Bale enveloping material containing a preservative

Abstract

A material in the form of a sheet for enveloping a bale of agricultural material is coated with or contains a preservative in order to prevent spoilage of wrapped bales of agricultural material by aerobic organisms.

1 . A wrapping material for enveloping a bale of agricultural material, comprising: a sheet carrying a preservative.  
     
     
         2 . The wrapping material, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said preservative is contained in a coating applied to said sheet.  
     
     
         3 . The wrapping material, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said enveloping material has pores; and said preservative being enclosed in said pores of said enveloping material.  
     
     
         4 . The wrapping material, as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said coating defines a surface which is brought into contact with the bale.  
     
     
         5 . The wrapping material, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said sheet includes an outer layer, as considered when wrapped on the bale, that is not permeable to the preservative and prevents the preservative from diffusing to the outside.  
     
     
         6 . In a bale of agricultural material enveloped with a sheet of wrapping material, the improvement comprising: said sheet carrying a preservative.  
     
     
         7 . The bale, as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said bale of agricultural material is a bale containing one of silage or hay.  
     
     
         8 . A method of preserving agricultural material, comprising: forming a bale of said agricultural material; and enveloping said material in wrapping material to which a preservative has been applied.  
     
     
         9 . In a machine for enveloping bales with a sheet of wrapping material, comprising: a wrapping material supply source; a wrapping material feed path extending between said supply source and a bale to be wrapped; a length of wrapping material extending from said source along said path; and a preservative applicator being mounted along said path for applying preservative to one side of said length of wrapping material.