US4009235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for reclaiming extruded plastic resins
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1975-07-14
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Granted: 1977-02-22
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Expires: 1995-07-14
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for reclaiming waste plastic materials generated during an extrusion coating operation. A rotating funnel or other device is used to gather the hot molten plastic waste material and twist it into the shape of a rope. The plastic rope is passed through a cooling bath and one or more pinch rollers. After passing through the rollers, the plastic rope is spooled, chopped, or fed to a plastics processing machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas W. Bober
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:14
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29B; B29B17/00; B29B17/0026; B29C; B29C67/00; B29C67/0011; B29L; B29L2007/00; B29L2007/008; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for reclaiming a sheet of hot extruded plastic material comprising the steps of: directing the hot material into the large end of a vertically oriented rotating, funnel-shaped device which engages the material and twists it about a longitudinal axis into a rope-like shape; the material momentarily adhering to the walls of the device when engaged thereby drawing the material to and through the small end of said funnel-shaped device; and concurrently cooling the material as it passes through said device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said cooling step includes directing a coolant into a space located within the walls of said funnel-shaped device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said cooling step includes immersing at least a portion of said funnel-shaped device in a coolant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said cooling step includes directing a coolant into the funnel itself in direct contact with the partially-formed plastic rope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of passing said rope-like shape material through at least one pair of rotating pinch rollers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 5 further comprising the step of chopping said rope-like shape material into pellets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of identifying and removing pellets containing defects.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of reclaiming a hot extruded sheet of plastic material comprising the steps of: feeding the hot extruded sheet into the large end of a vertically oriented funnel-shaped device; cooling the walls of said device during said feeding step so that said sheet momentarily adheres to said walls when said sheet comes into contact therewith; rotating said device during said feeding step so that the adhered sheet is twisted into a rope-like shape during the feeding thereof; and removing the rope-like shape from said device through the small end thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said removing step includes: contacting the material with a belt whose movement assists in removing the material from said device.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of reclaiming a hot extruded sheet of plastic material comprising the steps of: combining a plurality of rotating rollers around a common axis to form a funnel-shaped device; directing the hot material into the large end of said funnel-shaped device; contacting said device with portions of the material so that the material momentarily adheres to said device and is twisted; cooling the material as it passes through said device; and removing said twisted material from said device through the small end thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said cooling step includes cooling said rotating rollers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2834053A
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US3525998A
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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) | 1980-02-22 | 1980-08-23 | 1981-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-22 | 1984-08-23 | 1985-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-22 | 1988-08-23 | 1989-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |