GB2169550A

GB2169550A - Compressing and packing compressible materials into bales

Info

Publication number: GB2169550A
Application number: GB08500947A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerard Esteve; Jean Amalric
Original assignee: Amalric S A des Ets
Current assignee: Amalric S A des Ets
Priority date: 1985-01-15
Filing date: 1985-01-15
Publication date: 1986-07-16
Also published as: GB8500947D0; GB2169550B

Abstract

Material to be baled is compressed between a platform 9 secured to a fixed support 7 so as to be rotatable about an axis X and a platform 25 also rotatable about the axis X and movable towards and away from the platform 9 by a ram 27. A loading hopper 21 and a box structure 18 are movable from the bale unloading position shown to a loading position in which the front end of the structure 18 is adjacent the platform 9. Each platform 9, 25 comprises two intersecting grooves 10 for accommodating bale fastening straps. For packing wool in bulk or in fleeces, the machine is secured horizontally on a displaceable platform for cartage to the wool collection sites; this wool is loaded in bulk or in fleeces into the hopper (21). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Machine and method for compressing and packing compressible materials such as wool into bales The invention relates to a machine for the compressing and packing into bales of compressible materials; it is applicable quite particularly in the wool industry for compressing wool and arranging the same in the form of bales, but it may equally be applied in other industries (cardboard, scrap plastics or paper...). It extends to a method for packing wool in bulk or in fleeces.

Commonly vertical but sometimes horizontal hydraulic presses are utilised in the wool processing industry, which render it possible to compress the wool and arrange the same in bags of synthetics materials, formed by a kind of sock closed at one end; the bales are then hooped with bindings which assure their form retention and integrity.

Nevertheless, this procedure is unwieldy because of the rising cost of synthetics material bags on the one hand, and on the other hand because of the labour required for installing the bindings or strappings which is a protracted operation hardly practicable on existing presses, in particular on horizontal presses.

Furthermore, the very nature of these presses involves heavy plant which in the case of vertical presses frequently rises in height over several floors of the premises and thus the utilisation may only be considered in a static manner in a production plant or mill.

The present invention has the object of providing a machine lacking the aforesaid defects of the known presses.

An essential goal of the invention is, in particular, to allow for a baling operation which is less costly than in the case of conventional presses, both as regards the labour required and the ancillaries which are to be utilised.

Another essential goal of the invention is to provide a machine of a much lighter and more compact structure than those of the conventional presses, in particular for the purpose of mobility.

To this end, the invention thus has the object of providing for the packing of wool on the collection sites with the purpose of securing a considerable reduction of the cost of handling and transporting wool in tightly wadded form.

A machine for the compressing and packing into bales of compressible materials, comprising two press platforms placed in mutual alignment and including a movable platform arranged to be displaceable towards and away from the other platform, in a translatory displacement parallel to a longitudinal axis extending between the platforms, between an idle position in which the platforms are spaced apart to allow for loading of the materials to be baled between them and a position of compression in which the platforms are placed closer to each other and separated by a bale forming volume (Z) having a length corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of a bale according to the present invention includes a framework equipped with a structure for translatory guiding extending parallel to the longitudinal axis between a rear support and a front support, the front support carrying the other press platform via a pivoting means adapted to allow pivoting of the said platform about the longitudinal axis, a movable box structure open at opposite ends and extending along the longitudinal axis (X) over a part of the length of the guiding structure, the said box structure being guided by the said structure in a manner such that it may be displaced translatorily between an advanced loading position in which the said box structure is placed against the other press platform and an opposed retracted unloading position, in which it is clear of the bale forming volume, means for entraining the movable box structure between the two positions, loading means opening into the movable box structure, a movable framework at least partially housed within the movable box structure and carrying the movable press platform via pivoting means adapted to allow for a pivotal displacement of the said movable platform about the longutidinal axis, the said movable framework being guided within the box structure in such manner that it may be displaced between an advanced position corresponding to the position of compression of the movable platform, and a retracted position corresponding to the idle position of the said movable platform, means for entraining the movable framework and arranged to displace the said framework between its two positions.

The invention also includes a method of packing wool in bulk or in fleeces, comprising the steps of conveying a machine for compressing and packing wool to a wool collection site, loading the said machine with the wool stored on the said collection site, in such manner as to produce compressed wool bales, and conveying the said bales to a processing mill.

To simplify and facilitate the ensuing description, the direction of displacement of the movable plate corresponding to the compression of materials has been adopted by convention as the rear to front direction; the terms "front", "rear, "advanced", "retracted", etc, relate to this convention.

According to another feature of the invention, each press platform has at least two grooves arranged in its front surface along two intersecting lines extending at right angles to each other, and each extending between opposite sides of the platform, each groove having a cross-section adapted to accommodate a bale fastening strap.

As will be understood more clearly in the following description, the machine in accordance with the invention allows the materials to be packed by a method of application which is greatly simplified compared to the conventional presses and which does not require the utilisation of expensive conventional bags; in particular, it is possible to make use of continuous webs of film arranged for unreeling, thanks to the rotation of the press plates following compression, which leads to a very appreciable saving per bale produced.

Furthermore, the design of the machine in ac cordance with the invention results in a substantial reduction in its bulk and allows of producing lightweight and compact machines which in particular extend along a horizontal longitudinal axis; whilst having the required power rating (of the order of 10 tons for packing wool at the site of collection), machines of this kind may be fastened on movable platforms such as a platform apt to be loaded on to a vehicle or unloaded from the same.

In respect of the wool industry, it is thus possible to carry a machine to the site of collection, which will allow of in situ compression and packing in bales of the wool collected, this machine being movable from one collection site to another. This procedure considerably restricts the difficult handling operations on wool in bulk or in fleeces and eliminates its costly deliveries in this bulky form: in this way, it establishes very substantial savings over the conventional method, consisting in loading the wool in bulk on to trucks and conveying to a packing plant (co-operative), unloading and then carrying the wool to the presses.

The invention may advantageously be embodied in a horizontal press usable as a movable station; it is not however limited to this kind of structure and may be embodied in stationary presses, be they horizontal or vertical.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying partly diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatical perspective view of a machine in accordance with the invention installed on a displaceable platform, Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-section taken in a vertical plane of the machine of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an enlarged scale detail cross-section of part of Figure 2 showing pivoting means carrying each press plate, Figure 4 is a perspective view in detail of an element of the machine comprising wool retention claws and handling means, Figure 5 is a partly sectional plan view of the element of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a transverse cross-section showing the loading bucket and driving means, Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of part of Figure 6, Figures 8a, Sb, 8c, 8d and 8e are diagrams illustrating stages of operation of the machine of Figures 1-7.

The machine illustrated is intended to compress wool for packing in bales by means of a synthetics material film, of end covers of the same material and of hooping straps. This machine of Figure 1, is installed on a platform or pallet 2 and associated with a hydraulic master unit 3 assuring a supply to its rams.

The platform 2, of a kind known per se, is devised for cartage on a track chassis in the manner of a skip or the like; it may be loaded or unloaded by means of a conventional lifting lever (partly denoted at 4) of the truck or lorry equipment.

The platform 2 is also equipped with a crane (partly denoted at 5) of a capacity appropriate to transfer the bales formed to a cartage trailer to be placed beside the platform.

The machine 1 is placed longitudinally along the platform 2, so that its axis X is substantially horizontal and is secured to the platform by any conventional means.

The machine 2 comprises a frame forming a guiding structure 6 which extends parallel to the axis X. This structure essentially comprises four longitudinal slideways which are braced at the front and rear by supports 7 and 8 comprising a peripheral framework 7a and cross-members 7b.

The support 7 which carries a press plate 9 fixedly along the longitudinal axis X, is considered by definition to form the front of the machine. The opposed support 8 situated close to the hydraulic master unit 3 being considered to form the rear of the same.

The fixed press plate 9 has a square shape and is formed by a metal plate 9a which has secured on its front surface panels 9b of a lightweight material, in particular of wood. These panels 9b are spaced apart from each other to form grooves such as 10 appropriate for insertion therein of a bale fastening strap. Four panels 9b are provided in the example and form two grooves extending along the two median lines of the plate 9.

This press plate is carried by the front support 7 via pivoting means 17 enabling the same to pivot around the axis X passing through its centre.

These pivoting means comprise a sheath 11 having a longitudinal axis, and having the platform 9 secured to it at one end by welding to plate 9a; this sheath is borne via rolling bearings 12 by a shaft 13 which is welded to a stage 14 bolted to the cross-members 7b of the support 7.

At its rear side, the platform 9 is equipped with a peripheral channel 15 fastened against the plate 9a. This channel is intended to hold the rim of a pliable end cover intended to be placed in position prior to forming a bale, in such a manner as to cover the platform; this end cover is secured within the channel 15 by means of an elastic binding which grips its edges; once the wool has been compressed, it is folded down towards the bale and covers the extreme surface of the said bale.

Furthermore, the pivoting means 17 described in the foregoing are equipped with angular indexing means assuring the setting of the platform 9 at predetermined angular positions suitably numbering four positions angularly spaced apart by 90" and corresponding to the four positions for which one of the grooves 10 of the platform is horizontal.

The indexing means comprise an element 16 containing a ball 16a impelled by a spring 16b; this ball bears against a ring 16c which is welded on brackets right around the sheath 11. The element 16 is carried by one of the cross-members 7b to be placed in coincidence with the ring 16c. The latter has four recesses corresponding to the angular indexing positions, in which recesses the ball 16a may engage, thus setting the platform position and requiring a particular turning force in order to be freed and allow angular repositioning of the platform 9.

Furthermore, the machine comprises a movable box structure 18 of square cross-section and internal dimensions a little larger than those of a press plate or platform; this movable box structure extends along the longitudinal axis X over a fraction of the length of the guiding structure 6 and is enflanked by tubular frames such as 19 carrying PTFE shoes or the like, in a manner such as to be able to slide longitudinally along the slideways 6.

The box structure 18 is equipped with a hopper 21 fastened to the upper side, and which opens vertically in the box structure via an opening 20 formed in the upper side of the box structure 18.

The movable box structure 18 may be displaced in the longitudinal direction by means of two hydraulic rams 22 which are placed externally at either side of its two lateral surfaces. These rams 22 are supplied by the hydraulic master unit 3 and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis X between the rear support 8 and one of the frames 19 of the box structure The length of the box structure 18 is so specified that it may be displaced between a so-called loading front position (rams extended) in which its front extremity is situated at the level of the fixed platform 9 (position shown in Figure 8a) and a socalled unloading retracted position (rams retracted), in which the said box structure leaves clear a so-called bale forming volume Z at the rear of the platform 9, this volume extending over the length of a bale (positon indicated in Figure 8c); in this last position, the rear extremity of the box structure 18 is situated close to the rear support 8.

Furthermore, the box structure 18 contains a movable slider 23 able to slide longitudinally with respect to it. In the case of the example, this slider is formed by transverse frames 23a joined to each other by stringers 23b and stays 23c and the upper surface of the slider is closed off by a plate 23d.

At the front, the slider 23 is equipped with a platform-carrying bearer 24 which serves the purpose of supporting a movable press platform 25. This platform is identical to the stationary platform 9 and is carried in the same manner by pivoting means 26 identical to the pivoting means 17 al ready described for the platform 9. The movable platform 25 may consequently pivot around the longitudinal axis X passing through its centre, with indexing in the four angular positions correspond ing to the horizontal orientations of its grooves.

The slider 23 has a shorter length than that of the movable box structure 18, in such a manner that it may be displaced from a retracted idle posi tion in which its rear portion is situated close to the rear support 8 (position indicated in Figure 8a) to an advanced position referred to as the compression position, in which the movable plat form 25 is situated in front of the fixed platform 9 and is separated from the latter by the bale form ing volume Z (position indicated in Figures 8b and 8c).

The slider 23 is entrained between the positions specified in the foregoing by means of a hydraulic ram 27 which extends within the slider and is yoked to the rear of the bearer 24 and extends along the axis X between the bearer 24 and the rear support 8 which is equipped with a bracket carrying a yoking strap or the like, for this purpose.

In the example illustrated, a fixed intermediate box section 28 is provided on the rear portion of the machine within the movable box structure 18 between the same and the slider 23. The slider 23 is guided in its sliding displacement by shoes or slides formed by PTFE strips, within the movable box structure 18 at forward and rearward parts thereof within the fixed intermediate box section 28.

The essential object of this intermediate box section 28 is to complete the guiding of the slider 23 and shut off the opening 20 of the hopper 21 when the movable box structure is in the retracted unloading position, in such a manner as to prevent any risk of feeding wool behind the movable platform 25.

It should be observed that the hopper 21 and the corresponding opening 20 are organised in such a manner as to be situated at the front of the movable platform 25 and at the rear of the bale forming volume Z when the movable box structure 18 is in the front loading position on the one hand, and on the other hand when the slider 23 and its movable platform 25 are in the rear idle position (position indicated in Figure 8a).

As apparent from Figures 4 and 5, the movable box structure 18 has its two lateral sides bearing withdrawable claws such as 29 for retention of the wool. These claws are articulated around a vertical axis in such a manner that each may assume two positions, the one projecting into the inside of the box structure, 18 via a slot 18a and the other withdrawn to the outside of the said box structure.

Control means operate the said claws so that they are placed in the position projecting into the box structure for the advanced loading position of this latter and on the contrary in the external withdrawn position for the other settings of the said box structure. In their projecting position, these claws assure retention of the wool after each preramming action and during the return of the movable platform 25, and thus limit the longitudinal expansion of the partially compressed wool; in their withdrawn position, the claws allow of the displacements of the slider 23 with respect to the box structure 18 without the risk of catching.

The control means for each claw comprise elastic means 30 which act on the same to impel it towards its position projecting within the movable box structure, and a cam element comprising a cam 31 situated on an extension of the claw and a ramp 32 which operates this cam to withdraw the claw when the box structure 18 leaves the advanced loading position. The ramp 32 consequently extends over the rear portion of the machine as indicated in Figure 5 to operate the cam 31 throughout the stroke of the movable box structure except over a few centimetres at the front end of travel of the box structure.

The machine illustrated by way of example is equipped with means of loading its hopper 21, al lowing of pouring the wool in bulk or in fleeces into the same when it is situated in the advanced loading position.

These means indicated in Figures 1, 6 and 7 comprise a system 33 for entrainment of a removable bucket 34, between a low position in which the said bucket may be filled with wool and a high position tipped above the hopper 21 (for its advanced loading position) in which the wool is poured into the said hopper.

In the case of the example these loading means comprise two uprights such as 35 having an Ushaped cross-section, which are held against the slideways 6 of the framework. These uprights guide inner rollers such as 36 and outer rollers such as 37, which support a movable carrier 38. In the upper portion, the inner rollers are guided by an angled over section arranged to assure tipping of the carriage through say 120 . The carriage is entrained by a chain 39 associated with a hydraulic ram 40 supplied from the hydraulic master unit 3.

The carriage 38 comprises a cross-member endowed with two passages wherein may be inserted and split-pinned two lugs such as 41; these lugs form a fork apt to engage in seats comprised in the lower part of the bucket.

The removable nature of the bucket 34 and of the lugs 41 allows for arranging the machine in a cartage position without any projections beyond the base of the platform 2.

For bales of normal weight of the order of 210 kgs, the hopper 21 preferably has a capacity of the order of 70 kgs, of wool in bulk or in fleeces so as to allow of a bale being formed in 3 loads, the but having a capacity of the order of 60 to 70 kgs of wool.

The diagrams of Figures 8a to 8e illustrate the operation of the machine in accordance with the invention.

The platform 2 is carried to the collection site and unloaded on the ground behind the truck, by means of the grasping arm 4 and of the associated conventional handling system.

A trailer for stowage of the bales is positioned closed to the platform 2.

After end covers have been placed around its press platforms 9,25, the machine is arranged in the loading position illustrated in Figure 8a. The box structure 18 is positioned at the front in a manner such as to enclose the bale forming volume Z. The slider 23 which carries the movable platform 25 is placed in the retracted idle position.

In this position, the hopper leads to the inside of the box structure via the opening 20, at the front of the platform 25 and at the rear of the volume Z.

The hopper is loaded with wool in bulk or in fleeces by means of the bucket.

An initial compacting operation is performed by a forwardly directed displacement of the slider 23 as apparent from Figure 8b, in a manner such as to push the wool back into the volume Z. The movable platform 25 may then be displaced to return into the position of Figure 8a. The claws 29 assure that the wool is kept in position in the volume Z.

Two other wool loading operations are performed in this manner; the bale is then formed in the volume Z, the machine assuming the position of compression illustrated in Figure 8b.

The box structure 18 is then displaced to its retracted unloading position illustrated in Figure 8c; the volume Z is cleared in this position for the purpose of placing a wrapper around the bale.

The end covers covering the platforms 9 and 25 are first folded down over the bale and a film packed on a roll 42, Figure 8d, is caused to enwrap the bale by causing the bale to rotate by rotation of the press platforms 9 and 25 which support it; two or more turns may be made before severing the film.

A binding 43 is then threaded into the two horizontal grooves of the platforms and its two extremities are tied (Figure 8e). The bale is then caused to pivot through a quarter turn to allow of placing the other binding in position in the two other grooves placed in the horizontal position.

This binding is secured like the first.

The movable platform 25 is then displaced towards the rear to free the bale which may be extracted from the machine by any means, and suitably by means of the jib 5 for the purpose of placing the bale in position on the storage trailer.

The wool is thus carried to the processing mills in the form of compressed and packed bales.

The invention renders it possible to secure a considerable reduction of the handling operations and in particular of the operations handling wool in wadded form and it eliminates the costly cartage in this condition.

The kinematics of the machine described enable it to be of very compact nature; furthermore, it allows of making use of inexpensive packaging material available in continuous webs and facilitates the placing in position of strapping without requiring an access below the machine. Placing the packaging material in position in web form eliminates the chancy operation in the conventional process, which consists in inverting each bag in the manner of a sock around the compressed bale. In the case of the invention, the number of turns may easily be adjusted as a function of desirable level of resistance in such manner as to allow for the package withstanding the subsequent handling operations foreseen.

The machine may be modified, for example. In particular, one, or both of the press platforms may be coupled to a motorised assembly for its entrainment in rotation. Furthermore, the loading hopper may be combined with weighing means allowing for weighing the wool; for example, this hopper may be installed on the movable box structure via strain gauges. The weighing operation may equally be performed by means of scales provided at the press exit.

Claims

1. A machine for the compressing and packing into bales of compressible materials, comprising two press platforms placed in mutual alignment and including a movable platform arranged to be displaceable towards and away from the other platform, in a translatory displacement parallel to a longitudinal axis extending between the platforms, between an idle position in which the platforms are spaced apart to allow for loading of the materials to be baled between them and a position of compression in which the platforms are placed closer to each other and separated by a bale forming volume (Z) having a length corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of a bale, the machine including a framework equipped with a structure for translatory guiding extending parallel to the longitudinal axis between a rear support and a front support, the front support carrying the other press platform via pivoting means adapted to allow pivoting of the said platform about the longitudinal axis, a movable box structure open at opposite ends and extending along the longitudinal axis (X) over a part of the length of the guiding structure, the said box structure being guided by the said structure in a manner such that it may be displaced translatorily between an advanced loading position in which the said box structure is placed against the other press platform and an opposed retracted unloading position, in which it is clear of the bale forming volume, means for entraining the movable box structure between the two positions, loading means opening into the movable box structure, and a movable framework at least partially housed within the movable box structure and carrying the movable press platform via pivoting means adapted to allow for a pivotal displacement of the movable platform about the longitudinal axis, the said movable framework being guided within the box structure in such manner that it may be displaced between an advanced position corresponding to the position of compression of the movable platform, and a retracted position corresponding to the idle position of the said movable platform, means for entraining the movable framework and arranged to displace the said framework between its two positions.

2. A machine according to claim 1, in which each press platform comprises at least two grooves arranged in its front surface along two intersecting perpendicular lines and each groove extending between opposite sides of the platform, each groove having a cross-section adapted to accommodate a bale fastening strap.

3. a machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the press platforms have an identical square shape, the movable box structure has a squareshaped cross-section and internal dimensions a little larger than those of the press platforms, the movable framework carrying the movable platform comprises a slider of square cross-section arranged to slide within the movable box structure, the said slider being equipped at the front with a bearer supporting a plate and having a shorter length than that of the movable box structure, in such manner that its rear portion is situated close to the rear support for the idle position of the movable platform, the means for entraining the said slider comprise a hydraulic ram extending within the said slider and along the longitudinal axis between the said slider and the rear support, and the means for entraining the movable box structure comprise two hydraulic rams situated externally at either side of side surfaces of the said movable box structure and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis between the said movable box structure and the rear support.

4. A machine according to claim 3, in which the loading means comprise a hopper secured on a surface of the movable box structure to communicate within the said box structure through an opening formed in the said surface, the said hopper and the said opening being so arranged so as to be situated in front of the movable press platform and at the rear of the bale forming volume when the movable box structure is in the loading position and the movable platform in the idle position.

5. A machine according to claim 4, in which the slider is equipped with a cover plate on its side situated at the side of the hopper in order to shut off the opening of the hopper when the said slider is level within the opening, a fixed intermediate box section being interposed at the rear between the movable box structure and the slider in such manner as to shut off the said opening in the retracted position, the movable box structure and of its hopper.

6. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which the movable box structure externally carries withdrawable claws for retention of materials, each claw being associated with control means adapted to place the claw means either projecting into the box structure via a slot therein for the advance loading position of the said box structure, and withdrawn to the outside of the box structure for other positions thereof.

7. A machine according to claim 6, in which the control means of the claw means comprise resilient means biasing the claw means towards the inwardly projecting position, and a cam element adapted to withdraw the claw means when the box structure leaves the advanced loading position.

8. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which each press platform is secured at an end of an associated sleeve having a longitudinal axis, the sleeve being supported on rolling bearings by means of a shaft secured on the front support for the other platform and on a bearer in unit with the movable framework for the movable platform.

9. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which the pivoting means of each press platform are equipped with angular indexing means adapted to allow the platforms to be set at particular angular positions.

10. A machine according to any preceding claim in which each press platform is equipped on its rear side with a peripheral channel for retention of the edges of a flexible bale end cover.

11. A machine according to claim 2, in which each press platform comprises a metal plate with panels of a lightweight material fastened to the front surface thereof, the panels being spaced apart to form the aforesaid grooves.

12. A machine according to one of the preceding claims, arranged so that its longitudinal axis is substantially horizontal, the loading means com prising a hopper situated above the movable box structure and leading vertical thereinto.

13. A machine according to claim 12, installed on a displaceable platform adapted for loading onto and unloading from a vehicle.

14. A machine according to claim 12 or claim 13, having at one side of the framework a system for entraining a removable bucket and arranged to entrain the bucket between a low position and a high position tipped above the hopper.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13 and substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

15. A method of packing wool in bulk or in fleeces, comprising the steps of conveying a machine for compressing and packing wool to a wool collection site, loading the said machine with the wool stored on the said collection site, in such manner as to produce compressed wool bales, and conveying the said bales to a processing mill.

16. A machine for the compressing and packing into bales of compressible materials, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 and substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

Superseded claims 1 tb 17 New or amended claims:- 1 to 15

1. A machine for the compressing and packing into bales of compressible materials, comprising two press platforms placed in mutual alignment and including a movable platform arranged to be displaceable towards and away from the other platform, in a translatory displacement parallel to a longitudinal axis extending between the platforms, between an idle position in which the platforms are spaced apart to allow for loading of the materials to be baled between them and a position of compression in which the platforms are placed closer to each other and separated by a bale forming volume (Z) having a length corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of a bale, the machine including a framework equipped with a structure for translatory guiding extending parallel to the longitudinal axis between a rear support and a front support, the front support carrying the other press platform via pivoting means adapted to allow pivoting of the said platform about the longitudinal axis, a movable box structure open at opposite ends and extending along the longitudinal axis (X) over a part of the length of the guiding structure, the said box structure being guided by the said structure in a manner such that it may be displaced translatorily between an advanced loading position in which the said box structure is placed against the other press platform and an opposed retracted unloading position, in which it is clear of the bale forming volume, means for entraining the movable box structure between the two positions, loading means opening into the movable box structure, and a movable framework at least partially housed within the movable box structure and carrying the movable press platform via pivoting means adapted to allow for a pivotal displacement of the movable framework being guided within the box structure in such manner that it may be displaced between an advanced position corresponding to the position of compression of the movable platform, and a retracted position corresponding to the idle position of the said movable platform, means for entraining the movable framework and arranged to displace the said framework between its two positions, the movable box structure externally carrying withdrawable claws for retention of materials, each claw being associated with control means adapted to place the claw means either projecting into the box structure via a slot therein for the advance loading position of the said box structure, and withdrawn to the outside of the box structure for other positions thereof.

2. A machine according to claim 1, in which the control means of the claw means comprise resilient means biasing the claw means towards the inwardly projecting position, and a cam element adapted to withdraw the claw means when the box structure leaves the advanced loading position.

3. A machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which each press platform comprises at least two grooves arranged in its front surface along two intersecting perpendicular lines and each groove extending between opposite sides of the platform, each groove having a cross-section adapted to accommodate a bale fastening strap.

4. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which each press platform is secured at an end of an associated sleeve having a longitudinal axis, the sleeve being supported on rolling bearings by means of a shaft secured on the front support for the other platform and on a bearer in unit with the movable framework for the movable platform.

5. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which the pivoting means of each press platform are equipped with angular indexing means adapted to allow the platform to be set at particular angular positions.

6. A machine according to any preceding claim in which each press platform is equipped on its rear side with a peripheral channel for retention of the edges of a flexible bale end cover.

7. A machine according to claim 3, in which each press platform comprises a metal plate with panels of a lightweight material fastened to the front surface thereof, the panels being spaced apart to form the aforesaid grooves.

8. A machine according to any preceding claim in which the loading means comprise a hopper secured on a surface of the movable box structure to communicate within the said box structure through an opening formed in the said surface, the said hopper and the said opening being so arranged so as to be situated in front of the movable press platform and at the rear of the bale forming volume when the movable box structure is in the loading position and the movable platform in the idle position.

9. A machine according to one of the preceding claims, arranged so that its longitudinal axis is substantially horizontal, the loading means comprising a hopper situated above the movable box structure and leading vertical thereinto, the ma chine being installed on a displaceable platform adapted for loading onto and unloading from a vehicle.

10. A machine according to claim 9, having at one side of the framework a system for entraining a removable bucket and arranged to entrain the bucket between a low position and a high position tipped above the hopper.

11. A machine according to claim 8, in which the slider is equipped with a cover plate on its side situated at the side of the hopper in order to shut off the opening of the hopper when the said slider is level within the opening, a fixed intermediate box section being interposed at the rear between the movable box structure and the slider in such manner as to shut off the said opening in the retracted position, the movable box structure and of its hopper.

12. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which the press platforms have an identical square shape, the movable box structure has a square-shaped cross-section and internal dimensions a little larger than those of the press platforms, the movable framework carrying the movable platform comprises a slider of square cross-section arranged to slide within the movable box structure, the said slider being equipped at the front with a bearer supporting a plate and having a shorter length than that of the movable box structure, in such manner that its rear portion is situated close to the rear support for the idle position of the movable platform, the means for entraining the said slider comprise a hydraulic ram extending within the said slider and along the longitudinal axis between the said slider and the rear support, and the means for entraining the movable box structure comprise two hydraulic rams situated externally at either side of side surfaces of the said movable box structure and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis between the said movable box structure and the rear support.

13. A method of packing wool in bulk or in fleeces, comprising the steps of conveying a machine as claimed in claim 1 to a wool collection site, loading the said machine with the wool stored on the said collection site, in such manner as to produce compressed wool bales, and conveying the said bales to a processing mill.

14. A machine for the compressing and packing into bales of compressible materials, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as described with reference to the drawings.