Containers and equipment47 / 52

Red cells travel at +2 to +6 °C, platelets at 20-24 °C and fresh frozen plasma frozen. The temperature follows the component in the carrier.

Test the duration with a defined product, packout, and route, then compare results with storage requirements.

Track use, damage, and maintenance; inspect and requalify the container when performance may have changed.

Compare pallets and crates by store access, handling steps, delivery time, and empty returns.

A bag is the container for short routes measured in hours. Choose by closure, lining, pack divider and logger position, then test it loaded on your own route.

A refrigerated container is a body transferred between transport modes and runs on external power; a refrigerated body is vehicle bodywork; a passive container runs on a prepared cold source. Power, internal size and transfers decide the choice.

Segregate damaged product, preserve batch, handover, photo and temperature evidence, and refer the decision.

The box average does not show contact risk. Place sensors against the actual product layout and assess the result.

GEBHARDT Isotec TBX can be washed by hand, with a pressure washer or in an automated washing line. For an audit, what counts is a wash log and a seal check.

A foam box has no hours of its own; wall, coolant and outside air decide it. Worked example: a 46-litre EPP box with 31 mm walls stays cold for about 7 hours with 2 kg of ice at 25 °C.

Assess manufacturer nesting data for the Rocotec model separately from measured containers and vehicle capacity on empty returns.

Compare tested performance, usable volume and total cost under the same route and load.

Separate odour, brine and cleaning needs by product; verify the container against the real route and wash method.

Compartment count alone proves little. Check seals, air paths, evaporator capacity, door profiles and representative sensor records together.

EPS is a good insulator but the box does not set the duration. We work out the ice a 30 mm wall box needs for 24 hours, then look at the three variables that remain.

The longest kitchen-to-service wait decides the trolley type: insulation covers a short wait, a longer one needs a heated or refrigerated model. Measure that wait for a week before choosing.