Technical information Procona

Collars

Material
Collars are available in corrugated cardboard and plastic. Both materials can be recycled.
Corrugated cardboard collars are single use. Plastic collars are recommended for situations in which damp is a major factor and can be reused up to around 25 times.

 

Cardboard collars: Rigid corrugated cardboard with and high quality paper.
Plastic collars: Transparent extruded polypropylene.

Design
Pre-scored fold lines (1).When inserting in the container rim the narrow flap (2) overlaps the full container width flap on the outside so there are no sharp edges on the inside of the collar that could damage the flowers. Mitered bottom corners (3) ensure the collar fits easily into the container rim.

Standard printing
Procona collars are printed (4) with the series of container for which it is intended, the height of the collar and the recycling symbol.

The standard color in which this information is printed on the collars is:

• Red for Florida containers;
• Black for London containers.
• Green for Amsterdam and Valencia containers without top-frame;
• Blue for Amsterdam and Valencia containers with top-frame;

Personalised printing
Both cardboard and plastic collars can be printed with your own message. A minimum quantity is applicable and a surcharge will be charged depending on the number of colors. Please ask us for more details.

Containers

Material
Procona containers are made of polypropylene copolymer. This type of plastic is rigid, robust and recyclable.

Bottom
To make the container more stable when standing on the ground and easier to roll over rollways the bottom is slightly concave so the container always rests on its outer edges.
To prevent bunches of flowers from sliding around the inner side of the container bottom is ribbed.

Rim
The edge of the container rim extends downwards at the corners. This prevents Procona containers filled with flowers catching on each other and ensures the pallet always remains stable.
The extended corners also enable the collar to function as part of the presentation when the container is unpacked: the collar is wrapped around the container itself and held in place by the extended corners.

All Procona container rims have drainage holes to allow any water remaining after the containers are washed to drain away. This is important because the next time the container is used any water or dampness remaining in the rim could soften the collar. It also means the container dries quicker, which saves time and energy.

Water level mark
A horizontal line on the inside of every Procona container indicates the recommended water level. On white Procona containers the water level is visible from the outside.

Hand grips
To make handling the containers more comfortable the walls are thicker around the hand grips and the edges of the hand grip holes are rounded off.

Additional ventilation grid
To maximize air flow within the container, the largest containers (Valencia and Amsterdam) have ventilation grids in the sides.

Key properties
The table below lists the key properties of the different Procona containers.

(1) Height of a single empty container.
(2) Load carrying capability of a flower-filled container at 5°C for 3 to 6 days.
(3) Personalised colors can be produced on request
(4) The number of empty Procona containers supplied stacked on a 100 x 120 cm
     pallet.

Personalised printing

The rims of all containers and the sides of London, Valencia and Amsterdam containers can be printed in a single color.

Lids

The lid is placed on the upper rim of the collar after the container has been filled with flowers and the collar inserted in the container rim. The Procona container, collar and lids are then locked in place with a strapping band. The entire package can then be lifted by the strapping band.

 

The ample ventilation openings in the lid allow cool air to flow into the packaging and the damp (warm) air exhaled by the flowers to flow out. Even Procona containers in the centre of a stacked pallet have sufficient ventilation. The ventilation openings also allow the contents of the container to be seen without unpacking.

The lid also incorporates stacking guides positioned to ensure the container to be stacked on top slides easily over the lid into position and is then held securely in place.

Oversize lids are also available for use with the Florida and Valencia/Amsterdam top-frames. The lid is placed on the upper rim of the collar after the container with the top-frame has been filled with flowers and the collar has been inserted in the rim of the top-frame.

Personalizing your Procona lids
London lids and Valencia lids can be printed with your own message.

Topframes

Topframes are available for use with Florida containers and Valencia/Amsterdam containers. A topframe adds height to the container, which means the container can be used to transport and display flowers with longer stems. The height of a Florida topframe is 15 cms (5.9"). The height of a Valencia/Amsterdam topframe is 25 cms (9.8").

Truck loading diagrams

Four-way pallets (that can be lifted on all sides) measuring 40 x 48 inch are the most suitable for all sizes of Procona container and ensure the best load factor on trucks. Most trucks have an interior (loading) width of 96-102 inch. This allows 40 x 48 inch pallets to be loaded width wise.

Trucks with an interior (loading) width of less than 96 inch have to be loaded lengthwise. If two-way pallets are used for trucks with an interior (loading) width less than 96 inches, the lifting openings must be on the 48 inch sides.

The loading diagrams below show the recommended loading patterns for:
1: Truck with interior (loading) dimensions of 96-102 inch;
2: Truck with interior (loading) dimensions of less than 96 inches.