AU2008207490B2

AU2008207490B2 - Bale Cover System

Info

Publication number: AU2008207490B2
Application number: AU2008207490A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lynda Ann Snowden; Phillip David Snowden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-03
Filing date: 2008-08-25
Publication date: 2013-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-25
Also published as: AU2008207490A1

Abstract

-22 A bale cover system for protection of bales of hay; said system including a cover sheet secured to an upper surface of an uppermost bale of hay of each column of bales of hay in a stack of bales of hay; said cover sheet provided with raised structures generally coextensive with longer side edges of said upper surface; said raised structures arranged for water to flow from opposing outer ends of said cover sheet; said raised structures comprising outer edges of said cover sheet folded into angled upturned strips. -?4) f/j26

Description

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 BALE COVER SYSTEM The present invention relates to baling and storage of hay and, more particularly, to the protection from weather of a column of hay bales. 5 BACKGROUND Hay may need to be stored for a considerable length of time before use. Traditionally hay was stacked under permanent cover or in hay sheds, barns and the like. Modern baling and bale handling machinery have seen a departure 10 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 15 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. 20 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 25 damaging the outer rows of hay.

-2 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 sheet secured to an upper surface of an uppermost bale of hay of each column of bales of hay in a stack of bales of hay; said cover sheet provided with -3 raised structures generally coextensive with longer side edges of said upper surface; said raised structures arranged for water to flow from opposing outer ends of said cover sheet; said raised structures comprising outer edges of said cover sheet folded into angled upturned strips. Preferably, said cover sheet comprises a semi rigid sheet of material substantially coextensive with said upper surface of a said bale of hay. Preferably, said cover sheet is provided with at least one securing strap at each said opposing outer end of said cover sheet; each said securing strap forming a "'V" shape when secured at each end of a said bale of hay. Preferably, each said strap at each said opposite outer end of said cover sheet positioned on said bale of hay is stretched downwardly; a securing peg driven into each end of said bale to secure the base of said "V" to said end; said securing peg provided with a suitable end for hooking over a said strap. Preferably, said opposing outer ends of said sheet of material overlap opposing outer ends of said bale of hay; said overlap sufficient to provide for attachment points for at least one securing strap at each of said opposing outer ends.

-4 Preferably, said cover is secured to a said bale of hay by pulling each said strap into a "V" 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 said baling twine by a scissor-like device clamped to said strand of baling twine. Preferably, 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 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 cover sheet is of a recycled polyethylene. Preferably, said cover 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 column comprising at least two bales of hay stacked one on top of another; said method including the step of placing a cover sheet formed of a sheet of impervious material over a bale of hay while said bale of hay is at ground level; said bale of hay when provided with said cover placed on top of a column of bales of hay; said cover including raised structures along opposing longer edges of said cover sheet; said raised structures comprising outer edges of said cover sheet folded into angled upturned strips. Preferably, said method includes the further steps of: (a) placing said cover sheet over an upper surface of a said bale of hay such that said pair of angled upturned strips are substantially coincident with the longer edged of said upper surface, (b) stretching straps attached at each opposing outer end of said cover sheet into a "V" shape, and wherein said angled upturned strips guide water to run off said cover sheet over said opposing outer ends. Preferably, each said strap is secured to a said bale of hay by driving a peg into each respective end of said bale of hay; said peg provided with an end for engaging with said strap. Preferably, said cover sheet comprises a sheet of semi rigid material provided along longer edges of said sheet with said angled upturned strips; said sheet of semi rigid material -6 substantially coextensive with an upper surface of a said bale of hay, Preferably, said straps comprise pairs of straps secured to each said respective end of said bale of hay. Preferably, said cover sheet is secured to a said bale of hay by lengths of rope; ends of said lengths of rope attached to edges at said opposing outer ends of said sheet of material; said rope pulled into a "V" .shape and secured to ends of a said bale of hay. Preferably, said rope is wire rope. In another broad form of the invention there is provided a method of protecting a stack of bales of hay from water penetration; said stack comprising columns of bales of hay; each column formed of at least two bales of hay stacked one on top of another; said method including the steps of; (a) 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; (b) lifting said bale with said cover secured to the top of a said column of bales of hay; (c) arranging said stack in a single line of columns with adjacent columns having edges of raised -7 structures along longer sides of said covers abutting, and wherein said raised structures comprise outer edges of said covers folded into angled upturned strips; the arrangement being such that substantially all water falling on said stack is shed over outer opposing ends of each said cover.

-8 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, - 9 Figure 4 shows a plan view and end view of a cover according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 5 is a detail view of an angled strip of an 5 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, Figure 7 is an end view of a stack of the covers of 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 15 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 20 device of Figure 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiment With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a fitted cap or 25 cover 10 for protection of a machine-formed bale of hay 12, comprises a flexible impervious sheet of material 14, of - 10 generally rectangular shape. Preferably, the sheet is made of canvas or other suitable tarpaulin type material. Centrally located in sheet 14 is a pair of spaced apart parallel elongate tucks or seams 16 and 16 of a 5 length "L" 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 "W" of the upper surface of a bale of hay 12. These tucks or seams form raised structures extending along longer edges of a bale of 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 "V" shape as best seen in Figure 2. Preferably that part of each strap extending from the end of a seam to the outer - 11 edge of the end portion 28 or 30, lies under the sheet of material, with the strap passing through reinforced eyelets 34 at the edge of the sheet. Strengthening webbing 36 may be provided at the ends of seams 16 and 18 to secure the 5 straps within the ends of seams 16 and 18, and also to assist in making the seams assume a substantially vertical ridge along the sides of the bale when the cover is in use. The edges side portions 20 and 22 of sheet 14 may be provided at intervals with eyelets 38 or at least 10 strengthening webbing to aid in securing side portions 20 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 15 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. 20 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 "V" 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 25 portions 20 and 22 to secure these side portions to the sides of the bale.

- 12 When building a stack of bales of hay, bales prepared with a cover 10 are arranged as the uppermost bale in each column of bales. Preferably stacks are formed in single rows of columns with columns arranged side to side as shown 5 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. In this way virtually all water is shed from each column over the ends of the covers with little water 10 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 15 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 20 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 ifn the vertical planes defined by 25 the sides 124 of the bale of hay 112. Again preferably, the - 13 edges 120 and 122 of strips 116 and 118 lie some 50 to 100mm above the surface of sheet 114. Preferably, the outer ends 128 and 130 of the semi rigid sheet of material 114 overlap the ends of the bale of 5 hay 112 sufficient to provide for attachment points 134 of securing straps 136. Each outer end 128 and 130 is provided with at least one, preferably two securing straps as shown in Figures 6 and 8. The ends 137 of straps 136 are secured to the projecting outer ends of sheet 114 through 10 reinforced eyelets or metal washers, allowing each strap to be pulled into a "V" 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 15 pegs 250 to 350mm long. It will be understood that the edge strips 116 and 118 provide 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 20 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 25 arranged in a single file of columns with bales 112 oriented side by side will have the covers 100 of the - 14 uppermost bale in each stack with the edges 120/122 of adjacent strips 116 and 118 substantially in contact with one another. Thus little rainwater will find its way in between the columns of bales, flowing instead off the outer 5 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 the bale then lifted into place at the completion of building up each column of bales. The form of the covers of 10 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, 15 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 20 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 25 stacked and covered with a bale fitted with a cover.

- 15 Third Preferred Embodiment In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the bale cover of the invention may take the form of either of the above described embodiments, but in this instance 5 the manner by which the cover 200 is secured to a bale 212 is by means of clamping devices 210, an example of which is shown in Figure 9. Clamping device 210 is in the form of a scissors-like securing assembly, comprising first scissor arm 220 and 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 To secure a bale cover 200 to the hay bale, a clamping device 210 is hooked around the nearest suitable strand - 16 bale securing twine 230 and pulled down until the cover securing strap 236 is drawn taut. The scissor arms 220 and 222 are then squeezed together to secure the device 210 to the baling twine 230, retaining the tension of the securing 5 strap 236. The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious' to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bale cover system for protection of bales of hay; said system including a cover sheet secured to an upper surface of an uppermost bale of hay of each column of bales of hay in a stack of bales of hay; said cover sheet provided with raised structures generally coextensive with longer side edges of said upper' surface; said raised structures arranged for water to flow from eppee-i-te opposing outer ends of said cover sheet; said raised structures comprising outer edges of said cover sheet folded into angled upturned strips.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said cover sheet comprises a semi rigid sheet of material substantially coextensive with said upper surface of a said bale of hay.

3. The system of claim 4 1 or 2 wherein said cover sheet is provided with at least one securing strap at each said opposing outer end of said cover sheet; each said securing strap forming a "V" shape when secured at each end of a said bale of hay.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein each said strap at each said opposite outer end of said cover sheet positioned on said bale of hay is stretched downwardly; a securing peg driven into each end of said bale to secure the base of said "IV" to said end; said securing peg provided with a suitable end for hooking over a said strap,

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said opposing outer ends of said sheet of material overlap opposing outer ends of said bale of hay; said overlap sufficient to provide for attachment points for at least one securing strap at each of said opposing outer ends.

6. The system of any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein said cover is secured to a said bale of hay by pulling each said strap into a 'V" shape and securing said strap by means of a peg driven into an end of said bale of hay.

7. The system of any one of claims 3 to 5 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.

8. The system of claim 7 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 arrangement being such as to clamp said device to said baling twine; the arrangement being such as to -19 secure the securing device to said baling twine when said first and second scissor arms are squeezed together.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said cover sheet is of a recycled polyethylene.

10. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said cover sheet is of recycled polypropylene.

11. A method of providing a cover for a column of bales of hay; said column comprising at least two bales of hay. stacked one on top of another; said method including the step of placing a cover sheet formed of a sheet of impervious material over a bale of hay while said bale of hay is at ground level; said bale of hay when provided with said cover placed on top of a column of bales of hay; said cover including raised structures along opposing longer edges of said cover sheet; said raised structures comprising outer edges of said cover sheet folded into angled upturned strips. 12, The method of claim 11 wherein said method includes the further steps of: (a) placing said cover sheet over an upper surface of a said bale of hay such that said pair of parallel eao angled upturned strips are substantially coincident with the longer edged of said upper surface, -20 (b) stretching straps attached at each opposing outer end of said cover sheet into a "V" shape, and wherein said angled upturned strips guide water to run off said cover sheet over said opposing outer ends.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein each said strap is secured to a said bale of hay . by driving a peg into each respective end of said bale of hay; said peg provided with an end for engaging with said strap.

14. The method of claim 11 or 12 wherein said cover sheet 4e et comprises a sheet of semi rigid material provided along longer edges of said sheet with said angled upturned strips; said sheet of semi rigid material substantially coextensive with an upper surface of a said bale of hay. 1S. The. method of any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein said straps comprise pairs of straps secured to each said respective end of said bale of hay.

16. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein said cover sheet is secured to a said bale of hay by lengths of rope; ends of said lengths of rope attached to edges at said opposing outer ends of said sheet of material; said rope pulled into a "V" shape and secured to ends of a said bale of hay,

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said rope is wire rope. -21

18. A method of protecting a stack of bales of hay from water penetration; said stack comprising columns of bales of hay; each column formed of . at least two bales of hay stacked one on top of another; said method including the steps of; (a) 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; (b) lifting said bale with said cover secured to the top of a said column of bales of hay; (c) arranging said stack in a single line of columns with adjacent columns having edges of raised structures along longer sides of said covers abutting, and wherein said raised structures comprise outer edges of said covers folded into angled upturned strips; the arrangement being such that substantially all water falling on said stack is shed over outer opposing ends of each said cover,