Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser – Synthetic resins – Process of treating scrap or waste product containing solid...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-04
2001-12-04
Foelak, Morton (Department: 1711)
Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser
Synthetic resins
Process of treating scrap or waste product containing solid...
C521S146000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06326408
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a process for the conversion of polymers, preferably expanded polymers such as expanded polystyrene. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for the conversion of polymers from an expanded solid state to a non-expanded amorphous state in the form of a reusable, pliable, pasty intermediate magma. The invention relates to the conversion process proper, the conversion solution used in said process, the device for carrying out the process of the invention, and to the magma obtained after carrying out said process, and articles produced from said magma.
The use of expanded polymers of the polystyrene type is very widespread. This use, although very beneficial in view of the low cost and the great ease of handling of expanded polystyrene (EPS), has resulted in the generation of considerable amounts of EPS wastes which are difficult to recycle.
Until now, two solutions have been put forward to enable industries as varied as the agro-food industry, the construction industry and, more generally, the handling industry, to dispose of their EPS wastes: either the destruction or the recycling of EPS.
The destruction of EPS is carried out by incineration at high temperatures. Apart from the high costs associated with the construction and operation of the incineration plants, the destruction of EPS gives rise to the dissemination of toxic substances into the atmosphere.
With regard to EPS recycling, the methods currently available generally propose grinding used packaging made of expanded polystyrene and reintroducing it into the production process. This type of process is attractive but has some major disadvantages.
Amongst others, the cleanness of the EPS packaging to be recycled is a vital condition if it is to undergo appropriate recycling. Moreover, recycling EPS implies the grinding and appropriate granulation thereof. These steps make effective EPS recycling very complicated.
The present invention provides firstly, therefore, a process for the conversion of polymers without risk to man and the environment which enables this type of waste to be upgraded in an effective and profitable manner.
The process is simple, effective and inexpensive and, unlike the current recycling processes, does not necessarily presuppose that the wastes to be recycled be very clean. The process of the invention makes it possible to obtain a pasty semi-finished material which can then be used by all the conventional processes of injection, extrusion or moulding in the plastics industry. This material may also be used to produce various articles, particularly insulation or joining articles. The consistency of the material obtained once solidified is similar to that of a plastic resin.
The present invention relates, therefore, to a process for the conversion of a polymer, essentially an expanded polymer, characterised in that:
said polymer is treated with a conversion solution comprising:
a major proportion of a solvent making it possible to modify the physical state of said polymer from an expanded solid state to a non-expanded amorphous state such as to obtain a pliable, pasty intermediate magma,
a minor proportion of a non-greasy lubricant in a sufficient amount to give said magma a non-sticky surface state and, if necessary,
a minor proportion of an alcohol in a sufficient amount to bind said solvent and said lubricant in said solution,
said magma is recovered and, if necessary,
all or part of said solvent is evaporated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5859072 (1999-01-01), Emori
patent: 5891403 (1999-04-01), Badger
patent: 5922835 (1999-07-01), Van Den Wittenboer
Browdy and Neimark
Financiere Lea S.A.R.L.
Foelak Morton
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