Sarig, Y.
Segerlind, L.J.
Little, R.W.

A new method is proposed for protecting apples in the process of mechanical harvesting utilizing a Urea-Formaldehyde foam encapsulation. The mechanical properties of the foam are derived through experimentation and are incorporated subsequently in a theoretical analysis. Two analytical methods are utilized for predicting the apple deformation under given boundary conditions. Good agreement is obtained with both methods, substantiating the validity of the results.