Abstract: An improved baler designed in such a way as to allow for the continuous compression of foraged material and the ability to tie off rectangular bales without stopping a continuous compression mechanism within the baler. The baler includes a semi cylinder that moves up and down to compress the foraged material in the compression area while at the same time more material is added by a feeding apparatus above and below the semi cylinder during the down and up motions of the cylinder. The baler also includes a separate area for storing uncompressed material while other material is being compressed and tied off. A computer is included to monitor and control the process.

Abstract: A plurality of unit bags 2a, 2b . . . are composed of a permeable strip-shaped nonwoven and arranged in a successive fashion without break so that they can be easily accommodated and stored by being rolled. An annular elastic body 5 disposed around an opening 3a formed to an end of each bag 2a permits the opening 3a to be opened. Since an optically sensing object or a magnetically sensing object is disposed around the opening 3a or at a position spaced apart from the openings 3a, 3b . . . a prescribed distance, the portion of the sensing object can be positioned by a sensing device 15. Further, when, for example, sludge, and the like containing water are accommodated in a waste accommodating bag 1 and squeezed, the sludge, and the like can be easily dehydrated.

Abstract: A flower press comprising a top plate and a bottom plate with layers of two materials therebetween and straps with VELCRO tabs to secure the press and apply the pressure for pressing flowers therein. The first layer is preferably cardboard to offer firm support for leaves and petals but not crush stems; the second layer is preferably absorbent paper. Two layers of paper are placed between two layers of cardboard. The top plate is preferably made of a transparent material so that it can be used for later display of the pressed floral arrangement.

Abstract: For the batch filtration of suspensions by application of external pressure, after the pressing of the suspension in the press-chamber space and before entrance of the resultant press cake into at least one subsequent press-chamber space the structure of the press cake is changed by shearing forces and the press cake is curved and at least partially torn apart. In the case of municipal sludge the flaked sludge is subjected in a first pressing zone to slow increase of pressure and a pressure of up to about 1 bar and then is subjected in at least one following press zone to a pressure increase which is more rapid than in the first press zone, up to a pressure of about 3 bars.