AU2021102806A4 - A Fruit Protector - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a device for protecting fruit growing on trees. The device comprises a shell having two halves conjoined with a friction fit. The shell is sized to cover an item of fruit. The shell can be shaped as a ball, an oval, a pyramid, or a figure-eight, for example. The shell is made of transparent light weight plastic and may have air holes. 7/7 70 742 A 68 74 8 78 0 (1 - 8 A 84 76/" Figure 9 74 76 70 A 68 82 F 72 Figure 10

Description

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I A FRUIT PROTECTOR TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the agricultural industry and, more particularly to a container for protecting fruit growing on trees.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Fruit growing on trees are susceptible to damage from animals, such as birds, bats and insects. Sometimes people cover the trees with nets in order to protect the fruit. However, the nets are an eyesore and often the net does not effectively stop the animals from damaging the fruit. In order to overcome this problem, sometimes people overlay two layers of net over the fruit. However, some animals are still able to penetrate both layers of the net.

[0003] Another solution adopted by people to solve this problem is to cover each individual fruit in a plastic bag. However, plastic bags do not allow the plant to breathe. Moisture accumulates inside the bag which causes mould. Birds can still easily break the bag to access the fruit.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a container to protect fruit growing on trees from being damaged by animals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a device for protecting fruit growing on trees, the device comprising a shell having two halves conjoined with a friction fit, wherein the shell is sized to cover an item of fruit.

[0006] The shell may be ovular shaped, pyramid shaped, figure-eight shaped or spherically shaped.

[0007] Preferably, the shell is made of plastic. More preferably, the plastic is transparent. It is also preferred that the plastic is light weight.

[0008] The shell preferably has an orifice for the stem of the tree connected to the fruit.

[0009] The shell may have holes to allow air to flow around the fruit.

[0010] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is perspective view of an ovular shaped fruit protector according to first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 is perspective view of a pyramid shaped fruit protector according to second embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 is perspective view of a figure eight shaped fruit protector according to third embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 4 is perspective view of a spherically shaped fruit protector according to fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 5 is a top view of a spherically shaped fruit protector according to fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the spherically shaped fruit protector offigure 5.

[0018] Figure 7 is a perspective left side view of the spherically shaped fruit protector offigure 5.

[0019] Figure 8 is a left side view of the spherically shaped fruit protector offigure 5.

[0020] Figure 9 is a top view of the spherically shaped fruit protector offigure 5 separated into two halves.

[0021] Figure 10 is perspective bottom view of the spherically shaped fruit protector of figure 5 separated into two halves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Figure 1 shows an ovular shaped protector 10 covering a fig fruit 12. The protector 10 is made of transparent plastic and comprises two halves 14 and 16 that are removably conjoined with a friction fit running along a rim 18 at the centre of the protector 10. Each protector 10 has an orifice 20 at its apex for the stem 22 of the fig fruit 12.

[0023] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention in the form of a pyramid shaped

-Y

protector 24. The protector 24 has two halves 26 and 28 which are conjoined with a friction fit along the rim 30 of each half. The protector 24 has an orifice 32 at its apex for the stem 34 of the fig fruit 12.

[0024] Figure 3 is another embodiment of the invention in the form of a figure eight shaped protector 36 around a bunch of grapes 38. The protector 36 has two halves 40 and 42 which are conjoined with a friction fit along the rim 44 of each half. The protector 36 has an orifice 46 at its apex for the stem 48 of the bunch of grapes 38. The protector 36 has air flow holes 50 to disperse moisture and thereby reduce potential mould growth inside the protector 36.

[0025] Figure 4 is another embodiment of the invention in the form of a spherically shaped protector 52 around a pomegranate 54. The protector 52 has two halves 56 and 58 which are conjoined with a friction fit along the rim 60 of each half. The protector 50 has an orifice 62 at its apex for the stem 64 of the pomegranate 54. The protector 52 has air flow holes 66 to disperse moisture and thereby reduce potential mould growth.

[0026] Figures 5 to 10 show a spherically shaped fruit protector 68 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The protector 68 has a left half 70 and right half 72 which are conjoined with a friction fit along a left rim 74 and a right rim 76. The fruit protector 68 has a circular orifice 70 at its apex for a fruit stem. The circular orifice 70 is formed by slots 78 and in each rim 74 and 76 which, when conjoined, forms the circular orifice 70. The size of the orifice 70 can be made larger by slightly pulling apart each half 70 and 72 of the protector 68. The protector 68 has left holes 82 and right holes 84 to disperse moisture and thereby reduce potential mould growth on the fruit.

Concluding Remarks

[0027] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0028] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0029] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that theinventionisnotlimitedto specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (5)

1. A device for protecting fruit growing on trees, the device comprising a shell having two halves conjoined with a friction fit, wherein the shell is sized to cover an item of fruit.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the shell is spherically shaped.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the shell is transparent.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the shell has an orifice for the stem of the tree connecting to the fruit.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the shell has holes to allow air to flow around the fruit.