Upload date - 6/11/04

The following is in response to a question from several PPP Licensees:

How does our method of packaging gowns compare (or differ) with the Vacuum Seal method?

Does our (PPP) preservation process involve or mimic the VACUUM SEAL methods commonly referred to in Industry publications?

Within any industry involving differing methods of process, comparison and debate will ultimately lead to studies, tests, and trials to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each method or process. The gown cleaning and preservation/storage industry is no different. Some of the more common methods for gown storage include:

* Cleaning & boxing: Acid-neutral or acid-free box & tissue to package and store gown. Boxes may have a full bottom with a closed top (no window) or an outer "shell" with bottom and a windowed top "sleeve" or cover that is encased by the closed "shell". Tape is commonly used to seal the seams between the bottom and top of the box.

* Cleaning, boxing, & sealing: Acid-neutral or acid-free box & tissue to package and store gown. Boxes may have similar or same design as described above, but the gown "chamber" is sealed with shrink film.

* Cleaning & vacuum sealing: Gown is encased in plastic or poly bag, from which all (most) air is removed. The bag is sealed (like a deflated balloon) once the air has been removed with the gown inside. Gown is then stored in a closed box. Some companies offer a "do-it-yourself" kit for brides to attempt at home.

* Cleaning, boxing, and PRESERVING: Beyond cleaning and boxing, additional processes are used in the packaging method to preserve the integrity of gown fabric & color over time. PPP's method of packaging accomplishes this objective.

Pat Moffat, owner of Ram Leather Care, St. Louis, Missouri, recently brought an article published by The Ohio State University Extension to PPP's attention referencing proper storage methods for wedding gowns and heirloom textiles. This Fact Sheet was originally published in 1994 as referenced below, and can be found via the Internet at www.ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5545.html

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Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet
Textiles and Clothing
Storing Wedding Gowns and Textile Heirlooms
HYG-5545-94

Overall, the Ohio State fact sheet offers solid advice regarding proper cleaning, care, and storage methods for wedding gowns and other heirloom textiles. In the "Packing for Storage" section of this article, under "Commercial Packaging", a reference is made regarding an International Fabricare Institute (IFI) article of the same themeproper long-term packaging and storage of wedding gowns. The IFI article referenced is as follows:

International Fabricare Institute
Silver Spring, MD
Selection and care of wedding gowns
Ordonez, M. T.
IFI Bulletin FC-93
Published 1987

Specifically, the Ohio State fact sheet states:

"Some drycleaners offer an optional vacuum seal. The International Fabricare Institute (IFI) indicates that this process isn't necessary. No seal is permanent. Also, heirloom textiles should be checked yearly for general condition, at which time the seal would be broken. IFI also suggests that clear plastic or cellophane "windows" on boxes be removed or punctured to allow air movement. Moisture could condense on the clean window and support growth of mildew."

So, back to the question: "Does our preservation process involve or mimic the VACUUM SEAL methods commonly referred to in Industry publications?

NO! In fact, as your sales force addresses brides, wholesale accounts, or trade partners, the term "vacuum seal" should never be used to describe PPP's method of packaging & preserving gowns. The "vacuum seal" method referenced in the Ohio State Article implies a method similarly described above (Cleaning and vacuum sealing). The Ohio State Article was published in 1994, and references a similar IFI article, which was published in 1987long before PPP was even founded, and long before PPP's methods were nationally adopted. Although Jim Douglas, founder of PPP, was continuing to use our current method to package and preserve gowns in 1994, PPP wasn't formally organized until 1997. That's why OUR method really doesn't fit the description of ANY methods discussed in the Ohio State fact sheet. Several references within this article, as well as the IFI article, recommend that gown packaging should NOT be sealedwellthese recommendations were based upon the familiar methods known at the time (1987 & 1994) regarding sealed packages and non-sealed packages.

Regardless of timing of the articles, and since references are still commonly made regarding "vacuum seal" methods, PPP's method of packaging and PRESERVING gowns is dramatically different than "vacuum sealing":

* Vacuum sealed gowns are packaged DIRECTLY into a plastic or poly bag, from which air is removed, via vacuum, then sealed shut. Gowns are directly exposed, over time, to the damaging fumes emitted from the plastic bag. Brides should never store their gown (long term) in the plastic gown bag received from the bridal salon either.

* PPP's method involves replacing oxygenated air from inside the gown chamber with a different "air" (nitrogen gas)not at ALL like vacuum sealing. Sure, we use a vacuum system in our processbut only as the means of purging the "bad air" (oxygenated), which enables us the ability to inject "better air" (nitrogen gas).

* PPP's method removes oxygenated air. Improperly stored white gowns may "yellow" over time. This yellowing is caused by "oxidation", a slow deterioration process that REQUIRES OXYGEN present for the reaction/deterioration to occur. Oxygen is NOT an inert gasin fact it reacts with metals, among many other elements, and is a key component for MANY reactions to occur (fire, for instance)including oxidation. By injecting the gown chamber with nitrogen gas, an inert (non-reactive) gas, gowns are stored in a more "stable" environmentone that offers greater protection from oxidation. With the additional control measures PPP includes inside the gown chamber for moisture & oxygen control (desi-chems and multisorbs), gowns are truly PRESERVED through time.

How about longevity of the nitrogen gas? Will it eventually escape through the pores of the poly shrink film?

First and foremost, remember that our method of sealing the gown chamber involves direct contact with the BOX itselfnot direct contact with the gown. If it looks like a duck, acts like a duck, and smells like a duck, regardless of how you dress it, it's still a duckALL poly or plastic material is porous.

Will nitrogen eventually escape through the pores of the poly shrink film? The answer is "yessome, but not all". Using our method, a properly sealed and nitrogen-injected gown chamber is accomplished as follows:

1. Seal the gown chamber using a poly shrink film. A properly sealed package will have a tight-fitting poly film around the gown box, with no visible or obvious "breaks" in the seal.

2. Begin the oxygen-purge process by injecting two purge tubes into the gown chamberone at the top and one at the bottom of the chamber (I'm not referring to the viewing window & bottom tray, but the top and bottom ends). Pre-punch the holes for each oxygen purge tube using a similar-sizes awl. Do not use the tube itself to punch through each end of the gown chamberthe tube will fill with cardboard and will be difficult to remove. Be sure you've penetrated the gown chamber deep enough to fully insert each purge tube.

3. Purge oxygen, using both oxygen purge tubes, from the chamber until you notice a slight depression (concave) in the viewing window area.

4. Once achieved, remove ONE of the oxygen purge tubes.

5. While continuing the oxygen purge with the remaining tube, insert the nitrogen injection tube in the same, now available, hole and begin introducing nitrogen into the gown chamber. At this stage, both processes should be continued at the same time (oxy-purge plus nitrogen injection) for 30-45 seconds to allow the chamber to "flush"nitrogen being introduced at one end, while the vacuum continues at the other end of the chamber.

6. After "flushing" the chamber, continue to inject nitrogen while you remove the oxygen purge tube.

7. Seal the oxygen purge hole with one of the purge stickers and CONTINUE to inject nitrogen until you notice an expansion of the box (convex) in the viewing area. This ensures that you have slightly "overfilled" the chamber with nitrogen.

8. Remove the nitrogen injection tube and seal the remaining hole with a purge sticker.

Now that the chamber is slightly "overfilled" with nitrogen, nitrogen gas WILL eventually escape through the pores of the poly shrink filmup to the point that the atmospheric pressure within the chamber is the SAME as the atmospheric pressure outside the chamber. Once the PRESSURES inside the chamber are equal to the air pressure outside the chamber, there is no further reason for gas exchange through the pores of the shrink filmthe remaining air within the chamber will be nitrogen.

Thus, PPP's method continues to be a very SOUND method of packaging and PRESERVING gowns for long-term storage. Always remember that "Anyone can clean and box a gown, but only a select few professionals (YOU) can clean and preserve a gown."

Upload date - 5/28/04

LETTER FROM PAT MOFFAT TO JASMINE GOWNS.

I am trying to help a customer who purchased a Jasmine brand gown in Baltimore. This gown is labeled as 100% polyester outer shell, 100% polyester inner shell, Made in China. This gown had several bad spots and we processed according to normal cleaning procedures for polyester materials but lo and behold, this gown is mislabeled and is not a true 100% polyester gown. The material has yellowed as if it were a silk !!!

This bride is to be married in 3 weeks. I clean thousands of gowns a year as a Prestige Preservation Licensee Your gown is grossly mislabeled. I wish to forward the gown to you for your examination. This bride is presently being reasonable and accepting reimbursement for the gown in the amount of $357.62. We will be immediately compensating her so that she may move forward on her wedding plans.

Has this problem come up before? Has this been addressed? Are your gowns labeled in accordance with the FTC guidelines? Please respond to me asap so I may advise the bridal shops we service that Jasmine stands behind their gowns and they are properly labeled. You can reach me at 1-800-527-5726. Your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated.

Pat Moffat
Prestige Preservation St. Louis

P.S. I will be advising the Prestige Preservation Licensees of this situation at our national conference in Chicago this weekend. Please let me tell them there is no need to worry about Jasmine brand .