Recycled PET Pellets for Ceramic-Coated Sliding Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for recycling PET films with adherent ceramic limit the scope of reuse and are inefficient, often requiring chemical solvents that increase environmental burden and production costs.

Innovation Solution

A method for recycling PET films with adherent ceramic involves repelleting the films to create pellets, which are then molded into resin products, either with adherent ceramic or after mechanical removal, extending the scope of reuse to various resin molded products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If chemical solvents are used to clean foreign materials from used PET film, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental burden and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes ceramic particles from the used PET film through mechanical means (grinding and sorting) rather than chemical dissolution, separating the contaminant from the base material without requiring harmful solvents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the chemical cleaning system with a mechanical processing system that uses grinding, classification, and sorting equipment to remove ceramic particles, eliminating the need for chemical solvents while achieving effective cleaning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If ceramic is completely removed from used PET film, then material purity is improved, but additional processing steps and costs are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial purityVSAvoidprocessing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the particle size parameter of ceramic contaminants through controlled grinding, reducing them to fine particles that can be easily separated from the PET film through classification and sorting processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies partial removal of ceramic particles through mechanical means, achieving sufficient purification for recycling purposes without requiring complete removal, thus reducing processing complexity while maintaining adequate material purity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If used PET film with ceramic adherent is directly repelleted, then processing efficiency is improved, but product quality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidproduct quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary grinding and classification of the used PET film before repelleting, pre-processing the material to separate and remove ceramic particles in advance, ensuring that the subsequent repelleting process produces high-quality recycled pellets without compromising product quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention establishes a continuous processing flow where used PET film is ground, classified, sorted, and repelleted in sequence without interruption, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the recycling process to achieve both high productivity and consistent product quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The method allows for cost-effective production of resin molded products with reduced environmental impact and expanded recycling applications, including sliding components for image forming apparatuses, by minimizing the number of processing steps and reducing the need for chemical solvents.

Implementation Method 1

the ceramic adherent to the surface of the used PET film has been mechanically removed with the silicon resin left in the used PET film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP4699772A1Method for recycling used pet film, pellet, and sliding component for image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4699772A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP4699772A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4699772A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Provided is a method for recycling a used PET film (100) with ceramic (102) adherent to a surface thereof. The method for recycling a used PET film (100) includes a repelleting step (S2, S13) and a molding step (S3, S14). In the repelleting step (S2, S13), the used PET film is repelleted to make pellets (110). In the molding step (S3, S14), the pellets (110) made in the repelleting step (S2, S13) are used to form a resin molded product (120).