Abstract

For tying a compressed bale tending to expand primarily along a major axis, a bale tie made preferably from steel wire or alternatively from steel strap is bent to form two marcelled portions, which are characterized by sinusoidal undulations, which are oriented so as to be generally parallel to the major axis, and along which the tie can straighten to absorb tensile forces. A joint is formed at the opposite ends of the tie. Where bent to form the marcelled portions, the tie has an ultimate strength less than the ultimate strength of an undeformed portion of the tie but more than the ultimate strength of the joint. An apparatus for forming a wire with a marcelled portion comprises upper rolls and lower rolls, which are rotatably mounted and respectively on an upper block and a lower block. The upper block is pivotably mounted upon to the lower block.