Precise temperature and humidity control is crucial for preventing deformation and mold growth during carton storage. This requires coordinated optimization across multiple dimensions, including environmental planning, temperature and humidity regulation, ventilation management, shelving design, cargo stacking, monitoring and early warning systems, and emergency response. This ensures stable carton conditions during storage, extends their lifespan, and guarantees packaging quality.
Planning the storage environment is fundamental. Warehouse locations should avoid damp areas, such as near rivers, lakes, or areas with high water tables, and be far from sources of pollution that may release corrosive gases or moisture, such as chemical plants or landfills. The warehouse interior must be waterproofed, with moisture-proof materials such as epoxy flooring or moisture-proof tiles on the floor and waterproof coatings on the walls to prevent groundwater or rainwater penetration. Furthermore, the warehouse roof must have good thermal insulation to prevent excessive internal temperatures caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight, which could lead to carton deformation.
Temperature and humidity control requires specialized equipment. In humid seasons or regions, dehumidifiers are necessary. These utilize condensation or rotary adsorption technology to reduce air humidity and maintain relative humidity within a reasonable range. If the environment is too dry, a humidifier should be used to increase air humidity through ultrasonic atomization or steam humidification to prevent the cars from becoming brittle due to dehydration. For temperature control, an air conditioning system is the primary method. In summer, cooling lowers the temperature, and in winter, heating maintains a suitable environment to prevent dimensional changes in the cars due to thermal expansion and contraction. For large warehouses, zoned temperature control technology can be used, setting different temperature and humidity parameters for different areas based on the carton's material and storage requirements.
Ventilation management is a crucial auxiliary measure. Proper ventilation accelerates air circulation and reduces localized moisture buildup. Warehouses should have convection windows or vents to ensure natural airflow while avoiding direct airflow onto the carton stacking area to prevent cars from tipping over or deforming due to wind. During the rainy season or periods of high humidity, exhaust fans or fresh air systems can be turned on to forcibly expel moisture and introduce dry air. In addition, vents and exhaust fans should be cleaned regularly to prevent blockage and reduced ventilation.
Shelving design must balance stability and breathability. When choosing metal or wooden shelving, ensure its structure is sturdy enough to withstand the weight of the cars without deformation. The shelves should be designed with openwork or mesh patterns to increase airflow and prevent moisture trapping caused by close contact between the cars and the shelves. For cars susceptible to moisture, moisture-proof mats or absorbent cloths can be placed on the shelves to further isolate moisture. Furthermore, the spacing between shelves should be reasonable to ensure easy access for operators to place and retrieve cars, while avoiding obstructed ventilation due to limited space.
The way goods are stacked directly affects the risk of cars becoming damp. Cars should be stacked neatly on the shelves to avoid uneven stress and deformation caused by haphazard stacking. The stacking height should be determined based on the strength of the cars and the load-bearing capacity of the shelves; excessive stacking can cause deformation of the bottom cars due to excessive pressure. Cars of different sizes should be stacked separately to avoid instability caused by mixing sizes. In addition, cars should be kept at least 10 cm away from walls and floors to prevent moisture absorption from contact with damp surfaces.
A monitoring and early warning system can promptly detect abnormal temperature and humidity. Temperature and humidity sensors must be installed in the warehouse to monitor environmental parameters in real time and transmit the data to the central control system. When temperature or humidity exceeds the set range, the system will automatically alarm, alerting management to take adjustment measures. For critical areas or high-value cars, portable thermometers and hygrometers can be added for manual spot checks to ensure comprehensive monitoring. Furthermore, temperature and humidity records should be established to analyze the patterns of temperature and humidity changes across different seasons and time periods, providing a basis for subsequent storage strategy adjustments.
Emergency handling is the last line of defense. If cars show slight deformation or mold, they should be immediately moved to a dry area. Wipe the moldy surface with a dry cloth and use a dehumidifier or fan to accelerate drying. For severely damp cars, they can be disassembled, laid flat, pressed down with a heavy object, and then folded back to their original shape as much as possible. If the mold is severe, they must be isolated to prevent the spread of mold to other cars. Simultaneously, contact a professional organization for disinfection or disposal to prevent problematic products from entering the market.
