Throughout distribution, the major function of theegg packaging is the protection of the egg by preventionof eggshell breakage. The egg package may also provideprotection to the interior quality of the egg by restrictinggas exchange through the shell and shell membrane.From laying to the final destination, more eggs arebroken during transportation than in any other stepduring processing and distribution; therefore, profit orlosses due to breakage are greatest during transporta-tion (Thompson and Hamilton, 1986).Mellor and Gardner (1970) studied the effect of foam,chipboard, and molded pulp cartons in a corrugated boxon eggshell quality during transport by making threetrips from a processing plant to a laboratory (∼300 mi) ina station wagon. No differences in breakage were foundfor eggs packed in any of the cartons used for normalshipment. However, under rough handling conditions,the foam cartons offered more protection againstbreakage than the chipboard cartons, but less protectionthan the molded pulp cartons. Nethercote et al. (1974)also compared the molded pulp and foam cartons incorrugated boxes arranged in either parallel or cross-stacking configurations, and their individual protectiveproperties using laboratory testing procedures. Theyfound that crossed tiers of cartons protected eggs betterthan cartons all aligned in the same direction. Further-more, they concluded that the carton design was moreimportant than material in determining the relativeprotective ability.Denton et al. (1981) studied the effect of six egg cartontypes and three case types on eggshell breakage using avertical drop test. Two types of molded pulp cartonsoffered the greatest protection, whereas two foamcartons provided the least protection. In addition, betterprotection was observed with the corrugated boxes thanwith the 15-dozen wire or 24-dozen wire cases. Ledere
Packaging effects on shell egg breakage rates during simulated transportation (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/13265275_Packaging_effects_on_shell_egg_breakage_rates_during_simulated_transportation [accessed May 4, 2016].