Adhesive Bale Wrap Activation for Secure Overlap Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bale wrapping systems face challenges in efficiently securing and maintaining the shape of agricultural products, such as cotton bales, using conventional wrapping materials like plastic netting or string, which lack effective bonding mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A bale wrapping system with a bale wrap that includes a wrapping layer and an embedded adhesive layer, activated by mechanisms such as brushes, heat, or fluid application to bond the wrapping layers, ensuring secure wrapping and shape retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wrapping materials like plastic netting or string are used, then the wrapping process is simple, but the bonding effectiveness and shape retention are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding effectivenessVSAvoidwrapping system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapping material is segmented into distinct functional layers: a wrapping layer for structural coverage and an adhesive layer for bonding. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, with the adhesive layer providing reliable bonding without complicating the overall wrapping mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite wrapping material combining a wrapping layer (plastic netting or string) with an adhesive layer. This composite structure integrates the mechanical strength of the wrapping material with the bonding capability of the adhesive, achieving reliable bonding effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple wrapping system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If adhesive layer is embedded in wrapping layer, then bonding capability is enhanced, but the activation mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape retentionVSAvoidadhesive activation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer is designed to be self-activating through exposure to environmental conditions (moisture, heat) or simple mechanical action (brush contact). This self-service approach enables the adhesive to activate and bond the wrapping layers without requiring complex activation mechanisms, thereby maintaining shape retention while minimizing mechanism complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary activation mechanism (such as a brush or fluid application system) is used to trigger adhesive activation. This intermediary provides a simple, controlled method to initiate bonding without requiring complex machinery, allowing the adhesive layer to enhance shape retention while the activation mechanism remains relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If adhesive is activated at precise points, then wrapping security is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrapping securityVSAvoidactivation control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer is pre-positioned at specific locations on the wrapping material where bonding is required. This preliminary placement ensures that when the wrapping is applied, the adhesive is already in the correct position to provide secure bonding at precise points, eliminating the need for complex real-time control systems to determine where activation should occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive layer is applied with local quality variations - present only at specific segments or zones of the wrapping material where bonding is needed. This localized adhesive placement provides wrapping security at critical overlap points while keeping the activation control system simple, as only these specific local areas require activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively secures and maintains the shape of agricultural bales by activating the adhesive layer at precise points, enhancing the wrapping process and ensuring the bale's integrity without contacting the agricultural product.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive layer embedded in the wrapping layer. The adhesive layer is configured to be activated to bond and secure the first portion with the second portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a protective coating disposed on the adhesive layer that is configured to prevent activation of the adhesive layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier protection: Coatings

Implementation Method 3

a brush configured to contact the protective coating and to rotate to remove the protective coating from the adhesive layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical abrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 4

a fluid application system configured to apply a fluid onto the protective coating to dissolve the protective coating and to remove the protective coating from the adhesive layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical dissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 5

a heat source configured to apply heat to the protective coating to melt the protective coating, thereby removing the protective coating from the adhesive layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal melting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3998846B1Bale wrapping system
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 CNH IND BELGIUM NV
  • EP3998846B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3998846B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3998846B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bale wrap includes a wrapping layer configured to wrap around a bale of agricultural product, such that a first portion of the wrapping layer overlaps a second portion of the wrapping layer. Additionally, the bale wrap includes an adhesive layer embedded on or in the wrapping layer and configured to be activated by an adhesive activation mechanism. Activation of the adhesive layer enables the adhesive layer to bond the first portion of the wrapping layer to the second portion of the wrapping layer.