When it comes to perishable products, especially food like fruits and vegetables, there’s more than one factor that leads to rot. Food begins to spoil based on a number of considerations like the presence of insects feeding on the product, the time it takes to ship the product, the temperature, and even the level of moisture during shipping. Many of these factors, however, can be controlled through the use of specific tools, like thermal blankets for food transportation.
What Are Thermal Blankets?
While the word “blanket” conjures up images of a long, thick piece of fabric to lay over people as they sleep, the basic function of a bed blanket and a thermal blanket for food transportation is the same: temperature regulation. A thermal blanket, however, is a more specific, scientifically focused technology that is less about being soft and comfortable for human use than it is about temperature preservation.
A thermal blanket for food transportation employs a few different techniques for passive preservation of shipping temperature. The surface layer is metalized, specifically, a flexible foil. This initial layer is crucial for protecting against radiant heat, such as from the sun. Instead of absorbing heat, it reflects it.
The next technology is either a single or double layer of air trapped in bubbles. This provides a layer of insulation so that neither the heat nor cold of the product can escape while providing protection from the ambient heat of the environment just outside the blanket.
Finally, the blanket itself acts as a physical shield. This can be critical for simple protection, such as preventing goods from being exposed to—and bleached by—the sun when left out of a shipping container for too long, such as awaiting loading for the next step of the logistics journey during a vehicle delay, or to prevent rain, snow, or other sources of moisture from interacting with the product and hastening the spoilage of that product.
Efficient & Economical
A thermal blanket for food transportation can be an extremely cost-effective form of shipping. They come in a variety of different formats, such as cheaper, disposable blankets meant only to be used for a single trip and more expensive, high-quality blankets that can be reused for multiple shipments. This can be a great way to save on the use of a reefer container and thus keep logistics operational costs lower.
If you’re shipping temperature-sensitive products and want to know the best way to get those products to their destination safely, we can help. Contact us to explain your shipping needs and obtain a quote.
