Semi-Permeable Bale Wrap with Bottom Impermeable Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for protecting bales from outdoor environmental exposure, such as wrapping with twine or plastic, fail to reliably prevent crop loss due to moisture-related spoilage and condensation in dry hay baling, leading to significant dry matter losses.
Innovation Solution
A semi-permeable wrapping material, such as thin plastic films or woven fibers, is used to cover bales, allowing water vapor to escape while shedding liquid water, with an additional impermeable layer at the bottom to prevent ground moisture ingress, and a visual marker to ensure correct storage positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If complete envelopment of the bale in plastic film is used, then protection from rainfall is improved, but internal moisture condenses on the plastic causing exterior portions to remain damp and spoil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses breathable wrapping materials that are permeable to water vapor, allowing internal moisture to escape through the wrapping rather than condensing on the plastic surface. This porosity enables moisture transmission while maintaining protective coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite wrapping structures combining different materials with complementary properties - an outer layer for water shedding and an inner breathable layer for moisture vapor transmission. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between water protection and moisture escape.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If semi-permeable wrapping material is used to allow water vapor escape, then moisture-related spoilage is reduced, but additional wrapping layers are needed at the bottom to prevent ground moisture ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different wrapping characteristics to different portions of the bale - the majority of the bale surface uses semi-permeable material for vapor transmission, while the bottom portion in contact with ground uses an additional impermeable layer specifically for ground moisture protection. This localized differentiation addresses the specific needs of each region.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapping system is segmented into functional zones: an upper/侧 surface wrapping zone for vapor permeability and a bottom ground-contact zone for moisture impermeability. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If visual marker is added to indicate correct storage positioning, then prevention of ground moisture contact is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual markers such as colored bands, dyes, or contrasting color sections on the wrapping material to indicate the correct bottom position of the bale. These color changes provide clear visual cues for proper orientation without requiring complex mechanical or electronic systems.
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 solution effectively reduces crop loss by preventing moisture-related spoilage and ensuring proper storage orientation, maintaining bale integrity and reducing dry matter losses.
Implementation Method 1
application of at least one wrap of semi-permeable material should protect the exterior of the bale of crop from water penetration while allowing the water vapor leaving the crop to escape freely
Implementation Method 2
absorption of rainfall and/or wicking of soil moisture creates most losses due to spoilage, mold, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a large round bale wrapped with a protective covering for permitting it to be stored outside. The covering is constructed of one or more layers of semi-permeable material. It is possible for an additional layer to be added to a region of the baler to be placed on the ground during storage, this additional layer resulting in the covering becoming essentially non-permeable in the region of the additional layer. A baler for applying the covering to a bale is disclosed together with a device for placing a visual marker on the bale so as to aid a person handling a discharged bale in knowing where the region covered with the additional layer of material is located so that this region may be manipulated into ground contact for storage.