Artifact Storage: Box Solutions

BOX SOLUTIONS

Images below help illustrate some artifact storage ideas.  A box is a storage container that has sides that are usually taller than the object.  Various kinds include ones with a lid, clamshell style with lid, no lid, or a drop-front.

PROS:

• More protection than most other solutions
• Fast if pre-made
• Easier to lift than a pallet or tray
• Catches possible fragments

CONS:

• Time consuming if custom-made
• Harder to maintain object density if box is not custom-made
• Cannot see object easily

TIPS:

Write number on outside of box on two adjacent sides

Use with bumpers to provide support

Cushion when needed

Use with dividers (board or paper accordion for example)

Use with layered trays inside to increase object density

Good for fragile objects like glass or coral

See also: tray solutions, pallet solutions, bag/pad/interleave solutions, and tips n’ tricks.

 

Boxes can behave much like trays to allow dense storage.

Boxes protect items on a shelf from bumping.

Dividers in a box can aid with density of storage.

These tiny paper boxes are glued down to pallets in groupings from excavation.

Box with supports for mask appendages.

Drop front box with a pallet featuring padded bumpers.

Drop front box with a pallet featuring tyvek-covered two-part cavity.

Drop front box with bumper attached to front drop-down panel.

Heavy mineral on resin base tied down to pallet…

Box with drop-away sides ready to receive mineral specimen on pallet.

Box ready to be closed, also has a snug lid (not shown).

Box with tie-down for the lid of a container. Tyvek between lid and vessel is a visual cue.

Large wooden boxes are lined with MarvelSeal as a barrier against pollutants offgassing from the box.

Fluted plastic (Coroplast or Correx) with a frame of wood makes good in-house temporary storage for framed art.

A Tyvek lifting sling for this painted metal box.