SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURING A TAIL ON A BALE WRAP

A system for securing a tail of a bale wrap includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to control a bale rotation system to drive a wrapped agricultural bale to rotate within a bale carrier of a baler, to control a monitoring system to monitor for an identifier located on the tail of the bale wrap disposed on the wrapped agricultural bale to locate the tail, and to control a labeling system to attach a plurality of labels along the tail of the bale wrap to secure the tail of the bale wrap upon locating the tail of the bale wrap.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for securing the tail on an agricultural bale.

Agricultural balers are used to compress an agricultural product (e.g., cotton) into a package to facilitate storage, transport, and handling of the agricultural product. For example, a round baler may compress the agricultural product into a round bale within a baling chamber, such that the round bale has a desired size and density. After forming the bale, the bale may be wrapped with a bale wrap to secure the agricultural product within the bale and to generally maintain the shape of the bale. The bale wrap may be formed from a natural material(s), such as cotton and/or hemp, a polymeric material (e.g., plastic), such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), other suitable material(s), or a combination thereof. It is important to make the tail of the bale wrap secure to ensure protection of the agricultural product within the bale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In certain embodiments, a system for securing a tail of a bale wrap includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to control a bale rotation system to drive a wrapped agricultural bale to rotate within a bale carrier of a baler, to control a monitoring system to monitor for an identifier located on the tail of the bale wrap disposed on the wrapped agricultural bale to locate the tail, and to control a labeling system to attach a plurality of labels along the tail of the bale wrap to secure the tail of the bale wrap upon locating the tail of the bale wrap.

In certain embodiments, a method for securing a tail of a bale wrap includes controlling, via a controller including a memory and a processor, a bale rotation system to drive a wrapped agricultural bale to rotate within a bale carrier of a baler. The method also includes controlling, via the controller, a monitoring system to monitor for an identifier located on the tail of the bale wrap disposed on the wrapped agricultural bale to locate the tail. The method further includes controlling, via the controller, a labeling system to attach a plurality of labels along the tail of the bale wrap to secure the tail of the bale wrap upon locating the tail of the bale wrap.

In certain embodiments, a baler includes a bale rotation system configured to drive a wrapped agricultural bale to rotate within a bale carrier of the baler. The baler also includes a monitoring system configured to monitor for an identifier located on a tail of a bale wrap disposed on the wrapped agricultural bale to locate the tail. The baler further includes a labeling system configured to attach a plurality of labels along the tail of the bale wrap to secure the tail of the bale wrap upon locating the tail of the bale wrap. The baler even further includes a controller including a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the bale rotation system, the monitoring system, and the labeling system. The controller is configured to control the bale rotation system to drive the wrapped agricultural bale to rotate within the bale carrier, to control the monitoring system to monitor for the identifier located on the tail of the bale wrap disposed on the wrapped agricultural bale to locate the tail, and to control the labeling system to attach the plurality of labels along the tail of the bale wrap to secure the tail of the bale wrap upon locating the tail of the bale wrap. The plurality of labels is configured both to secure the tail of the bale wrap for at least six months and to secure the tail of the bale wrap in the presence of up to at least 150 miles per hour wind

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an agricultural system10(e.g., harvester) having an identification printing system. The agricultural system10is configured to harvest agricultural product12(e.g., cotton) from a field14and to form the agricultural product12into bales (e.g., agricultural bales). For example, the agricultural system10includes a header16having drums configured to harvest the agricultural product12from the field14. Additionally, the agricultural system10includes an air-assisted system18configured to move the agricultural product12from the drums of the header16to a baler20. The baler20is supported by and/or mounted within or on a chassis of the agricultural system10. The baler20may form the agricultural product12into round bales. However, in other embodiments, the baler20of the agricultural system10may form the agricultural product12into square bales, polygonal bales, or bales of other suitable shape(s).

After forming the agricultural product12into a bale22, a bale wrapping system24of the agricultural system10wraps the bale with a bale wrap26to secure the agricultural product12within the bale22and to generally maintain a shape of the bale22. In the illustrated embodiment, as the agricultural product12(e.g., cotton) is harvested, the agricultural product12flows into an accumulator28(e.g., bale chamber) and/or a feeding system. For example, cotton may be blown by the air-assisted system into the accumulator/bale chamber28. The cotton is then fed into a cavity30of the baler20. The baler20includes multiple rollers that support and/or drive rotation of one or more belts. One or more rollers are driven to rotate via a belt drive system (e.g., including electric motor(s), hydraulic motor(s), pneumatic motor(s), etc.). The belt(s) circulate around a path, and movement of the belt(s) captures the agricultural product12from the accumulator/housing28and draws the agricultural product12into the cavity30, where the agricultural product12is gradually built up to form the bale22.

The bale wrap26may be fed into contact with the bale22with one or more feed rollers and over a wrap guide or wrap applicator (e.g., duckbill). The wrap guide/wrap applicator is configured to move (e.g., rotate) to direct the bale wrap26into contact with the bale22. The bale wrap26may be captured between the bale22and the belt(s). Accordingly, rotation of the bale22draws the bale wrap26around the bale22, thereby wrapping the bale22.

To secure the bale wrap26around the bale22, the bale wrapping system24may include an adhesive system. The adhesive system may include one or more sprayers that spray an adhesive onto the bale wrap26(e.g., one side of the bale wrap26) that makes the one side of the bale wrap26tacky or sticky. Additionally or alternatively, the sprayer(s) may spray an activator (e.g., water) onto the bale wrap26to activate an adhesive (e.g., water-soluble film, powder embedded within the bale wrap, etc.). Accordingly, the adhesive system may create an adhesive layer that is tacky or sticky on the bale wrap26, thereby coupling the bale wrap26to itself, which secures the bale wrap26around the bale22. For example, a first portion of the bale wrap26(e.g., interior surface relative to a central portion of the bale22) may couple (e.g., adhere) to a second portion (e.g., a backside and/or an exterior surface relative to a central portion of the bale22) of the bale wrap26with the adhesive provided by and/or activated by the adhesive system as the first portion overlaps the second portion. The bale wrap26may then be cut with a cutter or cutting system to separate additional bale wrap26(e.g., on a roll of bale wrap) from the bale wrap26surrounding the bale22.

The cutting system may cut the bale wrap26to a suitable length for wrapping the bale22. For example, the length of the bale wrap26may be selected based on a size of the bale22and a desired number of wraps of the bale wrap26(e.g., the number of times the bale wrap26wraps around a circumferential side of the bale22). The cutting system may include a cutting mechanism, an actuation assembly coupled to the cutting mechanism, and a track. The cutting mechanism may include a knife that engages the bale wrap26to cut the bale wrap26. In other embodiments, the cutting mechanism may include other suitable mechanism(s) configured to cut the bale wrap26(e.g., a rotary knife, a duckbill knife, a saw, a shear bar, etc.). In some embodiments, the actuation assembly is configured to move the cutting mechanism along a track to selectively drive the cutting mechanism into engagement with the bale wrap26. In certain embodiments, the bale wrap26may have partially pre-cut sections (e.g., perforated sections) to facilitate cutting the bale wrap26by the cutting system. In certain embodiments, the bale wrap26is a continuous roll.

The bale wrap26is configured to wrap around the bale22to secure the agricultural product12within the bale22and to generally maintain a shape of the bale22, such as the round shape in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the shape of the bale may be rectangular, polygonal, or another suitable shape. The bale wrapping system24may wrap the bale22with the bale wrap26once or multiple times. For example, the bale wrap26may form one wrap (e.g., layer), one wrap and a portion of another wrap, two wraps, or five wraps around the bale22.

The bale wrap26(whether a continuous roll or having perforated sections) includes a plurality of identifiers with each identifier located at a respective tail (e.g., last portion or end) of the portion of the bale wrap26to be disposed about a respective bale22. In certain embodiments, as depicted inFIG.2(which is a portion of a roll of the bale wrap26if unrolled), an identifier32may be a portion of the bale wrap26colored differently from the rest of the portion of the bale wrap26to be disposed about the respective bale22. As depicted inFIG.2, each identifier26extends across a width34of the bale wrap26(e.g. across a first shoulder36, a central portion38, and a second shoulder40of the bale wrap26). The shoulders36,40of the bale wrap26are configured to be disposed about respective longitudinal ends of the bale22while the central portion is disposed about a lateral surface of the bale22extending between the longitudinal ends. In certain embodiments, the identifier26may extend only across the central portion38of the bale wrap26.

In certain embodiments, as depicted inFIG.3(which is a portion of a roll of the bale wrap26if unrolled), the identifier32may be a tag42(e.g., identification tag such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to be read by an RFID reader) located at a tail of the portion of the bale wrap26to be disposed about the respective bale22. As depicted inFIG.3, each tag42is located within the central portion38of the bale wrap26.

Returning toFIG.1, the adhesive system may spray various circumferential lengths of adhesive/activator along the bale wrap26. For example, the adhesive system may spray along a circumferential portion of the bale wrap26that extends less than 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, or 100 percent of the circumferential extent of the bale22. The sprayed portion of the bale wrap26may also cover more than one wrap of the bale wrap26. In some embodiments, the portion of the bale wrap26sprayed with the adhesive/activator may be a selected length (e.g., 1 cm, 15 cm, 30 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm, 120 cm, 150 cm, or more). Furthermore, the adhesive system may spray various widths of adhesive/activator across the bale wrap26. For example, the adhesive system may spray across 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, or 100 percent of the width of the bale wrap26(e.g., continuously or in sections).

After the bale22is wrapped with the bale wrap26, the wrapped bale44(e.g., wrapped agricultural bale) is transferred to a bale carrier46. As depicted inFIG.1, the bale carrier46is located outside the agricultural system10on a rear portion48of the agricultural system10. In certain embodiments, the bale carrier46may be located within the agricultural system10. For example, the baler20may include a bale transport system configured to move the wrapped bale44from the cavity30to the bale carrier46. The wrapped bale44may be stored in the bale carrier46until the agricultural system10reaches a desired location for ejecting the wrapped bale44onto the field14. An ejection system may then eject the wrapped bale44from the bale carrier46onto the field14.

The baler20includes a monitoring system50communicatively coupled to a controller having a memory and a processor. As depicted inFIG.1, the monitoring system50is located outside the agricultural system10on the rear portion48of the agricultural system10. In certain embodiments, the monitoring system50may be located within the agricultural system10. The monitoring system50(in conjunction with the controller) is configured to monitor for the identifier32located on the tail51of the wrapped bale44as the wrapped bale44is being driven to rotate within the bale carrier46(e.g., by a bale rotation system52that is part of the bale carrier46). In certain embodiments, the monitoring system50may include a camera or sensor to look for and/or identify the identifier32(e.g., when the identifier32is a portion of the bale wrap26that is a different color from the rest of the bale wrap26as described inFIG.2). In certain embodiments, the monitoring system50may include an RFID reader to read or identify the identifier (e.g., when the identifier32is an RFID tag as described inFIG.3).

The baler20further includes the bale rotation system52communicatively coupled to the controller. The bale rotation system52includes a plurality of rollers60that are driven to rotate the wrapped bale44(as indicated by arrow56) within the bale carrier46. The controller controls the rotation of the wrapped bale44within the bale carrier46. In particular, the controller controls rotation of the wrapped bale44until the tail51of the wrapped bale44is identified (via the monitoring system50finding the identifier32) and then causes rotation of the wrapped bale44ceases with the tail51located at a location where a labeling system58applies labels to the tail51of the bale wrap26.

The baler20even further includes the labeling system58communicatively coupled to the controller. As depicted inFIG.1, the labeling system58is located outside the agricultural system10on the rear portion48of the agricultural system10. In certain embodiments, the labeling system58may be located within the agricultural system10. The controller is configured to control the labeling system58to attach a plurality of labels along the tail51of bale wrap26upon locating the tail51of the bale wrap26. The labeling system58may include a band that is actuated (via one or more actuators) via a control signal to apply the plurality of labels at the same time on the tail51of the bale wrap26of the wrapped bale44.

Each label of the plurality of labels is configured to secure the tail51of the bale wrap26of the wrapped bale44in conjunction with the tacky surface on the interior of the bale wrap. In particular, the plurality of labels is configured to secure the tail51of the bale wrap26for at least six months. In addition, the plurality of labels is configured to secure the tail51of the bale wrap26in the presence of up to at least 150 miles per hour wind (i.e., hurricane force wind). Further, each label of the plurality of labels is configured to be water resistant (as well as weather and ultraviolet resistant) for at least six months. The number of labels attached to the tail51may vary. In certain embodiments, at least five labels may be attached to the tail51to ensure securing of the tail51. In certain embodiments, at least three labels may be attached on a central portion (e.g., central portion38inFIGS.2and3) of the bale wrap26along the tail51. In certain a label may be placed on one or both longitudinal ends of wrapped bale44(e.g., on one or both shoulders36,40of the bale wrap26inFIGS.2and3).

In certain embodiments, each label of the plurality of labels may be made of a masking tape with low density polyethylene (LDPE) backing (although the construction of the plurality labels may be different). Information may be printed on the labels. For example, the information may include identification information for the wrapped bale44. The identification information may facilitate identification and tracking of the wrapped bale44. For example, in certain embodiments, the identification information may include a machine-readable code, such as a bar code or a quick response (QR) code. Accordingly, the identification information may enable an automated system to identify the wrapped bale44while the wrapped bale44is in the field14and while the wrapped bale44is being transported, thereby facilitating tracking of the wrapped bale44. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the identification information may include text (e.g., alone or in combination with the machine-readable code) that includes an identification code (e.g., unique to each wrapped bale44), field location information (e.g., determined by the controller via feedback from a spatial locating device, such as a global positioning system receiver, when the wrapped bale44is deposited on the field14), the date and time of harvest, weather information, bale moisture at baling, a bale weight, planting information (e.g., planting date/time, fertilizer application date/time, etc.), baler operator information, fertilizer information, yield information, seed type, other suitable information, or a combination thereof. In addition, in certain embodiments, an identification code (e.g., unique to each wrapped bale44), field location information (e.g., determined by the controller via feedback from a spatial locating device, such as a global positioning system receiver, when the wrapped bale44is deposited on the field14), the date and time of harvest, weather information, bale moisture at baling, a bale weight, planting information (e.g., planting date/time, fertilizer application date/time, etc.), baler operator information, fertilizer information, yield information, seed type, other suitable information, or a combination thereof, may be associated with the machine-readable code. For example, the controller may output the machine-readable code (e.g., number corresponding to the machine-readable code) and the data associated with the identification information to a remote server, which may store the machine-readable code (e.g., number corresponding to the machine readable code) and the data associated with the identification information.

FIG.4is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a bale carrier46that may be employed within the agricultural system10ofFIG.1. As previously discussed, after the bale22is wrapped with the bale wrap26, the wrapped bale44(e.g., wrapped agricultural bale) is transferred to the bale carrier46. In the illustrated embodiment, the baler20includes the bale rotation system52configured to drive the wrapped bale44to rotate within the bale carrier46of the baler20. In the illustrated embodiment, the bale rotation system52includes two rollers60positioned at the bottom of the bale carrier46. The rollers60support the wrapped bale44and enable the wrapped bale44to rotate within the bale carrier46. While the bale rotation system52includes two rollers60in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the bale rotation system52may include more or fewer rollers60(e.g., 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more). Furthermore, each roller60may be positioned at any suitable location with respect to the circumference of the wrapped bale44. While the bale rotation system52includes roller(s)60in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the bale rotation system52may include other suitable device(s) (e.g., alone or in combination with the roller(s)60) configured to support the wrapped bale44and to enable the wrapped bale44to rotate within the bale carrier46, such as bearing surface(s), belt(s), other suitable device(s), or a combination thereof.

The bale rotation system52includes a drive system62configured to drive the wrapped bale44to rotate within the bale carrier46, such as in the rotational direction56. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive system62is configured to drive one or more rollers60of the bale rotation system52to rotate, thereby driving the wrapped bale44to rotate (e.g., in the rotational direction56). In certain embodiments, the drive system62includes one or more electric motors, one or more hydraulic motors, one or more pneumatic motors, or a combination thereof.

As previously discussed, the baler20includes an ejection system64configured to eject the wrapped bale44from the baler20(e.g., from the bale carrier46of the baler20). In the illustrated embodiment, the bale ejection system64includes one or more actuators66. In certain embodiments, the actuator(s)66of the ejection system64may be configured to drive/urge the wrapped bale44out of the baler20. For example, in certain embodiments, the actuator(s)66may drive a ram to move the wrapped bale44out of the baler20, and/or the actuator(s)66may drive a ramp to rotate to a lowered position to enable the wrapped bale44to roll out of the baler20. In certain embodiments, both the ejection system64and the bale carrier may be located within the agricultural vehicle (e.g. agricultural system10inFIG.1). In these embodiments, the actuator(s)66may be configured to open a door at the back end of the baler20. For example, the door may be pivotally coupled to a body of the baler20via a pivot joint positioned at a top end of the door. The actuator(s)66of the ejection system64may be configured to drive the door to pivot upwardly about the pivot joint, thereby enabling the wrapped bale44to exit the baler20(e.g., the bale carrier46). For example, the open door may enable the wrapped bale44to roll down a ramp to the field. After the wrapped bale44is ejected from the baler20, the actuator(s)66may drive the door to the closed position, thereby enabling the bale carrier46to receive another wrapped bale.

In the illustrated embodiment, the baler20includes the monitoring system50configured to monitor for the identifier32(e.g., different color in the bale wrap26or identification tag) on the tail51of the bale wrap26of the wrapped bale44. In certain embodiments, the monitoring system50may include a camera or sensor to look for and/or identify the identifier32(e.g., when the identifier32is a portion of the bale wrap26that is a different color from the rest of the bale wrap26as described inFIG.2). In certain embodiments, the monitoring system50may include an RFID reader to read or identify the identifier (e.g., when the identifier32is an RFID tag as described inFIG.3).

In the illustrated body, the baler20includes the labeling system58configured to attach a plurality of labels on the tail51of the bale wrap26of the wrapped bale44to secure the tail51. The labeling system58includes to attach a plurality of labels along the tail51of bale wrap26upon locating the tail51of the bale wrap26. The labeling system58includes a band68that is actuated (via one or more actuators of an actuation system70) via a control signal to move towards the wrapped bale44and to attach the plurality of labels at the same time on the tail51of the bale wrap26of the wrapped bale44.

In the illustrated embodiment, the baler20includes a controller72having a processor74and a memory76. The processor74(e.g., a microprocessor or processing circuitry) may be used to execute software, such as software stored in the memory76for controlling components of the baler20, such as the bale rotation system52, the monitoring system50, the ejection system64, and the labeling system58. Moreover, the processor74may include multiple microprocessors, one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or some combination thereof. For example, the processor74may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) or complex instruction set (CISC) processors.

The memory76may include a volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). The memory76may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory76may store processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for the processor74to execute, such as instructions for controlling the bale rotation system52, the monitoring system50, the ejection system64, and the labeling system58. In certain embodiments, the controller72may also include one or more storage devices and/or other suitable components. The storage device(s) (e.g., nonvolatile storage) may include ROM, flash memory, a hard drive, or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof. The storage device(s) may store data, instructions (e.g., software or firmware for controlling the bale rotation system52, the monitoring system50, the ejection system64, and the labeling system58), and any other suitable data. The processor74and/or the memory76, and/or an additional processor and/or memory device, may be located in any suitable portion of the agricultural system.

Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the baler20includes a user interface78communicatively coupled to the controller72. The user interface78may be configured to provide information to an operator. Additionally, the user interface78may be configured to enable operator interactions with components of the baler20, such as control of the bale rotation system52, the monitoring system50, the ejection system64, the labeling system58, or a combination thereof. For example, the user interface78may include a display and/or other user interaction device(s) (e.g., button(s)) configured to enable operator interactions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller72is configured to control the bale rotation system52, and the ejection system64to effectively print the identification information onto the bale wrap26of the wrapped bale44. Accordingly, the controller72is communicatively coupled to the monitoring system50, the bale rotation system52(e.g., to the drive system62of the bale rotation system52, to the ejection system64(e.g., to the actuator(s)66of the ejection system64), and to the actuation system70of the labeling system58. To effectively secure the tail51on the wrapped bale44, the controller72is configured to control the bale rotation system52to drive the wrapped agricultural bale44to rotate within the bale carrier46of the baler20, to control the monitoring system to monitor for the identifier32located on the tail51of the bale wrap26disposed on the wrapped agricultural bale44to locate the tail51, to cease rotation of the wrapped agricultural bale44upon detecting the identifier32and wrapped agricultural bale44being aligned with a location of attaching the plurality of labels via the labeling system58, and to control the labeling system58to attach the plurality of labels along the tail51of the bale wrap26to secure the tail51of the bale wrap26upon locating the tail51of the bale wrap26.

FIG.5is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method80a method for securing a tail on a bale wrap of a wrapped bale. The method80may be performed by the controller disclosed above with reference toFIG.4or any other suitable controller(s). Furthermore, the steps of the method80may be performed in the order disclosed herein or in any other suitable order. For example, certain steps of the method may be performed concurrently. In addition, in certain embodiments, at least one of the steps of the method80may be omitted.

The method80includes controlling the bale rotation system to drive the wrapped bale to rotate within the bale carrier of the baler (block82). In certain embodiments, the drive system of the bale rotation system may be controlled to drive the roller(s) of the bale rotation system to rotate, thereby driving the wrapped bale to rotate in the rotational direction.

The method80also includes controlling the monitoring system to monitor for an identifier located on a tail of the bale wrap disposed on the wrapped bale to locate the tail (block84). As noted above, in certain embodiments, the identifier may be a portion of the bale wrap that is a different color from the rest of the bale wrap outside the tail location. In certain embodiments, the identifier may be an identification tag (e.g., RFID tag).

The method80further includes controlling the bale rotation system to cease driving the rotation of the wrapped bale (block86). The rotation of the wrapped bale is ceased upon both detecting the identifier and the tail (and the identifier) being aligned with the location where the labeling system will attach the labels to the tail to secure the tail.

The method80even further includes controlling the labeling system to attach the plurality of labels along the tail of the bale wrap of the wrapped bale to secure the tail of the bale wrap (block88). Each label of the plurality of labels is configured to secure the tail of the bale wrap of the wrapped bale in conjunction with the tacky surface on the interior of the bale wrap. In particular, the plurality of labels is configured to secure the tail of the bale wrap for at least six months. In addition, the plurality of labels is configured to secure the tail of the bale wrap in the presence of up to at least 150 miles per hour wind (i.e., hurricane force wind). Further, each label of the plurality of labels is configured to be water resistant (as well as weather and ultraviolet resistant) for at least six months. The number of labels attached to the tail may vary. In certain embodiments, at least five labels may be attached to the tail to ensure securing of the tail. In certain embodiments, at least three labels may be attached on a central portion (e.g., central portion38inFIGS.2and3) of the bale wrap along the tail. In certain a label may be placed on one or both longitudinal ends of wrapped bale (e.g., on one or both shoulders36,40of the bale wrap26inFIGS.2and3). In certain embodiments, each label of the plurality of labels may be made of a masking tape with low density polyethylene (LDPE) backing (although the construction of the plurality labels may be different). Information may be printed on the labels. For example, the information may include identification information as described above.

FIG.6is a schematic diagram of a bottom view of a portion of the band68of the labeling system58. As depicted, a bottom surface90of the band68includes three different locations92,94,96having labels98to be applied to the tail of a bale wrap of a wrapped bale. Locations92and96are located adjacent longitudinal ends97,99of the band68. Location94is centrally located along the band68between the locations92,96. The number of locations having labels to be applied to the tail may vary. The structure of the band68may also vary. Actuation of the band68enables the labels98to be applied at the same time to the tail of the bale wrap.

FIG.7is a schematic diagram of the wrapped bale44with the tail51secured by labels98(e.g., having the labels98on a lateral surface106only). The wrapped bale44includes the bale22with the bale wrap26disposed about it. The wrapped bale44includes the central portion38of the bale wrap26disposed about a lateral surface100of the bale22extending between longitudinal ends102,104of the bale22. The shoulders36,40are respectively disposed about portions of the longitudinal ends102,104of the bale22. As depicted inFIG.7, the plurality of labels98are disposed on a lateral surface106of the bale wrap26along the tail51of the bale wrap26. In particular, each label98is partially disposed on the tail51and partially disposed on a non-tail portion108of the bale wrap26adjacent the tail51. As depicted inFIG.7, a first label112is disposed on the lateral surface106adjacent the longitudinal end102, a second label114is disposed on the lateral surface106adjacent the longitudinal end104, and a third label116disposed on the lateral surface106in the central portion38between the longitudinal ends102,104. In certain embodiments, as depicted inFIG.8, labels98may also be disposed on the tail51on one or both of the shoulders36,40of the bale wrap26(e.g., label118disposed on the lateral surface106on the shoulder36of the bale wrap26). In certain embodiments (e.g., as depicted inFIGS.7and8), each label98has a circular, oval, or elliptical shape to avoid any corners that may cause the label98to be lifted or displaced.

The plurality of labels98is configured to secure the tail51of the bale wrap26of the wrapped bale44for at least six months. In addition, the plurality of labels98is configured to secure the tail51of the bale wrap26of the wrapped bale44in the presence of up to at least 150 miles per hour wind (i.e., hurricane force wind). Further, each label98of the plurality of labels98is configured to be water resistant (as well as weather and ultraviolet resistant) for at least six months. The number of labels98attached to the tail51may vary. In certain embodiments, at least five labels98may be attached to the tail51to ensure securing of the tail51. It should be noted that the identifier on the bale wrap26is not shown inFIGS.7and8.