Abstract: Methods and equipment are described for the recycling of pieces of pre-fragmented scrap tires using high pressure water jets. The use of high pressure water provides for the production of fragmented rubber material in useful sizes and also provides for a separation of the fragmented rubber from the cording and bead material of the pieces of pre-fragmented tires. Recovery of metal cording material in a form suitable for reuse is also one feature of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for separating components of rubber vehicle tires. This apparatus has two, substantially parallel platforms, one above the other, and a means for varying the separation between them. A rubber tire to be processed is positioned on the lower platform on a rotatable portion thereof. The upper platform has mounted thereon a plurality of rotary nozzles through which high-pressure fluid is directed onto said tire, fragmenting the rubber components from said tire and flushing them away with the effluent stream of fluid while leaving substantially clean steel cord behind on said lower platform.

Abstract: A method is described for the recycling of scrap vehicle tires using high pressure water jets. The use of high pressure water provides for the production of shredded rubber material in useful sizes and also provides for a separation of the shredded rubber from the cording and beading material of the tire. Recovery of steel cording material in a form suitable for reuse is one feature of the present invention. Also, the present invention avoids mechanical shredding entirely and the attendant wear on shredders from differing tire sizes and compositions.