Packaging lint cotton

Authors: Thomas, Joseph; Delhom, Christopher; KROGMAN, LAUREN - National Cotton Council

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/7/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Cotton enters the gin as seed cotton but exits the gin as packaged bales of cotton lint. Properly formed and packaged bales are critical to protecting and preserving the quality of cotton fiber during storage and transportation prior to consumption at the textile mill. The bale packaging system relies on multiple components including a condenser, bale press, hydraulic systems, strapping, and bagging. All of these components must work together to efficiently produce properly shaped bales which can be handled and stored in a safe and efficient manner. Bale presses may be designed to produce Universal Density bales or High Density bales, although only Universal Density bales are approved by USDA. The options for design, sizing, and general maintenance of bale presses and related systems in a modern cotton ginning plant are discussed. Properly maintained bale packaging systems result in reduced downtime for the ginning plant. The bale press capacity must be sized to match the capacity of the ginning plant or will result in slowdowns. Bale packaging, including the Permanent Bale Identification tag, bale covering, and strapping or ties must be approved by the Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee in order for the resultant bales to be eligible for collateral in the Commodity Credit Corporation loan program.

Technical Abstract: Bale packaging is the final step in processing cotton at the gin. Bale packaging is critical to protecting and preserving the quality of the ginned lint during shipping and storage before consumption at the textile mill. Smooth operation of the bale press and associated systems is required for the efficient operation of the ginning plant. Properly shaped bales are important to the safe and efficient handling and storage of bales. The bale press, condenser, and hydraulic systems must be sized to match the design capacity of the ginning plant in order to maximize capacity. Bale presses may be designed to produce Universal Density bales or High-Density bales, although only Universal Density bales are currently approved by USDA. Proper maintenance of the bale press and related systems translates into reduced downtime for the ginning plant. All bale packaging, including the bale covering and strapping or ties, must be approved by the Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee in order for the bales to be eligible for collateral in the Commodity Credit Corporation loan program. This manuscript discusses the individual components of a cotton gin bale packaging system and settings to ensure the consistent production of uniform bales of cotton lint.