Moisture barrier for fruit drying trays and the like

Claim 2

A moisture barrier for a fruit drying tray having a predetermined periphery and rested on soil sloped downwardly to a low side, the barrier comprising a continuous, substantially rigid panel of material substantially impervious to moisture and having three portions adapted to be folded relative to each other so as to be positionable in conforming relation to said periphery of the fruit drying tray with said portions received in the soil on which the tray is rested to obstruct the percolation of moisture through the soil beneath the tray and having a drain opening at the surface of the soil at a portion of the periphery of the tray nearest said low side to afford drainage for moisture on the tray.

Claim 3

The moisture barrier of claim 1 wherein the panel mounts flaps extending longitudinally thereof for overlapping, facing engagement with the periphery of the tray when positioned in said conforming relation to form a barrier to moisture.

Claim 4

The moisture barrier of claims 1 or 2 wherein said portions of the panel have extensions extending above the soil in said conforming relation forming a barrier to moisture on the surface of the soil.

Claim 5

A moisture barrier for controlling the flow of surface and subsurface moisture relative to a fruit drying tray rested on the earth, the barrier comprising a continuous, substantially flat panel of substantially rigid material impervious to moisture having opposite lateral edges and opposite surfaces and adapted to be folded along a pair of courses extending in spaced relation transversely of the panel to form side walls for the barrier disposed in substantially orthogonal relation to an end wall therebetween and a drain opening bounded by said side walls remote from the end wall; and a flange mounted on corresponding surfaces of each wall extending longitudinally thereof between the lateral edges of the panel to define a subsurface portion extending from said flange to one of said lateral edges of the panel and an above surface portion extending from the flange to the opposite lateral edge of the panel and extending outwardly from its respective panel for overlapping engagement with a peripheral edge of a fruit drying tray when said subsurface portions of the walls are forced into the earth in conforming relation to the periphery of the tray.

Claim 6

A moisture barrier for controlling the flow of surface and subsurface moisture relative to a fruit drying tray rested on the earth, the barrier comprising a continuous, substantially flat panel of substantially rigid material impervious to moisture having opposite lateral edges and opposite surfaces and adapted to be folded along a pair of courses extending in spaced relation transversely of the panel to form side walls for the barrier disposed in substantially orthogonal relation to an end wall therebetween and a drain opening bounded by said side walls remote from the end wall; and a flange mounted on corresponding surfaces of each wall extending longitudinally thereof between the lateral edges of the panel to define a subsurface portion extending from said flange to one of said lateral edges of the panel and an above surface portion extending from the flange to the opposite lateral edge of the panel and extending outwardly from its respective panel for overlapping engagement with a peripheral edge of a fruit drying tray when said subsurface portions of the walls are forced into the earth in conforming relation to the periphery of the tray.

Claim 7

The moisture barrier of claim 4 wherein each wall of the panel mounts a second flange on the surface of the panel opposite that mounting the first flange and rigidly deployed for engagement with the earth when the subsurface portions of the walls are forced into the earth a predetermined desired distance.