Bale wrapping system
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.
1 . A bale wrap, comprising:
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;
an adhesive layer embedded on or in the wrapping layer, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to be activated by an adhesive activation mechanism, and 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; and
a protective coating disposed on the adhesive layer, wherein the protective coating prevents the adhesive layer from bonding sections of the wrapping layer to one another, the protective coating is configured to block activation of the adhesive layer, and the protective coating is configured to be removed by one of a brush configured to contact the protective coating, a fluid applied onto the protective coating, or heat sufficient to melt the protective coating, to activate or enable activation of the adhesive layer.
2 . The bale wrap of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises strips extending along a width of the bale wrap.
3 . The bale wrap of claim 2 , wherein a distance between opposing strips of the adhesive layer is between one meter and two meters.
4 . The bale wrap of claim 1 , wherein the wrapping layer comprises cotton and is formed as a canvas, fabric, cloth, or a combination thereof.
5 . The bale wrap of claim 1 , wherein a length of the wrapping layer is between eight meters and nine meters.
6 . The bale wrap of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the wrapping layer is coupled to the adhesive layer, and the second portion of the wrapping layer comprises an exterior surface of the wrapping layer configured to contact the adhesive layer when the bale wrap is wrapped around the bale.
7 . The bale wrap of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer is configured to be activated by application of the fluid or another fluid onto the adhesive layer.
8 . The bale wrap of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer is configured to be activated by application of heat to the adhesive layer.
9 . A bale wrapping system, comprising:
a belt configured to rotate to form and drive rotation of a bale of agricultural product, wherein the bale is configured to be wrapped with a wrapping layer of a bale wrap while rotating on the belt, such that a first portion of the wrapping layer overlaps a second portion of the wrapping layer while disposed on the belt; and
an adhesive activation mechanism configured to remove a protective coating disposed on an adhesive layer of the bale wrap and to activate the adhesive layer of the bale wrap, wherein the protective coating prevents the adhesive layer from bonding sections of the wrapping layer to one another, the protective coating is configured to block activation of the adhesive layer, removal of the protective coating activates or enables activation of the adhesive layer, 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, and the adhesive activation mechanism comprises:
a brush configured to contact and remove the protective coating;
a pump and a nozzle fluidly coupled to the pump, wherein the pump is configured to pump fluid through the nozzle and onto the protective coating to remove the protective coating; or
a heat source configured to apply heat to and melt the protective coating to remove the protective coating.
10 . The bale wrapping system of claim 9 , comprising a cutting mechanism configured to cut the bale wrap to a length enabling the first portion of the wrapping layer to overlap with the second portion of the wrapping layer when wrapped around the bale.
11 . The bale wrapping system of claim 9 , wherein the adhesive activation mechanism comprises the heat source, and the heat source is configured to apply heat directly to and melt the adhesive layer to activate the adhesive layer.
12 . The bale wrapping system of claim 9 , wherein the adhesive activation mechanism comprises the pump and the nozzle, and the pump is configured to pump the fluid through the nozzle and onto the adhesive layer to activate the adhesive layer.
13 . A bale wrapping system, comprising:
a bale wrap, comprising:
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;
an adhesive layer embedded on or in the wrapping layer; and
a protective coating disposed on the adhesive layer, wherein the protective coating prevents the adhesive layer from bonding sections of the wrapping layer to one another, and the protective coating is configured to block activation of the adhesive layer; and
an adhesive activation mechanism configured to remove the protective coating from the adhesive layer and to activate the adhesive layer, wherein 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, and the adhesive activation mechanism comprises:
a brush configured to contact and remove the protective coating;
a pump and a nozzle fluidly coupled to the pump, wherein the pump is configured to pump fluid through the nozzle and onto the protective coating to remove the protective coating; or
a heat source configured to apply heat to and melt the protective coating to remove the protective coating.
14 . The bale wrapping system of claim 13 , wherein the wrapping layer comprises cotton and is formed as a canvas, fabric, cloth, or a combination thereof.
15 . The bale wrapping system of claim 13 , wherein the adhesive layer is configured to be activated by application of the fluid or another fluid to the adhesive layer.
16 . The bale wrapping system of claim 13 , wherein the adhesive layer is configured to be activated by application of heat to the adhesive layer.