Improvements in Metallic Bale-coverings.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 26th July, 1898-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Bale-coverings.
I, MARK ANTHONY HEATH, residing at No. 504, Pine Street, in the City and
County of Providence, and State of Rhode Island, U.S.A., Mechanic, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained by the following statement and accom-
panying drawings :-
My invention relates to metallic bale-coverings, adapted to be used as casings in
which cotton or fibrous material, or in fact any other suitable substance or mer-
chandise, may be packed, or shipped, or transported without injury to the contents
of the bale or package.
In bale or package coverings, as usually made, the construction has been such
heretofore that the contents of the bale were not readily accessible, nor were they
rendered impervious to moisture, etc. Moreover, such former coverings were com-
paratively heavy and expensive. The operation of removing them from the surface
of the bale or package impaired their efficiency to such an extent as to practically
prevent re-using them, and in fact the several parts, or members, composing such
former bale-coverings were not capable of being assembled indiscriminately and
re-used, because the parts of one cover or envelope would not match or register with
the corresponding parts of another cover.
It is well known that many classes or kinds of goods or commodities are liable to
become damaged or otherwise deteriorated in value, unless packed in substantially
hermetically tight covers or casings. Obviously, coverings of this type materially
increase the cost to the manufacturer, or producer, the relative cost being still
further increased because said casings are not so constructed as to be capable of
being re-used. Consequently, the cost of the casing itself must be added to that of
the original package or bale."
The object I have in view is to produce a metallic bale-covering, or casing, in
which the disadvantages or objections to the use of coverings as heretofore made are
practically overcome; the improved device, at the same time, being lighter and
stronger, it can be easily and quickly put together, and as readily taken apart; and
it forms a practically air-tight covering. The corresponding sections or parts of the
coverings are, or may be, duplicates of each other, therefore they can he assembled
and secured together with greater facility. They can be repeatedly re-used, and
when disconnected, the parts thereof are adapted to fit into one another, so that
when packed for re-shipment, they occupy a comparatively small space.
My invention consists of a separable, or "knock-down" casing composed of suitable
thin sheet-metal, as steel; the casing or envelope constituting my improvement
being what may be termed a metallic bale-covering. The side sections of the
covering are, or may be, interchangeably alike. The peripheral edges of the
sections are provided with suitable holes or apertures, arranged so that when
the several sections composing the covering are placed in their proper relation, or
superposed, the holes will register with each other, after which a thin, narrow strip
or ribbon of metal is passed alternately through the said holes of each double seam
or joint, thereby securely fastening the said sections together. In order to facilitate
the insertion of the securing strips of metal, the edges of the sections may be folded

page_text: back against the surface of the plate, thereby forming what may be termed a
guide flange. This flange also reinforces or strengthens the plates at the joints.
The said edges are further provided with a raised bead or rib, on either side of and
parallel with the rows of holes or slits; these ribs also render the plates stiffer,
while at the same time serving to protect the said ribbons from wear, etc.
By means of my improved metallic bale-covering, the contents of the bale are
rendered fire-and-weather-proof, and are also kept clean and dry. The covering
weighs much less than jute bagging. and ties. The specific gravity of certain
kinds of fibrous products, as cotton, when packed and compressed in my improved
bale-covering, is nearly three times as great as when ordinarily packed and
covered. The bales may be easily and plainly marked, and false packing is
prevented. Sampling can also readily be done. Another advantage possessed by
my improved bale-covering is a great saving in freight and storage charges.
Shrinkage is reduced to a minimum. And, since the contents of the bale are ren-
dered fire-proof, the insurance rates are made correspondingly smaller. In my
improved metallic bale-covering, the bent side sections do not need to be flattened
out to be re-shipped, therefore they will remain serviceable for a much longer period.
All the parts of the covering can be secured together, before filling, thus forming
a box-like structure, and after being filled and compressed, the other, or top end
section, is placed in position and readily secured by means of the narrow fastening
strip, which is passed in and out through the openings formed in the corresponding
edges. As thus made the covering will be found stronger and cheaper than those
now in use, and possessing the further advantage that the sections are secured and
locked together along the edges, at a large number of points, thus forming a
strong joint or seam, while capable of being unloosed along said edge by a single
operation, by simply withdrawing the fastening, or metal ribbon.
In the accompanying two sheets of drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view
of a bale or package enveloped in my improved metallic bale-covering, as, in use.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the side plates or sections, detached.
Figure 3 is a corresponding view of an end section. Figure 4 is an enlarged
sectional view, taken on line x x of Figure 1, showing the adjacent edges of the
top and side sections folded over or doubled. Figures 5 and 6 show cross-
sectional views of a bale or package, having square and round forms, respectively,
and covered with my improved metallic bale covering. Figure 7 shows a portion of
one of the sections before its edges are bent or folded over. Figure 8 shows the
same after being thus folded. Figure 9 is a perspective view of my improved
metallic bale-covering slightly modified. Figure 10 is a similar view of one of the
side sections, detached. Figure 11 is an enlarged cross sectional view, taken sub-
stantially on line s s of Figures 1 and 9, showing the two raised ribs. formed in the
edges of the sections and having the lacing strip or ribbon located between
them. Figure 12 is a partial side view enlarged, showing the edge portion of
two sections over-lapping and slitted at intervals, the metal being swaged outwardly
to form openings through which the metal ribbon is inserted endwise. Figure 13
is a horizontal section, taken, on line x x of Figure 12. Figure 14 is a cross-
section, taken on line o o of Figure 12, and Figure 15 is a view of one of the
metallic lacing ribbons adapted to be employed for securing together the sections
of my improved bale-covering.
As herein before stated, the form of the bale-covering cross-sectionally may be
square or round, or, in fact, any other suitable form, its form and size being governed
somewhat by the kind of material or substance which the covering is to envelope and
protect. The sections composing my improved bale-covering are preferably cut from
thin plates of suitable sheet metal, as steel; the relative thickness being somewhat
exaggerated in the drawings, in order to represent the parts more clearly.
In the drawings, A indicates the metallic bale-covering as a whole, in use. As
drawn, it consists of a series or number of side plates or sections a and end
sections b; the whole being joined or secured together by a series of thin metallic

page_text: strips or ribbons d interwoven through holes or slits formed in the edges of the
several sections.
In the case of a square or rectangular shaped covering, I prefer to bend the side
sections a longitudinally along the center, the form being substantially V-shape, as
shown in Figures 2 and 10. The circumscribing edges of the sections are provided with
suitable holes or perforations c, as in Figures 1, 2, 3, etc., or slitted openings c¹, as
shown in Figures 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14. The several sections u are or may be made
interchangeably alike, so that they will fit closely together, one within the other,
when packed for transportation. As thus constructed the edges of the sections are
adapted to overlap, when placed in position to form the casing or covering, the holes
then exactly coinciding or registering with those of the contiguous or fellow
section.
The said edges of the sections may be provided with a raised rib or bead, r,
the same being located on either side of and parallel with the row of holes, as
clearly shown; see also Figure 11. These ribs serve to stiffen the sections at the
joints and also to protect the exposed portions of the lacing ribbons d.
The two end plates or sections bare substantially flat and are provided with short
sides 6 extending at practically right angles to the plane of the plate. The said
portions bare perforated or slitted so as to register with the corresponding openings
formed in the upper and lower edges of the side sections a. The end sections are
also interchangeably alike and are adapted to be inserted into the side sections, the
flat plane or surface of the sections b then extending beyond or above the side
sections, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 9.
The side sections may be further reinforced by folding rearwardly the outer
edges, thus forming what may be termed flanges a².
Figure 7 shows a portion of one of the sections before bending, and Fig. 8 of one
after being bent or folded, the lacing holes c extending through both thicknesses of
the plate; see also Figure 2.
Figure 4 represents an enlarged sectional view, taken on line x x of Figure 1. In
this case the upper edges of the side sections a are folded over, as just stated, forming
the inner flange a¹. The lower portion of the side 6 of the end section b is also
extended and bent rearwardly, thereby forming the guide flange by; this latter flange
is unperforated and serves to prevent the lacing ribbon d from coming in contact
with the contents of the bale, and thereby facilitates the lacing-operation.
The heads or cover sections b may be provided with a sampling-hole" e (Figure 9)
through which samples of the contents of the bale may be taken if desired." A small
laterally swinging plate e is pivotally secured to the head, and when closed effectually
closes the hole. The sections inay, if desired, be perforated, as shown at h, Figures 9
and 10, whereby the contents of the bale may be ventilated.
"
In Figures 9 to 14 the lacing-holes of the several sections are produced by double
slitting the sheet metal along the edges at suitable intervals, after which the slitted
portions are swaged or pressed outwardly beyond the normal surface, thus forming
openings c. Now when the edges of two of these are superposed, one fitting closely
into the other; see Figures, 12, 13 and 14, the lacing-ribbon & can be readily
inserted endwise through the series of holes c', thus securely fastening the parts
together. In this arrangement the said swaged portions form, when in use, a locking
device for the sections, while at the same time reducing the pressure upon the
lacings, d.
In using my improved metallic bale-covering A, as, for example, in baling
cotton, the sections composing the sides and one end are first secured together by
means of the lacings or ribbons, d, thus forming the open receptacle; the latter
is next placed within a suitable box having strong, separable sides. The cotton is
now placed within the casing, and thoroughly packed and compressed therein by
means of a press, or other suitable mechanism, until it is completely filled, after
which the top section or cover, b, is inserted and secured in place by means of the
metallic fastening strips, d. Upon opening the said press box, the metal covered

page_text: bale, may be readily removed therefrom, it then being ready for transportation or
shipment.
As herein before stated, the sections, composing my improved bale-covering can,
when disjoined, be readily packed one, within another, in close compass for re-
shipping. Moreover all the parts or sections can be put together, except one end,
before filling, while, at the same time, the metallic ribbons or lacings, d, form a
strong fastening device for many points along the sides or edges, and arranged
whereby all the fastening points along each edge can be unloosed at a single
operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this, my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A metallic bale-covering, comprising a series of similar, interchangeable side
plates or sections, and one or more end sections, each provided at their edges with
means whereby they may be secured together, without any lateral obstructions or
projections, said side plates at one or both ends being open, so that when they are
put together and united at their edges, as aforesaid, they will form a box, having
rounded edges, whereby the cotton, or other material or substance, may be
unobstructedly pressed downward into said box so formed, after which the said end
sections are inserted and secured to the side plates, substantially as described.
2. A metallic bale-covering, comprising side sections or plates, which, when secured
together, shall form a box, having the aperture at one end coextensive with the cross-
section of said box, whereby the cotton, or other material, may be unobstructedly
compressed thereinto, two end sections having flanges adapted to lie against the
corresponding end edges of said side sections, the said flanges and edges being
provided with apertures or slits adapted to register with each other when the end
sections, and thereby the cotton, or other contents of the box, have been pressed
inwardly to a predetermined extent, and metallic lacing ribbons passing through said
apertures or slits, substantially as described.
3. In a metallic bale-covering, in combination with metallic side and end sections
or plates, having arranged at intervals, along adjacent edges, suitable perforations or
slits, the slits in said adjacent plates being adapted to register with each other, a
removable, metallic lacing-ribbon passed through the said registering slits, whereby
the several sections are secured together, substantially as described.
4. The sheet-metal bale-covering, substantially as herein before described, the same
being composed of side and end sections, or plates, provided along their edges with
suitably arranged lacing-holes or slits, one or more of the edge portions of said
sections being plain or unperforated and bent rearwardly against the section to form a
guide flange along the corresponding row of lacing-holes, and metallic lacing-ribbons
adapted to be inserted through said holes, and through the holes of the adjacent or
fellow section, whereby the sections are secured together.
5. A metallic bale-covering, composed of side and end sections having apertures
formed therein along their edges, and secured together by removable lacing-strips
interwoven through said apertures, and having the edges provided with strengthening
ribs, which also serve to protect the lacing-strips, substantially as described.
6. A metallic bale-covering, composed of interlocking side and end sections, having
openings formed therein along their adjacent edges, and secured together by means
of removable lacing-strips of metal, passed through said openings, substantially as
described.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents, 321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.