Method of compacting material

A method of forming a compacted cathode disk for an alkaline cell, comprising the steps of:

• a) inserting a mixture of cathode material into a cavity running through a die casing,
• b) positioning a first plunger in alignment with said cavity so that said first plunger may engage said cathode material when said first plunger is moved downwardly into said cavity,
• c) positioning a second plunger in alignment with said cavity so that said second plunger may engage said cathode material when said second plunger is moved upwardly into said cavity,
• d) positioning a polymeric seal ring circumferentially around at least a portion of the outer surface of said first plunger so that said seal ring lies flush against at least a portion of the outer surface of said first plunger, wherein the first plunger has a tip surface facing the cathode material, wherein said seal ring is positioned in proximity to said tip surface of said first plunger,
• e) moving said first plunger downwardly into said cavity so that at least a portion of said seal ring enters said cavity and the cathode material is compacted against a portion of said second plunger thereby forming a compacted cathode disk, wherein as the first plunger moves downwardly into said cavity to compact the cathode material at least a portion of said seal ring enters said cavity
• f) ejecting said compacted cathode disk from said cavity by moving said first and second plungers upwardly within said cavity, wherein as said first plunger moves upwardly to eject said compacted cathode disk said disk presses against the seal ring, wherein the pressing of said compacted cathode disk against and the seal ring prevents a web of flashed cathode material from forming and from attaching to said compacted cathode disk as said disk is being ejected from said cavity.