Hay Net

Abstract

The hay net is a durable net configured to fit over a hay bale, where the holes within the net are sufficiently large enough to allow livestock to eat the hay through the holes yet small enough to restrict the rate at which the hay is eaten, so as to reduce the rate livestock eat, which improves digestion. Also included is the method of use.

Claims

1. A hay net for the purpose of restricting the rate livestock eat in order to improve digestion comprising: a net of sufficient size to entirely cover a hay bale; wherein the hay net is loosely placed over a hay bale; where the material with which the net is made is of sufficient durability to resist exposure to the elements and the impact of frequent biting by the livestock so that the material cannot be swallowed, while sufficiently soft and pliable so as to not discourage livestock from eating; the material with which the net is made to be selected from at least one of nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, and/or cotton; with a diameter of 2.0 mm to 15 mm, which is too large to fit into a baler; and where the holes within the net are so dimensioned as to be large enough to allow the animal to feed through them yet small enough to reduce the rate at which the animal eats.

2. The hay net of claim 1 where there are a plurality of centering ropes woven through the net from edge to edge and through the center, wherein these plurality of centering ropes aid in ensuring the net is centered over the hay bale and the entire hay bale is covered by the net.

3. The hay net of claim 1 where there are a plurality of additional ropes woven through the net in such a fashion that, once the net is draped over the hay bale, these plurality of additional ropes can be drawn tight so that the net assists in holding the hay bale together.

4. The hay net of claim 3 where there are a plurality of centering ropes woven through the net from edge to edge and through the center, wherein these plurality of centering ropes aid in ensuring the net is centered over the hay bale and the entire hay bale is covered by the net.

5. The hay net of claim 1 there are a plurality of contracting ropes woven through the net made of an elastic material such that, once the net is draped over the hay bale, these plurality of additional ropes hold the net against the hay bale and contract as the hay bale is being consumed, so as to aid in holding the hay bale together during consumption.

6. The hay net of claim 5 where there are a plurality of centering ropes woven through the net from edge to edge and through the center, wherein these plurality of centering ropes aid in ensuring the net is centered over the hay bale and the entire hay bale is covered by the net.

7. A method of use of the hay net as described in claims 1 through 6 wherein said method of use comprises: draping the hay net over a bale or pile of hay.

8. A method of use of claim 7 wherein pulling additional ropes hold the pile or bale of hay together.

9. The method of use of claim 8 wherein pulling contracting ropes hold the hay net against the pile or bale of hay.

10. The method of use of claim 9 wherein pulling centering ropes center the hay net over the pile or bale of hay.

11. The method of use of claim 7 wherein pulling contracting ropes hold the hay net against the pile or bale of hay.

12. The method of use of claim 11 wherein pulling centering ropes center the hay net over the pile or bale of hay.

13. The method of use of claim 8 wherein pulling centering ropes center the hay net over the pile or bale of hay.

14. The method of use of claim 7 wherein pulling centering ropes center the hay net over the pile or bale of hay.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0012] FIG. 1 is a view of the hay net loosely draped over a hay bale;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a view of the first embodiment of the hay net including the net, the material that makes up the net, and the holes in the net;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a view of the second embodiment of the hay net additionally including the plurality of additional ropes that are used to draw the hay net against the hay bale; and

[0015] FIG. 4 is a view of the third embodiment of the hay net additionally including the plurality of contracting ropes that are used to contract the hay net against the hay bale; and

[0016] FIG. 5 is a view of the first embodiment of the hay net additionally including a plurality of centering ropes;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a view of the second embodiment of the hay net additionally including a plurality of centering ropes; and

[0018] FIG. 7 is a view of the third embodiment of the hay net additionally including a plurality of centering ropes.

AMENDED DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The hay net 1 is a net designed to be loosely placed over a hay bale 2 to restrict livestock to eating through specifically sized holes 3 in the net 4, which slows down the rate at which the livestock eat and improves digestion. The material 5 with which the net 4 is made is sufficiently durable resist exposure to the elements and the impact of frequent biting by the livestock so that the material cannot be swallowed, while the material 5 is sufficiently soft and pliable so as to not discourage the livestock from eating, said material to be selected from materials commonly used in the industry including but not limited to nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, or cotton, wherein the material is twisted together, possesses a diameter of 2.0 mm to 15 mm, and because of the thickness cannot be fed into a baler.

[0020] The first embodiment 6 of the hay net 1 comprises a net 4 of sufficient size to cover the hay bale, where the material 5 with which the net 4 is made is of sufficient durability to resist exposure to the elements and the impact of frequent biting by the livestock, where the holes 3 within the net 2 are so dimensioned as to be large enough to allow the animal to feed through them yet small enough to restrict the rate at which the animal eats.

[0021] The second embodiment 7 of the hay net 1 comprises a net 4 of sufficient size to cover the hay bale, where the material 5 with which the net 4 is made is of sufficient durability to resist exposure to the elements and the impact of frequent biting by the livestock, where the holes 3 within the net 4 are so dimensioned as to be large enough to allow the animal to feed through them yet small enough to reduce the rate at which the animal eats, where in addition to the material 5 for the net 4 there are a plurality of additional ropes 8 woven through the net 4 in such a fashion that, once the net 4 is loosely draped over the hay bale, these plurality of additional ropes 8 can be drawn tight so that the net assists in holding the hay bale together, to restrict the hay from spreading across the ground, which prevents the hay from being trampled and wasted.

[0022] The third embodiment 9 of the hay net 1 comprises a net 4 of sufficient size to cover the hay bale, where the material 5 with which the net 4 is made is of sufficient durability to resist exposure to the elements and the impact of frequent biting by the livestock, where the holes 3 within the net 4 are so dimensioned as to be large enough to allow the animal to feed through them yet small enough to reduce the rate at which the animal eats, where in addition to the material 5 for the net 4 there are a plurality of contracting ropes 10 woven through the net 4 made of an elastic material such that, once the net 4 is draped over the hay bale, these plurality of contracting ropes 10 hold the net 4 against the hay bale and contract as the hay bale is being consumed, so as to aid in holding the hay bale together during consumption.

[0023] In addition to the above mentioned embodiments for the hay net 1, the first embodiment 6, second embodiment 7, and third embodiment 9 may have a plurality of centering ropes 11 weaved through the net 4 from edge to edge and through the center, wherein these plurality of centering ropes 11 aid in ensuring the net 4 is centered over the hay bale 2 and the entire hay bale 2 is covered by the net 4.

[0024] The method of use of the hay net 1 is that the hay net 1 is draped over a bale or pile of hay. The plurality of additional ropes 8 may be drawn tight so that the net assists in holding the hay bale together, to restrict the hay from spreading across the ground. The contracting ropes 10 may be used to ensure the hay net 1 is contracted against the bale or pile of hay. The centering ropes 11 may be used to ensure the hay net 1 is properly centered over the bale or pile of hay.