Three experiments on apple bruising in bulk shipping bins were conducted under export conditions from Tasmania to the United Kingdom. They involved comparisons of four bin types, three bin depths and three liner combinations for orchard-sorted apples filled directly into the bins. For the bins tested, the maximum depth of fruit for orchard sorted bulk bins was considered to be approx. 75 cm, provided careful filling was observed. Under the conditions of the trial, fibreboard liners, either complete or on the bottoms only, did not improve the outturn of fruit in 52-cm-deep well-based bins (Unibins). However, in deeper units they proved desirable on the bottoms to reduce pressure bruises in the bottom layer of fruit. Vertical board bins of thinner timber (Clennett type) damaged slightly more fruit than the standard (Clemar type) but only with category 2 bruises. Nevertheless, the trial suggested that Clennett bins offered the cheapest method of getting category 1 fruit to the United Kingdom.
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