US3773613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for converting plastic-containing broke to fluff
Assignee: International Paper Co
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Filing: 1971-10-13
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1991-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A method for converting plastic-containing, particularly filament-reinforced, cellulosic broke to a fluff of substantially separated fibers and pieces of plastic in the substantial absence of water. The dry broke material is first subjected to a pretreatment step in the absence of liquid wherein the broke pieces are rubbed against one another to free about 50 percent of the cellulosic matter as individual fibers and reduce the plastic matter to pieces having lengths of generally less than about one and one-half inches. The pretreated broke is then conveyed via storage and cyclone separator steps to a refiner treatment wherein the dry broke material is refined into a fluff containing dry cellulosic fibers and randomly distributed plastic pieces. The fluff contains less than 30 percent by weight plastic pieces obtained as a result of adding dry cellulosic pulp to the broke prior to the refining step or prior to the pretreatment step.
Inventors
- 👤 C Lee
- 👤 F Granberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:35
CPC Classifications
D; D21; D21B; D21B1/00; D21B1/02; D21B1/026; D21B1/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pretreatment includes the step of layering said broke in the course of said pretreatment step.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 and including the step of feeding said refined product directly to a production line for producing an absorbent product on a generally continuous basis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 3 and including the step of controlling the conveyance of fragments to said refining station after pretreatment at a rate substantially equal to the demand rate for said production line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said cellulosic pulp is added to said broke prior to the pretreatment step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said broke comprises disposable diapers including plastic reinforcing filaments and whose plastic content is about 20 percent, by weight, and wherein the quantity of added cellulosic pulp reduces the plastic content of the infeed to the refining step to less than about 4 percent by weight.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for converting plastic containing cellulosic broke to substantially separated fibers and particulates of plastic matter in the substantial absence of a liquid comprising the steps of admixing a quantity of said broke and a quantity of cellulosic pulp, said resultant mixture having less than about 30 percent, by weight, of plastic material therein, pretreating said mixture to condition it for refining, said pretreatment comprising breaking said mixture to pieces and mechanically working said pieces to reduce their size, substantially all the reducing action being accomplished by the action of said pieces upon themselves until only a minor portion of the plastic matter thereof has a major dimension greater than about one an one-half inches and of the order of 50 percent of the cellulosic matter is freed as individual fibers or small bundles of fibers, conveying said pretreated mixture to a refining station, and, dry refining said pretreated mixture to a material wherein the cellulosic fibers are freed and substantially separated one from the other and the plastic material is substantially reduced to pieces, an appreciable portion of which have a major dimension of less than about one-fourth inch, said separated fibers and plastic pieces in the aggregate being of a size and quality suitable as an absorbent fluff for disposable absorbent products.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for converting plastic-containing cellulosic broke to substantially separated fibers and particulates of plastic matter in the substantial absence of a liquid and marrying such conversion method with a production line for producing disposable absorbent products including a fluff comprising the steps of pretreating said broke to condition it for refining, said pretreatment comprising breaking said broke to pieces and mechanically working said pieces to reduce their size, substantially all the reducing action being accomplished by the action of said pieces upon themselves until only a minor portion of the plastic matter thereof has a major dimension less than about 1 1/2 inches and of the order of about 50 percent of the cellulosic matter is freed as individual fibers or small bundles of fibers, pneumatically conveying said pretreated pieces to a storage area, dispensing said pieces from said storage area, weighing at least one preselected quantity of said dispensed pieces, directing said weighed quantity to a refiner, said weighed quantity being substantially equivalent to the fluff demand, by weight, of said production line, refining said weighed quantity, and delivering said refined quantity to said production line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
An improved fluff produced by the process of claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |