Filler Material, Method of Recycling Plastic, and Devices Made Therefrom
a technology of plastic polymer and filler material, which is applied in the field of filler material, method of plastic filler, and filler material made therefrom, can solve the problems of difficult plastic polymer recycling, substantial source of unwanted debris, and particularly hard hit to coastal areas
Inactive Publication Date: 2019-11-28
CROUGHWELL CHARLES
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- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
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Benefits of technology
This approach reduces the complexity and cost of plastic recycling, enabling the creation of usable filler materials from mixed plastics, increasing recycling efficiency and reducing waste, while also promoting community involvement and education about environmental stewardship.
Problems solved by technology
It can also be a substantial source of unwanted debris, on land and sea.
Coastal areas can be particularly hard hit when currents bring debris from distant areas and deposit in into local waters and onto local beaches.
Recycling of plastic polymers can be challenging compared with recycling of other materials such as aluminum, glass, and paper.
While gathering plastic debris and taking it to recycling centers can be straightforward, subsequent recycling steps are typically much more complex and costly than recycling of other materials such as glass or aluminum.
As a general rule, different plastics cannot be mixed together in conventional recycling methods.
Combining different types of plastic can render the resulting material useless for manufacturing.
Such careful sorting, which requires much effort, is necessary because different plastics when melted together can phase-separate, like oil and water.
The sorting is complicated because of the wide diversity of plastic types.
Problems include the probability of moldings naturally being dark colors (red, green, brown), and as thermoset it is difficult to recycle.
One of the most expensive commercial polymers.
Different dyes and other additives to the plastics also can create issues for recycling
Sorting of plastic can be labor and energy intensive.
When sorting is performed by hand, even a skilled sorter can have difficulty identifying the particular plastic of a product.
For example, many plastic products lack any sort of label indicating their plastic content / resins.
Automated sorting system can be highly accurate, but often require complicated and expensive equipment and energy consumption.
While numerous technologies exist to recycle plastic, the difficulties of recycling plastic keep the overall recycling rates low.
Even in more developed countries, most disposed plastic currently is not recycled, and instead goes to landfill and incinerators.
In less developed areas there is may be a lack of infrastructure and facilities for effective plastic recycling using conventional methods.
The problems of plastic recycling can be particularly acute in less developed and / or remote areas, many of which may not produce or consume large amounts of plastic but may still receive large amounts of introduced plastic debris (such as marine plastic debris that may float ashore on local beaches).
Method used
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[0064]Most previous plastic recycling methods require complicated sorting of the collected plastic by type, in addition to other processes required to render the recycled plastic useful for re-use. FIG. 1 depicts one such method 10, where plastic is collected 12, sorted 14 by type of plastic, and then subjected to various recycling processes 16a, 16b, 16n. Each recycling process 16a, 16b, 16n is specific to the particular plastic type being subjected to the process, and each recycling process 16a, 16b, 16n may have to be performed at a particular and separate facility. In general, the recycling process includes washing / drying 18, shredding 20, and additional processes 22 (such as melting, mixing, etc.).
[0065]Sorting of the plastic is typically among the most costly and complicated parts of the recycling process. Automated sorting often requires complicated and expensive equipment, while sorting by hand is costly in terms of personnel hours Eliminating or at least streamlining the so...
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Abstract
A method for recycling plastic and manufacturing filler involves collecting discarded plastic articles, and grinding / shredding the articles up together without substantive sorting out of the articles by plastic type, color, etc. The plastic articles are shredded into shredded plastic particles which are used as filler for various consumer products, such as weight training equipment and cushions. For products requiring additional weight, higher-density shredded recycled plastic particles are added to the filler for increased weight. For products requiring less weight and / or buoyancy, lower-density recycled plastic particles and / or foam is added to the filler for decreased weight / density. Medicine balls, pet training devices, cushions, pillows, flotation devices, ski racks, and other products may be formed using the filler.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 046,445, filed Feb. 17, 2016 and entitled “Filler Material, Method of Recycling Plastic, and Devices Made Therefrom,”, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 117444, filed Feb. 17, 2015 and entitled “Filler Material, Method of Recycling Plastic, and Devices Made Therefrom,” the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention is a method for recycling plastic and manufacturing filler for sporting equipment and other goods, and fillers and devices manufacture according to the method.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Plastic is one of the most versatile and useful materials. It can be formed into a numerous shapes in an almost endless variety of textures and colors. It can also be a substantial source of unwanted debris, on land and sea. Coastal areas can be particularly hard hit w...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): A01K1/015B29B17/00A01K15/02
CPCB29B17/04A01K1/015A01K15/025B29B17/00Y02W30/625Y02W30/62
InventorCROUGHWELL, CHARLES
OwnerCROUGHWELL CHARLES