Hot melt tools for recyclable plastic metal parts

Abstract

A hot melt tool for recyclable metal parts in plastic includes a handle, a heating assembly installed in the handle, and a heating tool head installed at the front end of the handle. The heating assembly includes a heating element, a power cord electrically connected to the heating element, an insulating shell covering the heating element, a push button connected to the insulating shell, and a heat-conducting rod connected to the heating element. The heat-conducting rod can be driven by the push button to extend into the heating tool head and push the heating tool head to open outwards, so that the heating tool head contacts and heats the annular metal part to be recycled. After the surrounding plastic is indirectly softened by the metal part, the metal part can be removed from the plastic for further recycling and reuse.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a hot melt tool, and more particularly to a hot melt tool that can be used to recycle ring-shaped metal parts in plastics. [Previous Technology]

[0002] In current computer components, communication devices and consumer electronics, metal nuts are often embedded in the plastic casing of the electronic product by means of injection molding, so as to fix the electronic product to a shell with screws.

[0003] However, under this manufacturing method, when the electrical product is to be discarded due to damage or inadequacy, the metal nut will be difficult to separate from the surrounding plastic, making it impossible to recycle the metal nut. Furthermore, when the casing of the electrical product is deemed defective during manufacturing and needs to be scrapped, the defect is usually caused by the plastic portion; even if the metal nut is intact, it will still be difficult to separate from the surrounding plastic and therefore cannot be recycled. The aforementioned difficulty in separating the metal nut and plastic casing not only causes problems during recycling and sorting but also results in the loss of a large amount of recyclable resources and a negative impact on the environment, requiring further improvement. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the object of the present invention is to design a hot melt tool that can heat an annular metal part (e.g., a nut) embedded in plastic and indirectly soften the plastic around it, so as to remove and separate the annular metal part from the plastic.

[0005] In order to achieve the aforementioned creative purpose, the technical means adopted by the present invention is to provide a hot melting tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic, which includes: a handle, which is hollow cylindrical and has an opening at the front end, and a groove is formed through the ring wall of the handle, with the opposite ends of the groove extending toward the front end of the handle and the rear end of the handle, respectively. A heating assembly is installed in the grip and includes a heating element, a power cord, an insulating shell, a push button, and a heat-conducting rod. The heating element is movable back and forth between the front end and the rear end of the grip. The power cord is electrically connected to the heating element and extends out of the grip. The insulating shell covers the outside of the heating element. The push button is fixed to the insulating shell and protrudes out of the outside of the grip through a groove. The heat-conducting rod passes through the grip and has a rod body and a head. The inner end of the rod body is connected to the heating element. The head is formed at the outer end of the rod body and protrudes out of the grip from the front end. The diameter of the head is larger than that of the rod body. A heating tool head is mounted on the front end of the handle and has a moving channel and at least one slot. The moving channel extends between the front end and the rear end of the heating tool head. Each of the at least one slots extends through the front end, outer wall surface and inner wall surface of the heating tool head, allowing the heating tool head to elastically open outward or retract inward.

[0006] The hot-melting tool for the metal parts in the recyclable plastic may further include a reset elastic member that tends to push the heating element and the heat-conducting rod toward the rear end of the handle.

[0007] In the hot-melting tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic, the reset elastic element can be a compression spring, with one end abutting against the heating element of the heating assembly and the other end abutting against the rear end of the heating tool head.

[0008] In the hot-melting tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic, the diameter of the head of the heat-conducting rod can gradually decrease in the direction away from the rod body.

[0009] In the hot-melting tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic, the aperture of the moving channel of the heating tool head can gradually decrease in the direction of the front end of the heating tool head.

[0010] In the hot-melting tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic, the handle may include an outer shell and an inner shell, the inner shell is fixed in the outer shell, and the front end of the inner shell protrudes out of the outer shell, the opening of the handle is formed at the front end of the inner shell, and the groove of the handle is formed through both the outer shell and the inner shell.

[0011] In the hot-melting tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic, the outer wall surface of the heating tool head can be formed with external threads.

[0012] By means of the design described above, the hot melt tool of the present invention can be used to heat the annular metal parts such as nuts embedded in the plastic shell and indirectly soften the plastic shell around them, so that the nuts can be removed from the plastic shell for further recycling and reuse. This not only saves material costs, but also effectively reduces the damage to the environment caused by mining metal mines and the energy consumption caused by smelting metals.

Implementation Method

[0014] The following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments of the present invention, further illustrates the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the intended creative purpose.

[0015] Referring to Figure 1, the hot melt tool for recyclable plastic metal parts of the present invention includes a handle 10, a heating component 20, a heating tool head 30 and a reset elastic member 40.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the grip 10 is a hollow cylindrical shape and has a front end, a rear end and a groove 11. The front end of the grip 10 is formed as an opening, and the groove 11 is formed through the annular wall of the grip 10. The opposite ends of the groove 11 extend toward the front end and the rear end of the grip 10, respectively.

[0017] The heating component 20 is installed in the grip 10 and includes a heating element 21, a power cord 22, an insulating shell 23, a push button 24 and a heat-conducting rod 25.

[0018] The heating element 21 can move back and forth between the front end and the rear end of the grip 10. The power cord 22 is electrically connected to the heating element 21 and extends from the rear end of the grip 10, thereby connecting to a power source to provide the electrical energy required for the heating element 21 to raise its temperature. The insulating shell 23 covers the outside of the heating element 21 and can move with it. The insulating shell 23 is made of insulating material to isolate the current flowing between the heating element 21 and the power cord 22 to ensure safety during use. The push button 24 is fixed to the insulating shell 23 and protrudes from the groove 11 of the grip 10 outside the grip 10.

[0019] The heat-conducting rod 25 is inserted into the handle 10 and has a rod body 251 and a head 252. The inner end of the rod body 251 is connected to the heating element 21, and the head 252 is formed at the outer end of the rod body 251 and protrudes from the front end of the handle 10. The diameter of the head 252 is larger than that of the rod body 251 and gradually tapers away from the rod body 251. The heat-conducting rod 25 is used to conduct the heat energy generated by the heating element 21. Specifically, the heat-conducting rod 25 is made of metal, but it is not limited to this; any material with good thermal conductivity is acceptable.

[0020] In this way, the user can move the push button 24 along the slide groove 11 of the grip 10, thereby driving the heat-conducting rod 25 to move relative to the grip 10 through the insulating shell 23 and the heating element 21.

[0021] The heating tool head 30 is mounted on the front end of the handle 10 and extends further forward from the handle 10. The heating tool head 30 has a front end, a rear end, a moving channel 31, an external thread 32, and at least one notch 33. The rear end of the heating tool head 30 is connected to the front end of the handle 10. The moving channel 31 is formed between the front end and the rear end of the heating tool head 30, and the diameter of the moving channel 31 gradually narrows towards the front end of the heating tool head 30. The external thread 32 is formed on the outer wall surface of the heating tool head 30. Each of the at least one notch 33 penetrates the front end, the outer wall surface, and the inner wall surface of the heating tool head 30, so that the heating tool head 30 can elastically open to the outside or retract inward. The heating tool head 30 is used to further conduct the heat energy in the heat-conducting rod 25 outward. Specifically, the heating tool head 30 is made of metal, but it is not limited to this, as long as it is made of a material with good thermal conductivity.

[0022] The reset elastic member 40 is disposed in the grip 10. In its natural state, the reset elastic member 40 tends to push the heating element 21 and the heat-conducting rod 25 toward the rear end of the grip 10 to reset them. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the reset elastic member 40 is a compression spring, one end of which abuts against the heating element 21 of the heating assembly 20 and the other end of which abuts against the rear end of the heating tool head 30. However, this is not a limitation. The reset elastic member 40 can also abut one end against the heating element 21 of the heating assembly 20 and the other end against the front end of the grip 10, so that one end of the reset elastic member 40 can be fixed so that the heating element 21 and the heat-conducting rod 25 can be pushed toward the rear end of the grip 10 to reset them.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the grip 10 includes an outer shell 101 and an inner shell 102. The inner shell 102 is fixed in the outer shell 101, and the front end of the inner shell 102 protrudes out of the outer shell 101. The opening of the grip 10 is formed at the front end of the inner shell 102. The groove 11 of the grip 10 is formed through both the outer shell 101 and the inner shell 102. The inner shell 102 is made of heat-insulating material to isolate the high temperature generated by the heating element 21 and the heat-conducting rod 25 during use.

[0024] Referring to Figure 4, an annular metal part is embedded in the plastic shell 51 of an electrical product by means of embedded injection. Specifically, the annular metal part is a nut 52. When the nut 52 is removed from the plastic shell 51 using the hot melt tool of the present invention, the power cord 22 is first connected to the power supply so that the heating element 21 starts to heat the heat-conducting rod 25. Then the heating tool head 30 is inserted into the nut 52.

[0025] Referring further to Figure 5, the user then pushes the push button 24 along the groove 11 of the grip 10 toward the front end of the grip 10 with their finger. This moves the heat-conducting rod 25 forward via the insulating shell 23 and the heating element 21, causing the head 252 of the heat-conducting rod 25 to push the heating tool head 30 outwards to engage with the nut 52. The external thread 32 of the heating tool head 30 then meshes with the internal thread 521 of the nut 52. In this way, the aforementioned heat-conducting rod 25 further heats the nut 52 via the heating tool head 30, gradually softening the plastic shell 51 surrounding the nut 52 with high temperature.

[0026] Referring further to Figure 6, after the plastic housing 51 around the nut 52 has softened to a certain extent, the user moves the entire hot melt tool backward, and the nut 52 can be removed from the plastic housing 51. Then, the push button 24 is released, and the elastic recovery of the reset elastic member 40 will push the heating element 21 and the heat-conducting rod 25 toward the rear end of the handle 10 to reset, and the heating tool head 30 will elastically retract inward, allowing the nut 52 to fall naturally from the heating tool head 30.

[0027] The hot melt tool of the present invention can be used to heat the annular metal parts such as the nut 52 embedded in the plastic shell 51 and indirectly soften the plastic shell 51 around it, so that the nut 52 can be removed from the plastic shell 51 for further recycling and reuse. This not only saves material costs, but also effectively reduces the damage to the environment caused by mining metal mines and the energy consumption caused by smelting metals.

[0028] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made by any person skilled in the art to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention. Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the present invention. Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the present invention in use, wherein the heating tool head is inserted into the nut to be removed. Figure 5 is a side sectional view of the present invention in use, wherein the heating tool head is spread open to engage with the nut. Figure 6 is a side sectional view of the present invention in use, wherein the nut is removed from the plastic housing.

Claims

1. A hot-melting tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic, comprising a handle, a heating element, and a heating tool head, wherein: The grip is a hollow cylindrical shape with an open front end. A groove is formed through the annular wall of the grip, with its two ends extending toward the front and rear ends of the grip, respectively. The heating element is installed in the grip and includes a heating element, a power cord, an insulating shell, a push button, and a heat-conducting rod. The heating element can move back and forth between the front and rear ends of the grip. The power cord is electrically connected to the heating element and extends out of the grip. The insulating shell covers the outside of the heating element. The push button is fixed to the insulating shell and protrudes from the groove of the grip. The heat-conducting rod passes through the grip and has a rod body and a head. The inner end of the rod body is connected to the heating element, and the head is formed at the outer end of the rod body and protrudes from the front end of the grip. The diameter of the head is larger than that of the rod body. The heating tool head is mounted on the front end of the handle and has a moving channel and at least one groove. The moving channel extends between the front end and the rear end of the heating tool head. Each of the at least one grooves extends through the front end, outer wall surface and inner wall surface of the heating tool head, so that the heating tool head can elastically open to the outside or retract inward.

2. The hot-melting tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic as described in claim 1, further comprising a reset elastic member that tends to push the heating element and the heat-conducting rod toward the rear end of the handle.

3. A thermoforming tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic as described in claim 2, wherein, The reset elastic element is a compression spring, with one end abutting against the heating element of the heating assembly and the other end abutting against the rear end of the heating tool head.

4. A hot-melt tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic as described in claim 1, wherein, The diameter of the head of the heat-conducting rod gradually tapers away from the rod body.

5. A thermoforming tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic as described in claim 2, wherein, The diameter of the head of the heat-conducting rod gradually tapers away from the rod body.

6. A hot-melt tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The diameter of the moving channel of the heating tool head tapers towards the front end of the heating tool head.

7. A hot-melt tool for metal parts in recyclable plastics as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The grip includes an outer shell and an inner shell, the inner shell being fixed within the outer shell, and the front end of the inner shell protruding from the outer shell; the opening of the grip is formed at the front end of the inner shell; the groove of the grip is formed through both the outer shell and the inner shell.

8. A hot-melt tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic as described in claim 6, wherein: The grip includes an outer shell and an inner shell, the inner shell being fixed within the outer shell, and the front end of the inner shell protruding from the outer shell; the opening of the grip is formed at the front end of the inner shell; the groove of the grip is formed through both the outer shell and the inner shell.

9. A thermoforming tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The outer wall surface of the heating tool head has external threads.

10. A thermoforming tool for metal parts in recyclable plastic as described in claim 6, wherein, The outer wall surface of the heating tool head has external threads.

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