A newly developed suspended tray package (Hammock pack) is capable of protecting ripe Bartlett pears from transport vibration damage. The system can be designed for a consumer clamshell package or larger corrugated master container for foodservice applications. Ripe pears outsell green fruit by more than three-to-one in retail markets. But ripe fruit soften quite quickly at room temperature and are very susceptible to surface bruising. The bruising can be caused by transport vibration, rough handling of boxes at wholesale or retail distribution, and by consumers inspecting fruit on display. The bruises on ripe fruit quickly turn dark brown reducing the […]