Patent ID: 8156862

Claim:
A method of forming a bale comprising a compressible cellulose acetate and having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, comprising: (a) providing an apparatus for forming a bale, comprising: (i) an upper platen comprising a convex protruding surface relative to the surface at the circumference of the upper platen for compressing an upper surface of the compressible cellulose acetate, wherein the protruding surface has a curved cross-sectional profile in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction that is effective for forming a substantially flat upper surface on the compressible cellulose acetate; (ii) a lower platen comprising a convex protruding surface relative to the surface at the circumference of the lower platen for compressing a lower surface of the compressible cellulose acetate, wherein the protruding surface has a curved cross-sectional profile in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction that is effective for forming a substantially flat lower surface on the compressible cellulose acetate; and (iii) a rigid enclosure for accommodating the compressible cellulose acetate, wherein the enclosure comprises an upper opening enabling contact between the upper platen and the compressible cellulose acetate, and a lower opening enabling contact between the lower platen and the compressible cellulose acetate; (b) providing the compressible cellulose acetate between the upper platen and the lower platen of the apparatus; (c) compressing the compressible cellulose acetate between the upper platen and the lower platen by adjusting the position of the upper platen and/or the lower platen; and (d) covering the compressible cellulose acetate with a protective covering.