diff --git a/applications/test/PackedList4/PackedListTest4.C b/applications/test/PackedList4/PackedListTest4.C
index 5095eac3b9..a500de01d3 100644
--- a/applications/test/PackedList4/PackedListTest4.C
+++ b/applications/test/PackedList4/PackedListTest4.C
@@ -40,10 +40,10 @@ using namespace Foam;
 int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
     PackedBoolList list1(20);
-    // set every other one on
+    // set every third one on
     forAll(list1, i)
     {
-        list1[i] = i % 2;
+        list1[i] = !(i % 3);
     }
 
     Info<< "\nalternating bit pattern\n";
@@ -52,70 +52,84 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     PackedBoolList list2 = ~list1;
 
     Info<< "\ncomplementary bit pattern\n";
-    list2.printInfo(Info, true);
+    list2.printBits(Info);
+
+    // set every other on
+    forAll(list2, i)
+    {
+        list2[i] = !(i % 2);
+    }
+
+    Info<< "\nalternating bit pattern\n";
+    list2.printBits(Info);
 
-    list2.resize(24, true);
     list2.resize(28, false);
+    list2.resize(34, true);
+    list2.resize(40, false);
     for (label i=0; i < 4; ++i)
     {
         list2[i] = true;
     }
 
-    Info<< "\nresized with 4 true + 4 false, bottom 4 bits true\n";
+    Info<< "\nresized with false, 6 true + 6 false, bottom 4 bits true\n";
     list2.printInfo(Info, true);
 
     labelList list2Labels = list2.used();
 
     Info<< "\noperator|\n";
-    (list1 | list2).printInfo(Info, true);
+
+    list1.printBits(Info);
+    list2.printBits(Info);
+    Info<< "==\n";
+    (list1 | list2).printBits(Info);
 
     Info<< "\noperator& : does trim\n";
-    (list1 & list2).printInfo(Info, true);
+    (list1 & list2).printBits(Info);
 
     Info<< "\noperator^\n";
-    (list1 ^ list2).printInfo(Info, true);
+    (list1 ^ list2).printBits(Info);
 
 
     Info<< "\noperator|=\n";
     {
         PackedBoolList list3 = list1;
-        (list3 |= list2).printInfo(Info, true);
+        (list3 |= list2).printBits(Info);
     }
 
     Info<< "\noperator|= with UList<label>\n";
     {
         PackedBoolList list3 = list1;
-        (list3 |= list2Labels).printInfo(Info, true);
+        (list3 |= list2Labels).printBits(Info);
     }
 
     Info<< "\noperator&=\n";
     {
         PackedBoolList list3 = list1;
-        (list3 &= list2).printInfo(Info, true);
+        (list3 &= list2).printBits(Info);
     }
 
     Info<< "\noperator+=\n";
     {
         PackedBoolList list3 = list1;
-        (list3 += list2).printInfo(Info, true);
+        (list3 += list2).printBits(Info);
     }
 
     Info<< "\noperator+= with UList<label>\n";
     {
         PackedBoolList list3 = list1;
-        (list3 += list2Labels).printInfo(Info, true);
+        (list3 += list2Labels).printBits(Info);
     }
 
     Info<< "\noperator-=\n";
     {
         PackedBoolList list3 = list1;
-        (list3 -= list2).printInfo(Info, true);
+        (list3 -= list2).printBits(Info);
     }
 
     Info<< "\noperator-= with UList<label>\n";
     {
         PackedBoolList list3 = list1;
-        (list3 -= list2Labels).printInfo(Info, true);
+        (list3 -= list2Labels).printBits(Info);
     }
 
     PackedBoolList list4
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolList.C b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolList.C
index c19d70b94e..ce9efbfeb6 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolList.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolList.C
@@ -26,6 +26,70 @@ License
 #include "PackedBoolList.H"
 #include "IOstreams.H"
 
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+bool Foam::PackedBoolList::bitorPrepare
+(
+    const PackedList<1>& lst,
+    label& maxPackLen
+)
+{
+    const StorageList& lhs = this->storage();
+    const StorageList& rhs = lst.storage();
+
+    const label packLen1 = this->packedLength();
+    const label packLen2 = lst.packedLength();
+
+
+    // check how the lists interact and if bit trimming is needed
+    bool needTrim = false;
+    maxPackLen = packLen1;
+
+    if (packLen1 == packLen2)
+    {
+        // identical packed lengths - only resize if absolutely necessary
+        if
+        (
+            this->size() != lst.size()
+         && maxPackLen
+         && rhs[maxPackLen-1] > lhs[maxPackLen-1]
+        )
+        {
+            // second list has a higher bit set
+            // extend addressable area and use trim
+            resize(lst.size());
+            needTrim = true;
+        }
+    }
+    else if (packLen2 < packLen1)
+    {
+        // second list is shorter, this limits the or
+        maxPackLen = packLen2;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        // second list is longer, find the highest bit set
+        for (label storeI = packLen1; storeI < packLen2; ++storeI)
+        {
+            if (rhs[storeI])
+            {
+                maxPackLen = storeI+1;
+            }
+        }
+
+        // the upper limit moved - resize for full coverage and trim later
+        if (maxPackLen > packLen1)
+        {
+            resize(maxPackLen * packing());
+            needTrim = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return needTrim;
+}
+
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 Foam::PackedBoolList::PackedBoolList(Istream& is)
@@ -62,7 +126,7 @@ Foam::Xfer<Foam::labelList> Foam::PackedBoolList::used() const
 
 
 template<class LabelListType>
-Foam::label Foam::PackedBoolList::setFromIndices(const LabelListType& indices)
+Foam::label Foam::PackedBoolList::setIndices(const LabelListType& indices)
 {
     // no better information, just guess something about the size
     reserve(indices.size());
@@ -81,7 +145,7 @@ Foam::label Foam::PackedBoolList::setFromIndices(const LabelListType& indices)
 
 
 template<class LabelListType>
-Foam::label Foam::PackedBoolList::unsetFromIndices(const LabelListType& indices)
+Foam::label Foam::PackedBoolList::unsetIndices(const LabelListType& indices)
 {
     label cnt = 0;
     forAll(indices, elemI)
@@ -98,46 +162,30 @@ Foam::label Foam::PackedBoolList::unsetFromIndices(const LabelListType& indices)
 
 Foam::label Foam::PackedBoolList::set(const UList<label>& indices)
 {
-    return setFromIndices(indices);
+    return setIndices(indices);
 }
 
 
 Foam::label Foam::PackedBoolList::set(const UIndirectList<label>& indices)
 {
-    return setFromIndices(indices);
+    return setIndices(indices);
 }
 
 
 Foam::label Foam::PackedBoolList::unset(const UList<label>& indices)
 {
-    return unsetFromIndices(indices);
+    return unsetIndices(indices);
 }
 
 
 Foam::label Foam::PackedBoolList::unset(const UIndirectList<label>& indices)
 {
-    return unsetFromIndices(indices);
-}
-
-
-void Foam::PackedBoolList::modulo(const PackedList<1>& lst)
-{
-    // operate directly with the underlying storage
-    StorageList& lhs = this->storage();
-    const StorageList& rhs = lst.storage();
-
-    const label len = min(lhs.size(), rhs.size());
-
-    for (label i=0; i < len; ++i)
-    {
-        lhs[i] &= ~rhs[i];
-    }
+    return unsetIndices(indices);
 }
 
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-
 Foam::PackedBoolList&
 Foam::PackedBoolList::operator=(const UList<bool>& lst)
 {
@@ -172,28 +220,6 @@ Foam::PackedBoolList::operator=(const UIndirectList<label>& indices)
 }
 
 
-Foam::PackedBoolList&
-Foam::PackedBoolList::operator|=(const PackedList<1>& lst)
-{
-    // extend addressable area if needed
-    if (this->size() < lst.size())
-    {
-        this->resize(lst.size());
-    }
-
-    // operate directly with the underlying storage
-    StorageList& lhs = this->storage();
-    const StorageList& rhs = lst.storage();
-
-    forAll(rhs, i)
-    {
-        lhs[i] |= rhs[i];
-    }
-
-    return *this;
-}
-
-
 Foam::PackedBoolList&
 Foam::PackedBoolList::operator&=(const PackedList<1>& lst)
 {
@@ -207,14 +233,13 @@ Foam::PackedBoolList::operator&=(const PackedList<1>& lst)
     StorageList& lhs = this->storage();
     const StorageList& rhs = lst.storage();
 
-    forAll(lhs, i)
+    const label len = this->packedLength();
+
+    for (label i=0; i < len; ++i)
     {
         lhs[i] &= rhs[i];
     }
 
-    // trim to bits actually used
-    this->trim();
-
     return *this;
 }
 
@@ -222,27 +247,106 @@ Foam::PackedBoolList::operator&=(const PackedList<1>& lst)
 Foam::PackedBoolList&
 Foam::PackedBoolList::operator^=(const PackedList<1>& lst)
 {
-    // extend addressable area if needed
-    if (this->size() < lst.size())
-    {
-        this->resize(lst.size());
-    }
+    // extend addressable area if needed, return maximum size possible
+    label len = 0;
+    const bool needTrim = bitorPrepare(lst, len);
 
     // operate directly with the underlying storage
     StorageList& lhs = this->storage();
     const StorageList& rhs = lst.storage();
 
-    forAll(rhs, i)
+    for (label i=0; i < len; ++i)
     {
         lhs[i] ^= rhs[i];
     }
 
+    if (needTrim)
+    {
+        trim();
+    }
+
+    return *this;
+}
+
+
+Foam::PackedBoolList&
+Foam::PackedBoolList::operator|=(const PackedList<1>& lst)
+{
+    // extend addressable area if needed, return maximum size possible
+    label len = 0;
+    const bool needTrim = bitorPrepare(lst, len);
+
+    // operate directly with the underlying storage
+    StorageList& lhs = this->storage();
+    const StorageList& rhs = lst.storage();
+
+    for (label i=0; i < len; ++i)
+    {
+        lhs[i] |= rhs[i];
+    }
+
+    if (needTrim)
+    {
+        trim();
+    }
+
+    return *this;
+}
+
+
+Foam::PackedBoolList&
+Foam::PackedBoolList::operator-=(const PackedList<1>& lst)
+{
+    // operate directly with the underlying storage
+    StorageList& lhs = this->storage();
+    const StorageList& rhs = lst.storage();
+
+    // overlapping storage size
+    const label len = min(this->packedLength(), lst.packedLength());
+
+    for (label i=0; i < len; ++i)
+    {
+        lhs[i] &= ~rhs[i];
+    }
+
     return *this;
 }
 
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  Global Operators * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+Foam::PackedBoolList Foam::operator&
+(
+    const PackedBoolList& lst1,
+    const PackedBoolList& lst2
+)
+{
+    PackedBoolList result(lst1);
+    result &= lst2;
+
+    // trim to bits actually used
+    result.trim();
+
+    return result;
+}
+
+
+Foam::PackedBoolList Foam::operator^
+(
+    const PackedBoolList& lst1,
+    const PackedBoolList& lst2
+)
+{
+    PackedBoolList result(lst1);
+    result ^= lst2;
+
+    // trim to bits actually used
+    result.trim();
+
+    return result;
+}
+
+
 Foam::PackedBoolList Foam::operator|
 (
     const PackedBoolList& lst1,
@@ -255,28 +359,4 @@ Foam::PackedBoolList Foam::operator|
 }
 
 
-Foam::PackedBoolList Foam::operator&
-(
-    const PackedBoolList& lst1,
-    const PackedBoolList& lst2
-)
-{
-    PackedBoolList result(lst1);
-    result &= lst2;
-    return result;
-}
-
-
-Foam::PackedBoolList Foam::operator^
-(
-    const PackedBoolList& lst1,
-    const PackedBoolList& lst2
-)
-{
-    PackedBoolList result(lst1);
-    result ^= lst2;
-    return result;
-}
-
-
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolList.H b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolList.H
index 06f69bf388..1297ba0923 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolList.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolList.H
@@ -61,19 +61,19 @@ class PackedBoolList
 {
     // Private Member Functions
 
-        //- Modulo is everything that is not in lst
-        //  This is equivalent to unsetting the bits specified in lst
-        void modulo(const PackedList<1>&);
+        //- Preparation, resizing before a bitor operation
+        //  returns true if the later result needs trimming
+        bool bitorPrepare(const PackedList<1>& lst, label& maxPackLen);
 
         //- Set the listed indices. Return number of elements changed.
         //  Does auto-vivify for non-existent entries.
         template<class LabelListType>
-        label setFromIndices(const LabelListType& indices);
+        label setIndices(const LabelListType& indices);
 
         //- Unset the listed indices. Return number of elements changed.
         //  Never auto-vivify entries.
         template<class LabelListType>
-        label unsetFromIndices(const LabelListType& indices);
+        label unsetIndices(const LabelListType& indices);
 
 public:
 
@@ -184,6 +184,13 @@ public:
             //- Complement operator
             inline PackedBoolList operator~() const;
 
+            //- And operator (lists may be dissimilar sizes)
+            PackedBoolList& operator&=(const PackedList<1>&);
+
+            //- Xor operator (lists may be dissimilar sizes)
+            //  Retains unique entries
+            PackedBoolList& operator^=(const PackedList<1>&);
+
             //- Or operator (lists may be dissimilar sizes)
             PackedBoolList& operator|=(const PackedList<1>&);
 
@@ -195,14 +202,6 @@ public:
             //  using the labels as indices to indicate which bits are set
             inline PackedBoolList& operator|=(const UIndirectList<label>&);
 
-            //- And operator (lists may be dissimilar sizes)
-            //  The result is trimmed to the smallest intersecting size
-            PackedBoolList& operator&=(const PackedList<1>&);
-
-            //- And operator (lists may be dissimilar sizes)
-            //  Only retain unique entries
-            PackedBoolList& operator^=(const PackedList<1>&);
-
 
             //- Add entries to this list, synonymous with the or operator
             inline PackedBoolList& operator+=(const PackedList<1>&);
@@ -213,13 +212,13 @@ public:
             //- Add entries to this list, synonymous with the or operator
             inline PackedBoolList& operator+=(const UIndirectList<label>&);
 
-            //- Remove entries from this list
-            inline PackedBoolList& operator-=(const PackedList<1>&);
+            //- Remove entries from this list - unset the specified bits
+            PackedBoolList& operator-=(const PackedList<1>&);
 
-            //- Remove entries from this list
+            //- Remove entries from this list - unset the specified bits
             inline PackedBoolList& operator-=(const UList<label>& indices);
 
-            //- Remove entries from this list
+            //- Remove entries from this list - unset the specified bits
             inline PackedBoolList& operator-=(const UIndirectList<label>&);
 
 };
@@ -227,14 +226,6 @@ public:
 
 // Global Operators
 
-//- Combine lists
-PackedBoolList operator|
-(
-    const PackedBoolList& lst1,
-    const PackedBoolList& lst2
-);
-
-
 //- Intersect lists - the result is trimmed to the smallest intersecting size
 PackedBoolList operator&
 (
@@ -244,6 +235,7 @@ PackedBoolList operator&
 
 
 //- Combine to form a unique list (xor)
+//  The result is trimmed to the smallest intersecting size
 PackedBoolList operator^
 (
     const PackedBoolList& lst1,
@@ -251,6 +243,14 @@ PackedBoolList operator^
 );
 
 
+//- Combine lists
+PackedBoolList operator|
+(
+    const PackedBoolList& lst1,
+    const PackedBoolList& lst2
+);
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 } // End namespace Foam
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolListI.H b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolListI.H
index 754590a864..3b77591220 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolListI.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedBoolListI.H
@@ -127,16 +127,6 @@ inline Foam::Xfer<Foam::PackedBoolList> Foam::PackedBoolList::xfer()
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-inline Foam::PackedBoolList
-Foam::PackedBoolList::operator~() const
-{
-    PackedBoolList result(*this);
-    result.flip();
-
-    return result;
-}
-
-
 inline Foam::PackedBoolList&
 Foam::PackedBoolList::operator=(const bool val)
 {
@@ -161,6 +151,16 @@ Foam::PackedBoolList::operator=(const PackedList<1>& lst)
 }
 
 
+inline Foam::PackedBoolList
+Foam::PackedBoolList::operator~() const
+{
+    PackedBoolList result(*this);
+    result.flip();
+
+    return result;
+}
+
+
 inline Foam::PackedBoolList&
 Foam::PackedBoolList::operator|=(const UList<label>& indices)
 {
@@ -198,14 +198,6 @@ Foam::PackedBoolList::operator+=(const UIndirectList<label>& indices)
 }
 
 
-inline Foam::PackedBoolList&
-Foam::PackedBoolList::operator-=(const PackedList<1>& lst)
-{
-    this->modulo(lst);
-    return *this;
-}
-
-
 inline Foam::PackedBoolList&
 Foam::PackedBoolList::operator-=(const UList<label>& indices)
 {
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedList.C b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedList.C
index 476851e4ba..98a6d2740a 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedList.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedList.C
@@ -29,13 +29,6 @@ License
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-template<unsigned nBits>
-inline Foam::label Foam::PackedList<nBits>::byteSize() const
-{
-    return packedLength(this->size()) * sizeof(StorageType);
-}
-
-
 #if (UINT_MAX == 0xFFFFFFFF)
 // 32-bit counting, Hamming weight method
 #   define COUNT_PACKEDBITS(sum, x)                                           \
@@ -65,8 +58,7 @@ unsigned int Foam::PackedList<nBits>::count() const
 
     if (size_)
     {
-        const label packLen = packedLength(size_);
-
+        const label packLen = packedLength();
         for (label i = 0; i < packLen; ++i)
         {
             register unsigned int bits = StorageList::operator[](i);
@@ -87,8 +79,7 @@ bool Foam::PackedList<nBits>::trim()
     }
 
     const label oldSize = size_;
-
-    for (label storeI = packedLength(size_) - 1; storeI >= 0; --storeI)
+    for (label storeI = packedLength()-1; storeI >= 0; --storeI)
     {
         size_ = storeI * packing();
         unsigned int bits = StorageList::operator[](storeI);
@@ -120,7 +111,7 @@ void Foam::PackedList<nBits>::flip()
     // mask value for complete segments
     const unsigned int mask = maskLower(packing());
 
-    const label packLen = packedLength(size_);
+    const label packLen = packedLength();
     for (label i=0; i < packLen; ++i)
     {
         StorageList::operator[](i) = mask & ~StorageList::operator[](i);
@@ -171,26 +162,19 @@ Foam::Ostream& Foam::PackedList<nBits>::iteratorBase::printInfo
 
 
 template<unsigned nBits>
-Foam::Ostream& Foam::PackedList<nBits>::printInfo
+Foam::Ostream& Foam::PackedList<nBits>::printBits
 (
     Ostream& os,
     const bool fullOutput
 ) const
 {
-    const label packLen = packedLength(size_);
-
-    os  << "PackedList<" << nBits << ">"
-        << " max_value:" << max_value()
-        << " packing:"   << packing() << nl
-        << " count: "     << count() << nl
-        << " size/capacity: " << size_ << "/" << capacity() << nl
-        << " storage/capacity: " << packLen << "/" << StorageList::size()
-        << "\n(\n";
+    const label packLen = packedLength();
 
     // mask value for complete segments
     unsigned int mask = maskLower(packing());
     const label outputLen = fullOutput ? StorageList::size() : packLen;
 
+    os  << "(\n";
     for (label i=0; i < outputLen; ++i)
     {
         const StorageType& rawBits = StorageList::operator[](i);
@@ -240,12 +224,32 @@ Foam::Ostream& Foam::PackedList<nBits>::printInfo
         }
         os  << '\n';
     }
-    os << ")\n";
+    os  << ")\n";
 
     return os;
 }
 
 
+template<unsigned nBits>
+Foam::Ostream& Foam::PackedList<nBits>::printInfo
+(
+    Ostream& os,
+    const bool fullOutput
+) const
+{
+    os  << "PackedList<" << nBits << ">"
+        << " max_value:" << max_value()
+        << " packing:"   << packing() << nl
+        << " count: "     << count() << nl
+        << " size/capacity: " << size_ << "/" << capacity() << nl
+        << " storage/capacity: "
+        << packedLength() << "/" << StorageList::size()
+        << "\n";
+
+    return printBits(os, fullOutput);
+}
+
+
 template<unsigned nBits>
 Foam::Istream& Foam::PackedList<nBits>::read(Istream& is)
 {
@@ -501,7 +505,7 @@ Foam::Ostream& Foam::PackedList<nBits>::write
 template<unsigned nBits>
 void Foam::PackedList<nBits>::writeEntry(Ostream& os) const
 {
-    os << *this;
+    os  << *this;
 }
 
 
@@ -514,7 +518,7 @@ void Foam::PackedList<nBits>::writeEntry
 {
     os.writeKeyword(keyword);
     writeEntry(os);
-    os << token::END_STATEMENT << endl;
+    os  << token::END_STATEMENT << endl;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedList.H b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedList.H
index 91452f0433..f4cdce7aab 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedList.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedList.H
@@ -269,9 +269,12 @@ public:
             //- Return the underlying packed storage
             inline const List<unsigned int>& storage() const;
 
+            //- The list length when packed
+            inline label packedLength() const;
+
             //- Return the binary size in number of characters
             //  used in the underlying storage
-            label byteSize() const;
+            inline label byteSize() const;
 
             //- Count number of bits set, O(log(n))
             //  Uses the Hamming weight (population count) method
@@ -281,7 +284,7 @@ public:
             //- Return the values as a list of labels
             Xfer<labelList> values() const;
 
-            //- Print information and values, optionally output unused elements
+            //- Print bit patterns, optionally output unused elements
             //
             // addressable bits:
             //   on: '1', off: '-'
@@ -289,6 +292,9 @@ public:
             // non-addressable bits:
             //   on: '!', off: '.'
             //
+            Ostream& printBits(Ostream&, const bool fullOutput=false) const;
+
+            //- Print information and bit patterns (with printBits)
             Ostream& printInfo(Ostream&, const bool fullOutput=false) const;
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedListI.H b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedListI.H
index 8c4170087b..ecae704274 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedListI.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/PackedList/PackedListI.H
@@ -869,10 +869,7 @@ inline void Foam::PackedList<nBits>::setCapacity(const label nElem)
 
 
 template<unsigned nBits>
-inline void Foam::PackedList<nBits>::reserve
-(
-    const label nElem
-)
+inline void Foam::PackedList<nBits>::reserve(const label nElem)
 {
     const label len = packedLength(nElem);
 
@@ -919,9 +916,8 @@ inline void Foam::PackedList<nBits>::clearStorage()
 template<unsigned nBits>
 inline void Foam::PackedList<nBits>::shrink()
 {
-    const label len = packedLength(size_);
-
-    // we have unused space?
+    // any uneed space allocated?
+    const label len = packedLength();
     if (len < StorageList::size())
     {
         StorageList::setSize(len);
@@ -942,6 +938,20 @@ inline const Foam::List<unsigned int>& Foam::PackedList<nBits>::storage() const
 }
 
 
+template<unsigned nBits>
+inline Foam::label Foam::PackedList<nBits>::packedLength() const
+{
+    return packedLength(size_);
+}
+
+
+template<unsigned nBits>
+inline Foam::label Foam::PackedList<nBits>::byteSize() const
+{
+    return packedLength() * sizeof(StorageType);
+}
+
+
 template<unsigned nBits>
 inline void Foam::PackedList<nBits>::transfer(PackedList<nBits>& lst)
 {
@@ -1070,7 +1080,7 @@ template<unsigned nBits>
 inline Foam::PackedList<nBits>&
 Foam::PackedList<nBits>::operator=(const unsigned int val)
 {
-    const label packLen = packedLength(size_);
+    const label packLen = packedLength();
 
     if (val && size_)
     {