AU2008207490A1 - Bale Cover System - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 2008 15:06 WALLINGON-~MER No. 5623 P. "I tco P/00/009 Regulation 3.10

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: BALE COVER SYSTEM The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 082029 COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Ajg. 2008 15:06 WALL1NGTON-D MMER No. 5623 P. 4 o00 o BALE COVER SYSTEM The present invention relates to baling and storage of ;hay and, more particularly, to the protection from weather In of a column of hay bales.

BACKGROUND

Hay may need to be stored for a considerable length of time before use. Traditionally hay was stacked under C permanent cover or in hay sheds, barns and the like. Modern 00 o baling and bale handling machinery have seen a departure from this arrangement into the collection of individual hay bales into stacks of bales.

Such stacks may consist of anything from one or two vertical columns of bales to collections of many abutting columns. Typically the stack is covered with one or more tarpaulins to protect the stack from deterioration. A problem with this arrangement lies in the difficulty of adequately securing sometimes quite large tarpaulins against strong winds. Winds also cause destructive damage to large tarpaulins over time.

Tarpaulin covers over large stacks make accessing the stack for removal of a quantity of bales and then refastening the cover time consuming and difficult. Another disadvantage in the use of tarpaulins is that large volumes of water may wash down the side of the stack with water damaging the outer rows of hay.

COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:06 W A LL IN TION-D MIE No. 5623 P. 2 00 0 0 ci ci A further problem is that for reasons of space, stacks may be quite high so that securing a tarpaulin over the top and at least partially down the sides of the upper layers of bales, is both an arduous and a dangerous task.

It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

Notes 1. The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or -"including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".

2. The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided a bale cover system for protection of bales of hay; said system including a cover secured to an upper surface of an uppermost bale of hay of each column of bales of hay in a stack bales of hay; said cover provided with raised structures generally coextensive with longer side edges of said upper surface; said raised structures arranged for water to flow from opposite outer ends of said cover.

COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:06 wALLlNG

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ON-DUMMER No. 5623 P. 6 3- 00 o Preferably, said raised structures are formed by a c centrally located pair of spaced apart parallel seams or ;Z elongate tucks; said seams or tucks extending a proportion 'f of the length of said sheet; said proportion substantially equal to the longer edges of a rectangular upper surface of a bale of hay; said seams spaced apart substantially the width of said rectangular upper surface.

00 o Preferably, said sheet includes opposing side portions; C' respective said side portions extending outwardly from each said seam or tuck; said side portions sufficient so as to extend at least part way down each longer side of said bale of hay when said cover is fitted to a said bale of hay.

Preferably, said sheet includes opposing end portions; respective said end portions extending from said ends of said pair of parallel seams; said end portions sufficient to extend at least part way down each opposite end of said bale of hay when said cover is fitted to a said bale of hay- Preferably, said sheet is provided with at least one securing strap at each said opposing end portion of said cover; each said securing strap forming a shape when secured at each end of a said bale of hay.

Preferably, each said strap at each end of said bale of hay is stretched downwardly; a securing peg driven into each COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:06 WALLINGTON-DUMMER 5623 P. 7 4 00 to said §o end of said bale to secure the base of said to said 0 end; said securing peg provided with a suitable end for Shooking over a said strap.

<^1q Preferably, edges of said side opposing side portions are provided with apertures; said edges secured to said sides of a said bale of hay by pegs driven through said apertures Sinto said sides of said bale.

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00 o Preferably, said cover comprises a semi rigid sheet of material substantially coextensive with said upper surface of a bale of hay; said sheet of material provided with angled upturned strips along longer edges of said sheet of material.

Preferably, outer ends of said sheet of material overlap end of said bale of hay sufficient to provide for attachment points for at least one securing strap at each of said outer ends.

Preferably, said cover is secured to a said bale of hay by pulling each said strap into a shape and securing said strap by means of a peg driven into an end of said bale of hay.

Preferably, each said strap is secured to a strand of baling twine of said bale of hay; said strap secured to COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:07 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5623 P. 6 5 00 o said baling twine by a scissor-like device clamped to said C' strand of baling twine.

Preferably, said scissor-like securing device includes a C( first scissor arm provided with a' hook structure for hooking around said strand of baling twine; said device 0 Sincluding a second scissor arm provided with a projecting o front portion for clamping said baling twine into said hook 00 structure; said securing strap passing through an aperture (CN in a portion of said first scissor arm; the arrangement being such as to clamp said device to said baling. twine; the arrangement being such as to secure the securing device to said baling twine when said first and second scissor arms are squeezed together.

Preferably, said sheet is of a recycled polyethylene.

Preferably, said sheet is of recycled polypropylene.

In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a cover for a column of bales of hay; said method including the step of placing a cover formed of a sheet of impervious material over a bale of hay while said bale is at ground level; said bale when provided with said cover placed on top of a column of bales of hay.

Preferably, said sheet is provided with a centrally located pair of parallel spaced apart elongate tucks or seams; side COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:0? WALLINGTOI4-DUMMER NJ. 5623 P. 9 6- 00 o portions extending outwardly from each of said pair of seams; end portions extending outwardly from each of ;Z opposite ends of said pair of seams; said side portions and said end portions arranged to extend downwardly to cover at least partially sides and ends of a said bale of hay; said sheet provided with at least one securing strap at each of said end portions of said sheet for securing said sheet to 00 opposing ends of a said bale of hay, 0 Cl ?referably, said method includes the further steps of: to placing said cover over an upper surface of a said bale of hay such that said pair of parallel seams are substantially coincident with the longer edged of said upper surface, folding down each of said end portions to cover respective said at least a portion of each end of said bale of hay, stretching a strap attached at each respective pair of ends of said pair of parallel seams into a "V" t shape, securing each said strap by driving a peg into each said end of said bale of hay; said peg provided with an end for engaging with said strap, COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:07 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5623 P. 7 folding down said side portions to cover said C1 at least a portion of each side of said bale of hay, securing lower edges of said side portions to C< each said side of said bale of hay by pegs driven into each said side, and wherein said parallel seams form ridges along sides 0C of said upper surface; said ridges guiding water to run 00 Soff said cover over said end portions.

Preferably, said sheet is of a semi rigid material provided along longer edges of said sheet with angled upturned strips; said sheet of material substantially coextensive with an upper surface of a said bale of hay.

Preferably, said cover is secured to a said bale of hay by lengths of rope; ends of said lengths of rope attached to edges at outer ends of said sheet of material; said rope pulled into a shape and secured to ends of a said bale of hay.

In still another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of protecting a stack of bales of hay from water penetration; said method including the steps of; providing an uppermost bale for each column of said bales of hay in said stack with an impervious cover; COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:07 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5623 P. 11 o said cover secured to said bale while said bale is 1 at ground level; S(b) lifting said bale with said cover secured to the top V) of a said column of bales of hay; ci arranging said stack in a single line of columns Swith adjacent columns having edges of raised structures along longer sides of said covers 00' abutting, 0 o the arrangement being such that substantially all water ci falling on said stack is shed over outer opposing ends of each said cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a view of a cover of the bale cover system spread out flat, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cover of Figure 1 fitted to a bale of hay, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a collection of columns of bales of hay arranged in a stack with the upper bale of each column provided with a cover according to the invention, COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:07 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5623 P. 12 9 00 o Figure 4 shows a plan view and end view of a cover

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according to a second preferred embodiment of the Sinvention, Figure 5 is a detail view of an angled strip of an edge of the cover of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cover of Figures 4 and 5 attached to a bale of hay, 0 00 Figure 7 is an end view of a stack of the covers of o Figures 4 to 6 arranged on a pallet for storage or tO transport, Figure 8 is a perspective view of a stack of bales of hay with the uppermost bales provided with the covers of Figures 4 to 6, Figure 9 is a perspective view of a bale cover retaining device according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 10 is an end view of a bale of hay to which a bale cover according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention has been secured by the cover retaining device of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiment With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a fitted cap or cover 10 for protection of a machine-formed bale of hay 12, comprises a flexible impervious sheet of material 14, of COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:Q3 WL NT08DME o.52 1

WALLINGTON-DUMMER

No. 5623 P. 13 00 o generally rectangular shape. Preferably, the sheet is m~ade of canvas or other suitable tarpaulin type material.

;Z Centrally located in sheet 14 is a pair of spaced tfl apart parallel elongate tucks or seams 16 and 16 of a S length approximately equal to the longer edges of a standard machine-formed bale of hay 12. Seams 16 and 18 are spaced apart approximately the width of the upper 0 00 surface of a bale of hay 12. These tucks or seams form 0 oraised structures extending along longer edges of a bale of hay when the cover is fitted to a bale.

Extending outwardly from each of the two seams 16 and 18 are side portions 20 and 22 sufficient to cover at least a portion of the sides 24 and 26 of the bale of hay 12.

Extending outwardly from the respective ends of the seams 16 and 18 are end portions 28 and 30 of similar extent as the side portions 20 and 22, and sufficient to cover at least a portion of the two opposing ends 32 and 34. In. at least one preferred form pleats 33 may be provided at each of the corners of cover 10 to provide a closer fit of the cover at the corners of the bale of hay, as best seen in Figure 2.

Two elastic end securing straps 36 and 38 are provided, one attached at each pair of outer ends of the seams 16 and 18, so that each strap can be pulled into a shape as best seen in Figure 2. Preferably that part o f each strap extending from the end of a seam to the outer COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP3 Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:08 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5623 P. 14 11 00 o edge of the end portion 28 or 30, lies under the sheet of

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material, with the strap passing through reinforced eyelets 34 at the edge of the sheet. Strengthening webbing 36 may I) be provided at the ends of seams 16 and 18 to secure the ci straps within the ends of seams 16 and 18, and also to Sassist in making the seams assume a substantially vertical ridge along the sides of the bale when the cover is in use.

0 C The edges side portions 20 and 22 of sheet 14 may be 00 Sprovided at intervals with eyelets 38 or at least strengthening webbing to aid in securing side portions and 22 to the sides of the bale of hay.

In Use In use, for each column of a stack 44 of bales of hay 12, one bale is fitted with a cover 10 to provide the uppermost bale of the column, as shown in Figure 3. With the bale still at ground level, a cover 10 is positioned over the upper surface of the bale so that seams 16 and 18 substantially lie coincident with the long edges of the bale and form upstanding ridges along these edges.

A securing peg 40, is then driven into the bale at each end, the elastic securing straps 36 and 38 pulled tight to form the shape described above, and the straps hooked over the peg 40. Similar securing pegs 42 are then driven through the eyelets 38 along the edges of side portions 20 and 22 to secure these side portions to the sides of the bale.

COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:3 WL 08TNDME o.52 1

WALLINOTON-DUMMER

No. 5623 P. 12 o0 When building a stack of bales of hay, bales prepared with a cover 10 are arranged as the uppermost bale in each ;Z column of bales. Preferably stacks are formed in single tfl rows of columns with columns arranged side to side as shown in Figure 3. The upstanding ridges formed by seams 16 and 18 guide rain water falling on the stack to run off the end of the cover of each column.

00 In this way virtually all water is shed from each 0 o column over the ends of the covers with little water finding its way between the adjoining ridges formed by seams 16 and 18, thus providing significant protection from water penetration from above.

Second Preferred Embodiment In a second preferred embodiment with reference to Figures 4 to 8, a cover 100 for a bale of hay 112 comprises a sheet of semi rigid material 114 of length and breadth substantially coextensive with the upper surface of a standard machine-formed bale of hay 112. Sheet 114 is preferably formed of recycled polyethylene or polypropylene. Edges along the longer edges of sheet 114 are provided with angled upturned strips 116 and 118, which form structures extending along the longer edges of a bale of hay, arranged so that the upper edges 120 and 122 of the strips lie approximately ifl the vertical planes defined by the sides 124 of the bale of hay 112. Again preferably, the COMS ID No: ARcs-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2%08 15:08 WALL1NGT0N-DUMMFR No. 5623 P. 16 o0 edges 120 and 122 of strips 116 and 116 lie some 50 to Cl 100mm above the surface of sheet 114.

;Z Preferably, the outer ends 128 and 130 of the semi rigid sheet of material 114 overlap the ends of the bale of hay 112 sufficient to provide for attachment points 134 of 0 securing straps 136. Each outer end 128 and 130 is provided with at least one, preferably two securing straps as shown Ci in Figures 6 and 8- The ends 137 of straps 136 are secured 00 oto the projecting outer ends of sheet 114 through io reinforced eyelets or metal washers, allowing each strap to be pulled into a shape and secured to the end of the bale by a peg 140. Preferably in this embodiment, the straps are formed of polypropylene or other polymer rope or galvanized wire rope, and secured to the bale with tent pegs 250 to 350mm long.

it will be understood that the edge strips 116 and 118 porovide sufficient rigidity to the edges of the sheet 114 to not require further attachment of the cover to the sides of the bale of hay. As for the first preferred embodiment above, the strips 116 and 118 act in the same way as the elongate tucks or seams 16 and 18 of that embodiment, to ensure that water falling onto the cover 100 will flow off the outer ends 128 and 130 only.

As shown in Figure 8, a stack of bales of hay 144 arranged in a single file of columns with bales 112 oriented side by side will have the covers 100 of the COMS ID No: ARcs-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:08 WALLINGTON-DUMER No. 5623 P. 17 14 00 o uppermost bale in each stack with the edges 120/122 of C1 adjacent strips 116 and 118 substantially in contact with Sone another. Thus little rainwater will find its way in between the columns of bales, flowing instead off the outer ci ends of each cover 100.

As for the first embodiment above, uppermost bales can be prepared with a cover with the bale at ground level and C the bale then lifted into place at the completion of 00 Sbuilding up each column of bales. The form of the covers of this preferred embodiment, comprising a flat semi rigid sheet with angled side strips, allows for convenient stacking and palletising of the covers when not in use or for transport as shown in Figure 7. The material of the covers, preferably durable recycled plastic, UV-stabilised, allows the covers to be re-used over a number of seasons.

Typically, tractors fitted with forklift equipment are used in the building of a stack and with the pre-prepared uppermost bale fitted with its cover, the protection of the stack is automatically secured as each uppermost bale is lifted into position.

In addition to providing covering for large stacks of stored bales, covers may be used in the field following on from the baler if rain threatens and time does not permit transporting the bales off paddock. Two or three bales may stacked and covered with a bale fitted with a cover.

COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:09 WalINGTON-MMERE No. 5623 P. IS 15 0 Third Preferred Embodiment 0 C'l In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, Sthe bale cover of the invention may take the form of either of the above described embodiments, but in this instance ci the manner by which the cover 200 is secured to a bale 212 Sis by means of clamping devices 210, an example of which is shown in Figure 9.

C< Clamping device 210 is in the form of a scissors-like 00 o securing assembly, comprising first scissor arm 220 and io second scissor arm 222 linked together by pivot pin 224.

First scissor arm 220 is provided with a curved hook structure 226 at its first end 228 adapted to hook around a vertical line of baling twine 230 with which the bale is held together. First scissor arm 220 is further provided with a projection 234 through an aperture 238 of which, passes a securing strap 236 of the bale cover 200.

Second scissor arm 222 has a projecting front portion 232 which drives against the hooked baling twine 230 when second scissor arm 222 is rotated towards the first scissor arm 220 as indicated by the arrow in Figure 9. The action of rotation of second scissor arm 222 towards first scissor arm 220 acts to lock the securing assembly to the baling twine 230.

In Use To secure a bale cover 200 to the hay bale, a clamping device 210 is hooked around the nearest suitable strand COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:09 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5623 P. 19 16 o0 bale securing twine 230 and pulled down until the cover 0 CN securing strap 236 is drawn taut. The scissor arms 220 and ;222 are then squeezed together to secure the device 210 to tlf the baling twine 230, retaining the tension of the securing

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strap 236.

o The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those 00 C<N skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing 0 o from the scope of the present invention.

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COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25

Claims (13)

1. A bale cover system for protection of bales of hay; l) said system including a cover secured to an upper surface of an uppermost bale of hay of each column of O bales of hay in a stack bales of hay; said cover provided with raised structures generally coextensive C with longer side edges of said upper surface; said 00 Sraised structures arranged for water to flow from opposite outer ends of said cover.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said raised structures are formed by a centrally located pair of spaced apart parallel seams or elongate tucks; said seams or tucks extending a proportion of the length of said sheet; said proportion substantially equal to the longer edges of a rectangular upper surface of a bale of hay; said seams spaced apart substantially the width of said rectangular upper surface.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said sheet includes opposing side portions; respective said side portions extending outwardly from each said seam or tuck; said side portions sufficient so as to extend at least part way down each longer side of said bale of hay when said cover is fitted to a said bale of hay. COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:09 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5623 P. 21 18 oO 4. The system of claim 2 or 3 wherein said sheet iricludes C<A opposing end portions; respective said end portions Sextending from said ends of said pair of parallel Sseams; said end portions sufficient to extend at least ci part way down each opposite end of said bale of hay Swhen said cover is fitted to a said bale of hay. o

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said sheet is provided 00 with at least one securing strap at each said opposing 0 end portion of said cover; each said securing strap forming a shape when secured at each end of a said bale of hay.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein each said strap at each end of said bale of hay is stretched downwardly; a securing peg driven into each end of said bale to secure the base of said to said end; said securing peg provided with a suitable end for hooking over a said strap.

7. The system of any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein edges of said side opposing side portions are provided with apertures; said edges secured to said sides of a said bale of hay by pegs driven through said apertures into said sides of said bale.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein said cover comprises a semi rigid sheet of material substantially coextensive COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:09 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5623 P. 22 19 00 with said upper surface of a bale of hay; said sheet ciq of material provided with angled upturned strips along Slonger edges of said sheet of material. n 9. The system of claim 8 wherein outer ends of said sheet of material overlap end of said bale of hay sufficient to provide for attachment points for at least one o securing strap at each of said outer ends. 00 o 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said cover is secured to a said bale of hay by pulling each said strap into a shape and securing said strap by means of a peg driven into an end of said bale of hay.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein each said strap is secured to a strand of baling twine of said bale of hay; said strap secured to said baling twine by a scissor-like device clamped to said strand of baling twine.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said scissor-like securing device includes a first scissor arm provided with a hook structure for hooking around said strand of baling twine; said device including a second scissor arm provided with a projecting front portion for clamping said baling twine into said hook structure; said securing strap passing through an aperture in a portion of said first scissor arm; the COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:09 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5623 P. 23 20 0S0 arrangement being such as to clamp said device to said (C baling twine; the arrangement being such as to secure Sthe securing device to said baling twine when said l^ first and second scissor arms are squeezed together.

13. The system of any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein said sheet is of a recycled polyethylene. 0- 14. The system of any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein said 00 O sheet is of recycled polypropylene. A method of providing a cover for a column of bales of hay; said method including the step of placing a cover formed of a sheet of impervious material over a bale of hay while said bale is at ground level; said bale when provided with said cover placed on top of a column of bales of hay.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said sheet is provided with a centrally located pair of parallel spaced apart elongate tucks or seams; side portions extending outwardly from each of said pair of seams; end portions extending outwardly from each of opposite ends of said pair of seams; said side portions and said end portions arranged to extend downwardly to cover at least partially sides and ends of a said bale of hay; said sheet provided with at least one securing strap at each of said end portions of said sheet for COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:10 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No, 5623 P. 24 21 S. securing said sheet to opposing ends of a said bale of C< hay.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said method includes In the further steps of: o 5 placing said cover over an upper surface of a said bale of hay such that said pair of parallel seams C- are substantially coincident with the longer edged of 00 o said upper surface, ci folding down each of said end portions to cover respective said at least a portion of each end of said bale of hay, stretching a strap attached at each respective pair of ends of said pair of parallel seams into a "V" shape, securing each said strap by driving a peg into each said end of said bale of hay; said peg provided with an end for engaging with said strap, folding down said side portions to cover said at least a portion of each side of said bale of hay, securing lower edges of said side portions to each said side of said bale of hay by pegs driven into each said side, COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 2008 15:10 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5623 P.

22- 00 and wherein said parallel seams form ridges along sides C(N of said upper surface; said ridges guiding water to run ;off said cover over said end portions. 18. The method of claim 15 wherein said sheet' is of a semi rigid material provided along longer edges of said Ssheet with angled upturned strips; said sheet of o material substantially coextensive with an upper (N 00 surface of a said bale of hay. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein said cover is secured to a said bale of hay by lengths of rope; ends of said lengths of rope attached to edges at outer ends of said sheet of material; said rope pulled into a shape and secured to ends of a said bale of hay. A method of protecting a stack of bales of hay from water penetration; said method including the steps of; providing an uppermost bale for each column of said bales of hay in said stack with an impervious cover; said cover secured to said bale while said bale is at ground level; lifting said bale with said cover secured to the top of a said column of bales of hay; arranging said stack in a single line of columns with adjacent columns having edges of COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25 Aug. 200S 15:10 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 5623 P. 26 23 O 0 raised structures along longer sides of said 0 Ci covers abutting, Sthe arrangement being such that substantially all water l falling on said stack is shed over outer opposing ends ci of each said cover. 00 ci 00 COMS ID No: ARCS-203436 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:14 Date 2008-08-25