Abstract: A method including transporting fragile fruit into a hopper. The method also includes transferring the fragile fruit from the hopper into a container that is at least partially submerged in a fluid. The method additionally includes raising the container out of the fluid while the fragile fruit are within the container. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A system including a flume. The flume can include a fluid and be configured to receive crops. The system also can include crop selectors each sized to move the crops individually from the flume into a scale. The system additionally can include the scale. The scale can be configured to weigh the crops while the crops are in the scale. The system further can include a container carrier configured to (i) hold a container that is submerged in the fluid while the crops are dumped from the scale into the container and (ii) lift the container out of the fluid to allow the fluid to drain from the container while the container holds the crops. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: The present invention offers an apparatus which automatically aligns and packs fruits or vegetables like persimmons or tomatoes for example into containers. More particularly, the apparatus embodied by the invention is provided with means for conveying the delivered fruits or vegetables to a specific position below absorption unit following the location of fruits/vegetables feeding means, while the apparatus is also provided with absorbing unit moving between the vacuuming position of conveying means and the position for packing fruits or vegetables into a packing case placed at the packing position following the location of conveying means, and means for easily correcting the direction of fruits or vegetables as well as replacing rejected fruits or vegetables by allowing intervals to extend before and behind as well as between both side of a plurality of cups which make up conveying means at the direction-correcting position on the halfway of conveying route of conveying means.

Abstract: A bag for receiving the apple is prepared. An ethylene absorbent and a deoxidant are placed in the bag, each of the absorbent and the deoxidant being in an amount such that ethylene biosynthesis is suppressed for keeping freshness of the apple when the apple is placed within the bag. The apple is placed within the bag and then an opening portion of the bag containing the apple, the ethylene absorbent and the deoxidant is sealed. The sealed bag allows air to permeate through it to a degree such that minimum amount of air necessary for the apple is suppled in the presence of the ethylene abosrbent and the deoxidant. The apple is stored in the sealed bag whereby mature of the apple is delayed for keeping freshness thereof.