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STORAGE TEST OF CARDBOARD AIJD FIBER APPLE BOXES (1945) 



Tests of a number of the newer apple boxes have been under way at the 

 State College during the past winter and spring. The purpose of this test 

 was to gain an idea of the way in which common types of cardboard and fiber 

 boxes would hold their shapes in storage ajid to what extent they would con- 

 tinue for several months to carry the weight of a stack without throwing 

 such pressure on the fruit as to main it. 



About 50 boxes were involved in the test. Most of the leading manu- 

 facturers in the Northeast wore represented, some with several boxes. 



The test v;as set up in duplicate: one set of boxes was placed in a 

 storage room run at about 40° F. with relative humidity at about 90 per cent. 

 The other was placed in a room run at about 35^* F. v/ith humidity at 85 per cent. 



Each box was placed on an inverted wooden box to keep it off the 

 floor and it supportad a weight equivalent to a stack of filled boxes. The 

 heights of the stacks ranged from tv;o to ten boxes. 



The boxes were placed in the stacks at intervals from the first of 

 February to the first of March as they arrived, and the test ended June 1. 

 Observations and careful measurements of bulging and settling were made at 

 frequent intervals. 



All boxes, including those with wood- frame ends, showed some bulging 

 of the sides and ends which increased vfith time. On the sides this varied 

 from 0.2 inch to 1.9 inches. In general, the boxes with no wooden supports 

 settled most, .and as might be expected the settling was most rapid. Even 

 the "waterproof" fiber boxes bulged and settled after several weeks under 

 humid conditions. Five cardboard boxes failed to hold up to the end of the 

 test ard toppled over. Each was under a stack of six to eight boxes. iThere 

 placed un.ler threo or four boxes, they stood up better. 



Tentativ3 Conclus ions 



1. Tfatcr-rssistant fiber holds up longer than cardboard but the dif- 

 ference aftor two or throe months is much less than was expected. All such 

 material softens in storage. 



2. Boxj£ \\rith glued tops and bottoms and smooth all around are not 

 only inconvenient to close bur. difficult to lift and handle. They are much 

 more likely to be dropped or thrown than others, although they need not be 

 handled roughly. 



3. Hand holes provide for easier handling but open the way to serious 

 bruising and lacerations by fingers and fingernails wiT,h f i-uit as soft as 

 Mclntcsh is likely to be in late winter. Snao-on co-'erd or oanel ends facil- 

 itate handling. 



4. Apples were in poorest condition in air-tight boxes. Ventilation 

 should be provided if apples are to be stored for several months. 



