Abstract: A kinetic feed plug screw apparatus and process for creating the same, where organic raw material or feedstock is transported to a combustion or pyrolysis chamber, and a dynamic seal is concurrently and continuously created between the inlet and outlet to prevent immediate material blowback.

Abstract: Movable integrated system for waste collection, including a container structure, adapted to be installed at least partially above ground, the structure including a plurality of access doors to a plurality of waste collection compartments or containers contained in the container structure that are made of two-dimensional modular structure; the container structure integrates a waste compaction unit supplied by a respective access hatch and transferring compacted waste into the collection containers.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for filling and/or tamping product in a container. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to a device for filling a container with a material including a conduit comprising a top opening and a bottom opening, and a tamper integrally coupled to the conduit, wherein the tamper is configured to move laterally in a straight path horizontally, wherein a tamping face is configured to tamp in a vertical direction.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to systems, methods, devices, and computer-readable media for forming a fiber panel. A system may include a feed section for unrolling a round bale of material. The system may further include a compression section for receiving material from the unrolled bale of material. The compression section may include a press configured to apply a force to the material and a plurality of pistons to apply another force to the material. Additionally, the system may include an adjustable cutting section including a saw and configured to cut the material to form a panel having a desired length.

Abstract: A pelletizing press for producing pellets from material to be pressed, preferably from biomass, for use as fuel in fire places, wherein the biomass consists of cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic fibers, chips or shreds. In the pelletizing press, a dispersion chamber is formed by at least one die having a plurality of bores for pressing the biomass and at least by a lateral wall, and at least one roller rolling on a rolling surface of the die is arranged in the dispersion chamber. A pelletizing press of this method for producing pellets enables the formation of a dispersion chamber that, by means of at least one lateral wall, is as compact and sealed as possible relative to the prior art. At least two lateral wall parts are arranged to form a lateral wall; at least the first lateral wall part is arranged to be movable in relation to the second lateral wall part for carrying out a relative movement.

Abstract: Electronic supervision may be provided. First, a stock number may be sent to a database server. The stock number may correspond to a product comprising, for example, an electrical cable. In response to sending the database server the stock number, specification information corresponding to the product may be received from a database stored on the database server. The specification information may comprise, for an electrical cable, a number of wires, a weight per thousand feet, and a diameter. Next, product production may be monitored to determine faults occurring during production. Monitoring the production may comprise displaying a data monitoring screen to production personnel. The data monitoring screen may provide data regarding the product and product comparison against a standard maintained within the database for the product. Fault data corresponding to the determined faults occurring during the production may be saved to the database.

Abstract: A stream of scrap metal strip is continuously compressed in an apparatus comprising a pair of compression rolls and a traveling shear disposed, in that sequence, along a processing path having a substantial vertical component. The process is performed continuously, and there is no need for the process to be interrupted in order to remove strip parts overhanging the entrance to the compression apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a press for processing material of any desired type, in particular metal scrap or waste, comprising a bed with a pivotable press blade and press cover for filling compression as well as delivery of the material by means of a slide for further processing and including hydraulic cylinders for driving the press blade, press cover and slide.

Abstract: The press for forming bales of textile material comprises a first pre-pressing station (3) and a second pressing station (5), with transfer means for transferring the pre-pressed material from the first station to the second station. The transfer means comprise two containment walls, an upper and a lower (33, 35), approximately parallel with each other and defining a transfer path between said first and said second stations, and a ram (25) that pushes the pre-pressed material from the first station to the second station by sliding it between said two containment walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and assembly for opening the nips (9,10) of a calendar comprising at least two elements (1, 2; 3, 4) brought to a nip contact with each other, especially for performing the nip opening at a break or damage occurring in the web (5) being calendered. The tension of the web (5) being calendered is measured at multiple points over the cross-machine width of the web (5) and the calender nips (9,10) are opened when the measured web tension at a preset number of points over the cross-machine width of the web (5) has fallen to a limit value that by a decision-making algorithm monitoring the tension profile of the web (5) is interpreted to indicate a web break situation or other damage on the web (5) requiring opening the nips (9,10).

Abstract: A device for transporting away work pieces (5) processed in a press (1) from an output station (4) that is disposed downstream from the press (1) in a work piece flow direction onto a conveyor device (6) that conveys the work pieces (5) away, incorporates a removal device (2) that removes the work pieces (5) from the press (1) and moves them into the output station (4), which has a transfer device (7) disposed downstream from it for the alternating transfer of the work pieces (5) from the output station (4) into one of two discharge stations (10, 11) that are disposed to both sides of the output station (4). Each discharge station (10, 11) has an assigned relocation device (8, 9) to relocate the work pieces (5) from the given discharge station (10, 11) onto the conveyor device (6). The conveyor device (6) is formed by two conveyors (12, 13) that are assigned to one of the two relocation devices (8, 9) in each case.

Abstract: A vehicle recycling system includes an hold-down mechanism, a crane having an engine puller, a component disassembly station, a feed press, and a material press, all of which are housed within a building. A vehicle is placed onto a hold-down table where it is held in place by the hold-down mechanism while the engine and other valuable components are removed using the crane. Components not requiring further processing are placed into bins. Components requiring further disassembly are fed to the component disassembly where they are further disassembled and placed in bins. Once the high value components are removed, the crane loads the vehicle onto the feed press. The feed press then moves the vehicle onto the material press where it is compressed by the press. The back wall of the press is then raised so the crushed vehicle can be removed.

Abstract: A calender for treating a web of material includes at least two rollers forming a roller nip therebetween. A take-up device is disposed downstream from the at least two rollers. At least one longitudinal cutter is disposed between the at least two rollers and the take-up device. The at least one longitudinal cutter divides the web of material into at least two partial webs. The take-up device has at least two winding stations. Each of the winding stations corresponds to one of the partial webs.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for making pipes made of a plurality of axially juxtaposed discarded vehicle tires wherein several batches of vehicle tires are sequentially compressed against one-another for forming long pipes of discarded tires. In one aspect of the apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a telescopic mandrel having a first and second spaced apart compactor plates mounted thereon for compacting a batch of vehicle tires therebetween. A plurality of grabbing jaws mounted on the telescopic mandrel at an intermediate position between the compactor plates grabs and retains the batch of tires in a compressed mode against the second compactor plate, while the telescopic mandrel is extended for loading a second or subsequent batch of vehicle tires thereon. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided several spacer strips on the telescopic mandrel for holding vehicle tires of the same rim size in alignment with the telescopic mandrel.

Abstract: A shape scrap processing apparatus adapted to be situated next to a conveying table for conveying a continuous shape cut in a regular size. The apparatus comprises: conveying means for conveying shape scraps, which are discharged from the conveying table, intermittently by a regular length at a time in a longitudinal direction; pressing means disposed contiguously to the conveying means downstream thereof, and operable while the conveying of the shape scraps is stopped, for pressing the shape scraps into a regular size; cutting means disposed side by side to the pressing means for cutting the shape scraps into a regular size in response to the operation of the pressing means; and discharging means for discharging the cut scraps pressed by the pressing means and cut by the cutting means.

Abstract: A sheet metal working apparatus having a supply mechanism adapted to supply an elongated and flat strip of sheet metal stock to an inlet of a punch press and along a longitudinal axis of the strip. An intermittently operable drive device is provided for effecting an intermittent movement of the strip of sheet metal stock relative to a punch press. A set of tools are provided on the punch press as well as a second intermittent drive device for effecting a metal working engagement of the tools with the sheet metal stock during intervals of time between the movement of the sheet metal stock to produce a continuous strip of a finished sheet metal fin stock.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying and compacting material which includes fractions of different sizes, densities, elasticity, moisture-content, etc., wherein a shaftless spiral is disposed in a casing and the spiral is driven in rotation at an end of the casing where the material is fed into the casing. At the opposite end of the casing, i.e. a discharge end, the casing surrounds the spiral with slight play, and, moreover, the casing extends beyond the spiral to form a compaction zone. Counterpressure brakes the movement of the material to compact the material in the compaction zone. The casing is provided with drainage holes for discharge of liquid expressed from the material during passage through the casing. At the discharge end of the casing, the compacted material is cut into particles, preferably by a second spiral in a second casing which also serves to convey the cut material away from the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially removing the top, puncturing the sides, simultaneously washing the interior and exterior of a drum and crushing the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for the apportioning and dispensing of fibrous goods, particularly of sauerkraut, is disclosed. The apparatus for the dispensing of fibrous goods which are first mixed with a liquid ensures a precise maintaining of a certain weight of the goods which are drained by the apparatus. According to the invention, it is suggested to provide sieve walls in the form of travelling sieve belts between which a progressively drained strand of fibrous goods is formed. The strand can then be cut into portions. The new apparatus may be used for the apportioning of sauerkraut.

Abstract: A slide cradle is provided that includes a stationary well, a feed slide that is movable along the stationary wall, and a compactor wall this is disposed across from the stationary wall, rests upon a loading and compacting base, and is angularly adjustable about both ends, with this compactor wall being pivotably guided at one of the ends along a stationary side wall about a hinged support. The opposite, convexly curved free end of the compactor wall rests against a concavely curved side of the closure wall, with the convexly curved free end and the concavely curved side of the closure wall having the same center of curvature and being positively interconnected in such as way as to permit the convexly curved free end of the compactor wall to be guided along the concavely curved side of the closure wall.

Abstract: An ice block press device (10). The press (10) includes a compression chamber (12) into which raw ice particles (20) are fed through an opening (82). A ram (16) is employed to urge ice particles (20) deposited through an input chute (18), through the opening (82) into the compression chamber (12). The ram (16) cyclically reciprocates to push the particles (20) into the chamber (12). As additional amounts of raw ice are urged into the chamber (12), a compacted volume of accumulated ice begins to extend through the opening (82) outside the chamber (12). When this occurs, the ram (16) is precluded from achieving its fully extended position. Upon sensing this condition, a knife (80) is driven to cut the block to a uniform length.

Abstract: The machine has a containment box which holds the material to be compacted. The material is advanced through the containment box by a pivoted inlet wall of the containment box which is acted upon by a fluid actuated cylinder. Two compaction stations are arranged in series inside the containment box to achieve two successive compactions of the material. Each compaction station has an L-shaped presser element which is provided to the containment box and which oscillates under the action of a fluid actuated cylinder. The L-shaped presser element oscillates between a non-working position, and a working position in which the volume inside the compaction station is decreased to compact the material. Guillotine shears are arranged after the compaction stations to cut the compacted material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for producing highly compressed cylindrical bales from loose stalk material, such as hay or straw, which is picked up continuously and is compressed to form a rotating compressed roll which flows continuously in an axial direction. Individual compressed roll sections (bales) are successively cut off from the front end of the compressed roll. For producing dimensionally stable bales of varying length, the compressed roll, which is still subject to radial pressure, is bound automatically by a binder during its axially feeding and before a bale is cut off. The binder is delivered under tension and utilizes the rotation and feed of the compression roll.

Abstract: A process for conditioning and compacting vegetable fodder prior to storage and shipment which comprises breaking standard-sized bales and adjusting the moisture level of the fodder to reduce pulverization during subsequent compacting and handling; while at the same time injecting mold inhibitors and nutritional additive before repackaging the fodder into more compact bales for shipment.

Abstract: A hay bale recompacting system comprises an elongated compression chamber having a generally rectangular cross-section defined by top, bottom, and end walls, an inlet end and an outlet end, an inlet opening at the inlet end in one side of the chamber, an outlet at the outlet end in the other side of the chamber, a ram at the inlet end of the chamber for compressing bales therein, an indexing apparatus for weighing a charge to be introduced into the compressor, a ram for moving a selected amount of a bale into the chamber, a strapping chamber at the outlet disposed at right angle to the compression chamber for receiving compressed bales, an extruder ram for extruding bales from the compression chamber into and from the strapping chamber, and strapping units associated with the strapping chamber for strapping bales in the strapping chamber.

Abstract: A densification apparatus for use in recycling plastic containers utilizes a hopper with a movable lid to feed collected plastic containers to a continuous chain conveyor having a plurality of wedge-shape teeth which perforate the containers and urge them between a set of compression plates and rollers such that the plastics are compressed beyond their ability to resume their original shape. The vertical conveyor and hopper-closing lid prevent ballistic rejection of containers and enable iterative processing of plastic in a movable or stationary curbside apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling round bales of hay, straw or the like material. In general terms, the handling comprises dispensing a round bale of hay or the like material by unwinding the bale and feeding the thus produced continuous mat into the inlet device of a compactor, typically employing the compacting mechanism of a known square baler. The compactor compacts the material fed into it to produce a second, compacted state generally similar to square bales. Thus, in brief, the invention converts the round bales into the square bales. In a particularly preferred application of the invention, the continuous compact mass of the material is fed directly into a grinder-mixer. The grinder-mixer, being usually on a mobile frame, can thus be fed from a round bale.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating biodegradable solid urban waste materials and selecting those non biodegradable components for recycling comprises a tunnel (1) made of steel defining an inner room or ambient of parallelepiped shape, having a rear hinge door (4) associated with adjustable counterbalance weight (5). Near the door (4) blade kneading devices (6) can be installed. In the last portion of the bottom wall of the tunnel (1) holes (7) are arranged, positioned just over a channel (3) connected to a recovering tank (22) of the percolate. At the other front end of the tunnel a moving wall (9) is mounted, capable of being moved to and fro along two rails (10) by means of hydraulic jacks (12). In the center of the wall (9) a hydraulic cylinder (31, 31a, 31b) is anchored, the piston rod (31a) which enters into the iner chamber of the tunnel (1) for compressing the waste mass. Near the upper wall (32) of the tunnel (1), there is a circulating forced air pre-chamber (13) having a grating structure.

Abstract: A hydraulic scrap shear having a multiple segmented shearing blade configuration at one end of a feed channel. The shearing blade configuration compresses and cuts the scrap into multiple uniform chunks on a single cycle.

Abstract: A mobile scrap shear machine is comprised of a shear head assembly and a chute which is postionable between a lowered, transport position and a raised operational position. A frame work extends from the shear head assembly and hydraulic lifting assemblies are attached to the shear head assembly and framework so that upon extension of foot pads attached to the hydraulic ram assemblies the machine is lifted and the weight of the chute, the shear head assembly and the framework is borne through the support pads of the hydraulic ram assemblies. In operation, the chute is raised and has a bed which serves to gravity-feed scrap to the shear head assembly. A set of wheels is mounted to the framework and the chute includes a hookup mechanism which can be lowered onto and attached to a truck. When the chute is lowered onto a truck and when the support pads of the hydraulic assemblies are retracted, the weight of the shear machine is transferred to the wheels of the framework and the wheels of the truck.

Abstract: A container used for compacting materials such as low level radioactive waste has a device used to keep the compacted material from springing out of the container when the compacting force is removed, thus resulting in a significant increase in the final compacted density. The device develops its restraining force by using the beam strength of its members. The device includes a louvre attached to the container, enabling the cross beams to be snapped into place with a wedge shape of the cross beam end or a hydraulic clamping device external to the container.

Abstract: Apparatus useful as a compacting device adapted to be inserted into a barrel or similar container either singularly, or in combination with a plurality of similar devices and generally comprising one or more compacting plates which plates are adapted to fit within such container and disposed therein for movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of such container. A plurality of resilient locking tabs are secured to the upper surface of such compacting plates each by means of an angle bracket and in a manner so as to extend beyond both the peripheral surface of such compacting plate and the outermost edge of said angle bracket to thereby provide for engagement of said tabs with the inside of such container. When loose material is placed in the container, and a compacting plate is inserted thereinto and pressed downwardly, the material within the container and under said plate will be compacted.

Abstract: In a cutter for small- and large-sized scrap material, first knives are located at one end of a feed trough cutting the scrap material pushed through the trough toward the first knives. A cover at least partially covers the feed trough. A side wall of the feed trough forms a pressure ram displaceable transversely across the feed trough. Cooperating second knives extend along the cover and the pressure ram and are arranged to cut the large sized scrap material so that it fits in the feed trough. One of the second knives can be positioned obliquely of the other for performing a progressive cutting of the scrap material.

Abstract: A shear system for processing scrap is provided that includes guiding and catching walls for enhancing the loading of large items into the shear system. A tiltable hopper is provided with an open rear so that very large and long scrap items may be processed. The hopper is tiltable so that scrap items may be loaded with relatively smaller apparatus. The system operates to precrush the scrap material taking advantage of leverage yielded by using pivoting wing and flap crushing surfaces. Crushing forces are essentially relieved prior to shearing to decrease the likelihood of jamming of the shear head. The system is modular and may be shipped to and erected in remote locations where electric power for operating the system is not available. The system includes an enclosed and protected area for the power plant and control station.

Abstract: A hydra-extractor includes an extractor screw and dewatering chamber, a cone for directing dried material to a plug cutter, the plug cutter, and a discharge chute. Associated power apparatus is mounted on the hydra-extractor. A novel cone is provided which is hyberolic in shape, composed of a high density urethane, and separable into two parts. The cone is affixed to the plug cutter which is also separable into two parts. The plug cutter is affixed to and rotated by the extractor screw shaft.

Abstract: In the dewatering press of this invention, a ram, movable in a horizontal plane by hydraulic means, compresses a slurry in a compression chamber which includes as one wall a stop gate assembly movable in a vertical plane and as another wall a self-cleaning screen. After compression in a first direction is completed the direction of the ram's travel is reversed and compression in an opposed, but structurally identical, compression chamber takes place.

Abstract: A pair of side plates are provided in opposing and spaced relationship, a pair of jaw members are pivoted to a pair of main shafts extending between said side plates, a pair of opposing crushing blades are mounted on the leading end side of said jaw members for pinching and partially crushing a workpiece positioned therebetween in response to the closing movement of said jaw members and a pair of shearing blades are mounted on the base end side of the jaw members for shearing off said workpiece on the crushed portions of the workpiece in response to the closing movement of the jaw members.

Abstract: A scrap metal press is disclosed which includes an inclined feeder box, downstream whereof there are provided at least one compacting unit and a guillotine shears unit for the production of compacted scrap blocks. To ensure that a smooth downward movement of the scrap metal can occur even with the feeder box only slightly inclined on a horizontal plane, a plate is provided at the box bottom which is at least temporarily reciprocated with a component in the same direction as the box longitudinal direction. The plate motion, which brings about a condition of dynamic friction between the scrap metal and plate, is preferably accomplished by the use of a slow-motion hydraulic motor having an off-centered pivot pin passed through an opening in the box bottom and engaging pivotally with a body attached to the plate and being loosely movable within the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes and devices for automatically depositing and pressing continuous tows in containers moved to and fro on a traversing device, wherein the start of the tow is transferred via a chute to a catch box on the container and is retained there, the container is weighed during each traversing movement because of the extension of a weighing platform and, when the nominal weight is reached, the fed tow is held and severed in a cutting and fixing device, the tow ends obtained are fixed and marked, and the tow end belonging to the deposited material and the start of the tow are introduced into the full container from the catch box.

Abstract: A baling machine comprises a frame defining a first baling chamber having an open top and an opening formed in one end and a second baling chamber which communicates with the first baling chamber through the opening. A cover member is pivotally mounted on the frame and movable between an open position permitting access into the first baling chamber through the open top and a closed position covering the open top. A feed hopper is mounted on the frame for introducing material to be baled into the first baling chamber. A first compression ram is mounted adjacent to the first baling chamber and is movable into the first baling chamber for compressing the material in the first baling chamber and for thereby forming the material into a block having one end section which is aligned with the opening. A feed ram is mounted adjacent to the first baling chamber and is movable into the first baling chamber for moving the block end section into the second baling chamber through the opening.

Abstract: A scrap shearing machine of the kind comprising an upper knife support which has an upper knife fixed to it and is vertically movable in a frame, a stationary lower knife and optionally also a vertically movable tamper, which is mounted immediately upstream of the cutting plane of the shearing machine, is provided with a bending plunger which acts on the scrap downstream of the cutting plane of the shearing machine. The bending plunger is movable in the frame in advance of the upper knife so that it comes into contact with the scrap before the upper knife comes into contact with the scrap. Preferably the bending plunger is fixed to an underface of the upper knife support and is inclined across the machine substantially parallel to the cutting edge of the upper knife.

Abstract: A scrap shear machine comprises a compression box for compressing scrap into a scrap log, a shear formed with a throat mounted adjacent to the compression box, and an indexing ram and a ram head mounted thereon for incrementally advancing the log into the throat of the shear, whereby increments of the log are sheared off. Means are provided for adjusting the width of the compression box and shear throat and for adjusting the width of the ram head in accordance with the width of the compression box and shear throat, whereby the maximum dimension of the sheared scrap can be controllably adjusted in one pass through the machine.

Abstract: A scrap shearing machine comprises a pair of relatively movable shearing blades arranged in a shear frame 1, a crusher 6 positioned upstream of the shearing blades 3, 5, a filling trough 8 arranged upstream of the cutter frame 1, a feed device to feed scrap along the trough 8 towards the crusher, press bar 11, 19 for precompacting the scrap in the trough 8 to a predetermined size to enable the crusher 8 and shearing blades 3, 8 to accommodate it. The shearing blades 3, 5 the crusher 8 and the press bar 11, 19 are located in a common plane X--X. The filling trough 8 is connected to the shear frame 1 by a force transferring connection, so that the shear frame 1 reinforces the filling trough 8.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for shearing spent nuclear fuel assemblies of the type comprising an array of fuel pins disposed within an outer metal shell or shroud. A spent fuel assembly is first compacted in a known manner and then incrementally sheared using fixed and movable shear blades having matched laterally projecting teeth which slidably intermesh to provide the desired shearing action. Incremental advancement of the fuel assembly after each shear cycle is limited to a distance corresponding to the lateral projection of the teeth to ensure fuel assembly breakup into small uniform segments which are amenable to remote chemical processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material portioning apparatus and a method which provides portions of material of predetermined weight by measuring and portioning an appropriate volume of the material. Although the apparatus is especially useful when the material consists of whole pieces larger than the portioned sizes, such as fillets of fish or meat, it can also be used for portioning granular materials, or materials of sizes smaller than the portioned sizes. It is only necessary that the material, or bulks of the material, be of such a nature that, when it is compressed in one direction, it will expand or be forced to move in a different direction. In accordance with the invention, the apparatus comprises a preforming stage having an adjustable volume, and a weighing stage also having an adjustable volume. Material is fed, through the preforming stage, into the weighing stage and the weighing stage is overfilled to include a volume greater than the desired weight.

Abstract: Organic materials are fed tangentially into the head of a centrifugal mill by an adjustable rate feeding device. The materials, either in a dry state or in conjunction with a separately supplied liquid carrier, move downwardly through a compacter device which positively feeds the materials through a series of comminution devices which are arranged in an inverted conical housing and are of decreasingly smaller sizes, with the comminution means shredding the materials. The top of the mill is open to freely admit air which is admixed by the communition devices with the materials to satisfy the biochemical oxygen demand so that the output product of the mill is odor free and finely shredded.

Abstract: The invention provides processes and apparatus for removing bark from logs. The logs are subjected to mechanically applied compression forces acting against the sides of the logs, these forces being such as to expel juices from the ends of the logs. The pressure on a log is preferably between 500 and 3,000 p.s.i. per square inch measured on the area of the diametrical plane of the log. This compression provides loosening the bark which can then be readily removed. Preferably, a stack of logs is simultaneously compressed by means of a hydraulic press, and the juices which are expelled from the ends of the log are collected for sale as a by-product. The loosened bark on the log is then removed by a mechanical frictional treatment.

Abstract: A scrap shearing machine of the type comprising shears, a feed trough for feeding scrap material to the shears, a lateral plunger disposed at one side of the trough for compacting scrap material in the trough in a direction across the trough to produce a column of scrap material in the trough and a pressing lid which is pivotally mounted at one side of the trough and has a drive by which it is movable downwards to compact scrap material downwards in the trough and is also movable upwards into an open position, has its pressing lid provided with one or more electromagnets. The electromagnets, when energized, are operative to grip the column of scrap in the trough and, when the lid is opened, to raise the column from the trough and turn the column as the lid is moved to its open position. In operation, after the column of scrap has been lifted in this way, the magnets are de-energized so that the column falls back into the trough in its turned position.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for shearing spent nuclear fuel assemblies of the type wherein a plurality of long metal tubes packed with ceramic fuel are supported in a spaced apart relationship within an outer metal shell or shroud which provides structural support to the assembly. Spent nuclear fuel assemblies are first compacted in a stepwise manner between specially designed gag-compactors and then sheared into short segments amenable to chemical processing by shear blades contoured to mate with the compacted surface of the fuel assembly.

Abstract: The invention comprises a feed roller mechanism for use with forage harvesters adapted for picking up cut forage material from the ground and thereafter moving said forage material up a conveyor to a feed roller mechanism which grips and compresses the forage materials sufficiently for it to be passed to a cutter whereafter the forage material may be cut into small pieces and moved to a storage container for transportation and/or processing.