Bruising of apples in four different packages using simulated truck vibration

This paper presents the effects of truck vibration and packaging systems on the bruising of apples. The study investigated four different types of interior packaging, the foam tray, the paper pulp tray, and two different paperboard partition/box combinations. Testing was done on a vibration table using a random controller driven by a power density spectrum simulating truck trailers with leaf-spring and air-cushion suspensions travelling on expressways. The results showed that the foam tray was the best type of interior packaging followed by the paperboard partitions. The paper pulp tray produced the highest levels of damage. The air-cushion truck suspension showed larger damage levels than the leaf-spring suspension for all package types.