How to obtain the proper box height of kiwi fruit for handling and storing

Abstract

Avoiding damage to fruit species the permissible falling height and permissible static pressure are of great importance. The shape of fruits is important in planning harvesting and handling operations, the latter in selecting the height of transport containers. Fruit is generally transported in containers. The static and dynamic forces which then act on the fruit will cause damage if they exceed the given value. The static force may be calculated from the weight of the fruit column being transported while the dynamic load is a consequence of vibration caused by transport. The permitted static load for a given fruit may be determined experimentally. In this study, physical properties of interest were determined for fresh kiwi fruit, then calculations for the design of a suitable height were conducted based on the measured properties using Ross and Isaacs’s theory. Maximum height for packing and storing of fresh kiwi fruit in the box was determined to be less than 93 cm based on a rupture force of 21 N.