Abstract: A system for handling used packaging film in a food processing facility is provided. The system stores the used film in a refrigerated truck trailer at the food processing facility to prevent rotting, prior to transporting the film to a treatment facility where the film may be recycled.

Abstract: Fossil-fuel and rubber-derived waste stream conversion to composite lumber substitutes or barrier members; the composites having material properties and uses of greater value than the solid waste stream components separately or together. Preferred combinations including waste materials derived from waste carpet, waste tires, and waste bituminous roofing shingles, all enormous problems for landfill disposal. In a range of formulation ratios, when combined with a binder, new and marketable products are made from solid waste. Improved resistance to rot, to water, and to weathering is exhibited in synergy with improved compressive and flexural strength, enabling production of a wide variety of useful and environmentally-friendly structural products, for example. Product weight and strength can be engineered to suit and may be structural members for architectural, engineering or agricultural use.

Abstract: This invention discloses a multi-layer film for making pouches for containing flowable materials, said multi-layer film comprising generally five layers in order: inner sealant-layer, first interposed layer, the core layer, second interposed layer, and the outer sealant layer. The sealant and core layers are ethylene-based, whereas the interposed layers are polypropylene-based. The multi-layer film thickness is in the range of from about 35 microns to about 66 microns. The combined thickness of the first and the second interposed layers is in the range of from about 10% to about 27% of the total thickness of said multi-layer film. Similarly, a combined thickness of the inner and the outer sealant-layers is in the range of from about 10% to about 27% of the total thickness of the multi-layer film. The interposed layers comprise polypropylene that has a melt-index of less than 0.75 dg/min.

Abstract: A recycling method is disclosed that includes the steps of compacting recyclable material into a fixed bale of recyclable material while concurrently weighing the OCC in the compactor and independently of the force that the compactor applies to the material or to the bale, assigning an individual identifier to the fixed bale in which the identifier includes at least the weight of the bale, and sending the fixed identified bale to a destination selected from the group consisting of shippers, mills, rebalers, or a customers for the baled recyclable material.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for treating waste material comprising: —Collecting release coated cellulose or polymeric sheets from producers and end-users thereof in the form of dense, bulky masses, such as rolls and stacks; —Pre-shredding the dense, bulky masses of release coated sheets into smaller, less dense masses in preparation to the following process steps; —Preparing the pre-shredded material by mixing, separating foreign bodies like metals, etc., and feeding it to a primary grinding station (3); —Grinding the materials into small pieces, of the desired size, preferably down to less than 1 mm; —Adding additives selected from flame retardant, hydrophobic material, pesticide and mixtures thereof and mixing them with the recycled material; —Optionally forming a batt or a sheet by a wet process and/or by adding a binder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the simultaneous preconcentration and preselection of at least one group of used polymer materials of various compositions, as a mixture with one another and with contaminant materials, originating from the destruction, by grinding, of durable consumer goods that have reached the end of life, which can be recycled in the fields of plastics processing. This process is characterized in that it comprises, in order, a) a step of separation in a hydraulic medium, the density of which is adjusted to a value ds between 1.100 and 1.900, b) a step of separation of the supernatant fraction from a), a step of grinding c) the supernatant fraction from b), then a step d) of mechanical separation of the fraction originating from c) followed by a wetting step e) and a final step f) delivering preconcentrated and preselected used synthetic polymer materials.

Abstract: Recyclable plastic film is efficiently collected for recycling at stores or other locations by compacting and baling plastic and cardboard (or other recyclable material) into layered bales. The layered bales can be formed using existing cardboard balers that stores typically already have for baling recyclable cardboard.

Abstract: Recyclable waste byproducts are efficiently collected for recycling at stores or other locations by compacting the recyclable waste as layers in a composite bale with cardboard. The composite bales can be formed using existing cardboard balers that retailers or other stores typically already have for baling recyclable cardboard. In one embodiment, the composite bales are preferably formed with a bottom layer of cardboard, a middle layer of one or more types of recyclable waste byproducts, and a top layer of cardboard. The layered structure can be modified to omit one of the cardboard layers or to add additional waste byproduct or cardboard layers.

Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced building product from garbage, comprising the steps of sorting garbage, shredding plastics within the garbage, shredding fibers within the garbage, heating the shredded plastics, forming a slurry from the plastics and fibers, disposing the slurry within an extrusion cavity, extruding the fluid through a venturi, and allowing the extruded materials to cool. Garbage is separated into plastics, fibers, and other materials. Plastics are shredded to facilitate melting. Fibers are shredded to macroscopic lengths no greater than a maximum internal diameter of a venturi. The plastics are melted. The melted plastics are mixed with fibers and other material to form a slurry that is extruded from a cavity through a venturi, thereby causing significant alignment of the shredded fibers within the slurry in an outer region of the extruded slurry. Cooled, there is reinforced building material.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides methods and apparatus for packaging wood mulch. Examples include a wood mulch bale produced using a method comprising compressing wood mulch at a pressure of between 12,000 pounds and 60,000 pounds to form a volume of compressed wood mulch and disposing a band about the compressed volume of wood mulch, wherein the compressed volume of wood mulch is between about 3000 cubic inches and about 5400 cubic inches. Other variations are provided herein.

Abstract: Recyclable waste byproducts are efficiently collected for recycling at stores or other locations by compacting the recyclable waste as layers in a composite bale. The composite bales can be formed using existing cardboard balers that retailers or other stores typically already have for baling recyclable cardboard. In one embodiment, the composite bales are formed by binding together a layer of one type of recyclable waste and a layer of recyclable waste that includes one or more types of recyclable waste byproducts. The layered structure can be modified to omit one of the layers or to add additional waste byproduct layers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing building elements, in particular building panels, from solid waste is described, in which the latter is provided, sorted according to category, in different fractions of a specified particle size. The different fractions are mixed in specified proportions with addition of water and binder. The resulting mixture is subjected to a continuous extrusion process, in which a strand-like preproduct is produced. Through a cutting operation, the desired dimensions of the building element in the extrusion direction are at least approximately produced. The building-element blanks are then dried and the binder present therein is set. This continuously working process is much more economical compared with the prior art and can be carried out on a large-scale industrial basis.

Abstract: Recyclable plastic film is efficiently collected for recycling at stores or other locations by compacting the plastic film as layers in plastic/cardboard bales. The plastic/cardboard bales can be formed using existing cardboard balers that stores typically already have for baling recyclable cardboard. In one embodiment, the plastic/cardboard bales are preferably formed with a bottom layer of cardboard, a middle layer of the recyclable plastic film, and a top layer of cardboard. The layered structure can be modified to omit one of the cardboard layers or to add additional plastic film and cardboard layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fibrous material is disclosed. The apparatus may include a fiber separator, a de-liquefier, a dry-to-wet blender and a flash dryer. The fiber separator may be a liquid-based fiber separator. The de-liquefier is for removing liquid from the fibrous material. The blender downstream, which may be a dry-to-wet blender, is for adding a dry material to the de-liquefied fibrous material. The de-liquefier and a dry-to-wet blender are downstream from the fiber separator and the dry-to-wet blender may be downstream from the de-liquefier. The flash dryer, which is even further downstream, is for drying the treated fibrous material.

Abstract: A composite material panel having alternating layers of wood veneer with recycled or waste material. The layers are sandwiched together. The technique involves forming the composite material layer by layer and employing materials in each layer that are suited to satisfy requirements for specific kinds of construction. The layer of recycled or waste material is preferably flexible and has memory. Some examples include plastic straw, bars from plastic, tires or metal, balls from plastic or tires, sheet from plastic, tires or metal, air bubble cushioning from plastic. The metal is exemplified by aluminum and tin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a board and a board composition using clay and crushed vegetational materials, which is environment friendly and recirculative and can be also used as a natural basic material for articles of furniture or architectural interior/exterior materials, thereby being used as compost when being scrapped, and a manufacturing method thereof. The board is fabricated by forming a composition fabricated by mixing vegetational material, clay, a seaweed adhesive and a functional adhesive, and an auxiliary material at a ratio of 40˜65:40˜10:10˜20:10˜5 weight percent, and then throwing the composition into a hopper; withdrawing the composition received in the hopper so as to be passed between a pair of rollers and then molding the composition in a desired size; passing the composition between the rollers heated at a temperature of 100˜300° C.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fibrous material is disclosed. The apparatus may include a fiber separator, a de-liquefier, a dry-to-wet blender and a flash dryer. The fiber separator may be a liquid-based fiber separator. The de-liquefier is for removing liquid from the fibrous material. The blender downstream, which may be a dry-to-wet blender, is for adding a dry material to the de-liquefied fibrous material. The de-liquefier and a dry-to-wet blender are downstream from the fiber separator and the dry-to-wet blender may be downstream from the de-liquefier. The flash dryer, which is even further downstream, is for drying the treated fibrous material.

Abstract: Mechanically and biologically stable briquettes and pellets are obtained from either municipal solid waste (MSW), Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) or municipal sewage sludge and their combination for purposes of disposing said briquettes and pellets as fuel in waste-to-energy processes such as the one described herein or to form geometric aggregates with such briquettes for their disposal at landfill sites. The use of binding material is not required whereas fuel additives such as crushed coal and petroleum residues may be added to enhance fuel performance but are not needed to improve waste processing or product stability and mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to solid products produced by extrusion of recycled plastic materials from urban sweeping materials, comprising a first component containing plastic polyethylene and polypropylene materials in a proportion that ranges between 25% and 30% of the final weight of the product; a second component of plastic PET type materials ranging between 30% and 40% of the total weight of the product; and a third component selected from: PVC, styrene, polyamides, polycarbonates, polystyrene, ABS, aluminum and cardboard.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the conversion of waste materials derived from gypsum mining and processing, such as existing gypsum stacks, into waste containment or landfill facilities. Methods of the invention include the creation of waste containment facilities from existing gypsum stacks. Waste containment facilities created according to the invention can be used for the short-term, long-term or permanent storage of waste materials such as solid waste, community refuse materials, biomass, industrial waste, phosphate waste, and for composting or otherwise processing materials such as biomass. Containment facilities according to the invention can be lined or unlined, open or capped, depending upon the nature of the material to be resident in the containment facility and relevant governmental regulations. The invention also provides for drainage and recovery systems, monitoring, controlling and communication means, pumps and valving means, and any other means known in the waste containment facility field.

Abstract: A process and the product produced by the process in which recycled asphalt shingles are reduced into granules which are then heated to a temperature above 212° F. in order to evaporate any water contained in the material. Once substantially all the water has been evaporated, the heated granules are then placed in a suitable mold and compressed under high pressure to form a block of the desired size and shape after which the blocks are removed from the mold and used on low-traffic volume areas such as patios, sidewalks, driveways, etc.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition can be made using a polyester derived from 2-hydroxy-propanoic acid (lactic acid). A biodegradable/compostable thermoplastic resin can be formulated into a hot melt adhesive using a lower molecular weight material as a tackifying resin. The adhesive material can be made pressure sensitive and can be made entirely biodegradable by combining the polyester polymer with other biodegradable/compostable ingredients. The biodegradable/compostable adhesive material can be used as a substitute for non-biodegradable materials made from commercial polymers that resist attack by bacteria, fungi and other microbial populations. The resulting adhesive composition can be used in a variety of applications such as packaging and for the manufacture of disposable articles which are made from degradable materials. The entire disposable article can be made from adhesives and structural materials that are fully biodegradable/compostable.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal feedstock from wasted metal products is disclosed. The method includes the steps of crushing the metal products into pieces; magnetically separating sheet-shaped ferrous scraps and ferrous cast blocks from the crushed pieces; placing the cast blocks between the sheet-shaped scraps to make a sandwich structure; and pressing the sandwich structure to form a metal feedstock.

Abstract: A recycled asphalt roofing material for use on sloped roofs, which provides the required elevated melt point without using prior art methods of oxidizing the asphalt prior to incorporation into the roofing material is provided. The recycled asphalt roofing material is made up of approximately 30% flux asphalt and approximately 70% reclaimed asphalt roofing material. The fibrous backing in the reclaimed material modifies the asphalt in such a way as to provide the required elevated melt point. The manufacturing process for recycled fiberglass mat-based roll and shingle roofing, in its preferred embodiment, consists of impregnating a roofing material backbone, such as a fiberglass or polyester mat with recycled asphalt material to form inner and outer layers of recycled material and then applying optional second inner and outer layers of standard asphalt coating to the inner and outer layers of the recycled material.

Abstract: A compressed solid produced from a feed mixture of bottom ash and a binder. The feed mixture includes about 80% to 95% by weight bottom ash, or at least about 50% by weight bottom ash in combination with other waste materials, in combination with a polyisocyanate-based binder.

Abstract: A method of handling scrap tires including providing a satellite tire collection enclosure constructed of baled tires and sized to receive scrap tires, collecting scrap tires inside the tire collection enclosure until the enclosure is at or near capacity, volume reducing the scrap tires by baling the scrap tires using a mobile tire baler having a baler and a boom on a mobile platform at a minimum of about 2,400 whole tires into bales having a minimum of about 20 whole tires and a maximum of about 150 tires in a bale to achieve a volume reduction of about 80 percent by volume, and transporting baled scrap tires to a home base, a recycling center, or directly to an end-user. In one aspect, a mobile tire baler includes a baler and a boom on a mobile platform, a cutter for over-size tires, and a crusher for tire rims.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mixed composition for making structural building materials or articles; wherein the composition comprises a prepared or reprocessed solid or sludge waste material such as impure lime obtained, in particular, from water treatment plants, and further comprises a reinforcing material such as fiberglass, metal material, sisal fiber, or plastics, and also comprises a polymeric material which preferably includes polyurethane foam. A coloring agent is added the composition to give a distinctive color to the structural building materials or articles such as shingles, panels, sidings, walls, and logs, all replicating products made especially from wood.

Abstract: A method of handling scrap tires is disclosed, including providing a satellite tire collection enclosure constructed of baled tires and sized to receive at least about 2400 scrap tires, collecting scrap tires inside the tire collection enclosure until the enclosure is at or near capacity, volume reducing the scrap tires by baling the scrap tires using a mobile tire baler having a baler and a boom on a mobile platform at a minimum of about 2,400 whole tires into about 24 bales to achieve a volume reduction of about 80 percent by volume, and transporting baled scrap tires to a home base, a recycling center, or directly to an end-user. In one aspect, a mobile tire baler includes a baler and a boom on a mobile platform, a cutter for over-size tires, and a crusher for tire rims.

Abstract: A plastic container made from a fusion blend of a post consumer resin and a high density polyethylene copolymer resin. The post consumer is primarily a high density homopolymer and may contain small amounts of colored plastic containers and propylene resin. The physical properties of the container including stress crack resistance are maintained as contrasted to the loss of such physical properties that have been heretofore resulted from the use of post consumer resins.

Abstract: A system of waste material recycling involving the formation of bales of recyclable waste, the bales consisting essentially of recyclable waste material and waste storage containers therefor, wherein the waste storage containers are filled by the individual consumer with the recyclable waste material prior to the formation of the bales and are formed of material that is compatible for recycling with the waste material. The waste storage containers are preferably obtained simultaneously with, and as a component of, the goods which ultimately become the recyclable waste material stored in the containers. In the preferred embodiment, the waste storage container comprises a compactly packaged storage container which is compatible for recycling with newsprint and obtained simultaneously with, and as a component of, a single edition of a newspaper, or the like.

Abstract: A press-through foil (2) for press-through packaging (1) is formed from a plastic mixture made up of such plastics that, in the melt and in the foil formed therefrom, they form at least two phases, that is non-homogeneities, so that the tensile strength and impact resistance are reduced. A packaged product can be appropriately easily pressed through this foil, but is completely sealed prior to that.

Abstract: A general purpose laminated construction block element is constructed from discarded rubber-like material such as tire casings or belt conveyor straps. Tire casings are first cut open and laid flat to form flattened mats. The mats are then stacked and secured into blocks suitable for transport and storage. The blocks may be later disassembled and the individual mats spirally wound to form cylindrical posts. Alternately, the blocks may be used as formed for general purpose construction blocks. The properties of the laminated block can be adjusted by adjusting the properties of an adhesive which is applied to one surface of the mat prior to stacking. The laminated rubber blocks may be formed to predetermined sizes by appropriately preconfiguring the mat by juxtaposing or superposing multiple single tire mats. The laminated rubber-like blocks have excellent strength, impact and vibration absorbtion, and machinability.

Abstract: A wrapping multilayer film comprising at least 5 layers of(A) both the outermost layers each comprising an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer having an ethylene content of at least 50 mol %,(B) layers each comprising a propylene polymer and being disposed between the outermost layers (A), and(C) a layer comprising recycled resins and being disposed between the layers (B).

Abstract: By addition of methacrylate/unsaturated acid and/or vinyl amide copolymers, poly(vinyl alcohol) can be melt-processed and co-extruded with structural polymers like poly(ethylene terephthalate) to form multilayer films and objects with good adhesion between the components and good barrier properties. The films and objects can be separated and re-used by dissolution in water of the poly(vinyl alcohol)/methacrylate polymer blends and recovery of the structural polymer.

Abstract: A biodegradable composite laminate for the manufacture of packaging containers is provided. The composite laminate comprises a straight-chain, biodegradable 3-hydroxybutyric acid 3-hydroxyvaleric acid copolyester in a thin film which has been laminated on at least one surface of a sheet-like substrate.A polymeric blend of a poly-.epsilon.-caprolactone with the straight-chain copolyester may be employed in the place of the straight-chain copolyester alone.The method for the manufacture thereof is also provided.

Abstract: A method of using waste materials produced by coal combustion to produce useful products. In one embodiment the invention provides solid bricks produced by compressing together fly ash, bottom ash, gypsum, calcium carbonate, and lime. These bricks have sufficient structural strength for use in building and construction. In another embodiment, waste materials are encapsulated in a mixture of fly ash, bottom ash, gypsum, lime, and calcium carbonate and compressed into bricks that may be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner. Further, the compressed bricks containing waste material may be coated with an impermeable membrane of a synthetic polymeric material. Further, the invention provides a mobile, trailer-mounted apparatus for compressing the mixtures into bricks.

Abstract: Chips of cardboard, in particular of packing cardboard, which are formed by cutting flat, preferably used packing cardboard lengthwise and crosswise, and the bulk volume of which is increased by copings and/or bent-over portions and/or peaks and/or recesses are provided, as is a packing unit comprising a wrapper, loosely filled at least to a substantial proportion with the bulk packing material made from a web of paper, in which the wrapper is formed by the web of paper shaped in the manner of a helical roll, the adjacent, helically extending long edges of which web are joined overlapping one another, and in which the wrapper is closed at both ends in the manner of a sack, and as is a process in which the cardboard, in particular packaging cardboard, is comminuted (cut) and is deformed to increase the bulk volume of the chips forming the packaging material, as well as an apparatus having a device for comminuting cardboard, in particular packaging cardboard, having one lengthwise and one crosswise cutting unit

Abstract: A packaging material consisting of small pieces for filling the cavities in packaging containers. The packaging material consists of an outer cover, of a coarse-porous, air-permeable, thin paper, as for example a highstrength wrapping tissue, which surrounds a filling of waste paper or shredded paper (scraps) from paper shredding machines or the like. The ball-like packaging pieces of up to 10 cm in diameter are formed by folding or sealing. The filling does not have the tendency to crumble and all pieces are continuously reusable. Each packaging piece is very elastic due to its air-permeability and adapts well to the cavities to be filled.

Abstract: A core for photographic light-sensitive material use made of wooden source material which can be recycled or decomposed in natural environment is disclosed. The core center is made of paper covered with a buffer layer made of 100% wooden pulp having a density of not more than 0.1 g/cm.sup.3. The buffer layer is covered with a reinforcing sheet made of paper with a tensile strength of 0.3 kg/15 mm width or more.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are obtained improved laminate structures comprising a substrate layer of a thermoplastic resin and a layer of crosslinked carbonate polymer on one or more surface areas. These structures have an excellent combination of properties, particularly in the areas of abrasion resistance, adhesion of the layers, weatherability (resistance to UV radiation, humidity, temperature), solvent resistance, hardness, impact strength, color, thermoformability, ignition resistance and recyclability of the article and scrap formed. In a preferred embodiment, the crosslinking in the crosslinked carbonate polymer layer is provided by crosslinking moieties, preferably arylcyclobutene moieties, which are terminally located relative to the precrosslinked carbonate polymer molecule chains.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermoformable sheet comprising a resinous polymer of propylene and an effective amount of a beta-spherulite nucleating agent, a process for making the sheet and articles thermoformed from the sheet.

Abstract: A coextruded weatherable film for lamination to an underlying nonweatherable substrate, including, for example, a two-layer film structure including an outer layer of a weatherable polymer that provides weather resistance such as ethylene/propylene/nonconjugated diene-reinforced styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer (AES) or butyl acrylate-reinforced styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer (ASA), coextruded over a thermoplastic underlying layer, for example, of a carbon black pigmented, UV stabilized polymer such as chlorinated polyethylene that provides UV protection for an underlying substrate such as vinyl siding or polymer layers.

Abstract: A temporary sign panel is made by placing sheets of used newspaper on a flat surface to form a first layer, fixing two edges of the first layer to the surface, and covering the layer with a flour and water paste. A second layer of newspaper is placed on the first, with the sheets staggered so lines between sheets do not coincide. Two edges of the second layer are fixed to the surface, and the second layer is covered with flour and water paste. Next, a third layer of newspaper is placed over the second, staggered so no lines between sheets coincide. The paste is allowed to dry, then the panel is removed from the surface, and the entire panel is painted with an exterior grade of house paint. The resulting panel can be painted with the desired sign, and the panel is stiff enough for normal display.

Abstract: An insulating board is provided in which the capacity to absorb the moisture exemplified by wood fiber based board, cellulose fiber based board and perlite based board is coupled with the high permeability of fiberglass insulation to provide a board having a balance between the capacity to hold moisture and sufficient permeance to allow the board to give up the moisture as the board is passed through a cycle of absorption and desorption, whether it be on a daily or seasonable cycle.

Abstract: A multilayer packaging structure for microwave food reheating applications or for sterilized hot filling is provided having an outer layer prepared from a blend of polyphenylene ether and a high impact polystyrene. The polyphenylene ether-high impact polystyrene layer is useful as a structural support layer and provides resistance to distortion and burn through during microwave reconstitution or hot filling. The PPE/HIPS blend layer serves to increase the high temperature performance of the coextruded structure without sacrificing the thermoformability characteristics generally associated with HIPS based monolayer or multilayer structures. The ethylene vinyl alcohol or polyvinylidene chloride layers act as the oxygen barrier to prevent food spoilage and the polyolefin layer acts as a moisture barrier.

Abstract: By addition of methacrylate/unsaturated acid and/or vinyl amide copolymers, poly(vinyl alcohol) can be melt-processed and co-extruded with structural polymers like poly(ethylene terephthalate) to form multilayer films and objects with good adhesion between the components and good barrier properties. The films and objects can be separated and re-used by dissolution in water of the poly(vinyl alcohol)/methacrylate polymer blends and recovery of the structural polymer.

Abstract: A void fill material (10) can be formed from ordinary scrap cardboard into an interlocking packaging material. Each piece of the material (10) has a primary section (20) defining a primary plane. The void fill has at least two limbs extending from the primary section. The void fill can be in any geometric shape, such as a block Y (10), a block H (62), an angled Y (80), an X (100), and a cross (120). Scoring can be applied to the void material at any location, thereby facilitating the deformation of the void fill.

Abstract: Multilayer composites coextruded with the use of polyolefins and of impact-reinforced impervious resin compositions based on hydrolysed copolymers of vinyl acetate and ethylene comprising, as an additive improving the impact strength, elastomeric copolymers of ethylene and propylene which are modified by grafting an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and, preferably, by maleic anhydride.The coextruded multilayer composites are very particularly suitable for the manufacture of fuel storage vessels combining impact strength and high imperviousness to petrol and to petrol/alcohol mixtures.

Abstract: Municipal solid waste ash is utilized in the manufacture of an aggregate and is processed to form a cold bonded pellet which, when tested by means of TCLP leaching extraction tests using TCLP No. 2 extraction fluid, does not exceed the 1990 limits for the RCRA priority heavy metals. The pellets may be surface coated with defined agents to seal the pellet or to provide properties which enhance the use of the pellet in either asphaltic or cement concrete mixes.

Abstract: A void fill material (10) can be formed from ordinary scrap cardboard into an interlocking packaging material. Each piece of the material (10) has a primary section (20) defining a primary plane. In a preferred embodiment, a first, second and third finger (22, 24, 26) extend from the primary section (20). The primary section (20) and each finger (22, 24, 26) have a length to width ratio between 3:1 and 1:1. The first finger (22) extends from one side of primary section (20) while the second and third fingers (24, 26) extend from its other side. The intersection (30, 32, 34) between each finger (22, 24, 26) and the primary section (20) is scored, thus allowing the fingers to be bent away from the primary plane. The cushioning benefit of the void fill material (10) is improved by the ability of the deformed fingers (22, 24, 26) to interlock with the fingers of the other void fill material pieces.