US4076578A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink removal from waste paper
Assignee: Qns Paper Co Ltd
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Filing: 1976-08-02
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-08-02
Abstract
Abstract Waste paper, particularly newsprint, is treated to release adhering ink particles (e.g. pigment carbon) from the paper fibers, and the ink solids (and organic contaminants) are then preferentially collected on the surface of inserted non-soap solids which have an affinity for, and are of larger size than, the ink solids. The ink-coated solids can be removed from the system by suitable physical means such as hydrocyclones, screens or decantation.
Inventors
- 👤 Ira E. Puddington
- 👤 Bryan D. Sparks
- 👤 Ernest A. Sexton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:37
CPC Classifications
D; D21; D21C; D21C5/00; D21C5/02; D21C5/025; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of treating waste inked paper to collect and remove ink particules therefrom comprising: a. forming an aqueous pulp of said paper in the presence of soluble ink dispersing agent, said agent being at least one of a soap and sodium silicate, thereby releasing the ink particles adhering to the paper fibers and dispersing the ink solids in the pulp, b. inactivating the ink dispersing agent present by precipitation with added insolubilizing cation, agitating the resulting aqueous mixture containing ink solids and paper fibers in the presence of inserted selected non-soap collecting solids and collecting ink solids on the surface of the collection solids, said collecting solids having hydrophobic surfaces with strong affinity for said ink solids, the collecting solids being dispersed directly in the aqueous pulp the collecting solids being at least about 0.04 mm. in diameter and large enough that many ink particles or agglomerates thereof adhere side-by-side on the collecting surface, the mixture being brought into intimate contact with the hydrophobic collecting surfaces, c. separating the ink-coated collecting solids in easily handled solid form from the paper fibers by a mechanical separation without froth flotation, and d. recovering relatively clean paper stock.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of treating waste inked paper to collect and remove ink particules therefrom comprising: a. forming an aqueous pulp of said paper in the presence of soluble ink dispersing agent, said agent being at least one of a soap and sodium silicate, thereby releasing the ink particles adhering to the paper fibers and dispersing the ink solids in the pulp, b. inactivating the ink dispersing agent present by precipitation with added insolubilizing cation, agitating the resulting aqueous mixture containing ink solids and paper fibers in the presence of inserted selected non-soap collecting solids and collecting ink solids on the surface of the collection solids, said collecting solids having hydrophobic surfaces with strong affinity for said ink solids, the collecting solids being dispersed directly in the aqueous pulp the collecting solids being at least about 0.04 mm. in diameter and large enough that many ink particles or agglomerates thereof adhere side-by-side on the collecting surface, the mixture being brought into intimate contact with the hydrophobic collecting surfaces, c. separating the ink-coated collecting solids in easily handled solid form from the paper fibers by a mechanical separation without froth flotation, and d. recovering relatively clean paper stock.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein ink is removed from the ink-coated collecting solids in a separate step and the collecting solids recycled to the process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein other organic contaminants are present, and these contaminants are collected and removed in the same manner as the ink.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said paper is waste newsprint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the collecting solids are selected from sulphur, polyolefins and other vinyl polymers. wax solids, solid petroleum materials, rubber, and rubber waste solids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the collecting solids average diameter is at least about 100 micrometers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the collecting solids are in the form of prills of average diameter at least about 200 micrometers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the collecting solids comprise sulphur prills of average diameter from about 100 to about 800 micrometers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein solids of average diameter within about 0.2 to 1 mm. are used as collecting solids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the collecting solids are susceptible to magnetic attraction and the ink-coated collecting solids are separated magnetically from the paper fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a collecting agent is present only on the surface of the collecting solids to provide enhanced affinity for, and retention of, the ink solids.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein calcium ions are used to precipitate the soap or silicate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a composite dispersant is added in step (a), comprising sodium silicate and a soap, the dispersant being precipitated with calcium ions for step (b).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein waste newsprint is pulped and ink released therefrom utilizing added oleate or linoleate soap, with a pH of about 10-11.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ink-coated collecting solids are separated from the paper fibers by centrifugal means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the ink-coated solids are separated by hydrocyclone means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of collecting solids to paper fiber is up to 5:1.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ink collection on the collecting solids is carried out in two or more stages.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pH after removal of the ink-coated solids, is adjusted to about 8 to 9.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the waste paper is pulped to a consistency of up to about 7%, for the ink-release stage, the consistency being within about 0.5 to 4% for the ink-collection stage, and the consistency being not more than about 2% for the ink-coated solids removal stage.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the pulp is selected to optimize ink collection on the solids, and separation of the ink-coated solids from the pulp, said temperature being about 70°to 92° C with sulphur solids, and about 30° to 50° C with the other collecting solids.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of treating waste inked paper to collect and remove ink therefrom, comprising: a. forming an aqueous pulp of said paper and releasing the ink from the paper fibers to form fine dispersed ink solids in the pulp, b. providing that no active ink dispersant is present and agitating the resulting pulp mixture in the presence of inserted sulphur solids having a diameter of at last about 10 micrometers until said sulphur solids pick up and retain a multiplicity of ink particles or agglomerates thereof side-by-side on the surfaces of the sulphur solids. c. separating the ink-coated sulphur solids from the pulp by a mechanical separation without froth flotation, and d. recovering the cleaned paper stock.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of treating waste inked paper to collect and remove ink therefrom, comprising: a. forming an aqueous pulp of said paper and releasing the ink from the paper fibers to form fine dispersed ink solids in the pulp, b. providing that no active ink dispersant is present and agitating the resulting pulp mixture in the presence of inserted sulphur solids having a diameter of at last about 10 micrometers until said sulphur solids pick up and retain a multiplicity of ink particles or agglomerates thereof side-by-side on the surfaces of the sulphur solids. c. separating the ink-coated sulphur solids from the pulp by a mechanical separation without froth flotation, and d. recovering the cleaned paper stock.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |