- 25 - 



The average of all bruising in pallet boxes ranged from 32.3 to 55.3 bruises 

 per 100 apples compared with 58 in small boxes. 



Generally the deeper the pallet box the greater the bruising . There was 

 one exception. The deepest of the pallet boxes, 34 inches, did not have much 

 more bruising than the 24-inch deep pallet box lined with corrugated board. 

 This may have been the result of using a removable 10-inch board on the 

 two sides of the pallet box that made it easier for pickers to place their 

 fruit into the box. The box also was of more sturdy construction than the 

 other deep pallet boxes tested. Experimental error may also account for 

 some of the apparent disagreement. All of the pallet boxes showed less 

 bruising than carefully handled small field boxes. Bruises of one-quarter inch 

 and larger per 100 apples occurring during picking and handling in pallet 

 boxes and field boxes are shown below: 4/ 



Bruises per 

 Description of pallet box 100 apples 



24" deep, lined with corrugated board . . . 

 27" deep, lined with corrugated board . . . 

 32" deep, lined with corrugated board . . . 

 24" deep, not lined with corrugated board . 

 34" deep, not lined — 10-inch removable board 

 Carefully handled small field box ..... 



32.3 

 46.5 

 55.3 

 47.3 

 35.3 

 58.0 



The supplementary studies were designed to give more specific answers on 

 which type of construction on the sides, the bottom, and corners of boxes 

 would be less conducive to bruising. The effect of side construction on 

 bruising of apples was studied by determining the number of bruises occurring 

 per 100 apples touching different types of side structure of 24-inch deep 

 pallet boxes. The type of side construction, the bruises, and bruise index 

 are shown below: 



Bruises per 



Description of side construction 100 apples Index 1_/ 



Number 

 Wide slat, corrugated board liners. ..... 5.1 27 



Spaced vertical slats, eased edges, 



corrugated liners 



Plywood, corrugated board liners 



Solid, horizontal slats, bullnose edges . . . 



Plywood 



Solid horizontal slats, eased edges ..... 

 Spaced horizontal slats, bullnose edges . . . 

 Spaced vertical slats, bullnose edges .... 



1/ Based on 19.1 bruises = 100. 



13.4 



70 



13.6 



71 



18.5 



97 



21.1 



110 



21.5 



113 



23.9 



125 



26.0 



136 



4/ These bruise tests will be completed after 5 months of holding in 

 cold storage to ascertain the extent of bruising due to pressures while 

 standing in storage and dumping. Complete results will be reported at the 

 completion of this project. 



