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US4020992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Separation of joined plastic and metal components
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
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Filing: 1975-11-20
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Granted: 1977-05-03
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Expires: 1995-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for separating plastic liners from metal closures is disclosed which includes a liquid nitrogen precooler for chilling closures with liners therein, a hammermill for impacting the chilled closures to liberate the liners from the closures, a tumble barrel for separating large pieces of closures from the plastic liners and the small pieces of closures, and a high-tension electrical separator for separating the small pieces of closures from the plastic liners.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne W. Binger
- 👤 John W. Collins, III
- 👤 Melvin R. Fahnestock
- 👤 George H. Stuppy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 02:53
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29B; B29B17/00; B29B17/02; B02; B02C; B02C19/00; B02C19/18; B02C19/186; B02C23/00; B02C23/08; B02C23/14; B29B17/04; B29B2017/0416; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/56; B29L2031/565; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/62; Y10; Y10S; Y10S241/00; Y10S241/37; Y10S241/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of separating joined plastic and metal components in the form of aluminum closures with plastic liners therein comprising chilling the components to approximately -150° F. to -250° F. until the plastic becomes brittle, impacting the chilled components in a hammermill in which the hammers are spaced from the confining means a distance approximately equal to the extent of the closure skirt from its end wall to liberate the plastic from the metal without shredding the components and separating the chilled plastic components from the metal components.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of separating joined plastic and metal components in the form of aluminum closures with plastic liners therein comprising chilling the components to approximately -150° F. to -250° F. until the plastic becomes brittle, impacting the chilled components in a hammermill in which the hammers are spaced from the confining means a distance approximately equal to the extent of the closure skirt from its end wall to liberate the plastic from the metal without shredding the components and separating the chilled plastic components from the metal components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 in which the components are chilled with liquid nitrogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 in which the components are isolated from ambient air to prevent condensation on the components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for separating plastic liners from aluminum closures in which the liners are trapped comprising: a liquid nitrogen precooler for chilling aluminum closures with plastic liners therein to a range of approximately -150° F. to -250° F. to embrittle the plastic liners; a hammermill in which the hammers are spaced from the confining means a distance approximately equal to the extent of the closure skirt from its end wall for impacting the chilled closures and liners to liberate the liners from the closures without shredding the liners or closures; a tumble barrel for separating plastic liners and small pieces of closures from large pieces of closures; a high tension electrical separator for separating small pieces of aluminum closures from plastic liners; and means for isolating the aluminum closures and their liners from ambient air while chilling, impacting and separating the plastic from the aluminum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for separating plastic liners from aluminum closures in which the liners are trapped comprising: a liquid nitrogen precooler for chilling aluminum closures with plastic liners therein to a range of approximately -150° F. to -250° F. to embrittle the plastic liners; a hammermill in which the hammers are spaced from the confining means a distance approximately equal to the extent of the closure skirt from its end wall for impacting the chilled closures and liners to liberate the liners from the closures without shredding the liners or closures; a tumble barrel for separating plastic liners and small pieces of closures from large pieces of closures; a high tension electrical separator for separating small pieces of aluminum closures from plastic liners; and means for isolating the aluminum closures and their liners from ambient air while chilling, impacting and separating the plastic from the aluminum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-02 | 1980-11-01 | 1981-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-02 | 1984-11-01 | 1985-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-02 | 1988-11-01 | 1989-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |