Patent Publication Number: US-8109210-B2

Title: Device for producing compressed bales

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for producing compressed bales from compressible pressed product pieces, in particular residues, such as used paper, used paper-board containers, plastic films or empty plastic bottles, each compressed bale produced having an essentially cuboid form with edge lengths A, B and C. The device comprises a press housing having at least one press chamber and a press shield that can be moved in the press chamber in the press direction and back by means of a mechanical drive. 
     Baling presses for the different applications are equipped with a press shield that can be moved either in vertical direction or in horizontal direction and have been known on the market for many years. Usually, the compressed bales produced have a cuboid or cubic form wherein the dimensions of the edge lengths of the compressed bales are, in particular, dependent on the transportation means which are used to transport the compressed bales after the production thereof. If they are to be transported on europallets, the width and depth of the bales are, appropriately, adjusted to the base area of the pallet and will then have a size of approximately 800 mm×1,200 mm. To ensure that the bale remains protected from overturning, its maximum height is approximately 1,200 mm. If the bales are to be transported in containers, a size of the bales that is usual in the market is approximately 1,100 mm×1,100 mm×1,100 mm, i.e. a cubic form. In its dimensions, the press chamber of the presses for producing such compressed bales is designed according to the dimensions of the compressed bales to be produced, and the cross-sectional area of the press chamber will then have dimensions that correspond to the width and depth of the compressed bales. 
     If presses are equipped with a press shield that can be moved in vertical direction, the press shield is driven either by one or by a plurality of hydraulic cylinders. Known vertical single-chamber baling presses are filled through a fill chamber or a door that closes the entire press chamber and is partially opened during filling. The pressed product pieces to be compressed are inserted below the press shield that is, then, it its uppermost position, through the door opening and into the press chamber and are, if necessary, placed onto pressed product that has already been compressed. Once a filling region of the press chamber is filled such that new pressed product does not fit in any more, the door is closed and the movable press shield moves toward a floor of the press chamber that is limiting the press chamber at its bottom. In order to realize bale weights that are as high as possible, large-dimensioned hydraulic cylinders are used today, said cylinders exerting a large press force onto the pressed product to be compressed to form a compressed bale if the pressure is appropriate. 
     If baling presses are equipped with a press shield that can be moved in vertical direction, the guide of the press shield in the press chamber presents a problem that cannot be neglected. There are different realized guides of the press shield in the press chamber, but all of these guides were, in practice, not able to prevent the press shield or the hydraulic drive elements (hydraulic cylinders) from being damaged, in particular in case of an irregular filling of the press chamber. A further problem caused in baling presses with a press shield that can be moved in vertical direction is that a desired high-degree compaction of the pressed product, i.e. a high bale density, is only achieved with an appropriately high surface pressure, this being realizable with a given maximum pressure of the hydraulic system only if large-dimensioned hydraulic cylinders are used. Such hydraulic cylinders have a large volume which must be delivered or recirculated by hydraulic pumps within a short time. In order that this can be accomplished within a short cycle time (time elapsing from the beginning to the end of the press cycle, i.e. until the press can be refilled), which is requested by the users of the press, large-dimensioned electric drives for hydraulic pumps are required which, in turn, require a corresponding electrical infrastructure. At some press installation locations, this infrastructure is not available and can be retrofitted with only much effort. 
     If baling presses are equipped with a press shield that can be moved in horizontal direction, the press chamber is also filled through a lockable press chamber door. Herein, the press chamber is filled while the press shield is in its rear end position. Once the press chamber is filled with sufficient pressed product, so that it is no longer possible to insert further pressed product, the press chamber door is closed and the horizontally movable press shield moves forward and compresses the pressed product in front of the press shield to form a compressed bale. Where presses with a press shield that can be moved in horizontal direction are concerned, the guide of the press shield also presents a frequent source of failures and damage. 
     In particular, irregular filling or filling with differently compressible pressed product pieces may lead to damage to the guide of the press shield or even to a bending of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder, said piston rod driving the press shield. To achieve a desired high-degree compaction, horizontal baling presses also require a high surface pressure to be exerted on the bale surface. This, in turn, requires large-dimensioned hydraulic cylinders. In this respect, the requirements for the design of the electric drives for the hydraulic pumps are comparable in these presses as well. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, therefore, aims at creating a device of the aforementioned type which can be used to obviate the drawbacks presented above and to reliably generate compressed bales with a high density, i.e. with a high bale weight at given bale dimensions, in a manner that requires less effort but still yields a high efficiency. Furthermore, the device should be able to be operated reliably and safely as well as with reduced complexity in terms of technical equipment, energy and installation room. Therein, it should be particularly ensured that deformation of the press shield or damage to the mechanical drive and/or the guides of the press shield is prevented. At the same time, it should be possible to achieve short press cycle times and high surface pressures in order to achieve as high a bale density as possible. 
     This problem is solved by the invention by means of a device of the aforementioned type, which is characterized in that 
     the press chamber has a cross-sectional surface of A×C/n as seen perpendicularly in relation to the press direction, wherein n is greater than or equal to 2 and wherein, in the press chamber, n partial compressed bales can be produced in n first press steps, with a flat cuboid form with the edge lengths A, B and C/n, 
     a storage space is arranged downstream from the press chamber, each compressed bale being transferable into said storage space after its production, until n partial compressed bales bear against each other with their flat sides in the storage space, 
     the n partial compressed bales can each be joined in the storage space to form the cuboid compressed bale with the edge lengths A, B and C by applying at least one joining means, 
     the press chamber is separated from the storage space by a partition that can be moved between a closing position and an opening position, said partition forming a part of a wall of the press chamber, said part being at least the last one as seen in press direction, and 
     an opening that can be freed by the mobile partition has at least the dimension A×B in the opening position thereof, such that a partial compressed bale formed in the press chamber can be transported through said opening and into the storage space. 
     An essential feature of the baling press according to the invention is that the actual compression of the pressed product pieces is accomplished in a press chamber which has a cross-sectional area that is considerably smaller than is the case with the baling presses known to date, e.g. a depth having only the dimension C/n. The pressed product pieces to be compressed are compressed in the press chamber of the device according to the invention under high pressure to initially form individual partial compressed bales which are separately transported into a storage space adjacent thereto, where they are then joined to further partial compressed bales already compressed or still to be compressed to form a compressed bale made of partial compressed bales layered one behind the other. For example, the press chamber has a depth which is only 1/n of the depth C of the compressed bale, so that n partial compressed bales are joined to form one compressed bale. The number n is greater or equal to 2; preferably, n is between 2 and 10; most preferably, n is between 3 and 5. Since only these one-dimension-less-sized partial compressed bales of the compressed bale to be formed are produced in the actual press chamber and the press shield, therefore, has only a surface size which is correspondingly smaller, the given power of the mechanical drive of the press shield allows generating a comparably higher surface pressure. This results in an improved compaction of the partial compressed bales and, therefore, the compressed bale as a whole. Hereby, the actual press chamber of the device designed according to the invention can be dimensioned relatively small. This results in a relative reduction of the required driving forces as well as, through the reduction of the surface of the press shield by one dimension, in a shortening of the lever arms and, therefore, in a relief of the mechanical drive and the guides and, last but not least, in a weight reduction and, therefore, in a cost reduction of the complete device. 
     In order to hold together the produced partial compressed bales before they are joined to form the compressed bale, it is provided that the storage space is provided with limiting devices exerting a preloading force on the partial compressed bales present in said storage space and preventing the partial compressed bales from reexpanding. 
     Since reexpansion essentially occurs only opposite to the press direction, it is preferably provided that the limiting devices are only provided in an arrangement acting in parallel to the press direction. 
     For the purpose of adjustment to different pressed product properties, at least one of the limiting devices is, appropriately, movable. 
     In order to facilitate operation of the device, a mechanical drive is, preferably, provided for moving the limiting device. 
     A further embodiment provides that the partition between the press chamber and the storage space can be moved over its entire length, preferably in parallel to the press direction. 
     In particular for reasons of an ergonomic arrangement of the components of the device, the partition between the press chamber and the storage space is, appropriately, a rear wall of the press chamber. 
     Furthermore, the invention proposes that the device comprises a transportation assembly with a mechanical drive wherein, with the partition being in the opening position, said transportation assembly can be used to transport a partial compressed bale from the press chamber through the opening and into the storage space. 
     In order to provide the compressed bale formed from the n partial compressed bales with a high density, it is preferably provided that the storage space comprises a motion stop for a first partial compressed bale present in the storage space and that a force pressing the n partial compressed bales against each other with their flat sides can be exerted on an nth partial compressed bale which is the last one present in the storage space, this being accomplished by means of said transportation assembly being moved out in transportation direction or by means of a wedge-shaped formation of the side of the partition facing the storage space with said partition being moved in closing direction. 
     Preferably, the compressed bale produced can be removed or pushed or ejected or dumped out from the storage space in a direction extending transversely in relation to the transportation direction of the transportation assembly, preferably in lateral direction. In this embodiment, an access to the device from the rear side thereof is not necessary, this allowing space-saving installation, e.g. in front of a wall. 
     Alternatively, it is provided that the motion stop can be moved and/or removed and that the compressed bale produced can be removed or pushed or ejected or dumped out from the storage space in a direction extending in the transportation direction of the transportation assembly. 
     In order to avoid manual joining of the partial compressed bales, it is, furthermore, provided that a joining assembly is allocated to or arranged downstream from the storage space, wherein said joining assembly can be used to fully or semi-automatically attach to each of the n partial compressed bales a tie or strap, preferably of wire, steel band or plastic band, and/or a covering, preferably of plastic film, said tie or strap and/or covering joining said n partial compressed bales to each other and holding them together. 
     In order to achieve a particularly high-degree compaction of the pressed product, the press shield and its mechanical drive are, preferably, designed for a full stroke, i.e. for a stroke reaching down to directly before a floor of the press chamber. 
     In order to allow simple and safe operation of the device, it is proposed that a filler door forming a part of one of the walls of the press chamber is arranged in an upper part of the press housing, wherein said filler door can be swiveled about a horizontal axis and frees a filler inlet of the press chamber if it is in an opening position and closes the filler inlet if it is in a closing position. 
     A further embodiment is characterized in that the axis of the filler door extends at the bottom edge thereof, that the filler door is, in essence, positioned in a horizontal plane if it is in its opening position, that an upward facing flat side of the open filler door forms a receiving surface for pressed product pieces to be compressed, and that, with the press shield moved up, the pressed product pieces can be dumped into the press chamber by swiveling the filler door into its closing position. In this manner, operators are prevented from having to reach into the press chamber, thus excluding potential risks of injury associated therewith. 
     In order to facilitate operation, the filler door can, appropriately, be swiveled by means of a mechanical drive. 
     In order to allow operating personnel easy access to the filler door, the filler door is, preferably, arranged on a side of the press housing opposite to the storage space, preferably on a front wall of the press housing. 
     In order to prevent pressed product pieces placed onto the upward facing flat side of the open filler door from falling down to the side while said filler door is swiveled, it is advantageously proposed that guide walls that can be swiveled along with the filler door are provided on the sides thereof or that stationary guide walls on the press housing are provided to the sides of the filler door, wherein the guide walls form limits to the sides of the receiving surface. 
     Furthermore, the invention provides that an upper guide wall is arranged on the press housing above the filler door wherein, in its vertical distance from the filler door, said upper guide wall can be moved between an opening position allowing placing the pressed product pieces to be compressed onto the receiving surface of the open filler door and a closing position shielding the receiving surface of the open filler door that is swiveling in closing direction. In its closing position, the upper guide wall, thus, ensures that the pressed product placed onto the receiving surface is completely transferred into the press chamber without impeding the placement of the pressed product pieces onto the receiving surface in its opening position. 
     In order to achieve the forces required, the/each mechanical drive is, preferably, formed by at least one hydraulic cylinder. 
     In order to achieve a compact arrangement of the parts of the device, the at least one hydraulic cylinder forming the mechanical drive for moving the press shield is, preferably, arranged on the press housing above or to the side of the press chamber. 
     Furthermore, the mechanical drive for moving the press shield is, preferably, formed by a hydraulic master-slave cylinder pair. In this manner, an excellent synchronous operation of the two cylinders and the associated pistons and piston rods is achieved, this preventing the press shield from tilting or canting in a harmful or at least disturbing manner. 
     A preferred embodiment of the device provides that the press direction extends vertically from top to bottom or horizontally and that, in each case, the transportation direction extends perpendicularly thereto in a horizontal direction and in the direction of the edges of the partial compressed bales having the edge length C/n. To be transported in transportation direction, the partial compressed bales can, thus, be loaded with the transportation force on their largest surface, this affecting the coherence of the partial compressed bales least of all. 
     A further embodiment of the device is characterized in that the press chamber has a vertically extending longitudinal direction and the press direction extends vertically from top to bottom in parallel to the longitudinal direction and that each partial compressed bale can be transferred from a lower region of the press chamber into the storage space which is arranged at the appropriate height. This embodiment of the device comprises an issue for the partial compressed bales, said issue being approximately positioned at the height of a floor level on which the device is arranged. The issued partial compressed bales can, then, be joined to each other on the same level to form the larger compressed bale, and the compressed bale produced can be made available on the floor level for being transported away. 
     An alternative embodiment of the device is characterized in that the press chamber has a vertically extending longitudinal direction and the press direction extends vertically from bottom to top in parallel to the longitudinal direction and that each partial compressed bale can be transferred from an upper region of the press chamber into the storage space which is arranged at the appropriate height. In this embodiment of the device, the press direction extends from bottom to top, whereby the particularly produced partial compressed bale is generated in an upper region of the press chamber and is also issued from the upper region of the press chamber. In this case, the storage space is also arranged at an elevated position as compared with the floor level, with the result that the joining of the partial compressed bales to form the compressed bale produced can also be accomplished at an elevated level. In this manner, the device can, for example, be advantageously arranged adjacent to a loading platform wherein the height of the storage space is adjusted to the height of the loading platform. Compressed bales produced can then, for example, be transferred from the loading platform into a transport vehicle at the same height. Alternatively, this embodiment of the device provides the advantageous possibility of arranging the device in a recess or pit wherein, in this case, the arrangement is appropriately made such that the storage space into which the partial compressed bales are issued has the floor level surrounding the recess or pit. Since, in this device, the press direction extends from bottom to top, the press chamber is, of necessity, filled with the pressed product pieces to be compressed in a lower region of the press chamber. If the device is arranged in a recess or pit, this facilitates charging of the press chamber with the pressed product pieces because an operator then does not have to lift the pressed product pieces but can supply them down to the press chamber in one direction. 
     A further alternative embodiment of the device is characterized in that the press chamber has a longitudinal direction that extends obliquely in relation to the vertical direction and the press direction obliquely extends from bottom to top in parallel to the longitudinal direction and that each partial compressed bale can be obliquely transferred from an upper region of the press chamber down into the storage space which is arranged at the appropriate height. This embodiment of the device particularly allows achieving that gravity supports the transfer of the partial compressed bales from the press chamber into the storage space as well as the discharge of complete compressed bales produced in the storage space. In this manner, required mechanical drives can be designed with a lower power. In addition, an oblique position of the press chamber reduces the room height required for installation of the device with a given length of the press chamber. 
     An embodiment proposes that there is an angle α of no more than 45°, preferably between 15° and 30°, between the vertical direction and the press direction of the press chamber, said press direction extending obliquely in relation to said vertical direction. 
     Preferably, the storage space has a longitudinal and transportation direction that extends perpendicularly in relation to the press direction of the press chamber because this allows a favorable transfer of the partial compressed bales into the storage space and a compact arrangement of the parts of the device is achieved. Transportation problems occurring during the transfer of a partial compressed bale from the press chamber into the storage space, for example canting, are therefore prevented. 
     The press direction from bottom to top provides the possibility of arranging a gravity transportation section for the compressed bales downstream from the storage space. A gravity transportation section is to advantage in that it does not require its own drive elements, such as electric motors, because gravity acting on the compressed bales is, in itself, sufficient for the transportation. The gravity transportation section can be to particular advantage if it is used with the embodiment of the device where the storage space is arranged in the upper region of the device because, in this case, a sufficient slope of the transportation section can be realized for the discharge of the compressed bales. In this manner, it is, for example, possible to deposit each compressed bale on a flat transport vehicle or a pallet with the least of technical complexity, in order to transport away the compressed bale thereafter. 
     Therein, the gravity transportation section is, preferably, formed by a slideway or roller track extending in an inclined direction. 
     In order that as much pressed product as possible can be inserted in the press chamber for a press stroke of the press shield, a further development of the device provides that the latter has a charging assembly which comprises at least one rotationally drivable rotor roller equipped with transportation spikes, wherein said rotor roller is arranged upstream from and/or in a filler inlet of the device and the rotation of which can be used to transport pressed product pieces from outside of the press housing through the filler inlet and into the press chamber. 
     Furthermore, it is preferably provided for the device that the latter has a charging assembly which comprises at least one rotationally drivable rotor roller equipped with transportation spikes, wherein said rotor roller is arranged upstream from and/or in a filler inlet of the device and the rotation of which can be used to transport pressed product pieces from outside of the press housing through the filler inlet and into the press chamber. Such a charging assembly allows transporting a relatively large quantity of pressed product pieces into the press chamber in a forced manner, wherein there is already a precompaction. Hereby, the pressing process is accelerated because fewer press strokes are required for generating a partial compressed bale. Moreover, operation of the device is simplified for operating personnel because said operating personnel does not have to pack pressed product pieces into the press chamber with much effort. 
     Further simplification of the operation of the device and an increase in safety at work for operating personnel is achieved by the charging assembly, preferably, having a fill chamber arranged upstream from the rotor roller, wherein the pressed product pieces to be compressed can be placed or thrown into said fill chamber and the pressed product pieces can be transported from said fill chamber and into the press chamber by means of said rotor roller. 
     To achieve this, it is preferably provided in a further embodiment that the fill chamber is formed by a box which is open at its top and has an opening towards the rotor roller on its side facing the filler inlet of the device. 
     In order to ensure that the pressed product pieces inserted into the fill chamber safely arrive at the rotor roller and are reliably seized and transported into the press chamber by means of said rotor roller, the invention further proposes that a transportation assembly which can be used to supply pressed product pieces inserted in the fill chamber to a pressed product receiving region of the rotor roller is arranged in the fill chamber. 
     In a first embodiment, the transportation assembly can consist of a swivel shield or a sliding shield which can, appropriately, be moved by means of a mechanical drive. 
     In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the transportation assembly consists of a conveyor belt. 
     A further development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that an end of the conveyor belt forming the transportation assembly can be adjusted in its height in relation to the charging assembly and be locked at a desired height, said end facing the charging assembly. This allows optimizing the transfer of pressed product pieces from the conveyor belt to the rotor roller of the charging assembly, in particular in relation to the properties of the pressed product pieces to be compressed, such that a swift transportation without any congestion can be achieved. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Below, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be illustrated in more detail by means of a drawing. In the drawing, 
         FIG. 1  is an angled front view of a device according to a first embodiment in a first operating phase, 
         FIG. 2  is a vertical sectional view of the device in a second operating phase, 
         FIG. 3  is a vertical sectional view of the device in a third operating phase, 
         FIG. 4  is a vertical sectional view of the device in a fourth operating phase, 
         FIG. 5  is an angled overall rear view of the device in a fifth operating phase, 
         FIG. 6  is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the device, 
         FIG. 7  is an angled front view of the device shown in  FIG. 6  in perspective, 
         FIG. 8  is an angled rear view of the device shown in  FIG. 6  in perspective, 
         FIG. 9  is a lateral view of the device in a third embodiment, and 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged detail view of the device shown in  FIG. 9  in the region of its charging assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the device  1  according to the first exemplary embodiment shown consists of a vertically arranged press housing  10  with a front wall  11 , a rear wall  12 , two lateral walls  13 , and a floor  14 . The walls  11  to  13  and the floor  14  form limits to a press chamber  15  for receiving pressed product pieces  50  to be compressed. As can be recognized, the horizontally measured width A of the press housing  10  is a multiple of the horizontally measured depth c of the press housing  10  and, therefore, of the press chamber  15  positioned therein. As a result, the cross-section of the press chamber  15  is a narrow rectangle and is, therefore, considerably different from the rather approximately square cross-sections of conventional baling presses. 
     A filler inlet  30  with a swiveling filler door  31  is positioned at the top of the front wall  11 . In the illustrated instance, the filler door  31  can be swiveled about a horizontal axis  32  extending along the bottom edge of the filler door  31  by means of a mechanical drive  39  having the form of a hydraulic cylinder. This filler door  31  is put into a horizontal position for filling the press chamber  15 . Then, the pressed product pieces  50  to be compressed are placed onto the upper side of the filler door  31 , said upper side forming a receiving surface  33 . In order to prevent pressed product pieces  50  from falling down from the receiving surface  33 , the filler door  31  is limited by two guide walls  34  to the right and left, said lateral guide walls  34  being stationary and being connected to the press housing  10 . 
     In order to prevent pressed product pieces  50  from being squeezed away to the top while the filler door  31  is actuated, an upper limiting device of the filling region is provided above the receiving surface  33  of the filler door  31  by means of an upper guide wall  35  that can be opened, said upper guide wall  35  having the form of a grating in the illustrated instance. The upper guide wall  35  that can be opened is put into an upper position during filling of the receiving surface  33 . Before the filler door  31  is moved hydraulically, the upper guide wall  35  that is adjusted in its form to the radius of movement of the front edge of the filler door  31  is put in its lower position and guides the pressed product pieces  50  present on the receiving surface  33  upwards into the press chamber  15  during the movement of the filler door  31 . 
     In the interior region of the press housing  10 , a press shield  17  is guided in vertical direction such that it can be moved down in press direction  71  and vice versa. While pressed product pieces  50  are inserted through the filler inlet  30 , the press shield  17  is in its upper end position. 
     To move the press shield  17 , a mechanical drive  18 ,  18 ′ is provided which, in the illustrated instance, has the form of two hydraulic cylinders extending in parallel to each other and forming a master-slave system, said hydraulic cylinders being received at a transverse yoke  16  attached to the top of the press housing  10  above the press chamber  15  extending in vertical direction and said hydraulic cylinders projecting beyond the press housing  10  towards the top. If installation rooms for the device  1  are particularly low, these cylinders can, alternatively, also be attached to the sides of the press housing  10  and are, then, connected to the press shield  17 , for example by means of angular levers. 
     In the master-slave cylinder pair of the mechanical drive  18 ,  18 ′, the return oil stream from the master cylinder is used as the drive oil stream from the allocated slave cylinder and vice versa. Provided that the size of the ring surface of the master cylinder is equal to the size of the piston area of the slave cylinder, it is ensured that the two piston rods of the master-slave cylinder pair are uniformly moving in and out. The use of such a master-slave cylinder pair stabilizes the guide of the press shield  17 . That is to say, the press shield  17  is driven by synchronously operating hydraulic cylinders on either side, thus being guided reliably. Should the feed be impeded by irregular filling or differently compressible pressed product pieces  50 , the system is stopped as a whole. 
     Since the press shield  17  is adjusted to the narrow rectangular cross-section A×c of the press chamber  15  and, therefore, has only a correspondingly low depth, it is also possible to easily compensate the load that can be caused by irregular filling in this dimension. In conventional baling presses, a canting of the press shield  17  in the horizontal depth dimension can occur very often. In the device  1  shown, however, this dimension is only a fraction of the press chamber depth resulting in known vertical baling presses. As a result, a canting of the press shield  17  across the depth of the press chamber  15  is rather improbable. 
     In a pressing process, the best compaction results and bale densities can be achieved if the press shield  17  can, if possible, travel across a full stroke down towards the floor  14  of the press chamber  15 . As a result, the partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  produced in the present device  1  are compressed to the same degree, as seen over their total height B. Owing to the special cross-sectional form of the press chamber  15 , partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  with the dimensions A×B×c are produced in said press chamber  15 , wherein the dimension c is an integer fraction of the corresponding dimension C of the complete compressed bale  5  to be produced; that means that c=C/n. Therein, n is greater than or equal to 2; preferably, n is between 2 and 10; most preferably, n is between 3 and 5. 
     The rear wall  12  of the press housing  10  can be moved in vertical direction by means of a further mechanical drive  19 , which is a hydraulic cylinder in the illustrated instance. A storage space  20  is positioned behind the rear wall  12 , said storage space  20  receiving the n partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  which are produced step by step in the press chamber  15  in individual pressing processes and are then transported out of the press chamber  15  and into the storage space  20 . Before a partial compressed bale  5 . 1 - 5 . n  produced in the press chamber  15  is pressed into the storage space  20  by means of a horizontally acting transportation assembly  40  comprising a transportation shield  41 , the rear wall  12  is moved up, thereby freeing an opening  12 ′ from the press chamber  15  to the storage space  20 , said opening  12 ′ being appropriate in size and having at least the dimension A×B. The transportation shield  41  of the transportation assembly  40  can be moved by means of a further mechanical drive  49  which is also formed by a hydraulic cylinder. 
     The storage space  20  in which the partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  later forming a complete compressed bale  5  are collected and temporarily kept, is formed by two limiting devices  21  and  22  that are acting in press direction, are horizontally extending in parallel to each other and are vertically spaced apart from each other. The limiting devices  21 ,  22  have the form of relatively narrow slideways the spacing of which is adjusted to the height B of the partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  such that a reexpansion of the partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  is prevented. 
     The pressed product present in the partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  at the vertical sides thereof does not tend to flow apart, and restoring forces in the partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  can, practically, only be registered in a direction opposite to the press direction  71 . This provides excellent access to the partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  for joining them in the storage space to form the compressed bale  5 , so that a bale band  60  or bale wire used as a tie can, for example, be easily put in the proper position. Therein, the tie can be applied manually or by means of a fully or semi-automatic tie system which is not shown in the drawing. 
     The tie  60  to form the compressed bale  5  produced is applied after all of the n partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  to be combined to form the compressed bale  5  have been produced and transported step by step into the storage space  20  by means of the horizontally acting transportation assembly  40 . The partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  that are bearing against each other with their flat sides  51  and are held between the limiting devices  21 ,  22  in a clamping manner can be compressed and tied in horizontal direction for final compaction by means of the transportation shield  41 . 
       FIG. 5 , for example, shows four partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  (n=4 in the illustrated instance), each having the dimensions A×B×C/4, are combined to form the compressed bale  5  having the dimensions A×B×C. 
     If necessary, the limiting devices  21 ,  22  can have a motion stop for the first partial compressed bale  5 . 1  at their free end, if the clamping of the partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  between the limiting devices  21 ,  22  does not suffice for the final horizontal compression. 
     The rear wall  12  can, alternatively, be designed such that its side facing the storage space  20  is not extending in parallel to its side facing the press chamber  15  but at an acute angle in relation to the press chamber  15 . As a result, the rear wall  12 , while moving down, compresses the partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  such that intermediate spaces between the individual partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  are minimized because the limiting devices  21 ,  22  of the storage space  20  or stops provided thereon prevent the first partial compressed bale  5 . 1  from sliding further. 
     As an alternative, it is also conceivable that the side of the rear wall  12  facing the storage space  20  can, in itself, be moved further towards the partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  by a sufficient travel amount, either hydraulically or by means of a lever or spring mechanism, in order to compress said partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  horizontally in a final step. 
     In their compressed state, the partial compressed bales  5 . 1 - 5 . n  are joined, e.g. strapped with an appropriate strapping material  60 , such as wire or PP band, to form the compressed bale  5 . The joining means are then tensioned and tied or bound together. 
     In the next step, the compressed bales  5  produced can be removed from the device  1 . To achieve this, the upper limiting device  22  of the storage space  20  is turned or moved up, for which purpose a further mechanical drive  29  is provided in the illustrated instance. This mechanical drive  29  is again formed by a hydraulic cylinder which is supported against a transverse support  16 ′ of the press housing  10  on the rear side thereof. 
     For example, the compressed bale  5  can be dumped or pushed onto a pallet positioned in parallel to the storage space  20  in the longitudinal direction thereof, since the dimensions A and B are essentially equal here. The dimension C is approximately 50% larger than the dimensions A and B. Appropriately, the compressed bale  5  is issued by a hydraulically or manually actuated lever mechanism which is not shown in the drawing. Therein, the surface of the compressed bale  5  with the edges B and C or A and C, which is placed on the pallet by dumping or pushing, essentially corresponds to the dimensions of the pallet, e.g. 1.200 mm×800 mm in case of a europallet, to utilize the transport space in a favorable manner. 
     For a new cycle, the transportation shield  41  of the horizontally acting transportation assembly  40  is moved back and the hydraulically movable rear wall  12  is again moved down. 
       FIG. 6  of the drawing shows a second device  1  for producing compressed bales  5  from compressible pressed product pieces, in particular residues, such as used paper, used paperboard containers, plastic films or empty plastic bottles. The core of the device  1  is formed by a press consisting of a press housing  10  comprising a press shield  17  that can be moved in said press housing  10  by means of a mechanical drive  18 .  FIG. 6  shows the press shield  17  in its retracted position, that is in its state prior to a press stroke. 
     In the illustrated instance, the press shield  17  and its mechanical drive  18  are arranged at a lower end of the press chamber  15 , this resulting in a press direction  71  of the press shield  17  according to the arrow from bottom to top. 
     Furthermore, the press housing  10  is arranged obliquely in relation to the vertical direction with its press chamber  15 , wherein an angle α, which is approximately 20° in the illustrated instance, exists between the press direction  71  and the vertical direction. 
     Towards the front, i.e. to the right in  FIG. 6 , the press chamber  15  is limited by a front wall  11 . This front wall  11  can be moved to the rear perpendicularly in relation to its plane area, i.e. to the left in  FIG. 6 , by means of a mechanical drive, such as hydraulic cylinders. To the rear, i.e. to the left in  FIG. 6 , the press chamber  15  is limited by a rear wall and partition  12 . This rear wall and partition  12  can be moved, for example pushed up, such that it, optionally, closes the press chamber  15  or frees an opening for the issue of a partial compressed bale  5 . 1  to  5 . 4 . The press chamber  15  is limited towards the top by a transverse yoke  16 . On its sides, the press chamber  15  is closed by two lateral walls. 
     A fill chamber  32 ′ having the form of a box that is open at its top is arranged to the right of the press housing  10 , wherein pressed product pieces to be compressed can be thrown into said fill chamber  32 ′. The fill chamber  32 ′ has a bent floor  35 ′ which can be swept by a transportation shield of a transportation assembly  33 ′, wherein said transportation shield can be swiveled in parallel to said bent floor  35 ′. 
     A charging assembly  3  is arranged between the fill chamber  32 ′ and a filler inlet  30  of the press chamber  15 . In the illustrated instance, the charging assembly  3  consists of a rotationally drivable rotor roller  30 ′ which is equipped with transportation spikes  31 ′ along its circumference. By means of the transportation assembly  33 ′, pressed product pieces thrown into the fill chamber  32 ′ can be supplied to a pressed product receiving region  34 ′ of the rotor roller  30 ′ where the pressed product pieces are then seized by the rotating rotor roller  30 ′ and its transportation spikes  31 ′ and transported into the press chamber  15  in a forced manner. As soon as the press chamber  15  is sufficiently filled with pressed product pieces, the distance of a guide surface  10  below the transportation spikes  31 ′ is, initially, brought to the minimum possible distance from the transportation spikes  31 ′. As a result, the remaining product pieces which are still in the rotor roller  30 ′ are transported into the press chamber  15  without the rotor roller  30 ′ seizing further pressed product pieces from the fill chamber  32 ′. After further pressed product pieces are no longer pushed out of the press chamber  15  and into the fill chamber  32 ′, the charging assembly  3  is then stopped and the press shield  17  is moved in press direction  71  by means of its mechanical drive  18 . If necessary, this process is repeated several times until a partial compressed bale  5 . 1  to  5 . 4  is produced in the desired size and density in the upper region of the press chamber  15 . 
     After the rear wall and partition  12  has been opened, each partial compressed bale  5 . 1  to  5 . 4  is transported out of the press chamber  15  and into a storage space  20  in the transportation direction indicated by the arrow  74 . This transportation is accomplished by moving the front wall  11  in the direction of the arrow  74  by means of its mechanical drive, e.g. a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit. The storage space  20  has a lower limiting device  21  and an upper limiting device  22  together ensuring that the partial compressed bales  5 . 1  to  5 . 4  are held bearing against each other with their flat sides and are prevented from reexpanding. 
     The partial compressed bales  5 . 1  to  5 . 4  (four in the exemplary embodiment shown) are joined to form a compressed bale  5  by strapping with bands or like binding means, said compressed bale  5  being transferred onto a gravity transportation section  8  arranged adjacent to the storage space  20 . In the illustrated instance, the gravity transportation section  8  is an inclined slideway via which the compressed bale  5  produced can be deposited onto a pallet  80 . The compressed bale  5  produced has a height B and a length C which is composed of partial lengths C/n (n=4 in the illustrated instance). The width of the compressed bale  5  produced, measured perpendicularly in relation to the drawing plane, amounts to A and is not visible here. 
       FIG. 7  is an angled front view of the device shown in  FIG. 6  in perspective. The fill chamber  32 ′ can be seen at the right front, with pressed product pieces being supplied from said fill chamber  32 ′ to the charging assembly  3  by means of the rotor roller  30 ′. The press housing  10  of the device  1  is positioned after the fill chamber  32 ′, the front wall  11  and the left lateral wall  13  of said press housing  10  being visible. The transverse yoke  16  is positioned on the press housing  10  on the upper side thereof. A slide profile  11 ′ having the form of a rectangular tube can be seen in the middle of the front wall  11 , with the mechanical drive for moving the front wall  11  being positioned in said slide profile  11 ′. 
     The storage space  20  with its lower limiting device  21  and its upper limiting device  22  is positioned after the press housing  10 . The rear and last part of the device  1  is, finally, formed by the gravity transportation section  8  via which the compressed bale  5  produced, which consists of the partial compressed bales  5 . 1  to  5 . 4  having been produced beforehand, is deposited onto the pallet  80 . The partial compressed bales  5 . 1  to  5 . 4  are held together by means of the joining means  60 , for example straps made of plastic. 
       FIG. 8  is an angled rear view of the device  1  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  in perspective. The fill chamber  32 ′ with the transportation assembly  33 ′ arranged therein is shown to the right in  FIG. 8 . To the left, this is followed by the charging assembly  3  which is, in turn, followed by the press housing  10 . Of the press housing  10 , the rear wall and partition  12 , one side wall  13  and the transverse yoke  16  arranged at the top can be seen in the illustrated instance. 
     Further to the left,  FIG. 8  then shows the storage space  20  which is formed by the lower limiting device  21  and the upper limiting device  22 . 
     The gravity transportation section  8  which serves to deposit the compressed bale  5  produced onto the pallet  80  forms the last part of the device  1 , which can be seen to the front left in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 9  of the drawing shows a third embodiment of the device  1  for producing compressed bales  5  of compressible pressed product pieces. Apart from the fill chamber  32 ′, which is arranged upstream from the charging assembly, and its transportation assembly  33 ′ provided therein, the device  1  shown in  FIG. 9  corresponds to the second exemplary embodiment described in  FIGS. 6 to 8 . As regards the design of the press housing  10 , the charging assembly  3 , the storage space  20  and the gravity transportation section  8 , reference is, therefore, made to the preceding description of  FIGS. 6 to 8 . 
     Contrary to the exemplary embodiment described above, a conveyor belt is provided as transportation assembly  33 ′ in the fill chamber  32 ′ arranged upstream from the charging assembly  3  in the example of the device  1  shown in  FIG. 9 . The conveyor belt extends towards the charging assembly  3  in ascending direction and ends immediately in front of the rotor roller  30 ′ thereof. The fill chamber  32 ′ is closed on its sides and, in the illustrated instance, has a swiveling cover  32 ″ on its top, said swiveling cover  32 ″ being shown in its open position in  FIG. 9 . In this position of the cover  32 ″, an operator  9  can throw pressed product pieces to be compressed into the fill chamber  32 ′. 
     By switching on a drive (not shown) of the conveyor belt forming the transportation assembly  33 ′, said conveyor belt transports thrown-in pressed product pieces from the charging assembly  3  and into the operating range of the rotor roller  30 ′ thereof. There, the pressed product pieces are seized by the rotor roller  30 ′ and transported by the latter into the interior region of the press housing  10 , as has already been described in detail above. 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged detail view of a region of transfer from the transportation assembly  33 ′ to the charging assembly  3 . The charging assembly  3  with its rotor roller  30 ′ can be seen at the upper left of  FIG. 10 . The rotor roller  30 ′ has a hollow cylindrical central tube  30 ″, with the transportation spikes  31 ′ being attached to the outer perimeter of said central tube  30 ″. 
     A slotted guide surface  37 ′ is positioned below the rotor roller  30 ′, said slotted guide surface  37 ′ being bent in its design in order to approximately follow the shape of the outer perimeter of the rotor roller  30 ′ and said slotted guide surface  37 ′ being adjustable in its distance from the rotor roller  30 ′ in the sense of the double arrow  37 ″.  FIG. 10  shows the guide surface  37 ′ in a position in which it is positioned as close to the rotor roller  30 ′ as possible wherein the transportation spikes  31 ′ then immerse into the slots of the guide surface  37 ′. This position is taken once the supply of pressed product pieces into the press chamber is terminated, said press chamber not being visible here. 
     The end region of the conveyor belt forming the transportation assembly  33 ′ in the fill chamber  32 ′ can be seen to the right of  FIG. 10 , said end region facing the charging assembly  3 . The discharge height  36 ′ of the transportation assembly  33 ′ is represented by the horizontal dashed line. From this discharge height  36 ′, the transportation assembly  33 ′ transfers the pressed product pieces to be compressed to a pressed product receiving region  34 ′ of the rotor roller  30 ′. There, the transportation spikes  31 ′ seize the pressed product pieces with the rotor roller  30 ′ rotating and transport them along the guide surface  37 ′ and into the downstream press chamber. The discharge height  36 ′ can be varied by adjusting the height of the discharge end of the conveyor belt, to optimize the transfer of the pressed product pieces to the charging assembly  3 . 
     While the press chamber is being charged, the transportation assembly  33 ′ continuously transports a stream from pressed product pieces to the rotor roller  30 ′ which transports the pressed product pieces further into the press chamber, therein already accomplishing a precompaction. Once the press chamber is filled, the transportation assembly  33 ′ is stopped so that new pressed product pieces are no longer transported to the rotor roller  30 ′. The rotor roller  30 ′ continues transporting for a certain time until the last pressed product pieces have also been transported into the press chamber along the guide surface  37 ′. 
     With the continuous transportation that was the first one described above for filling the press chamber, the guide surface  37 ′ has a wider distance from the rotor roller  30 ′ so that as much pressed product as possible can be transported. At the end of the filling process of the press chamber, the distance of the guide surface  37 ′ from the rotor roller  30 ′ is reduced in order to transport all remaining pressed product pieces from the receiving region  34 ′ of the rotor roller  30 ′ into the press chamber. The adjustment of the distance of the guide surface  37 ′ from the rotor roller  30 ′ is accomplished in the direction of the double arrow  37 ″. Once the residual transportation is completed and pressed product pieces are no longer present in a transition area between the charging assembly  3  and the press chamber, the rotor roller  30 ′ is also stopped and a pressing process is carried out, such as it has already been described above. 
     A guard  38 ′ which ensures that all pressed product pieces supplied on the conveyor belt are reliably transferred from the conveyor belt to the charging assembly  3  is arranged on the side of the conveyor belt facing the charging assembly  3 , said guard  38 ′ being adjusted to the shape of the conveyor belt which is curved there. If the sliding surface  37 ′ is moved, a plate limiting the gliding surface  37 ′ towards the transportation assembly  33 ′ and offset downwards from the sliding surface  37 ′ at an approximately right angle slides along a surface of the guard  38 ′ extending in parallel thereto, so that a tight connection from the transportation assembly  33 ′ to the charging assembly  3  is always ensured. 
     As is illustratively shown in  FIGS. 6 to 9 , the press direction  71  extends at an angle α in relation to the vertical direction whereby the complete height of the device  1  is reduced. The longitudinal and transportation direction  74  of the storage space  20  extends perpendicularly in relation to the press direction  71 , this facilitating the transfer or ejection of a partial compressed bale  5 . 1  to  5 . 4  from the press chamber  15  into the storage space  20  because, in the illustrated instance, canting is prevented owing to a missing change in direction. 
     Furthermore, it can be seen that the transportation direction  74  obliquely extends from top to bottom, this facilitating the transportation of the partial compressed bales  5 . 1  to  5 . 4  as a result of the support through gravity. Last but not least, the gravity transportation section  8  extends downwards at an even somewhat steeper angle so that, in the illustrated instance, a compressed bale  5  produced is transported and can be deposited on the pallet  80  solely by the force of gravity without any drive means, by pulling the pallet  80  from under the gravity transportation section  8  in a forward direction, i.e. to the left according to  FIGS. 6 to 9 . 
     As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations and modifications which may differ particularly from those that have been described in the preceding specification and description. It should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.