Air plug for use in the plastic wrapping of bales of hay to produce and store silage

Abstract

An air plug for use in association with the plastic wrapping of bales of hay to produce and store silage. The plastic wrapped bales form continuous tubes and have a cross section of at least two substantially rectangular bales stacked in vertical alignment. The air plug is a substantially triangular shaped wedge having two matching concave sides and a third convex side for insertion at the perimeter intersection of two adjacent bales, where the concave sides of the wedge engage the hay and the convex side engages the plastic. The plastic wrapping holds the plug in engagement with the hay, preventing the passage of air downstream along the length of the tube upon opening of one end of the tube.

1 . An air plug for use in the plastic wrapping of a tube of hay consisting in cross section of at least two vertically stacked bales of hay, said wrapped tube having a length and an open end, said plug comprising a substantially triangular shaped wedge having a thickness, two matching concave sides and a third convex side, for insertion at the perimeter intersection of two adjacent bales, wherein the concave sides of said wedge are to engage said adjacent bales and wherein said convex side is to be engaged by said plastic.  
     
     
         2 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said bales of hay are substantially square-like in cross-section.  
     
     
         3 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said thickness of said wedge is uniform.  
     
     
         4 . The invention as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said wedge is made from a plastic material.  
     
     
         5 . The invention as claimed in claim I or  4 , wherein said plastic wrapping is continuous along said length of said tube and wherein each said wedge is positioned at discrete intervals along said length of said tube to prevent the downstream passage of air along said length of said tube from an open end thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A method for preserving hay by means of using the air plug of  claim 5 , wherein a plurality of said air plugs are positioned at discrete intervals along the length of said tube of hay and wherein said tube and said wedges are continuously wrapped in a plastic material for preserving said hay.