Cargo may be correctly packed onto pallets but still become damaged if the complete load is able to move inside a container, truck, train or ship.
Empty spaces between palletised loads can allow products to shift when the vehicle accelerates, brakes, turns or experiences movement during transportation. The resulting load movement can create impact between pallets, cartons, products or the walls of the transport unit.
Eltete Dunnage Bags are inflatable cargo-securing cushions designed to occupy these empty spaces. Once positioned and inflated, the bags help cushion the cargo, protect it against impact and prevent movement or load collapse during transportation.
Eltete states that its PROSAK Dunnage Bags can be used in containers, trucks, trains and ships. They provide a quick, convenient and cost-effective method of protecting goods in transit.
What Is a Dunnage Bag?
A Dunnage Bag is an inflatable transport-packaging product placed inside a gap between cargo units.
The bag is initially positioned in the available empty space. It is then filled with air through its valve until it expands and fits the gap between the loads.
Once inflated, the bag forms a cushion between the cargo units. This helps:
– Fill unused space
– Restrict sideways movement
– Cushion loads against impact
– Support the cargo arrangement
– Reduce the risk of loads leaning or collapsing
Eltete describes its Dunnage Bags as cushions that protect cargo from shocks and from the danger of collapse during road, rail and sea transportation.
Dunnage Bags should not be confused with internal packaging cushions placed inside individual cartons. They are generally positioned between complete cargo units, such as palletised loads, inside the transport area.
How Do Eltete Dunnage Bags Work?
Eltete Dunnage Bags work by filling a void and creating controlled pressure between adjacent cargo units.
A typical cargo arrangement may contain two rows of palletised products with a gap between them. Without suitable void filling, the pallets may move into this gap during transportation.
When a Dunnage Bag is installed:
– The uninflated bag is positioned in the empty space.
– Air is introduced through the filling valve.
– The bag expands to fit the available void.
– The inflated bag makes contact with the cargo surfaces.
– The air cushion helps limit movement and absorb shocks.
Eltete’s official brochure visually compares a cargo arrangement with and without Dunnage Bags. The illustration shows that a properly positioned bag occupies the central gap and supports the surrounding loads, while an unsecured arrangement may allow cargo to move and collapse into the unused space.
The bag does not replace the need for correct loading, appropriate pallets, strong cartons or other securing methods. It forms part of the complete cargo-stabilisation system.
What Are Eltete Dunnage Bags Made From?
Eltete states that its Dunnage Bags are constructed using multiple layers of high-strength kraft paper together with an inner plastic lining.
The kraft-paper outer structure provides the main bag form, while the internal liner helps retain the air pressure after inflation. According to the official brochure, the inner lining protects against loss of air pressure.
Why Can Cargo Move During Transportation?
A load may begin its journey in an organised position but still move during transportation because it is exposed to changing forces.
Movement can occur when:
– A truck accelerates or brakes
– A vehicle turns
– A train changes speed
– A container is lifted or repositioned
– A ship experiences movement at sea
– Loads are not positioned tightly together
– Large voids remain between pallet rows
– Palletised cargo has insufficient lateral support
Even a relatively small amount of movement can allow one load to strike another repeatedly.
This may result in:
– Damaged cartons
– Crushed product packaging
– Leaning pallet loads
– Broken internal products
– Displaced pallets
– Collapsed cargo arrangements
– Difficult or unsafe unloading
Dunnage Bags are intended to reduce this risk by filling selected voids and restricting the movement available to the cargo.
How Do Dunnage Bags Prevent Cargo Movement?
Filling empty spaces
The primary function of a Dunnage Bag is to occupy an empty space between loads.
Once the void is filled, the cargo has less room to shift sideways. This can help maintain the original load arrangement throughout transportation.
Eltete states that its bags are easy to use and can adapt to different sizes of space.
Cushioning the cargo
An inflated Dunnage Bag contains compressed air and forms a cushion between the loads.
Instead of allowing two cargo units to strike each other directly, the bag helps create a protective buffer. Eltete specifically describes the product as cushioning cargo and protecting loads against impact.
Supporting the load arrangement
A gap between two rows of cargo can create a direction into which the loads may lean or fall.
Filling the gap can provide lateral support and help maintain the cargo arrangement. Eltete’s brochure identifies preventing cargo collapse as a main purpose of its Dunnage Bags.
Adapting to the available void
Hard dunnage materials may need to be cut, constructed or adjusted to fit a particular space.
An inflatable bag expands within the void and can therefore adapt to different gap dimensions within its approved range. Eltete presents this adaptability as an alternative to hard dunnage that can be difficult to fit.
Where Can Eltete Dunnage Bags Be Used?
Eltete identifies four principal transportation applications for its Dunnage Bags.
Containers
Dunnage Bags can be placed between cargo units inside shipping containers.
Container loads may include:
– Palletised cartons
– Bags or sacks placed on pallets
– Boxed consumer products
– Industrial goods
– Food and beverage products
– Other secured transport units
The bag is positioned in an appropriate void after the main cargo has been loaded. It is then inflated to support the arrangement.
The specific bag size, strength and position must match the load and the available gap.
Trucks
Eltete Dunnage Bags can be used inside trucks to reduce movement between loads during road transport.
Truck cargo may be exposed to acceleration, braking, cornering and changing road conditions. Filling selected voids can help restrict movement during these events.
The bag must not prevent doors from operating correctly or create unsafe pressure against unsuitable cargo surfaces.
Trains
Eltete also identifies rail transportation as an application.
Cargo transported by train may experience movement during starting, braking, coupling and transit. Dunnage Bags can help fill available spaces between loads and support the cargo arrangement inside the rail transport unit.
Ships
The bags can also be used for sea transportation.
Eltete describes the product as providing protection during road, rail and sea transportation and specifically states that PROSAK Dunnage Bags may be used in ships.
The expected transport route, duration, environmental conditions and cargo configuration should be considered when selecting the bag.
Benefits of Eltete Dunnage Bags
1. Helps prevent transport damage
Eltete identifies transport-damage prevention as one of the main benefits of its Dunnage Bags.
By limiting cargo movement and forming a cushion between loads, the bags can reduce direct contact and repeated impact between adjacent cargo units.
The result still depends on the complete packaging system. Products must also be correctly packed, palletised, stabilised and loaded.
2. Quick and easy to fit
An uninflated Dunnage Bag can be positioned inside the available gap and then expanded using air.
Eltete describes its bags as quick and easy to fit. The inflatable design can simplify void filling compared with constructing a rigid component for every gap.
The operator must still use the correct inflation equipment and follow the approved pressure requirement.
3. Adapts to different spaces
The inflatable structure allows the bag to expand within the gap.
Eltete states that the product is easy to use and can adapt to different sizes of space.
The available void must remain within the specifications of the selected bag. Eltete’s brochure lists a maximum void of 45 cm for the referenced range.
4. Supports more organised loading
Eltete describes Dunnage Bags as supporting “clever loading.”
Their use can help loading teams plan how empty spaces will be controlled rather than leaving large gaps within the cargo arrangement.
Effective loading should consider:
– Cargo dimensions
– Pallet arrangement
– Weight distribution
– Number and location of voids
– Door clearance
– Unloading sequence
– Required Dunnage Bag positions
The objective is to secure the cargo without adding unnecessary materials or making unloading difficult.
5. Reusable filling valve
Eltete’s brochure states that the fast-filling valve can be used several times, allowing multiple use of the bag. It also lists a multi-use valve within the product specifications.
Whether the complete bag can be reused depends on its condition after transportation.
Before reuse, the bag should be checked for:
– Tears
– Punctures
– Valve damage
– Moisture damage
– Crushing
– Loss of structural integrity
A damaged bag should not be relied upon for another shipment.
6. Reusable and recyclable
Eltete identifies the Dunnage Bags as reusable and recyclable.
The exact recycling procedure depends on the material construction and the recycling facilities available to the receiver. Because the product contains kraft-paper layers and an internal plastic liner, local separation and recycling requirements should be confirmed.
7. Alternative to bulky wooden dunnage
Eltete presents its inflatable Dunnage Bags as an alternative to heavy and bulky wood that requires pest treatment and to hard dunnage that can be difficult to fit.
Unlike fixed wooden components, an inflatable bag can be stored in an uninflated form before use and expanded only after it is placed inside the cargo void.
This may be relevant when companies want a cargo-securing option that:
– Requires less storage space before inflation
– Does not need to be cut into the shape of every void
– Can be installed after the main cargo has been loaded
– Avoids selected wooden dunnage components
Suitability must still be assessed according to the load and transport route.
8. Suitable for different transportation modes
The same general cargo-securing concept can be used in containers, trucks, trains and ships.
This makes Dunnage Bags relevant to businesses whose goods travel through several logistics stages before reaching the final destination.
The required bag strength may differ between transportation environments.
9. Wide temperature range
Eltete’s brochure lists an operating temperature range from –30°C to +70°C for the referenced Dunnage Bag specifications.
This range should be confirmed against the exact product selected, particularly when the shipment will experience extreme temperatures or major temperature changes.
What Information Is Needed Before Selecting a Dunnage Bag?
Eltete offers different sizes and strengths, so the cargo application should be reviewed before selecting a bag.
Size of the void
The width, height and depth of the gap should be measured after the cargo has been loaded into its intended arrangement.
Eltete’s brochure lists a maximum void of 45 cm for the referenced range. A larger gap may require a different loading arrangement or another securing solution.
Cargo weight
The total weight of the loads surrounding the bag should be provided.
Eltete’s brochure refers to use with loads of up to 20 tonnes. This should be treated as a maximum listed for the product range rather than a universal capacity for every bag construction.
Transportation method
The supplier should know whether the cargo will travel by:
– Road
– Rail
– Sea
– Multiple transportation methods
Different routes may expose the shipment to different movement and impact conditions.
Cargo surface
The areas that will touch the bag should be examined.
Sharp corners, protruding nails, broken pallets or rough surfaces could damage the bag. A suitable contact surface or additional protective material may be required.
Required bag construction
Eltete lists 1–4-ply construction options.
The correct number of paper layers and bag strength should be selected according to the load and application rather than choosing only according to bag dimensions.
Temperature conditions
The expected loading, storage and transit temperatures should be considered.
Eltete’s brochure lists a range from –30°C to +70°C, but the exact product and complete shipment conditions should be confirmed before implementation.
Inflation pressure
The referenced working pressure is up to 0.3 bar.
Operators should not exceed the approved pressure for the selected bag. Excessive inflation may damage the bag, the cargo or the surrounding packaging.
How Should Dunnage Bags Be Used?
The exact installation procedure should follow the instructions for the selected Eltete product and inflation equipment.
A general loading sequence involves:
– Position the cargo
– The main loads should first be arranged correctly inside the container or vehicle.
– Dunnage Bags should not be used to correct a fundamentally unstable or poorly distributed cargo arrangement.
– Identify the appropriate void
– The bag should be installed in a gap where it can support the surrounding cargo.
– The selected position should allow the bag to contact suitable surfaces without touching sharp objects.
– Place the uninflated bag
– The bag is inserted into the void before inflation.
– Its valve must remain accessible to the operator and inflation equipment.
– Inflate through the valve
– Air is introduced until the bag expands to occupy the intended gap and reaches the approved operating condition.
– Eltete describes the product as having a fast-filling, multi-use valve.
– Check the completed arrangement
Before closing the transport unit, the operator should confirm that:
– The bag is correctly positioned
– The cargo remains upright
– The bag has not been punctured
– The required void is filled
– The valve is secure
– Doors and unloading areas remain clear
– No component has been overinflated
– What Dunnage Bags Cannot Replace
Dunnage Bags are one part of cargo protection. They should not be expected to compensate for every weakness in a shipment.
They do not replace:
– Strong product packaging
– Individual products still need suitable cartons, internal protection and cushioning.
– Load stabilisation on the pallet
– Cartons must remain stable on their pallet or load base. Edgeboard, strapping, stretch film or other appropriate materials may still be required.
– Correct weight distribution
Heavy cargo must be distributed appropriately throughout the container or vehicle.
Suitable pallets or load platforms
Damaged or unsuitable pallets can compromise the complete shipment even when Dunnage Bags are installed.
Correct loading procedures
The cargo should be loaded according to an approved plan, with suitable spaces, access and unloading arrangements.
Other required restraint systems
Some shipments may require additional restraints or securing methods depending on the cargo and transportation conditions.
Eltete’s broader Transport Packaging Solutions concept combines different products according to customer requirements rather than relying on one product for the entire packaging process.
