Do not choose a container from the litre line in a catalogue. The same volume label gives a different result on a different task; what decides is the product condition, the actual load envelope and mass, the space the cold source takes, lid movement, the preparation point, and the return and cleaning cycle.
Complete the requirement card before requesting a quote
One page holds: product and lot, required temperature, freeze and surface-contact sensitivity, total load, largest carton and its orientation, daily or per-trip load, route and dwell, lid openings, current cold source, preparation point and freezer capacity, empty return, cleaning and records. Missing fields are not filled with assumptions.
For Isotec TBX, complete the GEBHARDT needs-analysis form with product, route and capacity inputs, and keep the TBX technical document and the GEBHARDT TBX product page in the same file to check model and use scope.
Actual carton and handling the loaded container
Compare carton dimensions with the usable internal dimensions and the door opening: does the carton pass, does the lid close fully, can a trolley or handling device approach? Handling mass includes product, packaging, coolant and the empty container; a load that fits inside does not mean the equipment can carry it safely. For GEBHARDT Isotec TBX, payload is 500 kg on the wheeled 410-795 litre models and 700 kg on the pallet-based 900-1500 litre models.
The cold source also takes usable space. GEBHARDT eutectic plates are 34 mm thick and come in 390 x 295, 480 x 280 and 615 x 378 mm; add the plate's actual size, orientation, separator and clearance to the product to the load plan. A carton count is not derived from nominal litres before box, goods and cold source are drawn together.
Closure, access and preparation flow
The seal or closure method, the space needed to open the lid, loading sequence, lid-open time and restraint in the vehicle are technical quote inputs. Without a ready cold-source pool, freezer rack, staging area, preparation staff and a logger, the operating plan is incomplete; get freezer capacity and the date the prepared set becomes available in writing.
Compare quotes on the same headings
Cost is compared only among options that already meet the product condition, carton layout, closure and handling requirements; an option that is eliminated is not priced.
| Input | What the quote must show | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Product condition and total load | Required condition, total mass, per-trip load | Eliminated if not met |
| Carton and door fit | Envelope, orientation, door clearance, handling sketch | No cost comparison before fit and safe access pass |
| Space taken by cold source | Size, count, position, clearance, usable volume | Linked to the temperature trial and net-load calculation |
| Preparation pool | Freezer and rack capacity, readiness check | Without a ready set, trip capacity is not assumed |
| Closure and route | Lid movement, opening plan, restraint, dwell, transfer | Confirmed by a route trial |
| Return and cleaning | Empty return, washing, drying, damage and quarantine flow | Counts in the full cycle time |
| Cost per completed use | Purchase, cold source, preparation, cleaning, loss, storage, return | Calculated only after suitability passes |
Foam, a rigid body or a soft bag does not by itself guarantee one-way use, washability or impact resistance; the choice rests on the actual cleaning and drying method, impact and return conditions, product packaging and a recorded sample trial.
Tie return and cleaning to the cost
Add the container and coolant cost allocated to the period to that period's preparation, energy, cleaning, storage and return costs, and divide by the uses completed in the same period. Do not count a replacement expense again through a reserve for the same loss. Hypothetical example: a period total of 12,000 TL over 60 completed uses gives 200 TL per use; this is not a product price or a quotation.
Define when a cycle ends: goods delivered, container returned, cleaned, dried and ready again. Containers still in return transit or cleaning are not ready capacity, and the definition stays the same across periods.
For the chosen candidate, run a route trial with the product's starting temperature, the actual carton load, the position and count of the cold source, closure, ambient conditions, full duration, dwell and opening pattern. Measurement points should represent the critical areas of product and container; a changed box, pack, carton or route is a new configuration. The cold-chain measurement and records guide helps build the evidence file.
Use the Isotec dimensions and model guide for model and size, Isotec quantity planning for count and cycle, and the cold-holding and pre-preparation guide for plate preparation.
