Even containers gotta vent

The right kind of packaging vents can eliminate expensive maintenance and regulatory issues by letting off a little pressure. W.L. Gore and Associates Inc. Pelican Products Inc., Torrance, Calif., uses custom-designed pressure-equalization membrane vents to prevent vacuum lock in high-impact, watertight equipment used by the military. When a soldier hits the ground after an airdrop, he doesn't have to wait for the pressure inside a case to equalize. The membrane helps maintain equal pressure so he can open it immediately, no matter the altitude from which it descended. Vented liners offer a tight seal and enhanced security. Pressure can cause containers to bloat or collapse. Low-profile adhesive vents, here shown on a carrier roll, work well when space is limited. Collapsed or bloated containers, condensation, damaged labels, and containers that simply refuse to open have one thing in common: They're bad for business. Package redesign may seem the obvious solution. But many engineers do not realize these problems stem from pressure differences that create vacuums in sealed containers. For over 25 years, thermally stable ePTFE membranes have satisfied a wide variety of airflow and liquid-resistance needs in the packaging industry. But as companies continue to regard safety and brand appeal as growing priorities, both nationally and globally, membrane vents are becoming even more vital. For the consumer side of the packaging segment, brand appeal at point-of-purchase is critical. And for industry, the issue of safely transporting chemicals and other goods is a major concern. So more and more companies are turning to venting to solve packaging issues. These membranes have been incorporated into vents for containers as small as 50-ml pill bottles and as large as 55-gallon drums. They are used in housings for small handheld glucose monitors and large commercial Wi-Max equipment. The simplest way to equalize pressure inside a