WO2007062485A1

WO2007062485A1 - Produce cover

Info

Publication number: WO2007062485A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001835
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas Michael Trenchard
Original assignee: Douglas Michael Trenchard
Priority date: 2005-12-01
Filing date: 2006-11-30
Publication date: 2007-06-07

Abstract

A cover for perishable produce, typically bananas comprising an open ended tubular sleeve adapted to accommodate produce therein, said the tubular sleeve including an upper portion having retaining means extending away from the upper portion such that the retaining means is adapted to retain the cover on the produce; and a lower portion having a tapered funnel shape with an opening at the bottom in the form of a truncated cone, wherein in use the conical configuration assists the opening to remain open

Description

PRODUCE COVER

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a cover for perishable produce, such as fruit or vegetables, in particular but not limited to a banana bunch cover.

Background of Invention

In order to protect from insect and physical damage during the development and growth of a fruit and to enhance the growing environment, the produce is covered. The material used as covers ranges from lignose material to plastics material. Most commonly and preferably used are covers made from plastics material mainly for ease of use and economic reasons.

In one use the covers can be and are applied to the produce as the produce is growing, preferably prior to ripening and/or harvesting. In this particular situation the covers create a micro climate within the cover, thus allowing the produce to mature more quickly and evenly.

Prior art covers can also allow a form of protection from the weather as well as from insects and pests.

Prior art banana bunch covers presently consist of a tubular plastic sleeve manufactured from either mono layer or co-extruded polyethylene sheeting having a thickness of between 15 and 150 microns, a lay-flat width of 700 to 850 mm and a length of between 1 metre and 1.8 metres. They are normally sold rolled on to a cardboard or plastic spool and can be pre- perforated across the width of the lay-flat tube at given lengths by the manufacturer. They can also be sold as separate sleeves packed into a box or plastic bag.

Traditionally banana bunch covers are coloured Reflex Blue™, but can be found in many different colours and with various printed markings to differentiate bunches. Different colours and symbols printed on the bunch covers are used by growers to identify when bunches were covered and consequently when they will be ready for harvesting.

Banana bunch covers are used to assist in preventing pesticides and fungicides sprayed on the bunch from being washed away. Banana bunch covers can be impregnated with pesticide and fungicide chemicals to provide ongoing protection. The covers are often printed with a silver or white ink to reflect heat away from the bunch and to reduce the temperature inside the sleeve. Banana bunch covers come in a range of thicknesses. The thinner covers are only used once but the thicker covers may be used over several growing seasons. Recently banana bunch covers have been manufactured with co-extruded outer and inner layers. The inner layer being HDPE high density polyethylene for easy opening and increased rigidity. The outer layer being of low density softer LDPE to ensure that the film does not crease permanently and score the bananas.

The covers, once pulled over the bunch, are tied to the stalk using either string or elastic bands or with nails or by bunching the plastic sleeve itself form to make two protrusions that can be tied together. Small holes, 8 mm to 12 mm in diameter, may be punched into the sleeve towards the top to ensure air circulation by convection as the sleeve is heated by the sun.

The following non-exhaustive list of disadvantages are inherent in the commonly known and used banana bunch covers:

1. When the bunch is small, the covers can be too long in that they extend below the bunch and as such the bottom of the cover is prone to stick together in a closed position. When this happens and remains closed for some time, such as when the plastic is wet, the bananas can suffer a condition known as "maturity bronzing".

2. The bunched up protrusions pulled from the top of the cover to be used as ties, are short and may not be adequate to ensure the cover is securely tied to the stalk of the bunch.

3. Due to the amount of plastic gathered into the ties they cannot be pulled tight enough to exclude all insects from crawling down the stalk into the bunch.

4. Large amounts of plastic are wasted in being gathered to form the ties.

5. Insecticide is often applied to the bunch as a spray or powder, prior to covering and this can often blow onto the person applying it and cause illness. Bananas are grown in hot climates and this makes it difficult and inconvenient to wear protective clothing.

6. When the fruit is blown with a mist of oil to assist with insect protection the bags are often blown up off the bunch.

7. Insecticides applied directly to the fruit can wash off and contaminate the environment 8. The open bottom of the cover allows invasion of the bunch by insects and animals

Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a produce cover, typically a banana bunch cover that eliminates or ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an opening support for a produce cover which will allow substantial airflow into the bunch cover.

