Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing strapless bales of highly compressible textile fibers is disclosed, wherein a compressed block of the fibers is ejected and expanded into a flexible bag. The apparatus includes a supply chamber for supplying loose fibers to a tramping chamber which is stationary. A ram assembly repeatedly tramps the fibers to form a compacted fiber mass which is then formed into a compressed fiber block within a stationary compression chamber disposed in fiber transfer relation to the stationary tramping chamber. The compressed fiber block is ejected transverse to the compression chamber through an ejection sleeve about which an oversized flexible bag is fitted. Due to the fact that the bag is of a greater size than the cross section of the ejection sleeve and due to the stretch and flexibility of the bag, the compressible fibers in the compressed fiber block undergo an expansion process wherein the flexible bag is filled with the compressible fibers to form a strapless bale.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing strapped bales of highly compressible textile fibers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a supply chamber for supplying loose fibers to a tramping chamber which is stationary. A ram assembly repeatedly tramps loose fibers to form a compacted fiber mass which is then formed into a compressed fiber block within a stationary compression chamber disposed in fiber transfer relation to the stationary tramping chamber. The stationary tramping and compression chambers are off-set and the fiber mass is transferred through a transfer opening into the compression chamber. During the compression cycle, a new fiber mass may be tramped in the tramping chamber allowing a high production rate of strapped fiber bales. The compressed fiber block is formed between a movable main platen and a movable secondary platen which are axially aligned in the compression chamber.

Abstract: Household sealed cell alkaline and zinc carbon batteries may be recycled for use in steel making as follows. The batteries are pulverized then run through an acidic bath to neutralize the alkaline electrolyte. Next the materials are rinsed, then dried and mixed with granulated carbon steel typically in a ratio of 5 parts battery material to 95 parts granulated carbon steel. The mixture is compressed into briquettes for introduction into steel making furnaces.