Recycling process for laminated glass

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fragmentation device (1) adapted for fragmenting the glass of a glazing comprising two sheets of glass and an interlayer film arranged between the two sheets of glass, comprising at least: - A conveyor (10) adapted for transporting said glazing flat along a longitudinal axis (L), said device (1) being characterized in that it comprises: - a weakening station (14) adapted for weakening the sheets of glass - a fragmentation station (16) adapted for separating the interlayer film from the sheets of glass.

Description

Title of the invention: Process for recycling laminated glass

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of glass recycling, in particular for its reuse in a furnace. Previous art

[0002] Recycling used windows is now a crucial issue, particularly concerning cost reduction, the medium-term scarcity of raw materials for glass production, energy consumption reduction, and the reduction of the environmental footprint of new windows. Such recycling involves separating the glass from the frame of used windows.

[0003] Prior art, including document EP0618011, contains glass fragmentation devices designed for this purpose, comprising a conveyor adapted for the flat transport of used windows and a fragmentation assembly mounted on this conveyor and adapted for fragmenting the windows during their transport on the conveyor. Such a fragmentation assembly comprises a plurality of knives arranged in rotation on a disc which is itself driven in rotation by a motor. Each knife is offset from the center of this disc. When this disc is set in rotation, these knives strike the surface of a window positioned on the conveyor, thus causing the glass to fragment.

[0004] It is also known that at least one fragmentation assembly is used which is mounted above the conveyor and adapted to fragment the glass of said window during its transport on said conveyor. The fragmentation assembly comprises a drum arranged above said conveyor along an axis of revolution transverse to said longitudinal axis, said drum being connected by at least one chain to at least one striking assembly comprising at least one striking head adapted to strike the conveyor at each revolution of said drum.

[0005] This fragmentation assembly allows the glass to be fragmented and easily separated from the frame.

[0006] The known devices are used for the fragmentation of so-called simple glass, that is to say comprising one sheet of glass or two sheets of glass separated by a layer of air.

[0007] However, there are glazing units, particularly for the automotive industry, which consist of at least two sheets of glass bonded together with an interlayer film. This sandwich is placed in an autoclave oven to bond the two sheets of glass via the interlayer film.

[0008] This interlayer film is, in a glass bath in a furnace, considered as a pollutant, that is to say, it can disrupt the reactions which allow the production of quality glass.

[0009] The known devices are thus unable to separate the glass from the interlayer film and there is therefore a need for this. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks described above. More particularly, the invention seeks to provide a fragmentation device that allows the separation of the glass from the interlayer film of laminated glazing.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a fragmentation device adapted for fragmenting the glass of a glazing unit comprising two sheets of glass and an interlayer film arranged between the two sheets of glass, comprising at least:

[0012] - A conveyor adapted for the flat transport of said glazing along an axis longitudinal,

[0013] said device being characterized in that it comprises:

[0014] - a weakening station adapted for weakening glass sheets

[0015] - a fragmentation station adapted for separating the intercalated film from the sheets of glass.

[0016] The advantage of the present invention is that it is possible to recycle laminated glazing by separating the interlayer film from the glass sheets.

[0017] According to one example, the fragmentation device further includes a flattening station adapted to press and flatten the glazing; this flattening station is arranged before the embrittling station.

[0018] According to one example, the embrittling station comprises at least two parallel rollers arranged one above the other and having a gap between them.

[0019] According to one example, at least one of the rollers includes, on its outer surface, means for weakening.

[0020] According to one example, the means of weakening include at least one protruding appendage.

[0021] According to one example, the fragmentation station includes at least one fragmentation roller equipped with grinding means.

[0022] According to one example, the fragmentation roller comprises a central core carrying at least one plate carrying at least one grinding element.

[0023] According to one example, the fragmentation roller comprises at least two plates extending radially, at least one rod extending parallel to the central core between the plates, said rod carrying at least one crusher.

[0024] According to one example, the device further comprises a sorting station comprising a sieve comprising a plurality of holes.

[0025] According to one example, said holes of said sieve are distributed into at least two zones, the holes of each zone being identical and the holes of the at least two zones being different.

[0026] The invention further relates to a method for fragmenting the glass of a glazing unit, characterized in that it employs a fragmentation device adapted to fragment the glass of a glazing unit comprising two sheets of glass and an interlayer film arranged between the two sheets of glass, comprising at least:

[0027] - A conveyor adapted for the flat transport of glazing along a longitudinal axis,

[0028] said device being characterized in that said fragmentation device understand :

[0029] - a weakening station adapted for weakening glass sheets

[0030] - a fragmentation station adapted for separating the interlayer film from the sheets of glass.

[0031] According to one example, the fragmentation device further includes a flattening station adapted to press and flatten the glazing; this flattening station is arranged before the embrittling station. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying figures, for which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fragmentation device according to the invention.

[0034] Figures 2 and 3 are schematic cross-sectional views of a leveling station of a fragmentation device according to the invention;

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a embrittlement station fragmentation device according to the invention,

[0036] Figures 5 to 8 are schematic views of the embrittling rollers of an embrittling station of a fragmentation device according to the invention;

[0037] Figures 9 and 13 are schematic cross-sectional views of a fragmentation station of a fragmentation device according to the invention,

[0038] Figures 10 to 12 are schematic views of the fragmentation rollers of a embrittling station of a fragmentation device according to the invention;

[0039] Figures 14 to 16 are schematic views of a sorting station of a fragmentation device according to the invention,

[0040] The various elements illustrated by the figures are not necessarily represented at actual scale, the emphasis being more on the representation of the general operation of the invention. Detailed description

[0041] Figure 1 represents a fragmentation device 1 according to the invention. This fragmentation device 1 allows the recycling of glazing units, and more particularly of laminated glazing units. Such laminated glazing consists of two glass plates or sheets bonded together by an interlayer film.

[0042] The fragmentation device 1 comprises a conveyor 10. This conveyor 10 comprises, for example, a plurality of rollers or a conveyor belt. The rollers or the conveyor belt are driven in rotation by drive means.

[0043] The fragmentation device 1 further comprises a first station called a flattening station 12. This flattening station 12 is used to flatten laminated glass. Indeed, unlike many conventional glass panes, i.e., those consisting of a single sheet of glass, laminated glass, particularly for automobiles, has at least one curvature. The purpose of this flattening station is therefore to at least partially eliminate this curvature to facilitate subsequent recycling.

[0044] This flattening station or module 12, visible in [Fig. 2], then comprises pressing means 122 for performing this flattening. These pressing means 122 are mounted on a frame 124 which overhangs the conveyor. These pressing means 122 include, for example, a plate 122a mounted to move in translation, for example by a cylinder 122b. This plate 122a includes a contact surface, a surface which will be in contact with the glazing. This plate 122a extends over an area of ​​the conveyor; preferably, the plate extends over the width of the conveyor. The plate 122a of the pressing means 122 is solid or perforated, smooth or provided with appendages 123 such as teeth, as visible in [Fig. 3]. Plate 122a is then moved to come into contact with the glazing to exert pressure on it. This pressure is such that it deforms the glazing, flattening it.This action of flattening the glass allows it to be given a simpler shape for the following steps, while also beginning to weaken it.

[0045] This flattening station 12 is optional in that it is unnecessary if the glazing to be treated is already flat.

[0046] The fragmentation device 1 further includes a second station called a weakening station or module 14. This weakening station 14 is used to weaken the glazing in order to subsequently separate the glass sheets from the interlayer film.

[0047] For this purpose, the embrittling station 14 comprises at least one pair of rollers 140 as shown in [Fig. 4]. These rollers 140 are mounted to rotate. These rollers 140 are arranged to be parallel and one above the other. It is understood from this that the two rollers 140 are aligned in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the conveyor. The two rollers 140 are positioned so that a space e is present between them, this space allowing the glazing to be inserted into it.

[0048] Each roller 140 is arranged to be a weakening roller. At least one roller 140 of the pair of rollers comprises, on its outer surface, weakening means 142 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Preferably, both rollers comprise weakening means 142. These weakening means 142 comprise at least one projecting appendage 143 or protruding surface. Preferably, each weakening roller 140 comprises a plurality of appendages 143. These appendages 143 are in the form of protruding surfaces such as teeth, studs, or lines. These protruding surfaces are either point-like or continuous, that is, they extend around the circumference of the roller. For example, the protruding surfaces are in the form of parallel rings arranged along the roller. It is also possible that the appendages or protruding surfaces 143 are in the form of striations resulting from knurling.

[0049] The projecting surfaces 143 of the two rollers 140 are arranged to be opposite each other or to be offset. When the projecting surfaces are offset, this reduces the space between the two rollers as shown in [Fig. 7]. This allows for smaller projecting surfaces or the use of thinner glazing.

[0050] It is also possible that the protruding surfaces 143 of the same roll 140 are not all identical. Indeed, it is possible that each roll 140 comprises at least two types of protruding surfaces, as can be seen in [Fig. 8]. For example, in the case of protruding surfaces 143 in the form of lines, the roll comprises a series of straight lines and a series of curved lines.

[0051] The function of the weakening rollers 140 equipped with the fragmentation means 142 is to weaken the glazing by applying stress to it. This stress generates weakening in the glazing such as cracks, breaks, and scratches.

[0052] The embrittling station 140 optionally comprises more than one pair of rollers 140, i.e., at least two pairs of rollers 140. This option allows the use of different rollers 140. It is understood that the appendages 143 of the rollers in the first pair differ from the appendages 143 of the rollers in the following pair. This advantageously allows for the multiplication of the points of weakness in the glazing.

[0053] The fragmentation device 1 further comprises a third station. This station is a separation station or module 16. This separation station 16 is used to separate the glass from the interlayer film. For this purpose, the separation station 16 includes at least one grinding roller 161 as shown in [Fig. 10]. The grinding roller 161 is mounted on a structure or frame 163 that overhangs the conveyor 10 as shown in [Fig. 9]. This grinding roller 161 includes, but is not limited to, a central core 1610 as shown in Figures 11 and 12. The grinding roller 161 also includes grinding means 1612. These grinding means 1612 include at least one plate 1613 carrying grinding elements 1614. This plate 1613 extends radially, orthogonally to the axis of the central core 1610. Preferably, the grinding means 1612 include several plates. The grinding elements then comprise at least one rod 1615 extending parallel to the central core between the plates. This rod 1615 carries at least one grinder or hammer 1614, preferably at least two.These 1614 grinders come in the form of cores of various shapes. These cores are integrated into the 1615 rod or are drilled so that they can slide along the rod to allow for positioning the grinders. These 1614 grinders have different shapes such as square, rectangular, spherical, disc, or a three-pointed or more star shape.

[0054] In one embodiment, the crushing roller 161 comprises several rods 1615, each carrying several crushers 1614. In this case, the rods 1615 are distributed on the plates. This plate has various shapes, such as a disc shape, a square shape, or a star shape with three or four points or more.

[0055] Alternatively, the grinding means comprise one or more crushers or hammers 1614 fixed to the central core 1610 by means of a chain or chain link. This construction eliminates the need for the plates 1613.

[0056] At the exit of the crusher roller 161, a conveyor 10 is arranged to recover the glass and the interlayer film separated as visible in [Fig. 13].

[0057] The operation of the fragmentation device is as follows.

[0058] First, the glazing V is placed on the conveyor 10. The glazing is placed flat on the conveyor. The glazing is placed manually or by a robotic device. The conveyor is then put into operation.

[0059] Then, the glazing arrives at the first station, which is the flattening station 12. Two solutions are possible for the operation of this station.

[0060] The first operation consists of bringing the glazing V under the pressing means 122. The conveyor 10 is then stopped when the glazing is positioned under the pressing means 122. The pressing means 122 is then activated, i.e., it is moved to bear against the glazing. This pressure on the glazing is such that the glazing is deformed. Since the glazing is curved, this deformation tends to flatten it. The pressure exerted by the pressing means is applied for a defined period of time. Once this period of time has elapsed, the pressing means 122 is lifted and the conveyor can be restarted. In this case, the conveyor 10 is optionally equipped with stop means to block the glazing in order to position it opposite the pressing means 122. These stop means are movable so as to block the glazing before pressing and release it after pressing.

[0061] A second operating method involves performing the pressing while keeping the conveyor 10 running. For this purpose, the flattening station 12 is equipped with a position sensor and a processing unit. The position sensor is used to detect the presence of the glazing at a predefined position. The processing unit knows the data relating to the conveyor speed, the vertical position of the pressing means, and their speed of movement. The processing unit is then able to control the pressing means 122 to actuate them so that they come into contact with the glazing when the latter enters the pressing zone, i.e., the area covered by the pressing means. In this case, the surface 122a of the pressing means 122 includes a coating with a low coefficient of friction. This low coefficient of friction can be obtained by using a layer of felt, fabric, or plastic.This allows the glazing to continue moving despite the stress exerted by the pressing means 122. A second position sensor is placed so as to allow the computing unit to control the pressing means and in particular the release of the stress.

[0062] In a third step, the flattened glass is conveyed by conveyor 10 to the second station, or weakening station 14. The two fragmentation rollers 130 are positioned so that the conveyor and the space between the two rollers are level. It is understood that the flattened glass placed on conveyor 10 naturally fits into the space between the two fragmentation rollers 140. These two rollers are rotated to move the glass along. The protruding surfaces of the rollers then exert stresses on the glass. These stresses applied to the glass cause cracks and breaks to appear. As the two rollers are equipped with protruding surfaces 143, these cracks, breaks, or scratches appear on both panes of glass. These cracks and other defects weaken the glass.

[0063] In a fourth step, the weakened glass is conveyed to the separation station 16. The weakened glass is conveyed to the third station by a conveyor 10. The recycling line conveyor may comprise independent or dependent sections. It is understood that the conveyor 10 comprises several parts controlled by the same control unit or controlled independently by different control units.

[0064] The crushing roller(s) 161 of the separation station are set in rotation. This rotation allows the crushers of the roller to come into contact with the Glazing. Because the glazing is already weakened by cracks, the action of the roller crushers amplifies this existing fragility. More specifically, the existing fragility is located on the glass panes and not on the interlayer film. Thus, the action of the crushers breaks the glass and tends to detach it from the interlayer film.

[0065] The glass and the interlayer film are recovered by a conveyor.

[0066] In a first embodiment, the recycling line 1 further includes a sorting station 18 as shown in [Fig. 14]. This sorting station 18 is arranged after the conveyor that recovers the glass and the interleaving film from the separation station. This sorting station 18, shown in [Fig. 15], includes a screen 180. This screen has holes 181 sized to allow the glass fragments to pass through for recovery. The screen is positioned above the interleaving film, which may be in pieces and is stored in a recovery area of ​​the sorting station.

[0067] As an alternative to the variant shown in [Fig. 16], the sieve allows for more advanced sorting. For this purpose, the sieve comprises several zones Zi, at least two, each zone being defined by a specific hole size. Each zone Zi of the sieve is positioned above a collection bin into which the debris falls. This alternative allows for sorting the debris by size, thus saving time later.

[0068] The sorting station 18 is optionally mounted mobile so that it can vibrate to sort the glass debris.

[0069] The sorting station 18 is optionally equipped with means for removing the interlayer film. These means include, for example, an arm that regularly sweeps the surface of the sieve. In another example, these means include a screw conveyor. Finally, it is also possible for this removal to occur naturally through the vibration of the sieve. This removal is facilitated with an inclined sieve.

[0070] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is susceptible to various variants and modifications which will become apparent to the person competent in the art.

Claims

Demands

1. A fragmentation device (1) adapted for fragmenting the glass of a glazing unit comprising two sheets of glass and an interlayer film arranged between the two sheets of glass, comprising at least: - A conveyor (10) adapted for transporting said glazing flat along a longitudinal axis (L), said device (1) being characterized in that it comprises: - a weakening station (14) adapted for weakening the sheets of glass - a fragmentation station (16) adapted for separating the interlayer film from the sheets of glass; the fragmentation device further comprising a flattening station (12) adapted for pressing and flattening the glazing, this flattening station being arranged before the weakening station.

2. device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the embrittling station (14) comprises at least two parallel rollers (140) arranged one above the other and having a gap between them.

3. device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the rollers (140) comprises, on its outer surface, embrittling means (142).

4. device according to claim 3, wherein the weakening means comprise at least one projecting appendage (143).

5. device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fragmentation station (16) comprises at least one fragmentation roller (161) equipped with grinding means (1612).

6. device according to the preceding claim, in which the fragmentation roller (161) comprises a central core (1610) carrying at least one plate (1613) carrying at least one grinding element (1614).

7. device according to the preceding claim, wherein the fragmentation roller comprises at least two plates (1613) extending radially, at least one rod (1615) extending parallel to the central core between the plates, said rod carrying at least one crusher (1614).

8. device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it further comprises a sorting station (18) comprising a sieve comprising a plurality of holes.

9. device according to the preceding claim, wherein said holes of said sieve are distributed into at least two zones, the holes of each zone being identical and the holes of the at least two zones being different.

10. A method for fragmenting the glass of a glazing unit, characterized in that it implements a fragmentation device (1) adapted to fragment the glass of a glazing unit comprising two sheets of glass and an interlayer film arranged between the two sheets of glass, comprising at least: - A conveyor adapted for the flat transport of a glazing unit along a longitudinal axis, said device being characterized in that said fragmentation device comprises: - a weakening station adapted to weaken the sheets of glass - a fragmentation station adapted to separate the interlayer film from the sheets of glass, and in which the fragmentation device further comprises a flattening station adapted to press the glazing unit and flatten it, this flattening station being arranged before the weakening station.

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