Dunnage Bags as Part of a Complete Eltete Packaging System
Dunnage Bags help secure the complete cargo arrangement after products have been packed and loaded.
They can form part of a wider Eltete solution that may include:
– Paper Pallets
– Slip Sheets
– Edgeboard
– Honeycomb Board
– PallRun®
– Packaging profiles
– The Box
– Wrap Around profiles
– Strapping or stretch film
For example, cartons may be stacked on Paper Pallets, stabilised using Edgeboard and stretch film, and then secured inside a container using Dunnage Bags.
Are Dunnage Bags Suitable for Every Shipment?
Dunnage Bags can support many cargo arrangements, but they should not automatically be installed in every available gap.
Another solution may be needed when:
– The void exceeds the approved bag size
– Cargo surfaces could puncture the bag
– The load exceeds the approved application
– The bag cannot be positioned safely
– The surrounding packaging cannot withstand the applied pressure
– The cargo arrangement is already fundamentally unstable
– The shipment requires specialised securing methods
– The product will experience conditions outside the stated specification
Eltete offers different bag sizes and strengths and encourages customers to ask about the appropriate option for their cargo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Dunnage Bag?
A Dunnage Bag is an inflatable cushion placed in an empty space between cargo units. Once inflated, it fills the void, cushions the loads and helps prevent movement or cargo collapse.
What are Eltete Dunnage Bags used for?
Eltete Dunnage Bags are used to secure cargo during transportation. They help protect loads from shocks, impact, movement and the danger of collapse.
Can Dunnage Bags be used inside shipping containers?
Yes. Eltete states that its PROSAK Dunnage Bags can be used in containers.
Can Dunnage Bags be used in trucks?
Yes. Trucks are one of the transportation applications identified by Eltete.
Are Dunnage Bags suitable for rail transport?
Yes. Eltete states that the bags can be used in trains and for rail transportation.
Can Dunnage Bags be used for sea freight?
Yes. Eltete identifies ships and sea transportation as suitable applications.
How do Dunnage Bags stop cargo from moving?
The bag is inflated inside an empty space between loads. It expands to fill the gap, provides cushioning and reduces the available space into which the cargo could move.
What is the maximum void for an Eltete Dunnage Bag?
The official brochure lists a maximum void of 45 cm for the referenced product range. The exact bag must be selected according to the actual gap and cargo arrangement.
What is the working pressure?
Eltete’s brochure lists a working pressure of up to 0.3 bar. The approved pressure for the selected bag should be confirmed before use.
What loads can the bags be used with?
The brochure refers to usage with loads of up to 20 tonnes. This should not be treated as the capacity of every bag without considering the selected construction, void and application.
Are different strengths available?
Yes. Eltete states that different sizes and strengths are available. Its brochure lists construction options from one to four plies.
What are Eltete Dunnage Bags made from?
They are constructed from multiple layers of high-strength kraft paper with an internal plastic lining that helps prevent loss of air pressure.
Can Eltete Dunnage Bags be reused?
Eltete states that the fast-filling valve can be used several times and identifies the valve as multi-use. Reuse depends on the condition of the bag after the previous shipment.
Are Dunnage Bags recyclable?
Eltete describes its Dunnage Bags as reusable and recyclable. The receiver should follow the applicable local recycling requirements for the paper and internal liner materials.
Can Dunnage Bags replace wooden dunnage?
Eltete presents its inflatable bags as an alternative to heavy, bulky wood and hard dunnage that is difficult to fit. The suitability of replacement depends on the cargo and transport requirements.
Do Dunnage Bags protect individual products inside cartons?
Their main function is to secure cargo units and fill transport voids. Products inside cartons may still require suitable internal cushioning, dividers or protective profiles.
Secure Cargo Throughout the Transport Journey
Eltete Dunnage Bags provide an inflatable method of filling empty spaces and supporting cargo during road, rail and sea transportation.
By expanding inside the available void, the bags can cushion adjacent loads, reduce movement and help prevent cargo from leaning or collapsing. They are available in different sizes and strengths and can be used in containers, trucks, trains and ships.
The correct bag should be selected according to the cargo weight, void size, transport method, contact surfaces, temperature conditions and required working pressure.
Contact Eltete Malaysia to discuss a suitable Dunnage Bag size and strength for your cargo-securing requirements.
