US5049330A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for the production of plastic objects
Assignee: Linde GmbH
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Filing: 1990-06-26
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Granted: 1991-09-17
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Expires: 2010-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus is provided for explosively forming plastic objects from shredded plastic such as recycled plastic having different compositions. The shredded plastic and an explosive gas mixture is introduced into a mold cavity having the shape of the object to be formed, and the gas mixture is ignited, generating sufficient heat and pressure to force the plastic to conform to the shape of the mold cavity. The temperature and pressure in the mold cavity is controlled during the explosion by releasing combustion gases from the mold cavity.
Inventors
- 👤 Dieter Rebhan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:52
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C49/00; B29C49/42; B29C49/46; B29C43/00; B29C43/006; B29C67/00; B29C67/0033; B29C2049/4602; B29C2049/4647; B29C2049/4673; B29C2049/4698; B29C2949/00; B29C2949/07; B29C2949/0715; B29C49/02; B29C49/06; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/25; B29K2105/251; B29K2105/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/911; Y10S264/917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A process for the production of plastic objects from shredded plastic, comprising: introducing shredded plastic into a mold cavity corresponding to the shape of the object to to be produced and then closing the mold; introducing an explosive, combustible gas/oxygen gaseous mixture into the closed, loaded mold, and igniting the gaseous mixture, thereby generating sufficient heat and pressure from the combustion gases to bake and fuse together plastic grains in at least a portion of the shredded plastic and form a stable plastic object in the shape of the mold cavity; and controlling the temperature and pressure in the mold cavity by releasing combustion gases from the mold cavity during the explosion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for the production of plastic objects from shredded plastic, comprising: introducing shredded plastic into a mold cavity corresponding to the shape of the object to to be produced and then closing the mold; introducing an explosive, combustible gas/oxygen gaseous mixture into the closed, loaded mold, and igniting the gaseous mixture, thereby generating sufficient heat and pressure from the combustion gases to bake and fuse together plastic grains in at least a portion of the shredded plastic and form a stable plastic object in the shape of the mold cavity; and controlling the temperature and pressure in the mold cavity by releasing combustion gases from the mold cavity during the explosion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the explosive, combustible gas is acetylene, hydrogen, natural gas, or propane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the oxygen source is air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the oxygen source is a gas having oxygen in a higher concentration than air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the composition of the explosive, combustible mixture is adjusted to provide sufficient heat and pressure to fuse edges and surfaces of the shredded plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the shredded plastic is recycled plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the shredded plastic comprises different types of plastics.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein the shredded plastic comprises thermoplastic materials.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process for the production of plastic objects from recycled plastic which can comprise one or more types of plastic, the process comprising mixing the shredded plastic with an explosive mixture of gases in a mold cavity; detonating the explosive mixture to release sufficient heat to bake and fuse together plastic grains in at least a portion of the shredded plastic and form a plastic object in the shape of the mold cavity; and controlling the temperature and pressure in the mold cavity by releasing combustion gases from the cavity during the explosion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process for the production of plastic objects from recycled plastic which can comprise one or more types of plastic, the process comprising mixing the shredded plastic with an explosive mixture of gases in a mold cavity; detonating the explosive mixture to release sufficient heat to bake and fuse together plastic grains in at least a portion of the shredded plastic and form a plastic object in the shape of the mold cavity; and controlling the temperature and pressure in the mold cavity by releasing combustion gases from the cavity during the explosion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the plastic is thermoplastic.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for the explosive forming of plastic articles from shredded plastic, comprising: a mold having a source of combustible gas mixture in communication with the mold cavity; means permeable to gas but not solide in communication with the mold cavity; pressure release means in communication with the mold cavity for venting excess combustion gases from the mold cavity and for controlling the temperature and pressure of the mold cavity during an explosion in the mold; and ignition means for igniting the explosion of the combustible gas mixture.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for the explosive forming of plastic articles from shredded plastic, comprising: a mold having a source of combustible gas mixture in communication with the mold cavity; means permeable to gas but not solide in communication with the mold cavity; pressure release means in communication with the mold cavity for venting excess combustion gases from the mold cavity and for controlling the temperature and pressure of the mold cavity during an explosion in the mold; and ignition means for igniting the explosion of the combustible gas mixture.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising vent means communicating with the mold cavity to vent to the atmosphere residual gases from the mold cavity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pressure release means includes an pressure relief valve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the pressure release means includes one or more pipes in communication with said means permeable to gas but not solide in communication with the mold cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the source of the combustible gas mixture comprises a source of oxygen and a source of another gas which forms an explosive mixture when combined with oxygen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mold is formed of detachable parts to facilitate loading the shredded plastic in the mold cavity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the gaseous mixture comprises a stoichiometric ratio of combustible gas to oxygen of about 2 to 1.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the gaseous mixture comprises from about 0.5 to 2 times the volume of the mold cavity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 17, wherein the pressure of the gaseous mixture is from about 0.1-4 bar.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein upon detonation, the combustion gases reach a pressure of from about 5-12 bar and a temperature of from about 40-140° C.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the shredded plastic comprises more than about 30 wt. % or thermoplastic materials.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means permeable to gas but not solids comprises perforated or porous metals.
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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) | 1994-09-16 | 1995-03-18 | 1995-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-16 | 1999-03-18 | 1999-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-16 | 2003-03-18 | 2003-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |