Device and method for recycling laminated glass

Abstract

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

Description

[0001] DEVICE AND METHOD FOR RECYCLING LAMINATED GLASS

[0002] The present invention belongs to the technical field of glass recycling, particularly for its reuse in a furnace.

[0003] Prior art

[0004] Recycling used windows is a major issue today, with challenges including cost reduction, the medium-term scarcity of vitrifiable raw materials, reducing energy consumption and reducing the environmental footprint of new windows. Such recycling involves separating the glass from used windows and their frames.

[0005] Known from the prior art, including document EP0618011, are glass fragmentation devices designed for these purposes, which comprise a conveyor adapted for the flat transport of used windows and a fragmentation assembly surmounting this conveyor and being 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 rotated by a motor. Each knife is offset from the center of this disc. When this disc is rotated, these blades strike the surface of a window positioned on the conveyor, thus causing fragmentation of the glass.

[0006] It is also known to use at least one fragmentation assembly which surmounts the conveyor and is 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 linked by at least one chain to at least one striker assembly comprising at least one striker head adapted to strike the conveyor at each revolution of said drum.

[0007] This fragmentation assembly allows for fragmentation of the glass and its easy separation from the frame. The known devices are used for fragmentation of so-called single panes, i.e. comprising one sheet of glass or two sheets of glass spaced apart by a layer of air.

[0008] However, there are glazings, particularly for the automotive world, which are made up of at least two sheets of glass assembled using an interlayer film. This sandwich is placed in an autoclave oven to bond the two sheets of glass via the interlayer film.

[0009] This interlayer film is, in a glass bath in a furnace, considered a pollutant, meaning that it can disrupt the reactions that produce quality glass.

[0010] Known devices are thus unable to separate the glass from the interlayer film and there is therefore a need for this.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] The invention aims to address the drawbacks described above. More particularly, the invention seeks to provide a fragmentation device which allows the separation of the glass from the interlayer film of a laminated glazing unit.

[0013] To this end, the invention relates to a fragmentation device suitable 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:

[0014] A conveyor adapted for the flat transport of said glazing along a longitudinal axis, said device being characterized in that it comprises: a weakening station adapted to weaken the glass sheets a fragmentation station adapted to separate the interlayer film from the glass sheets.

[0015] The advantage of the present invention is that it is possible to recycle laminated glazing by separating the interlayer film from the glass sheets.

[0016] According to one example, the fragmentation device further comprises a flattening station adapted to press the glazing and flatten it, this flattening station is arranged before the weakening station. According to one example, the weakening station comprises at least two parallel rollers arranged one above the other and having a gap between them.

[0017] According to one example, at least one of the rollers comprises, on its outer surface, weakening means.

[0018] According to one example, the weakening means comprise at least one protruding appendage.

[0019] According to one example, the fragmentation station comprises at least one fragmentation roller provided with grinding means.

[0020] According to one example, the fragmentation roller comprises a central core carrying at least one plate carrying at least one grinding element.

[0021] According to one example, the fragmentation roller comprises at least two radially extending plates, at least one rod extending parallel to the central core between the plates, said rod carrying at least one crusher.

[0022] According to one example, the device further comprises a sorting station comprising a screen comprising a plurality of holes.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The invention further relates to a method for fragmenting the glass of a glazing unit, characterized in that it uses a fragmentation device suitable 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:

[0025] A conveyor adapted for the flat transport of a glazing along a longitudinal axis, said device being characterized in that said fragmentation device comprises: a weakening station adapted to weaken the glass sheets a fragmentation station adapted to separate the interlayer film from the glass sheets. According to one example, the fragmentation device further comprises a flattening station adapted to press the glazing and flatten it, this flattening station is arranged before the weakening station.

[0026] Brief description of the drawings

[0027] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of particular embodiments, given as simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended figures, for which:

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a fragmentation device according to the invention,

[0029] Figures 2 and 3 are schematic sectional views of a flattening station of a fragmentation device according to the invention;

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of a weakening station of a fragmentation device according to the invention,

[0031] Figures 5 to 8 are schematic views of the embrittlement rollers of a embrittlement station of a fragmentation device according to the invention;

[0032] Figures 9 and 13 are schematic sectional views of a fragmentation station of a fragmentation device according to the invention,

[0033] Figures 10 to 12 are schematic views of the fragmentation rollers of a weakening station of a fragmentation device according to the invention;

[0034] Figures 14 to 16 are schematic views of a sorting station of a fragmentation device according to the invention,

[0035] The various elements illustrated by the figures are not necessarily represented to actual scale, the emphasis being more on representing the general operation of the invention.

[0036] Detailed description

[0037] Figure 1 represents a fragmentation device 1 according to the invention. This fragmentation device 1 allows the recycling of glazing V and more particularly glazing of the laminated glazing type. Such laminated glazing consists of two plates or sheets of glass secured by an interlayer film.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The fragmentation device 1 further comprises a first station called a flattening station 12. This flattening station 12 is used to flatten laminated glazing. Indeed, unlike many conventional glazings, i.e. those comprising a single sheet of glass, laminated glazings, particularly for automobiles, have at least one curvature. The purpose of this flattening station is then to at least partially remove this curvature to facilitate further recycling.

[0040] This flattening station or module 12, visible in Figure 2, then comprises pressing means 122 to carry out this flattening. These pressing means 122 are mounted on a frame 124 which overhangs the conveyor. These pressing means 122 comprise, for example, a plate 122a mounted to move in translation, for example by a jack 122b. This plate 122a comprises 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 Figure 3. The plate 122a is then moved to come into contact with the glazing to exert pressure on the latter. This pressure is such that it deforms the glazing to flatten it.This action of flattening the glass allows it to be given a simpler shape for the following steps while beginning to weaken it.

[0041] This flattening station 12 is optional in that it is useless if the glazing to be treated is already flat.

[0042] The fragmentation device 1 further comprises a second station called the 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. For this, the weakening station 14 comprises at least one pair of rollers 140 as seen in Figure 4. These rollers 140 are rotatably mounted. These rollers 140 are arranged to be parallel and one above the other. This means 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 therein.

[0043] 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 seen in Figures 5 and 6. Preferably, both rollers comprise weakening means 142. These weakening means 142 comprise at least one projecting appendage 143 or projecting surface. Preferably, each weakening roller 140 comprises a plurality of appendages 143. These appendages 143 are in the form of projecting surfaces such as teeth or studs or lines. These projecting surfaces are punctate or continuous, that is to say they extend around the circumference of the roller. For example, the projecting surfaces are in the form of parallel rings arranged along the roller. It is also possible that the appendages or protruding surfaces 143 appear in the form of grooves resulting from knurling.

[0044] The projecting surfaces 143 of the two rollers 140 are arranged to be opposite each other or to be offset. In the case where the projecting surfaces are offset, in a staggered pattern, this makes it possible to reduce the space between the two rollers as seen in Figure 7. It is thus possible to have smaller projecting surfaces or to pass thinner glazing.

[0045] It is also possible that the protruding surfaces 143 of the same roller 140 are not all identical. It is, in fact, possible that each roller 140 comprises at least two types of protruding surfaces as visible in FIG. 8. For example, in the case of protruding surfaces 143 in the form of lines, the roller comprises a series of straight lines and a series of curved lines.

[0046] The function of the weakening rollers 140 provided with the fragmentation means 142 is to weaken the glazing by applying a stress to it. This stress generates weakenings in the glazing such as cracks, breaks, scratches. The weakening station 140 optionally comprises more than one pair of rollers 140, i.e. at least two pairs of rollers 140. This option makes it possible to use different rollers 140. It is understood by this that the appendages 143 of the rollers of the first pair differ from the appendages 143 of the rollers of the following pair. This advantageously makes it possible to multiply the fragilities in the glazing.

[0047] 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, the separation station 16 comprises at least one grinding roller 161 as visible in Figure 10. The grinding roller 161 is mounted on a structure or frame 163 which overhangs the conveyor 10 as visible in Figure 9. This grinding roller 161 comprises, in a non-limiting manner, a central core 1610 as visible in Figures 11 and 12. The grinding roller 161 also comprises grinding means 1612. These grinding means 1612 comprise 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 comprise 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 crusher or hammer 1614, preferably at least two. These crushers 1614 are in the form of cores having various shapes. These cores are integrated into the rod 1615 or are pierced so as to be able to slide along the rod in order to be able to choose the position of the crushers. These crushers 1614 have different shapes such as a square, rectangular, spherical, disc shape or a star shape with three or more branches.

[0048] In one variant, the grinding roller 161 comprises several rods 1615 each carrying several grinders 1614. In this case, the rods 1615 are distributed over the plates. This plate has various shapes such as a disc shape or a square shape or a star shape with three or four or more branches.

[0049] In an alternative, the grinding means comprise one or more grinders or hammers 1614 fixed to the central core 1610 by means of a chain or chainlet. This construction makes it possible to do without the plates 1613. At the outlet of the grinding roller 161, a conveyor 10 is arranged to recover the separated glass and interlayer film as seen in Figure 13.

[0050] The operation of the fragmentation device is as follows.

[0051] 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 robot-type device. The conveyor is then put into operation.

[0052] Then, the glazing arrives at the first station which is the flattening station 12. Two solutions are possible for the operation of this station.

[0053] The first operation consists of bringing the glazing V under the pressing means 122. The conveyor 10 is then stopped when the glazing is placed under the pressing means 122. The pressing means 122 is then put into action, that is to say it is moved to come to bear on the glazing. This pressure on the glazing is such that the glazing is deformed. As the glazing is curved, this deformation undergone by the glazing tends to flatten it. The stress of the pressing means is applied for a defined period of time. Once this period of time has passed, the pressing means 122 is raised and the conveyor can be restarted. In this case, the conveyor 10 is, optionally, equipped with stop means for blocking the glazing to position it opposite the pressing means 122. These stop means are movable to be able to block the glazing before pressing and to release it after pressing.

[0054] A second operation consists of carrying out the pressing while keeping the conveyor 10 running. For this, the flattening station 12 is equipped with a position sensor and a calculation unit. The position sensor is used to detect the presence of the glazing at a predefined position. The calculation unit knows the data relating to the speed of the conveyor, the vertical position of the pressing means and their speed of movement. The calculation 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, that is to say the zone covered by the pressing means. In this case, the surface 122a of the pressing means 122 comprises a coating to provide a coefficient of friction. This low coefficient of friction can be obtained by using a layer of felt or fabric or plastic.This allows the glazing to continue to move 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.

[0055] In a third step, the flattened glazing is brought by the 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 glazing placed on the conveyor 10 naturally fits into the space between the two fragmentation rollers 140. These two rollers are rotated so as to drive the glazing. The projecting surfaces of the rollers then exert stresses on the glazing. These stresses applied to the glazing cause cracks and breaks to appear on the glazing. As the two rollers are provided with projecting surfaces 143, these cracks or breaks or scratches appear on the two panes of the glazing. These cracks or others weaken the glazing.

[0056] In a fourth step, the weakened glazing is brought to the separation station 16. The weakened glazing is brought to the third station by a conveyor 10. The conveyor of the recycling line may comprise independent or dependent portions. It is understood by this that the conveyor 10 comprises several parts controlled by the same control unit or controlled independently by different control units.

[0057] The crushing roller(s) 161 of the separation station are rotated. This rotation allows the roller crushers to come into contact with the glazing. Since 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 sheets and not on the interlayer film. Thus, the action of the crushers breaks the glass and tends to detach the glass from the interlayer film.

[0058] The glass and the interlayer film are collected by a conveyor.

[0059] In a first variant, the recycling line 1 further comprises a sorting station 18 as seen in Figure 14. This sorting station 18 is arranged after the conveyor recovering the glass and the interlayer film from the separation station. This sorting station 18, seen in Figure 15, comprises a sieve 180. This sieve has holes 181 sized to allow the glass debris to pass through in order to recover it. Indeed, the sieve overhangs the interlayer film, which may be in pieces, is stored in a recovery area of ​​the sorting station.

[0060] In an alternative to this variant visible in Figure 16, the sieve allows for more advanced sorting. To achieve this, the sieve includes several Zi zones, at least two, each zone being defined by a specific hole size. Each Zi zone of the sieve overhangs a collection bin container into which the debris falls. This alternative allows for sorting of debris by size and therefore saves time later.

[0061] The sorting station 18 is, optionally, mounted mobile so as to be able to vibrate to sort the glass debris. The sorting station 18 is, optionally, provided with means for removing the interlayer film. These means include, for example, an arm which regularly sweeps the surface of the screen. These means include, in another example, a worm screw. Finally, it is also possible for this removal to take place naturally by the action of the vibration of the screen. This removal is facilitated with an inclined screen.

[0062] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is susceptible to various variations and modifications which will appear to the person skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims 1. Fragmentation device (1) suitable 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 the flat transport of said glazing along a longitudinal axis (L), said device (1) being characterized in that it comprises: a weakening station (14) adapted for weakening the glass sheets a fragmentation station (16) adapted for separating the interlayer film from the glass sheets.

2. device according to claim 1, in which the fragmentation device further comprises a flattening station (12) adapted to press the glazing and flatten it, this flattening station is arranged before the weakening station.

3. device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the weakening station (14) comprises at least two parallel rollers (140) arranged one above the other and having a gap between them.

4. device according to claim 3, in which at least one of the rollers (140) comprises, on its outer surface, weakening means (142).

5. device according to claim 4, in which the weakening means comprise at least one projecting appendage (143).

6. device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the fragmentation station (16) comprises at least one fragmentation roller (161) provided with grinding means (1612).

7. 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).

8. Device according to the preceding claim, in which 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).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which it further comprises a sorting station (18) comprising a sieve comprising a plurality of holes.

10. Device according to the preceding claim, in which 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.

11. Method for fragmenting the glass of a glazing unit, characterized in that it uses 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 along a longitudinal axis, said device being characterized in that said fragmentation device comprises: a weakening station adapted to weaken the glass sheets a fragmentation station adapted to separate the interlayer film from the glass sheets.

12. Method according to claim 11, in which the fragmentation device further comprises a flattening station adapted to press the glazing and flatten it, this flattening station is arranged before the weakening station.

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