"There are many other things which will contribute to packing efficiency. 

 Time does not permit elaboration. Keeping the number of sizes and types of 

 packages to a minimum increases efficiency. There is less problem with main- 

 taining supplies and equipment, training packers and change-over bottle-necks. 

 Conveyors should be arranged so as to permit packing directly on roller con- 

 veyors to avoid unnecessary lifting and handling of containers. And probably 

 as important as anything, operators would do well to give more attention to 

 the correct height of work areas. Most of my attention has been given to 

 packing. I will nov/ try to hit a few high spots in the other operations. 



"Dumping - Automatic dumping is becoming quite common. It does not elim- 

 inate labor unless manual dumping operations require more than one person. 



"Perhaps the biggest problem of dumping is maintaining an even dump rate 

 to prevent overloading and subsequent shut downs. Keeping adequate supplies 

 close to the dump station aid in maintaining an even dump rate. 



"Sorting and Handling Culls - For larger sheds it is very important to 

 take all the sorting load off the packers to improve efficiency. Sorting 

 should be done at a central station prior to sizing. In most houses improved 

 roller sorters and lane dividers are needed to give sorters definite areas of 

 responsibility. Much progress has been made in doing away with overhead cull 

 belts. More cull removal units need to be moved to lower levels with the 

 cull fruit deposited in the area of box supply. 



"Securing Packing Materials - Packers at all times should have packing 

 materials readily available. In many plants much time is wasted by packers 

 having to move out of the work area to get frequently needed supplies. 

 Storage above the work station is excellent. And of course standardization 

 of container size would relieve much lost time in searching for proper inserts, 



"Weighing Bags - Scales are generally placed too high and require ex- 

 cessive lifting by the packer. Scales should have upright supports for bags 

 and be of a type which permits rapid determination of weight. 



" Closing Bags - Like scales, bag closing units are often placed too 

 high and require extra motions. There are many kinds of closers on the market 

 and while there are minor differences in them the main consideration in choice 

 of type should be the desire of your buyer. In general, we believe, the pull- 

 through taper is best for small operations and the automatic spool fed stitcher 

 for large scale operations. 



" Filling Master Containers - Once again there is an almost universal 

 tendency to place master containers on too high a platform. Indeed a packer's 

 best friend would be a guy with a saw in his hand and a passion in his head 

 for sawing off table legs, 



"My only other comment on master containers is that bulk supplies are 

 often out of reach and inadequate provision is made for a hold area. It is 

 rather foolish for a log jam of filled cartons to hold up the packing line, 

 yet this frequently happens. 