It is a further object of the invention to create a labyrinth like effect to deter insects from entering the bunch cover.

It is a further object of the invention to trap insects attempting to enter the bunch using adhesive insect traps.

It is a further object of the invention to place insecticide and fungicide into the environment of the bunch cover in a safe way, which will minimize the possibility of human contact with the chemicals.

It is a further object of the invention to allow rejected plant matter originating from the produce to fall out of the bottom of the cover

Summary of Invention

In a first aspect the invention resides in a cover for perishable produce, typically bananas comprising an open ended tubular sleeve adapted to accommodate produce therein, said tubular sleeve including: i) an upper portion having retaining means extending away from the upper portion such that the retaining means is adapted to retain the cover on the produce; and ii) a lower portion having a tapered funnel shape with an opening at the bottom in the form of a truncated cone, wherein in use the conical configuration assists the opening to remain open.

In a preferred example, the sides of the lower portion are prevented from coming together by the insertion of an opening collar. Preferably, there are at least two retaining means of triangular configuration that are adapted to be tied together so as to allow the cover to be tied to an upper region of the produce, such as a stem or stalk or branch or trunk.

Preferably, the retaining means are spaced strips of material, extending away from the upper portion.

Preferably the upper portion has a plurality of apertures which may act as eyelets to assist with tying the cover to the upper region of the produce

Preferably, the lower portion has tapered seals, spaced apart from one another said seals, tapering towards the distal end of the lower portion such that the tapered seals form the tapered funnel shape.

Preferably, there are releasing means adapted to allow individual covers to be separated from adjoining covers manufactured in a continuous roll from sheet material.

Preferably, the releasing means are lines of perforations that are placed parallel to and immediately outside of the tapered seals and include a line of perforations running between points on the sheet material of the covers where the inner ends of the seals stop.

Preferably, the cover includes pesticides, anti fungal chemicals or similar insect, animal, microbe, pathogen or fungus controlling chemicals that is surface coated on the sheet or applied as a strip on the inside of the cover

Preferably, the tubular sleeve is made from any known form of flexible sheeting, preferably plastic sheeting.

Preferably, if made from polyethylene the cover is made in the form of and from a flattened continuous tube of either mono layer or co-extruded film consisting of many layers.

Preferably, the cover contains pesticides, anti fungal chemicals or similar insect, animal, microbe, pathogen or fungus controlling chemicals, as a surface coating on the sheet or applied as a strip or may be blended in as an integral component of the film. Preferably, the chemicals are applied as a strip and the strip is covered over by printing or laminat with a water soluble protective layer ( for example poly vinyl acetate PVA) which can prevent direct contact by humans when applying the cover but can be dissolved exposing the chemical strip by applying water to the protective coating, wherein the water is intentionally applied or is the result of rain or condensation, or the strip is covered with a layer which cracks and disintegrates under increased heat levels (for example oxo-biodegradable polyethylene) or disintegrates by physical abrasion.

Preferably, the cover is made from two sheets to form the tubular sleeve, wherein the two individual sheets are welded by heat or other method such as glue, tape, ultra sonic welding, spot welding, or sewing along the two abutting longitudinal edges to form the tube.

Preferably, one of the sheets has a reflective coating applied to the outer surface by either printing or by laminating or any other known suitable means such that when in use the reflective layer reflects sunlight so as to maintain the temperature within the cover at reduced levels in hot climates and thus prevent damaging of the produce within the cover.

In a second aspect the invention resides in an opening device for placement in a lower region of the tapered lower portion of the cover substantially as herein described and defined that incorporates a trap to trap and or deter the entry of insects and other animals

Preferably the opening device consists of a circular collar in the shape of a truncated cone approximately 100 mm in height having taper angles complementary to that of the tapered base of the cover into which the collar is inserted.

Preferably the smallest diameter of the collar is equal to the diameter of the bottom opening of the tapered base of the cover.

Preferably the collar houses an insect detering labyrinth comprising a single conical shaped or multiple conical shaped central section removably attached, by lugs or tabs, to the outer perimeter of the of the collar.

Preferably the collar and labyrinth are manufactured from plastic by being injection molded, vacuum formed, compression molded, die cut or other forming process. Preferably the conical labyrinth is manufactured from a clear or yellow plastic so as to attract insects.

Preferably the lower surface of the conical central section is coated by printing, spraying or other means with adhesive which may be impregnated with an insecticide so as to trap any insects trying to enter the sleeve.

Preferably the conical central section is attached to the outer collar by means of pre formed tabs having male and female press stud fasteners.

Brief Description

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows a cover still attached to a roll of preformed covers in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side view of a single cover in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a perspective side view of an opened cover in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a top view of an opened cover in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows the top of an opened cover in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 6 shows an inside view of a cover with insecticide or pathogen controlling strips in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a cover formed from two sheets in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 8 shows a cover in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 shows a top view of an opening collar in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 10 shows a side view of an opening collar in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of an opening collar in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 12 shows a cut away view of a cross section through a produce cover showing the opening collar with contained labyrinth inserted into the base of the tapered produce cover in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 13 shows an alternative shape of cross section of opening device in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 14 shows a conical adhesive coated component which is removably held in place in the opening collar so as to form a labyrinth to deter insects entering the cover in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 15 shows an alternative positioning of the inner cone foming the labyrinth in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 16 shows a top view of the single cone inserted into the opening collar

Figure 17 shows a cross section of a multi grooved lid removeably attached to the opening collar in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 18 shows a top view of the multi grooved lid removeably attached to the opening collar in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 19 indicates a method by which the web may be folded in half prior to sealing and perforating Figure 20 indicates the layout of the upper and lower sealing bars and the silicone and Teflon coated dividing plate and the angled perforating blades used when manufacturing the covers in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 21 shows a series of bunch covers along the web indicating the position of the sealing bars and perforating blades in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention

Figure 22 shows a method of manufacturing the bunch covers in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the invention

Description of Drawings

The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a produce or banana bunch cover. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention. It is envisaged that the embodiments as described can be used in other applications for the covering of other produce without departing from the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a portion of a rolled out flattened tube from a continuous roll of preformed tubular covers. The sheet in Figure 1 illustrates one complete cover 5 and cut away view of the relevant adjacent covers 1 , 7 joined to the complete cover 5. The sheet is made from tubular film wound onto a roll from which it is dispensed when a cover is desired. Figures 2 shows cover 5 separated from the sheet as shown in Figure 1.

The cover 5 has at least two seals 2 that taper at approximately 30 degrees from the parallel sides of the cover 5, such that each seal runs from the side edge of the cover to the bottom of the cover meeting the parallel sides at approximately 400 mm to 500 mm up from the bottom of the cover 5 and meeting the bottom at approximately 150mm to 200mm in from the side edge. The two seals are preferably formed during a heat sealing process; however other known sealing methods may be used to achieve the tapered seal.

The adjacent cover 7 on the sheet has a perforated line 3 parallel to the seals 2 on cover 5 and is approximately 10mm away from the seal 2 on the outside of the seal line 2. There are in addition perforations 6 which run along an imaginary line running at right angles to the side of the cover and between the bottom of the seals 2. A perforated line 6 extends along the imaginary line mentioned above, between the two angled perforation lines 3 which run to the outside of the seals 2 such that the perforations 3 and 6 allow the cover 5 to be separated from cover 1 and 7 and the area of cover 5 adjacent the seals 2 and perforations 3 forms the bottom of cover 5 and the area of the cover 7 adjacent the adjacent the perforations 3 and seals 2 forms the top of the cover 7. The cover 5 once separated from cover 7, which when opened, will have a tapered funnel shape at the bottom with an opening at the bottom of the funnel shape which will have a diameter smaller than that of the master tube (see Figure 2 and Figure

3) and the top of the cover 5, which when opened have a tapered opening portion defining a top opening 9 and will have a diameter equal to that of the master tube of sheeting.

The top of the cover 5 is formed with at least two triangular extensions 8 which were cut out of the area adjacent to the bottom of the previous cover 1 on the roll.

The cover 5 can include tie holes 4 situated below and adjacent the top opening 9 such that they act as eyelets to allow the ties 8 to be used as draw strings or the like to close the opening 9.

Figure 3 shows a cover in an opened state adaptable to be situated around a bunch of bananas.

In use, the cover 5 is detached from a continuous roll by tearing along perforations 9 and 3. The cover 5 is then opened and slid over a bunch of bananas by sliding the cover top first over the desired bunch of bananas. The triangular shaped ties 8 are tied together and around the stem of the banana bunch. The ties 8 may be threaded through the holes 4 to form a draw string like effect to close the top opening 9 around the stem. The majority of the banana bunch is situated in the top section of the cover and the bottom section is maintained in a spaced apart open state which along with apertures 6 allow for the circulation of air that allows the banana bunch to be maintained in a controlled environment. In effect the reduced size of the bottom opening and the increased rigidity of the funnel shape reduce the instances of wind blown insects entering the cover.

Turning to Figure 4, this shows a view of a formed cover looking into it directly from above. This view clearly shows the lower opening 6) having a reduced diameter. It also shows the ties 8 above and adjacent the top opening 9. Figure 5 similarly shows a perspective view of the top section of a cover in an opened state. Figures 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the invention in which the preformed covers are formed from two continuous web sheets sealed together along their edges by welds 10. The covers can be formed from a master roll of polyethylene, or other plastic sheeting material, whereby the tubular form of the tube is made from two individual sheets 12, 13 welded by heat or other method such as glue, tape, ultra sonic welding, spot welding, sewing along the two abutting longitudinal edges to form the tube. The tube formed has the same features as the preformed covers shown and described in relation to Figure 1.

Also shown in Figure 6 and 7 there is shown the covers as having an insecticide or pathogen controlling chemical stripe situated thereon. The chemical 11 is shown as being in stripe form encircling the interior region of the cover. This Stripe can applied to the inside of both sheets to form a complete band around the inside of the tube which is formed by welding the sheets together along their longitudinal edges 10. It is envisaged an insecticide or herbicide and/or fungicide or other pathogen controlling chemical or combination of all or any of these could be used. Also the plastic material may be impregnated, during the manufacturing of the sheet, with an herbicide and/or fungicide or combination. The stripe of insecticide may be overprinted or over laminated with a water soluble coating or heat or physical abrasion disintegrating coating to prevent contact by humans while applying the covers.

The covers can be constructed from any known form of flexible sheeting, preferably plastic sheeting.

If manufactured from polyethylene the covers may be made from either high density polyethylene or low density polyethylene or co-extruded from any _. combination of these materials either as a solid sheet or foamed so as to contain closed cell bubbles. The covers may be made in any colour or if co-extruded in any combination of colours for each extrusion layer.

The covers may be printed on the outside surfaces with any combination of colours or with a reflective ink or substance as well as identification markings. If printed the printing need not cover the entire surface but may, if required, only cover that area of the cover which will be exposed to direct sunlight or which is required for identification purposes.

Preferably if made from polyethylene the cover is made in the form of and from a flattened continuous tube of either mono layer or co-extruded film consisting of many layers, each of which may be a different polymer or colour or may contain different additives for protection from UV light.

Turning to Figure 19 the roll containing the continuous perforated covers joined together may be folded length-wise so that the two sides of the covers form mirror images of each other and laying directly on top of each other. A standard folding triangle may be used to effect the folding of the web of plastic film.

This has the advantage of the bags being torn from the master roll by means of a single across and upward motion.

This folded format may be seen in Figure 21

The folded roll may be formed after the covers have been made by sealing and perforating a master roll of tubing Figure 22, or the tube may be folded prior to the seals and perforations being made Figure 19.

As a method of manufacture the covers, a reciprocating or servo-drive bag making type of machine may be used. Two sealing bars tapered at approximately 30 degree to the longitudinal direction of the web may be pressed downwards into the web and against a bottom support containing a silicone upper surface so as form a seal extending from the edge of the web to a point approximately 125 mm in from the edge of the web Figure 22.

The sealing bar 33 and 34 may use a hot sealing wire covered with a telflon impregnated glass cloth to form the seal. This type of sealing system retains the heat in the sealing wire and does not impart a lot of heat to components near the sealing bar.

On the outside of the sealing bar is placed perforation blades which are capable of perforating the web at the same time as the web is sealed.

While the web is stopped for the seals to be made, the cover ahead of the one being sealed is perforated at right angles across the web and between the two perforations adjacent to the welds Figure 22 no 35.

As an alternative method of manufacturing the covers (see Figures 20 and 21) a reciprocating or servo drive bag making machine may be used. The folded flattened tube is passed over a central plate 32 which is coated with silicon rubber on both its upper and lower surfaces. Once the web of plastic film is moved forward by the length of a single cover, the web stops and two sealing bars 29 and 30 are pressed against both the top and bottom surfaces of the web and against the silicon rubber coated plate.

At the same time and while the web is stopped the cover ahead of the sealing bars is perforated along the outside edge of the seals and across the web towards the fold and at right angles to the length of the web 31

INDEX OF NUMBERS

1 cover one on the roll

2 heat seal which forms the tapered base to the cover once the tube is placed over the bunch this shape becomes conical when opened

3 perforation through both sheets of the flattened tube 4 optional hole to thread ties through to reduce the size of the top aperture to create a drawstring effect

5 cover made from tubular plastic film

6 bottom perforation forming bottom aperture of cover

7 cover 3 on the roll 8 ties formed from film adjacent to the previous cover

9 top orifice

10 edge welds if sheet made from two separate pieces

11 strip containing pathogen controlling chemicals printed or coated to the sheet

12 front sheet 13 back sheet

14 inside of cover

15 outside of cover

16 tapered outer brace

17 open orifice at bottom of opening collar 18 internal cone

19 bridge connecting outer collar and inner cone

20 male and female press studs

21 alternative clip in type of multi cone labyrinth

22 apex of groove 23 opening at bottom of groove

24 bridge to tie circular grooves together as a single unit 25 master roll of tubing

26 standard folding triangle

27 folded tubular film

28 roll of folded film 29 bottom sealing bar at an angle to the web

30 top sealing bar at an angle to the web

31 perforating blade at an angle

32 separating sealing plate coated with silicone rubber and teflon cloth

33 angled seal left side incorporating perforating blade 34 angled seal right side incorporating perforating blade

35 cross perforation between the two angle perforations

Advantages

The design of the cover is such as to not only improve the growing environment under the cover but, due to the tapered lower section. The design can permit the insertion of a matching tapered opening device into the base of the cover. The design also:

a) facilitates the reduction in length of the bunch covers, thus using less plastic and costing less than the traditional cover b) has a funnel like shape to the bottom of the cover which ensures the bottom of the cover remains open; c) provides two or more handle-like sections at the top of the cover to facilitate easy tying to the stem; d) cost effective; e) easy to use; f) allows for effective management and care of produce; and g) allows for the safe application of pathogen controlling chemicals to the immediate environment surrounding the produce.

The following are unique or at the very least a useful alternative to known produce covers:

a) Two or more projection at the top of the cover which are cut from the previous -sleeve area on the master roll to allow it to be tied to the stem of the bunch. b) These projections are sourced from the previous sleeve area on a continuous roll of sleeves, this reduces the amount of plastic required for the cover. c) When the cover is placed over a banana bunch, or other bunched produce, the bunch keeps the centre part of the cover open, the reduced diameter of the bottom of the cover caused by the tapered lower section will ensure the opening at the bottom of the sleeve remains open. d) The cover has a tapered lower section which prevents it being blown upwards and off the bunch when the fruit is misted with an oil and fungicide mixture; e) The cover may have printed or laminated on the inside towards the top and again towards the bottom a transverse stripe of insecticide or other pathogen controlling chemical that may also be applied to standard types of covers; f) The pathogen controlling stripe may be overprinted with a protective water soluble or heat degrading or abrasive disintegrating coating, g) The extended length of the ties permit a tight seal to be formed around the stalk of the bunch. h) The tapered lower section of the cover permits the inclusion of a tapered opening collar into the base of the cover. i) The tapered opening collar may also contain a conical insect trap which includes a labyrinth like effect detering insects entering the bunch and this may be coated with an adhesive to trap to capture insects attempting to enter the cover. j) Ease of application. In applying the labyrinth to the protective sleeve, once the sleeve is applied to the bunch, the labyrinth is inserted vertically into the sleeve then rotated until horizontal and then pulled down firmly into the tapered section of the sleeve until it is fully engaged in the taper and held firmly in place by the opened plastic sleeve.

The labyrinth may be removed using the opposite of the above movements for inspection of the banana bunch or for reuse in another bunch protective sleeve.

k) The adhesive may be impregnated with a insecticide to further prevent insect entry.

I) The labyrinth has areas open to the outside where air may enter and allow loose vegitative matter from the bunch to fall out Variations

Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described.

Claims

1. A cover for perishable produce, typically bananas comprising an open ended tubular sleeve adapted to accommodate produce therein, said the tubular sleeve including:

an upper portion having retaining means extending away from the upper portion such that the retaining means is adapted to retain the cover on the produce; and

a lower portion having a tapered funnel shape with an opening at the bottom in the form of a truncated cone, wherein in use the conical configuration assists the opening to remain open

2. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the sides of the lower portion are prevented from coming together by the insertion of an opening collar.

3. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the collar houses a labyrinth type sticky insect trap.

4. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein there are at least two retaining means of triangular configuration that are adapted to be tied together so as to allow the cover to be tied to an upper region of the produce, such as a stem or stalk or branch or trunk.

5. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the retaining means are spaced strips of material, extending away from the upper portion.

6. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the upper portion has a plurality of apertures which may act as eyelets to assist with tying the cover to the upper region of the produce

7. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the lower portion has tapered seals, spaced apart from one another said seal tapering towards the distal end of the lower portion such that the tapered seals form the tapered funnel shape.

8. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 1, wherein there are releasing means adapted to allow individual covers to be separated from adjoining of covers manufactured in a continuous roll from sheet material.

9. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the releasing means are lines of perforations that are placed parallel to and immediately outside of the tapered seals and include a line of perforations running between points on the sheet material of the covers where the inner ends of the seals stop.

10. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the tubular sleeve is made from any known form of flexible sheeting, preferably plastic sheeting.

11. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein if made from polyethylene the cover is made in the form of and from a flattened continuous tube of either mono layer or co-extruded film consisting of many layers.

12. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 11 , wherein the cover contains pesticides, anti fungal chemicals or similar insect, animal, microbe, pathogen or fungus controlling chemicals, as a surface coating on the sheet or applied as a strip or is blended in as an integral component of the film.

13. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the chemicals are applied as a strip and the strip is covered over by printing or laminated with a water soluble protective layer ( for example poly vinyl acetate PVA) which can prevent direct contact by humans when applying the cover but can be dissolved to expose the chemical strip by applying water to the protective coating, wherein the water is intentionally applied or is the result of rain or condensation, or the strip is covered with a layer which cracks and disintegrates under increased heat levels (for example oxo-biodegradable polyethylene) or disintegrates by physical abrasion.

14. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the cover is made from two sheets to form the tubular sleeve, wherein the two individual sheets are welded by heat or other method such as glue, tape, ultra sonic welding, spot welding, or sewing along the two abutting longitudinal edges to form the tube.

15. A produce cover as claimed in Claim 14, wherein one of the sheets has a reflective coating applied to the outer surface by either printing or by laminating or any other known suitable means such that when in use the reflective layer reflects sunlight so as to maintain the temperature within the cover at reduced levels in hot climates and thus prevent damaging of the produce within the cover.

16. An opening device for placement in a lower region of the tapered lower portion of the cover substantially as herein described and defined that incorporates a trap to trap and or deter the entry of insects and other animals

17. An opening device as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the opening device consists of a circular collar in the shape of a truncated cone approximately 100 mm- in height having taper angles complementary to that of the tapered base of the cover into which the collar is inserted.

18. An opening device as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the smallest diameter of the collar is equal to the diameter of the bottom opening of the tapered base of the cover.

19. An opening device as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the collar houses an insect detering labyrinth comprising a single conical shaped or multiple conical shaped central section removably attached, by lugs or tabs, to the outer perimeter of the of the collar.

20. An opening device as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the collar and labyrinth are manufactured from plastic by being injection molded, vacuum formed, compression molded, die cut or other forming process.

21. An opening device as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the conical labyrinth is manufactured from a clear or yellow plastic so as to attract insects.

22. An opening device as claimed in Claim 21 , wherein the lower surface of the conical central section is coated by printing, spraying or other means with adhesive which may be impregnated with an insecticide so as to trap any insects trying to enter the sleeve.

23. An opening device as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the conical central section is attached to the collar by means of pre formed tabs having male and female press stud fasteners.

24. A produce cover containing an opening as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 23.

25. A produce cover substantially as hereindescribed with reference to the accompanying . drawings.

26. An opening device for a produce cover substantially as hereindescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings