Abstract: An extension is provided for a compacting device of the type adapted to be inserted into a container and having a plurality of compacting plates adapted to press loose material into the container and engage the compacting device to prevent expansion of the compacted material. The extension is adapted to sit on the upper end of the compacting device and extends above the container to hold excess loose material prior to compaction by the compacting plates. Smooth guide rods are provided on the inner surface of the extension for guiding the compacting plates into engagement with aligned threaded rods in the compacting device.

Abstract: Dry, compactable radioactive waste material having a low specific activity and comprised approximately of eighty-five percent plastic material and fifteen percent non-plastic material is shredded and granulated. The granulated material is supplied under heat and pressure to an extruder which will extrude the waste material in plasticized form into a drum for disposal. Radioactive ion exchange resin beads may also be dewatered and mixed in predetermined amounts with the dry granulated material for encapsulation within the plasticized waste for disposal. The plasticized waste material, with or without the resin, is horizontally extruded into a horizontally disposed drum between a compacting disk secured to the extruder barrel and the bottom of the drum. Controlled pressure is applied against the bottom of the drum whereby the plasticized material will completely fill the space between the disk and the bottom of the drum and gradually push the drum bottom away from the sik as the drum is filled.

Abstract: A compacting device adapted to be inserted into a barrel or similar container is provided with a base member having a plurality of upstanding rods secured to the base member in equally spaced relation about the periphery thereof. A support ring surrounds the upper ends of the rods, with each rod being secured to the interior surface of the ring. One or more compacting plates are provided which are adapted to fit within the ring for movement in a direction parallel to the rods. A plurality of spring locking plates equal in number to the rods are secured to the upper surface of the compacting plates for engagement with the rods which are provided with threads along substantially the entire length thereof. Thus, when loose material is placed in the container, and a compacting disc is inserted into the compacting device and pressed downwardly by any suitable press or the like, the material within the container will be compacted.