US4406411A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reclamation and rejuvenation of plastic and metal from metallized plastic
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
•
Filing: 1980-04-30
•
Granted: 1983-09-27
•
Expires: 2000-04-30
Abstract
Abstract Metallized plastic such as chrome plated plastic is processed to separate metal from plastic and especially to recover reusable, essentially metal-free plastic. Metallized plastic is comminuted, as necessary, to suitably sized pieces which then are exposed to cryogenic temperature and impacted in a rotary mill to form a mixture of plastic and metal particles. Subsequently most of the metal particles are removed from the mixture by effecting particle size and magnetic separation steps. Oversized particles can be recycled for further processing. The recovered plastic is then extruded, under conditions which render it molten, through one or more screens.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Gall
- 👤 Richard T. Anklin
- 👤 William B. Mende
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:52
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03B; B03B9/00; B03B9/06; B03B9/061; B29; B29B; B29B17/00; B29B17/02; B29B17/04; B29B2017/0416; B29B2017/0424; B29B2017/0492; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/10; B29K2023/12; B29K2055/00; B29K2055/02; B29K2705/00; B29L; B29L2009/00; B29L2009/003; B29L2009/005; B29L2009/008; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/52; Y02W30/62; Y10; Y10S; Y10S241/00; Y10S241/37; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49751; Y10T29/49755; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12229
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of reclamation of plating grade plastic from metallized plastic wherein the plastic has a tenaciously adherent coating of essentially nonferrous metal comprising a layer that is magnetically susceptable, which method comprises: (a) exposing pieces of said metallized plastic to a cryogenic temperature to embrittle same; (b) impacting the cooled pieces in a rotary impact mill to form a plastic and metal dispersion; (c) withdrawing from said dispersion an amount of said metal to provide a reusable plastic by effecting particle size separation, comprising segregating an intermediate product that will pass through a 12-20 mesh screen, and by exposing said intermediate product to a high intensity electromagnetic separation; and (d) filtering out residual impurities from the nonmagnetic fraction of step (c) by passing same through an extruder with continuous screen changer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of reclamation of plating grade plastic from metallized plastic wherein the plastic has a tenaciously adherent coating of essentially nonferrous metal comprising a layer that is magnetically susceptable, which method comprises: (a) exposing pieces of said metallized plastic to a cryogenic temperature to embrittle same; (b) impacting the cooled pieces in a rotary impact mill to form a plastic and metal dispersion; (c) withdrawing from said dispersion an amount of said metal to provide a reusable plastic by effecting particle size separation, comprising segregating an intermediate product that will pass through a 12-20 mesh screen, and by exposing said intermediate product to a high intensity electromagnetic separation; and (d) filtering out residual impurities from the nonmagnetic fraction of step (c) by passing same through an extruder with continuous screen changer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plastic comprises thermoplastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reusable plastic comprises about one percent by weight metal or less.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said coating comprises a nonferromagnetic metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plastic comprises ABS.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cooled pieces are impacted against rectilinear impacting pegs in a rotary impact mill.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pieces in step (a) comprise comminuted pieces of chrome plated ABS scrap that have undergone a magnetic separation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method in accordance with claim 5 or 6 or 7, wherein said dispersion comprises a plastic powder at least about 80% by weight of which has a weight average between largest and smallest particle dimension at least about ten times less than that of said pieces in step (a).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein at least about 90% by weight of the plastic of said dispersion will pass through a 12 mesh screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said coating comprises nickel, copper and chrome.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said temperature is below about -125° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said temperature is below about -157° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said dispersion is subjected to an additional magnetic removal step subsequent to step (b) and prior to the particle size separation of step (c).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
A plastic product recovered from the method of claim 1.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
A metal product recovered from the method of claim 1.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of reclamation of plating grade plastic from metallized plastic wherein the plastic has a tenaciously adherent coating of essentially nonferrous metal comprising a layer that is magnetically susceptable, which method comprises: (a) providing particulate metallized plastic having a weight average between largest and smallest particle dimension of between about 1-20 millimeters; (b) exposing said particulate metallized plastic to a cryogenic temperature to embrittle same; (c) impacting the cooled pieces in a rotary impact mill to form a plastic and metal dispersion at least about 80% by weight of which has a weight average average between smallest and largest particle dimensions that is at least about ten times smaller than that of the metallized plastic provided in step (a); and (d) withdrawing from said dispersion an amount of said metal sufficient to provide a reusable plating grade plastic by (i) removing particles larger than about 12 to 20 mesh; and (ii) then magnetically removing metal particles by subjecting product of step (d)(i) to a high intensity electromagnetic separation; and (e) filtering out residual impurities from the nonmagnetic fraction of step (d) by passing same through an extruder with continuous screen changer.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of reclamation of plating grade plastic from metallized plastic wherein the plastic has a tenaciously adherent coating of essentially nonferrous metal comprising a layer that is magnetically susceptable, which method comprises: (a) providing particulate metallized plastic having a weight average between largest and smallest particle dimension of between about 1-20 millimeters; (b) exposing said particulate metallized plastic to a cryogenic temperature to embrittle same; (c) impacting the cooled pieces in a rotary impact mill to form a plastic and metal dispersion at least about 80% by weight of which has a weight average average between smallest and largest particle dimensions that is at least about ten times smaller than that of the metallized plastic provided in step (a); and (d) withdrawing from said dispersion an amount of said metal sufficient to provide a reusable plating grade plastic by (i) removing particles larger than about 12 to 20 mesh; and (ii) then magnetically removing metal particles by subjecting product of step (d)(i) to a high intensity electromagnetic separation; and (e) filtering out residual impurities from the nonmagnetic fraction of step (d) by passing same through an extruder with continuous screen changer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said plastic comprises thermoplastic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said reusable plastic comprises about one percent by weight metal or less.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein said coating comprises a nonferromagnetic metal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said plastic comprises ABS.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said cooled metallized plastic is impacted against rectilinear impacting pegs in a rotary impact mill.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said particulate metallized plastic in step (c) comprises comminuted pieces of chrome plated ABS scrap that have undergone a magnetic separation between step (a) and step (b).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein at least about 90% by weight of the plastic of said dispersion will pass through a 12 mesh screen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein said coating comprises nickel, copper and chrome.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said temperature is below about -125° C.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said temperature is below about -157° C.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
10 words
A plastic product recovered from the method of claim 16.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
10 words
A metal product recovered from the method of claim 16.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of reclamation of plating grade plastic from metallized plastic wherein the plastic has a tenaciously adherent coating of essentially nonferrous metal comprising a layer that is magnetically susceptable, which method comprises: (a) exposing pieces of said metallized plastic to a cryogenic temperature to embrittle same; (b) impacting the cooled pieces in a rotary impact mill to form a plastic and metal dispersion; (c) withdrawing from said dispersion an amount of said metal to provide a reusable plastic by effecting particle size separation, comprising segregating an intermediate product that will pass through a 12-20 mesh screen, and by exposing said intermediate product to magnetic separation; and (d) filtering out residual impurities from the nonmagnetic fraction of step (c) by passing same through an extruder with continuous screen changer.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of reclamation of plating grade plastic from metallized plastic wherein the plastic has a tenaciously adherent coating of essentially nonferrous metal comprising a layer that is magnetically susceptable, which method comprises: (a) exposing pieces of said metallized plastic to a cryogenic temperature to embrittle same; (b) impacting the cooled pieces in a rotary impact mill to form a plastic and metal dispersion; (c) withdrawing from said dispersion an amount of said metal to provide a reusable plastic by effecting particle size separation, comprising segregating an intermediate product that will pass through a 12-20 mesh screen, and by exposing said intermediate product to magnetic separation; and (d) filtering out residual impurities from the nonmagnetic fraction of step (c) by passing same through an extruder with continuous screen changer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said plastic comprises thermoplastic.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said reusable plastic comprises about one percent by weight metal or less.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said coating comprises a nonferromagnetic metal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said plastic comprises ABS.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said cooled pieces are impacted against rectilinear impacting pegs in a rotary impact mill.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said pieces in step (a) comprise comminuted pieces of chrome plated ABS scrap that have undergone a magnetic separation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said dispersion comprises a plastic powder at least about 80% by weight of which has a weight average between largest and smallest particle dimension at least about ten times less than that of said pieces in step (a).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 36, wherein at least about 90% by weight of the plastic of said dispersion will pass through a 12 screen.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said coating comprises nickel, copper and chrome.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said temperature is below about -125° C.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said temperature is below about -157° C.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said dispersion is subjected to an additional magnetic removal step subsequent to step (b) and prior to the particle size separation of step (c).
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
10 words
A plastic product recovered from the method of claim 29.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
10 words
A metal product recovered from the method of claim 29.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of reclamation of plating grade plastic from metallized plastic wherein the plastic has a tenaciously adherent coating of essentially nonferrous metal comprising a layer that is magnetically susceptable, which method comprises: (a) providing particulate metallized plastic having a weight average average between largest and smallest particle dimension of between about 1-20 millimeters; (b) exposing said particulate metallized plastic to a cryogenic temperature to embrittle same; (c) impacting the cooled pieces in a rotary impact mill to form a plastic and metal dispersion at least about 80% by weight of which has a weight average average between smallest and largest particle dimensions that is at least about ten times smaller than that of the metallized plastic provided in step (a); and (d) withdrawing from said dispersion an amount of said metal sufficient to provide a reusable plating grade plastic by (i) removing particles larger than about 12 to 20 mesh; and (ii) then subjecting the product of step (d)(i) to magnetic separation to magnetically remove metal particles; and (e) filtering out residual impurities from the nonmagnetic fraction of step (d) by passing same through an extruder with continuous screen changer.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of reclamation of plating grade plastic from metallized plastic wherein the plastic has a tenaciously adherent coating of essentially nonferrous metal comprising a layer that is magnetically susceptable, which method comprises: (a) providing particulate metallized plastic having a weight average average between largest and smallest particle dimension of between about 1-20 millimeters; (b) exposing said particulate metallized plastic to a cryogenic temperature to embrittle same; (c) impacting the cooled pieces in a rotary impact mill to form a plastic and metal dispersion at least about 80% by weight of which has a weight average average between smallest and largest particle dimensions that is at least about ten times smaller than that of the metallized plastic provided in step (a); and (d) withdrawing from said dispersion an amount of said metal sufficient to provide a reusable plating grade plastic by (i) removing particles larger than about 12 to 20 mesh; and (ii) then subjecting the product of step (d)(i) to magnetic separation to magnetically remove metal particles; and (e) filtering out residual impurities from the nonmagnetic fraction of step (d) by passing same through an extruder with continuous screen changer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method in accordance with claim 44, wherein said plastic comprises thermoplastic.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 44, wherein said reusable plastic comprises about one percent by weight metal or less.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 44, wherein said coating comprises a nonferromagnetic metal.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method in accordance with claim 44, wherein said plastic comprises ABS.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 44, wherein said cooled metallized plastic is impacted against rectilinear impacting pegs in a rotary impact mill.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 44, wherein said particulate metallized plastic in step (c) comprises comminuted pieces of chrome plated ABS scrap that have undergone a magnetic separation between step (a) and step (b).
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 44, wherein at least about 90% by weight of the plastic of said dispersion will pass through a 12 mesh screen.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 51, wherein said coating comprises nickel, copper and chrome.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 44, wherein said temperature is below about -125° C.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 44, wherein said temperature is below about -157° C.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
10 words
A plastic product recovered from the method of claim 44.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
10 words
A metal product recovered from the method of claim 44.
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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) | 1986-09-26 | 1987-03-28 | 1987-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-26 | 1991-03-28 | 1991-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-26 | 1995-03-28 | 1995-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |