US5277758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for recycling plastic coated paper product waste and polymeric film
Assignee: BANK OF OKLAHOMA NA
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Filing: 1992-03-20
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Granted: 1994-01-11
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Expires: 2012-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A method for recycling waste plastic material, from polymeric film or hydropulper waste, including plastic and cellulosic fiber or organic contaminants. The method includes the steps of introducing the waste plastic material into a size reduction unit, and reducing the size of the waste plastic material to particles having a maximum dimension ranging between about 1 inch and about 8 inches; mechanically hammering and rubbing the plastic material for separating a portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic; separating another portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic by flotation with agitation; further reducing the particle size of the plastic to a maximum dimension of about 1/2 inch; dewatering the plastic; drying the plastic to a moisture content of less than about 10 weight percent; and rolling the plastic into pellets.
Inventors
- 👤 Joe G. Brooks
- 👤 Billy D. Goforth
- 👤 Charles L. Goforth
- 👤 J. Douglas Brooks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:04
CPC Classifications
D; D21; D21B; D21B1/00; D21B1/04; D21B1/12; D21B1/30; D21B1/32; D21B1/322; B; B03; B03B; B03B1/00; B03B1/04; B03B5/00; B03B5/28; B03B9/00; B03B9/06; B03B9/061; B29; B29B; B29B17/00; B29B17/02; D21B1/02; D21B1/026; B29B2017/0213; B29B2017/0217; B29B2017/0237; B29B2017/0244; B29B2017/0251; B29B17/04; B29B2017/0424; B29B2017/0484; B29B2017/0488; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/04; B29K2023/06; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/065; B29K2705/00; B29K2711/00; B29K2711/12; B29L; B29L2007/00; B29L2007/008; B29L2009/00; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/712; B29L2031/7158; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/52; Y02W30/62; Y02W30/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for reclaiming plastic from hydropulper plastic coated waste, comprising plastic and cellulosic fiber, said method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the plastic coated waste into a size reduction unit and reducing the plastic coated waste to particles having a maximum dimension ranging between about 1 inch and about 4 inches; (b) mechanically hammering, rubbing, and separating a portion of the cellulosic fiber from the hydropulper plastic coated waste; (c) separating the plastic and another portion of the cellulosic fiber by flotation with agitation; (d) further reducing the particle size of the plastic to a maximum dimension of about 1/2 inch; (e) dewatering the plastic; and (f) drying the plastic to a moisture content of less than about 10 weight percent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of mechanically hammering, rubbing, and separating a portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic includes the step of passing the plastic coated waste through a tub grinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of mechanically hammering, rubbing, and separating a portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic further includes the step of adjusting the speed of the tub grinder hammers so that the maximum velocity of the hammers is in a range of between about 110 ft./second and 220 ft./second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 in which the speed of the tub grinder is adjusted so that the average maximum hammer speed is between about 150 ft./second and 160 ft./second.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of wetting the hydropulper waste produce with a sufficient amount of water to cover the exposed surfaces and so that the wetted hydropulper waste material is acted upon in the mechanical hammering, rubbing, and separating step to thereby facilitate separation and removal of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of dewatering the plastic material further comprises the steps of passing the plastic material through a screw press, draining off the water and entrained cellulosic fiber, and passing the dewatered plastic through a fluffer fan.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of rolling the polymeric film into pellets, detecting the temperature of the pellets as they are rolled, and adjusting the temperature to maintain proper rolled pellet formation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for reclaiming plastic from polymeric film, comprising plastic and cellulosic fiber, said method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the polymeric film into a size reduction unit and reducing the polymeric film to particles having a maximum dimension ranging between about 1 inch and about 8 inches; (b) mechanically hammering, rubbing, and separating a portion of the cellulosic fiber from the polymeric film; (c) separating the plastic and another portion of the cellulosic fiber by flotation with agitation; (d) further reducing the particle size of the plastic to a maximum dimension of about 1/2 inch; and (e) dewatering the plastic; (f) drying the plastic to a moisture content of less than about 10 weight percent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the step of mechanically hammering, rubbing, and separating a portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic includes the step of passing the polymeric film through a tub grinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of mechanically hammering, rubbing, and separating a portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic further includes the step of adjusting the speed of the tub grinder hammers so that the maximum velocity of the hammers is in a range of between about 110 ft./second and 220 ft./second.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 10 in which the speed of the tub grinder is adjusted so that the average maximum hammer speed is between about 150 ft./second and 160 ft./second.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of wetting the polymeric film product with a sufficient amount of water to cover the exposed surfaces and so that the wetted polymeric film is acted upon in the mechanical hammering, rubbing, and separating step to thereby facilitate separation and removal of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the step of dewatering the plastic material further comprises the steps of passing the plastic material through a screw press, draining off the water and entrained cellulosic fiber, and passing the dewatered plastic through a fluffer fan.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of rolling the polymeric film into pellets detecting the temperature of the pellets as they are rolled, and adjusting the temperature to maintain proper rolled pellet formation.
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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) | 1997-01-10 | 1997-07-12 | 1998-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-10 | 2001-07-12 | 2002-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-10 | 2005-07-12 | 2006-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |