ingredients through an annular
die to form a vertical
inflated bubble that is then collapsed
and wound up as a reel of film either as two layers or split
into two single wound reels. Cast film is
produced by producing a viscous aqueous solution of
ingredients and casting them via
a slot die onto either a continuous belt or a drum where the
water is driven off by hot air to leave a
film that can be stripped off and wound up. |
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Q. Is it important to conduct compatibility
tests? |
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A. Very Important; both for new
products and if any ingredients are changed in a product
subsequent
to compatibility testing.
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Q. What is available water? |
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A. Water that
is available or free to solubilise the film. |
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Q. Is water soluble film
bio degradable / environmentally friendly? |
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A. Yes, when solution is
exposed to normal water treatment bacteria it will break down
into harmless components.
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Q. Can
there be a zip lock on the water soluble bags and sachets? |
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A. Not
currently and may not be practical for applications that require
fast dissolution as the zip
would dissolve very slowly compared
to the thin film. |
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Q. How much weight can
a water soluble bag hold? |
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A. Laundry bags are expected to
contain a maximum of 12kg of linen when loaded into a
supporting
outer transport bag. Chemical packages are typically up to
10kg, though there is not
theoretical reason for higher loadings
given correct filling and handling.
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Q. Can
the film be printed? |
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A. Yes |
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Q. What machinery can run
water soluble films? |
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A. Horizontal flow wrapping machines,
thermoforming machines and vacuum forming machines
(horizontal
and rotary); Vertical Form Fill and Seal machines (transwrap
type); some types of
stickpack machines; some types of 3 side
and 4 side seal Vertical Form Fill and Seal machines;
pleat
wrapping and cut and wrap block wrapping machines.
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Q. Can
I heat seal? |
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A. Yes, and
it also water seals. |
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Q. What is the density
of water soluble film? |
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A. In the range 1.2 to 1.3
grams per ml
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Q. Could
you recommend any contract packagers? |
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A. Yes;
we can suggest contract packers experienced in handling our
water soluble films according to product
types, pack types and geographical locations. |
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Q. Why do the fully soluble
bags appear to fall apart when linen is placed in them? |
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A. This can happen if overly wet
linen is placed in the bag without any other form of protection.
We
suggest that wet linen is wrapped in dry
and absorbent textiles before placing in the bag. As an
alternative we offer Aquafilm
Plus which has a cold water soluble resistance.
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Q. Why
is it important not to knot the Laundry Bag? |
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A. Some staff
may be tempted to close the bag by tying a knot in the top
of the bag. This can
cause problems because the knot is a solid
lump of material and water cannot reach the centre
of the knot
to dissolve it. The remedy for this should be correct training
of staff to use the tie
tape provided, usually in conjunction
with the Infection Control Nurse or Hygienist. |
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Q. Why aren't fully soluble
laundry bags suitable for use in a domestic washing machine? |
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A. This question is far more likely
in a nursing or residential home rather than a hospital. The
bags
are not really suitable for use in a domestic
washing machine as the drums are too small to
allow sufficient movement,
the water level is too low and temperature control can be a
problem.
Dissolvo Sacks; the soluble membrane laundry
bags are ideally suited for the smaller machine.
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Q.
Can detergents cause problems?
A. Only when
added too early to the wash cycle or when added in excessive
quantity which causes increased alkalinity
levels in the wash licquor. |
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Q. What is the difference
between a Fully Soluble and a Soluble Seam laundry bag? |
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A. A fully soluble laundry bag
dissolves completely in the wash cycle. A soluble seam bag
opens
during the wash cycle and the P.E has to be removed at
the end of the cycle.
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Q. What's
the difference between Aquafilm and Aquafilm Plus fully soluble
laundry bags? |
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A. Aquafilm
Plus laundry bags are heavier gauge bags (22mu) and have total
resistance to cold
water making them more suitable for areas
such as maternity departments etc. which generates
wetter linen. |
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Q. How should I store the
bags? |
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A. All bags should be stores
at temperatures between 7 degrees centigrade and 30 degrees
centigrade at relative humidity 20 to 70%. Also fully soluble
laundry bags should be stored in the
pouch provided for 2 reasons:
(i) Traceability.
(ii) To prevent moisture being absorbed from the atmosphere
allowing ease of opening.
Soluble seam bags should be stored in the box provided |
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If you should have
a question that does not appear here please contact
us |
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