BIN COVERS – DO THEY REALLY EXTEND THE LIFE OF PICKED FRUIT?

Once fruit have been picked, industry studies have shown fruit left in temperatures exceeding 25C, has a cumulative detrimental effect on its shelf life.  Fruit left uncovered, once it has been picked, can reach temperatures far in excess of this.

PERFORMANCE TESTING OF BIN COVERS

A Study conducted during March 2012 in Hawke’s Bay over 3 fine, calm autumnal days, a test was conducted to compare the temperatures of uncovered bins against covered bins.  Scientifically-controlled studies showed that Harvestwear’s LightBloc to be capable of keeping fruit temperature below the ambient air temperature – even when the bin was placed in direct sunlight.

RESULTS FROM THE STUDY

6 x 400kg bins of apples were placed on a headland of the orchard and 3 covers made from different fabrics were placed on alternating bins leaving an uncovered bin beside each covered one to serve as the controls.

Temperature probes were inserted into an apple at the top of each bin and data was logged every 5 minutes.  The findings are as below on the graph:

CONCLUSION

The covered bins show a far more even fluctuation of temperature, without rising above the ambient daytime temperature, compared to the extreme fluctuations of the uncovered bins.

SO, WHAT MAKES THE HARVESTWEAR LIGHTBLOC BIN COVER SO ADVANCED?

• Technically advance polyethylene cloth provides insulation from ultraviolet rays and heat.
• A blackout coating laminated on the reverse side eliminates light transfer through the cloth
• Water resistant
• Lightweight and easy to handle