Portable Laminated Plasterboard Recycling Machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current recycling methods for laminated plasterboard are inefficient and costly due to the need for large, mobile machinery and transportation of waste to recycling plants, often resulting in landfill disposal, which is environmentally and financially burdensome.

Innovation Solution

A portable, compact machine with a pressure-actuated feeding-crushing element and a collecting and sorting element, featuring metal rollers and a worm screw within a perforated casing, allows on-site recycling by separating gypsum and cardboard, reducing the need for transportation and landfill disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large mobile recycling machines are used, then recycling capacity is improved, but machine size and transportation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecycling capacityVSAvoidmachine size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The recycling system is divided into separate functional modules: a crushing unit with horizontal and vertical crushers, a sorting unit with screens and separators, and a collecting unit. These modular components can be independently configured and assembled, allowing the system to achieve high recycling capacity without requiring a single large monolithic machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from large-scale centralized recycling plants to a distributed on-site recycling approach. By placing compact recycling equipment directly at construction sites, the system eliminates the need for heavy transportation of waste materials while maintaining effective recycling capacity through localized processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If waste is transported to recycling plants, then centralized processing is improved, but transportation cost and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized processingVSAvoidtransportation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The recycling process is performed on-site before waste materials require long-distance transportation. By pre-processing and separating recyclable materials at the construction site, the system eliminates the need for subsequent transportation of waste to centralized plants, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The on-site recycling equipment acts as an intermediary between waste generation and final disposal/recycling. This intermediate processing step separates recyclable materials locally, reducing the volume and weight of materials that would otherwise require transportation to centralized facilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple milling and crushing stages are used, then rejection rate is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverejection rateVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple crushing functions are combined into integrated crusher assemblies with both horizontal and vertical crushing mechanisms working together. Sorting functions are merged with screening and separation systems in a unified processing line. This consolidation achieves high rejection rates through coordinated multi-stage processing while reducing overall system complexity compared to separate independent units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 on-site recycling of laminated plasterboard, reducing waste management costs and environmental impact by allowing recycling at any construction site, minimizing landfill use, and increasing the reuse of gypsum materials.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure-actuated feeding-crushing element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a worm screw within a perforated casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical separation: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3275551B1Machine for recycling laminated plasterboard, separation method performed by said machine and use of same
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 KNAUF SUCURSAL & ESPANA
  • EP3275551B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3275551B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3275551B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a machine for the separation and recycling of laminated plasterboard based on grinding and subsequent automatic classification, particularly for facilitating the recycling of laminated plasterboard in situ on the work site itself, which, as a result of the portable character and limited size thereof, allows the remains of the used laminated plasterboard to be recycled on the actual construction sites. To this end, the machine for recycling laminated plasterboard according to the invention is made up of a frame which supports, on a first, vertical level, a feeder and pressure grinder element and a cleaning element, and on a second level downstream from the first level, a collection and classification element.