pin-needle hardboard boxes for packaging apples
1982 Edition

According to the standard, pine-needle hardboards must have a thickness of 3.50 ± 0.25 mm. The moisture content at the time of manufacture should be 12 ± 3%. If the boards are not moisture-proof, both sides must be coated to prevent moisture uptake. These requirements ensure the boards maintain durability and dimensional stability during storage and shipment.

Boxes are constructed using six pine-needle hardboard panels and twenty-four battens. Panels are single-piece boards with ventilation openings on front and back. Battens have cross-sectional dimensions of 20 × 10 mm for top, bottom, and sides, and 25 × 20 mm for ends. Assembly involves nailing side panels to end panels and then attaching top and bottom panels. Clout-headed nails per IS:723-1972 are used, with lengths sufficient for a 5 mm clinch, ensuring secure fastening without damaging contents.

The standard requires that finished boards and battens must not emit any odor or toxins that could affect the apples' taste, smell, or color. While specific chemical or sensory tests are not detailed, industry practices include sensory odor assessments and chemical analyses for harmful substances. Additionally, mechanical performance tests like vibration and impact drop tests prevent damage that might expose apples to contaminants.

Durability is evaluated through three main tests: the top-bottom compression test, requiring the empty box to withstand at least 1500 kg load; the flat drop test, involving dropping a fully loaded box from 1 meter onto concrete in multiple orientations for two cycles without damage; and the tumbling test, where a loaded box is tumbled for 30 meters on a hard surface to simulate transport stresses. Each test has specified sample sizes and acceptance criteria to ensure integrity.

The boxes have three standard sizes with internal dimensions of 455 mm length by 305 mm width, and heights of 305 mm, 280 mm, and 255 mm. The corresponding maximum empty box weights are 4.00 kg, 3.80 kg, and 3.60 kg respectively. A tolerance of ±3 mm is allowed for dimensions, but no positive tolerance is permitted on box weight. Only one box style is standard unless purchaser approval for alternatives is obtained.