Abstract: The device for reducing the volume of an aqueous waste effluent includes a holding tank, a heating tank for receiving waste effluent from the holding tank and including a heater for heating the waste effluent to a predetermined temperature which is below the boiling point of water and high enough to cause a portion of the water to evaporate and be discharged as water vapors, an agitation pump for continuously recirculating the liquids contents of the heating tank and filter units mounted on top of the heating tank for separating solids and particulate matter from the resulting slurry and returning the filtrate to the heating tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed in which a plurality of envelopes are arranged and aligned in face-to-face relationship to form at least one batch of envelopes with at least a first edge of each envelope in the batch disposed substantially in a common plane and with a second edge of each envelope normal to the first edge and disposed substantially in a common plane. The first edges of the envelope are sprayed with a liquid envelope material degrading agent that functions more effectively when heated. The spraying is effected in a substantially planar fan spray pattern that is substantially parallel to the plane of the envelopes. The spray is moved along the batch in a direction normal to the planes of the envelopes to apply the agent to the first edges. The second edges of the envelopes are also sprayed with the liquid agent with a substantially planar fan spray pattern oriented substantially transversely to the planes of the envelopes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for opening envelopes by applying an envelope material degrading chemical to the edges of the envelopes. The edges are contacted with a planar heating member and the envelopes are bent inwardly so that the edges are laterally displaced out of the planes defined by the major portions of the associated envelopes to promote more effective contact of the envelope edges with the heated member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for opening envelopes by chemically degrading the envelope material at the envelope edges. A chemical degrading agent which functions more effectively when heated is applied to the envelope edges. The envelopes are arranged and aligned in face-to-face relationship to form at least one batch. The batches of envelopes are conveyed around an endless conveying loop oriented in a substantially vertical plane and defining upper and lower horizontal conveying paths. Heating platens are moved against the agent-applied edges of the envelopes to contact the agent-applied edges of the envelopes and to flex the envelopes inwardly of the edges to laterally displace the edges against the platens and transfer heat by conduction to the edges whereby the envelope material is degraded along the edges.