Washing Large Plastic Sheets via Screw Stirrer and Dragging Belt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for washing large plastic sheets or film from agricultural and industrial waste are inefficient, requiring complex and energy-intensive processes, leading to rapid tool wear and long washing times, and are unsuitable for direct washing of large dimensions, which often results in accumulation and obstruction in discharging channels.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that uses intense stirring in a washing tank with a screw stirrer and a combination of water flow and an endless belt to drag clean plastic pieces along a discharging channel, allowing for controlled washing and discharge of large plastic pieces while minimizing water consumption and preventing accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If plastic sheets are cut into small dimensions before washing, then washing effectiveness is improved, but tool wear and breakage increase rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing washing before cutting. The plastic sheets are washed in their original large format using a water bath with agitation, then removed and dried before being fed into the cutter. This eliminates the need to cut contaminated material, preventing tool wear and breakage while maintaining washing effectiveness.
2Reliability
If plastic sheets are washed in large dimensions, then tool wear is reduced, but washing apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the washing function from the conventional post-cutting process and applies it to the original large sheets before cutting. By washing sheets in their native large format and removing them before cutting, the system avoids the complexity of washing mechanisms designed for small pieces while maintaining tool durability.
3Productivity
If conventional washing methods are used for large plastic sheets, then washing capacity is maintained, but water and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial action by applying water spray and agitation only to the portions of the sheets that require washing, rather than submerging entire large sheets in massive water baths. The water is sprayed onto the sheets as they pass through the washing section, reducing overall water consumption while maintaining washing capacity.
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 efficient washing and discharge of large plastic pieces with reduced washing times, preventing accumulation and tool wear, while optimizing water usage and maintaining plastic pieces in a buoyant condition for effective contamination removal.
Implementation Method 1
generating an intense stirring state in the water bath
Implementation Method 2
the clean plastic pieces which float in the water bath
Implementation Method 3
by dragging the clean plastic pieces along a discharging channel by the joint action of a water flow that exits the washing tank and of a dragging device
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for washing sheets of plastic material originating from industrial and agricultural waste, for subsequent reuse thereof as a raw material. The sheets of plastic material, precut into soiled pieces of large dimensions, and a water flow are supplied to a washing tank containing a water bath; a screw stirrer generates intense stirring of the water bath and recirculation, inside the tank, of the soiled plastic pieces that causes the contaminating material to be detached and separated by sedimentation from the plastic pieces. The cleaned pieces of plastic material of large dimensions, devoid of contaminant, which float in the water bath are removed by dragging, in a floating condition, along a discharging channel by the combined action of a dragging device and of a water flow that exits the washing tank; the dragging device, consisting of an endless belt, extends from one side of the washing tank along the discharging channel, supported in a freely tiltable manner.