Prevention of Damage to Falling Fruits and Vegetables

摘要

This invention relates to and has among its objects the provision of novel methods for the reduction of damage to falling articles such as fruits and vegetables. Damage to fruits or vegetables dropped into receptacles is reduced by filling the receptacles with one or more air-inflated envelopes prior to dropping the fruits or vegetables therein. Thus, the distance the fruits or vegetables must drop is reduced. The envelopes are deflatable at a pressure responsive to the weight of the fruits or vegetables dropped thereon so that the receptacle gradually becomes filled with the fruits or vegetables.