Patent ID: 6110307
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: B22F,B30B,C22B,G21F,Y02P,Y02W

Abstract:
A method of compacting a pyrophoric material placed in a container which is saturated with an inert gas, the container being disposed on a supporting surface, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a compacting skirt having an axial opening and configured to surround the container;(b) arranging a compacting device opposite the supporting surface, the compacting device having a lower end that is receivable in the axial opening of the compacting skirt and configured for contact engagement with the container disposed therein;(c) moving the lower end of the compacting device through the axial opening of the compacting skirt and toward the container;(d) blowing inert gas through the lower end of the compacting device into a space defined by the compacting skirt, the supporting surface, the container and the lower end of the compacting device, when the lower end of the compacting device is disposed partially through the axial opening of the compacting skirt and has not yet contacted the container, so as to replace air in said space with the inert gas; and(e) then blowing a continuous stream of inert gas through the lower end of the compacting device, while the lower end of the compacting device crushes the container, so as to continually remove the inert gas laden with particles from the crushed container from said space, said blown inert gas being conveyed through said compacting device during said steps (d) and (e).