Packing gerberas in Gerona needs some explanation.

Step 1

First of all the bags must be fixed in the tray. Two bags can be positioned in every tray. To do this – first insert the bag from the bottom, through the opening in the tray. Then, both strips on the bag are clicked into the slots in the opening. Make sure that the bag is properly clicked into position. Last of all the anti-splash flap is folded into the bag so that the upper side of the tray is free.

Repeat this for the second bag.

The tray with the two bags is placed on the base. This can be one of the boxes or the auction barrel.

The water dosing machine is used to simultaneously fill both bags with water. There’s no need to add rose pre-treatment solution afterwards, if the water dosing machine has a dosing pump for rose pre-treatment. With a water dosing machine without a dosing pump, you should add 4 ml rose pre-treatment per bag afterwards, manually. Hand pumps are available for this.

Step 2

The next step is to fill the interiors. There are separate descriptions for this, as there are various types of interiors with varying filling instructions.  

Gerona interiors

Place an empty interior on the insertion table for the Gerona. Hang a gerbera in each slot, from bottom to top. Experienced operators can fill these interiors with two hands as there are slots on both sides of the interior. When two or more Gerona interiors have been filled they can be clicked together. To do this hook the upper section of  two interiors together. Then bring the interiors together so that they are both touching.  The interiors are clicked together with press-studs.

Standard Gerbera interiors

Fold the interior open so that all the holes are accessible. Then lay the interior on the insertion table. Put a gerbera in each hole, starting from the bottom. When one or more interiors are filled it/they should be folded and stapled. To do this brings the left and right sides together. Put staples in the top and bottom of the overlapping flaps. Make sure that the gerberas don’t get damaged.

Seperable interior

Fold the interior open by pulling on the long sides so that all the holes are visible. Lay the interior on the insertion table. Insert the gerberas into the lowest holes (lowest half), from bottom to top above. Insert the gerberas in the upper holes, (top half), from top to bottom. Lift the filled interior in the middle and allow it to hinge on the folded line so that the stems of the gerberas move towards each other below the interior. Now make two towers in which the stems are caught – and staple the exterior flaps together. 

Step 3

After the interiors have been filled they are put on the tray. The interiors rest on the tray, the stems hang in the bags. Make sure that the water level in the bags does not go over the top line when interiors are put on the tray.

Gerona interiors

The Gerona interiors rest on the openings for this purpose (1) in the tray. The Gerona interiors can be put in the tray in two positions (it makes no difference). Four towers, each with two interiors, are placed in each tray. That totals 80 (2 x 10 x 4) or 96 (2 x 4 x 12) stems.

Cardboard gerbera interiors

The cardboard interiors are on top of the tray. The corners of the interiors rest on the tray and are supported by the outside corners. This is to prevent the tray moving around (2). Two interiors are put in position per  tray. So, in total that means 80 (2 x 40), 96 (2 x 48), 60 (2 x 30) or 140 (2 x 70 (germini)) stems. 
 

Step 4

Once all the interiors have been put in the tray a collar and a lid can be placed on the packaging unit. If there’s no need to stack the packaging unit you can miss out step 4.

Collar

There are various collars available for the different interiors. These collars come in different heights.

Position the collar with the longest side at the back into the edge in the tray. Fold the collar forwards; meanwhile the two side flaps are folded into the edge. Close the front side of the collar and place this in the edge. Lastly, fold the short flap over and put it in the edge. This way the collar will be in minimal contact with the gerberas.

Lid

After the collar has been positioned in the tray a lid is put on the collar. There are circular openings in the lid. These openings fit over the upper surface of the Gerona interiors, so that they are fixed both at the bottom of the tray and at the top in the lid. This is not necessary for the cardboard interiors (which are stable on the tray). When positioning the lid also make sure that the collar slots properly into the lid.

Strapping

The last stage in closing the packaging is to bind it with straps. It is important that these cross the centre of the lid (which is the lid’s strongest point).