Dry Deinking Processing Device Using Fine Particle Collision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for recycling paper struggle to efficiently remove ink from the deep layers of paper sheets, requiring prolonged processing times and incomplete ink removal due to the limitations of blast materials not reaching ink in the sheet's thickness direction.

Innovation Solution

A processing device that supplies particles with adsorption or collision capabilities to remove coloring materials from fiber-containing materials during fibrillation, utilizing particles with Mohs' hardness between 2 and 5, which can adsorb or collide with ink to separate and remove it efficiently, and a particle removal system that separates fibers from particles, allowing for quick ink removal without immersing the paper in water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If blast material is ejected to the recording layer of a used recording medium in sheet state, then the recording layer can be removed, but the blast material cannot reach ink present in the deep side in the thickness direction, resulting in insufficient ink removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink removal completenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the recording medium from sheet state to tub state, and changes the particle size parameter of the blast material to fine particles (1-100 micrometers). These parameter changes enable the blast material to penetrate deep into the ink layers, achieving complete ink removal without requiring prolonged processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If blast material is ejected in sheet state, then processing can be performed, but it takes a long time to remove the ink completely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink removal speedVSAvoidink removal completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transforms the recording medium into a tub state and uses fine blast material particles (1-100 micrometers), which dramatically increases the penetration depth and removal efficiency. This enables rapid and complete ink removal, simultaneously improving both productivity and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the blast material into fine particles (1-100 micrometers), which can individually penetrate and attack ink particles deep within the recording medium. This segmentation increases the surface area and penetration capability of the blast material, enabling fast and complete ink removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional blast material is used, then processing is simple, but the blast material cannot reach deep ink layers in the thickness direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepenetration depthVSAvoidprocessing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the particle size parameter of the blast material to fine particles (1-100 micrometers) and transforms the recording medium into a tub state. These parameter changes enable deep penetration into ink layers without increasing device complexity, as the same ejection system can handle the fine particles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables rapid and effective deinking of paper, facilitating the recycling of paper without the need for water-based processes, resulting in a dry deinking technique that produces high-quality recycled sheets.

Implementation Method 1

the particles have a function of adsorbing the coloring materials contained in the fiber containing materials from the fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

the particles have a function of colliding with the coloring materials contained in the fiber containing materials to separate the coloring materials from the fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCollision: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3396059B1Processing device, sheet manufacturing device, processing method, and method for manufacturing sheet
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3396059B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3396059B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3396059B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A processing device has a fibrillation portion fibrillating fiber containing materials containing fibers in the air, a particle supply portion supplying particles having Mohs' hardness of 2 or more and 5 or less to the fiber containing materials during or after fibrillation for collision, and a particle removal portion removing the particles from the fiber containing materials to which the particles are supplied.