Effects of impact locations on mechanical and dynamical properties of fruits.

Generally, bruise is one of the most important issues caused by impact during handling or transport of fruits. Numerous impact damage test studies have been performed (M. Van Zeebroeck et al., 2007). These were mostly done on the lateral sides of fruits for data accusation or modelling. For the majority of fruits there is no detail of mechanical and dynamical properties on different locations (stem side and blossom side). This information is essential for better positioning of fruits during packaging and in packages to avoid or reduce bruising. The key aim of this work is to carry out more detailed mechanical and dynamical properties studies of fruits (a stem side, two lateral sides, and a blossom side) and to develop impacts tests in order to use data in the future models that can be applied to optimise the design of sorting equipment and packaging media. In this paper, we deal with the comparison of the impact location effects on mechanical and dynamical properties of fruits in impact tests. ‘Jonagold’ apples of same size and same maturity state were chosen for the experiments. Four different impact locations (stem side, two lateral sides, and a blossom side) were marked on apples for a test by an impactor. The results illustrate that a significant difference exists between the locations, while no significant difference has found between the samples. In addition, the maximum restitution coefficient was found on the blossom sides of apple fruits. The result can inform us how to orient the fruits in packaging systems and impact test. The restitution coefficient can be a new parameter during the impact tests.