Ink Removal from Plastic Films via Surfactant Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing ink from printed plastic films are inefficient, resulting in low-quality recycled materials with reduced value, leading to significant waste and increased production costs due to imperfections in the printing process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving physical and chemical treatments, including grinding, washing, and thermal processing, to separate ink from plastic films using a cleaning system with surfactants and water at basic pH, followed by centrifugation and drying, allowing for the recovery of high-quality, ink-free films and reusable pigments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ink removal processes are not implemented, then production speed and simplicity are maintained, but material quality deteriorates and waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes ink from printed plastic films through a systematic process involving grinding, washing with surfactants, and separation. This extraction enables the recovery of clean plastic material that can be reused, directly reducing waste while maintaining production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding ink-printed films as waste, the patent recovers both the plastic material and the ink pigment. The plastic is cleaned and reused in new packaging applications, while the pigment is recovered and reused in printing operations, thereby eliminating waste and reducing material costs
2Loss of substance
If traditional ink removal methods are used, then some ink is removed, but material quality remains low and recycling value is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs controlled parameter changes including pH adjustment to basic conditions, temperature control during washing, and specific surfactant concentrations to optimize ink removal while preserving plastic film integrity. These controlled parameters ensure high-quality recycled material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that facilitate the separation of ink from plastic film. These surfactants act as mediators that lower surface tension and enable thorough cleaning, resulting in high-quality recycled film free from ink contamination
3Manufacturing precision
If printing machine parameters are adjusted frequently, then print quality is improved, but production time is lost and film waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recycles even the film waste generated during printing adjustments, transforming what would be discarded material into reusable plastic pellets. This eliminates the economic loss associated with adjustment waste and reduces the penalty for necessary quality adjustments
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
This method effectively recovers high-quality, ink-free plastic films and pigments, reducing waste and production costs by increasing the value of recycled materials, making better use of printing waste and enabling their reuse in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
A method involving physical and chemical treatments, including grinding, washing, and thermal processing, to separate ink from plastic films using a cleaning system with surfactants and water at basic pH
Implementation Method 2
the ink which has been removed from the film is extracted continuously while cleaning
Implementation Method 3
followed by centrifugation and drying
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for removing ink printed on a plastic film comprising various physical/chemical treatments. The main steps in the method are: conditioning the material, grinding, removing ink from the film, washing the film, recovering the cleaning solution, recovering the pigment and drying the film. As a result of the method, it is possible to obtain, on one hand, a plastic film free of ink and, on the other hand, the pigment. Said products may be reused in industry, thereby enhancing the value chain of the product.