Abstract: A toner classification apparatus comprising a classification rotor, wherein the classification rotor comprises a first vane group containing first vanes and a second vane group containing second vanes, the second vanes have a length shorter than the first vane group; the number of second vanes, which are disposed between two adjacent first vanes, is 1 to 2, independently; each of the first vanes draws first trajectory and each of the second vanes draws second trajectory when the classification rotor rotates, a distance from the center of rotation to an outer circumference side end of the first and second trajectory are defined as L1 and L3, respectively, and a distance from the center of rotation to the center side end of the first and second trajectory are defined as L2 and L4, respectively, L1 to L4 satisfy prescribed relationships, and a toner production method using the toner classification apparatus.

Abstract: Water absorbent polymers and a process for their preparation are disclosed. The process for preparing water absorbent polymers comprises preparing a slurry with relatively high amounts of polymer particles (in the range of 40 to 55 wt % of the total mass of the slurry) having water absorbed therein. The slurry is then directly spray dried to obtain water absorbent polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles, comprising polymerization, drying the resulting polymer gel on a through circulation belt dryer, crushing the dried polymer gel, pre-grinding, separating of incompletely dried particles with a perforated plate, grinding and classifying the resulting polymer particles.

Abstract: Methods of reclaiming plastic from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste and manufacturing recycled medical devices are described. Recycled medical devices made from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste are also described.

Abstract: An asphalt roofing material recycling system and method is used to recycle new and used asphalt materials, such as asphalt shingles, rolled roofing and tar paper that may include granules, fibers or other particles. The asphalt material is broken up and separated and then provided to a recycling vessel. When the recycling vessel is operated in a cooled mode, dry ice may be added along with the asphalt material to be recycled. The dry ice removes any moisture present and super-cools the material making it brittle and easier to chip and break up. The recycle vessel includes a number of devices as well as at least one horizontal mixer element which stirs the material and makes sure all material is ground. The resulting course to fine powder can be sorted by screening and stored as power or compressed into bricks or briquettes for later use in making various products.

Abstract: A method for separating a mixture of solid materials can includes a sorting step based on differences in X-Ray transmission of different materials and a density sorting step at an elevated density. The mixture of solid materials can be a plastic-rich mixture recovered from waste electrical and electronic equipment. The mixture of solid materials can include plastics that contain brominated flame retardants. In some cases, a XRT or DEXRT sorter is used to remove the majority of plastics that contain brominated flame retardants from the mixture.

Abstract: Materials in battery and electrochemical cells are separated in a form suitable for recycling by employing froth flotation techniques. Bulk materials, such as casings, are removed from converted battery scrap and the resultant pulp is subjected to froth flotation. Froth flotation agents, including frothers, collectors and/or depressants, are used to manipulate the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the materials in the scrap. Hydrophobic materials are entrained in the air bubbles of the froth and float out of the froth flotation vessel while those that are hydrophilic remain in the vessel, thereby separating battery grid materials without resort to pyrometallurgical, energy intensive or other environmentally undesirable processes.

Abstract: A system for separating a plastic waste from a paper waste comprising a first fan which draws air toward the first chamber, the second fan blows air up the third tunnel from the lower third tunnel end toward the upper tunnel end, the third fan draws air into the second cyclone, wherein to separate the plastic waste from the paper waste in the mixed-paper-and-plastic.

Abstract: A method and a device for removing backing adhesive, typically a mixture of CaCO3 3 and SBR, from a carpet. The method includes: (a) sorting the carpets into different categories according to the materials from which the fibers of the carpets are made; (b) removing the bottom layer from a sorted carpet; and (c) removing the backing adhesive by grinding it off the carpet with a grinder until all the adhesive is removed and the fibers of the carpet become loss, which is then collected for recycle. The device is specifically designed to perform the above method and includes a grinder, a feeding device and a pressing wheel device on a frame. The feeding device has an active roller and a passive roller positioned on a support base.

Abstract: In a method and equipment for conditioning a heavy fraction high in plastics, which is obtained by conditioning low-metal scrap high in plastics, which originate at least in part from shredder processes of scrap vehicles, the method includes: isolating metal parts from the heavy fraction high in plastics; reducing the size of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics that remains after the isolation of the metal parts; splitting up of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics, that remains after the isolation of the metal parts, into fractions high in plastics having different grain sizes; conditioning the separated fractions high in plastics at least partially in separate processes. The equipment includes appropriate devices for carrying out the foregoing processes. A highly pure granulate fraction may be obtained, which may be fed to material utilization.

Abstract: Methods of reclaiming plastic from infectious medical waste and manufacturing medical devices from reclaimed plastic are described. Medical devices made from plastic reclaimed from infectious medical waste are also described.

Abstract: Solid-state shear pulverization of semi-crystalline polymers and copolymers thereof and related methods for enhanced crystallization kinetics and physical/mechanical properties.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and sorting a municipal solid waste stream are described herein. A system can include a processing sub-system configured to receive a municipal solid waste stream and to remove the non-processable waste, a processing apparatus configured and disposed to receive constituents of the municipal solid waste stream from the processing sub-system and reduce the size of the constituents of the waste stream to an average particle size of less than about ¾ inch, and separators configured to sort the waste stream into constituents based on density.

Abstract: A process is described for recycling superabsorbent polymer fines into a process that includes treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with caustic and a polymerization step for making the superabsorbent polymer gel. The process requires treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with a caustic, followed by mixture with polymerizable monomer solution, and polymerizing the mixture of the superabsorbent polymer fines and monomer to form the aqueous fluid absorbent polymer. In the process, the fines are incorporated into the new polymer gel and become indistinguishable there from. The gel may then be comminuted into a particulate dried and then separated into a portion having a desired minimum particle size in a fines portion having less than the desired size. The particulate may then be coated with a surface crosslinking agent and surface additives and heated for surface conversion.

Abstract: A facility for sorting and separating waste plastic includes: a crusher (11) for crushing waste plastic material into waste plastic fragments; a steam-cleaning device (13) for cleaning the waste plastic fragments; a primary wet specific-gravity sorter (14) and a secondary wet specific-gravity sorter (15) for separating the waste plastic fragments into floating or sinking specific-gravity-sorted fragments with a separating liquid having specific gravity which is the median of specific gravity of materials contained in the waste plastic fragments until the specific-gravity-sorted fragments contain three or less materials; and first to third electrostatic separation devices (16A to 16C) including frictional electrification devices for frictionally electrifying the specific-gravity-sorted fragments and electrostatic sorting devices for putting the frictionally electrified specific-gravity-sorted fragments into a static electric field and altering the falling directions of the specific-gravity-sorted fragments to

Abstract: The present invention provides a product obtained by a method of dry milling a mineral material in at least one milling unit: (i) in the presence of at least one polyalkylene glycol polymer having monomer units forming a backbone, where at least 90% of the monomer units forming the backbone of the polymer are constituted by ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or their mixtures, and where the polymer has a molecular weight of at least equal to 400 g/mole, and (ii) in a quantity of water that is less than 10% in dry weight of the material in the milling unit.

Abstract: A materials-separation process includes a sorting operation in which plastics materials including at least first and second plastics materials are sorted from paper and metal materials so that the first plastics material may be separated from the second plastics material.

Abstract: A method for reformulating reclaimed, contaminated mixed waste plastics into useful articles wherein a plurality of batches of the mixed waste plastics are preprocessed to produce substantially homogeneous mixtures of a desired particle size range that are characterized according to at least one of their respective plastic content, densities, color and degree of contamination, and are thereafter blended to produce a mixed plastic feed material having properties predetermined to be desirable for reprocessing into at least one of such useful articles.

Abstract: A cryostat comprises a cryogen vessel suspended within an outer vacuum container, the cryogen vessel is supported by an arrangement that includes at least one housing mounted on an exterior surface of the outer vacuum container and arranged to function as a floor mounting foot, for supporting weight of the cryogen vessel and the outer vacuum container, and at least two mounting points mounted within the housing(s). Each of at least two suspension elements (an upper suspension element and a lower suspension element) extends through a hole in the surface of the outer vacuum container, between the respective mounting point and a respective point on the cryogen vessel.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing used PET bottles having the step of shredding the bottles to form plastic flakes, sorting the plastic flakes according to at least one criterion into at least two partial quantities, and performing an individual processing treatment including a decontamination treatment. The device permits performing the method whereby it is possible to separate the plastic flakes produced from the threaded part of a PET bottle, these flakes being more difficult to purify, from the lighter plastic flakes from the wall of the bottle, which have a thin wall and are easier to purify, and treating them further in separate reprocessing steps.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing used PET bottles having the step of shredding the bottles to form plastic flakes, sorting the plastic flakes according to at least one criterion into at least two partial quantities, and performing an individual processing treatment including a decontamination treatment. The device permits performing the method whereby it is possible to separate the plastic flakes produced from the threaded part of a PET bottle, these flakes being more difficult to purify, from the lighter plastic flakes from the wall of the bottle, which have a thin wall and are easier to purify, and treating them further in separate reprocessing steps.

Abstract: In a method and equipment for conditioning a heavy fraction high in plastics, which is obtained by conditioning low-metal scrap high in plastics, which originate at least in part from shredder processes of scrap vehicles, the method includes: isolating metal parts from the heavy fraction high in plastics; reducing the size of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics that remains after the isolation of the metal parts; splitting up of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics, that remains after the isolation of the metal parts, into fractions high in plastics having different grain sizes; conditioning the separated fractions high in plastics at least partially in separate processes. The equipment includes appropriate devices for carrying out the foregoing processes. A highly pure granulate fraction may be obtained, which may be fed to material utilization.

Abstract: Methods of recycling carpet components are disclosed. Usable compositions containing recycled carpet components, and carpets and carpet components containing recycled carpet components are also disclosed. Other products containing recycled carpet components are further disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing chaff used in the production of a wood composite material. In accordance with the invention, adhesive laminate waste comprising adhesive material, glue and release material is arranged into chaff in multiple steps and the adhesive properties of the glue are killed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the treatment of a material in the form of fragments or particles which is moved and/or rotated, mixed, heated and, if appropriate, comminuted by at least one mixing element (12, 21) in a receiver or cutter-compactor (1), where, in the course of the process, undesired substances which impair the treatment of and/or further operations on the material are removed from the material by introducing a gas, in particular air or an inert gas, in a region below the level of the material located in the receiver (1) during its operation, or below the level of material of the mixing vortex which forms within the receiver (1), where the gas is forced to flow through at least a subregion of the material, and where the gas then saturated with, or with an increased concentration of, undesired substances is discharged from the receiver (1) in a region above the level of the material located in the receiver (1) during its operation or above the level of the material of th

Abstract: A reworkable pressure vessel for containing a superconducting magnet arrangement. At least first and second separate parts of the vessel are fabricated from fibre-reinforced thermoplastic material. Said first and second parts comprise facing end surfaces adapted for fusion bonding together to form a union closing said vessel such that said vessel can be opened by application of heat and a cutting tool, and re-closed by re-application of fusion bonding to said union.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for comminuting a polymeric shaped article to particles having an average particle size smaller than 6 mm by using a grinding apparatus, characterized in that the shaped article prior to grinding is subjected to a milling step in a milling apparatus to substantially fully convert the shaped article into chips, after which the chips are fed into the grinding apparatus for further comminuting giving at least 25 wt. % less particles having a size less than 1 mm than obtained by the grinding step only.

Abstract: From one aspect, there is provided a method of treating a volume of plastics waste, the method including providing a volume of plastics waste comprising one of more plastics types, the or each plastics types having a melting point and a flash point and providing a heating zone having an entry zone through which the volume of plastics waste is feedable. The heating zone is brought to an operating temperature so as to avoid carbonisation of the plastics waste and the plastics waste is heated so that at least some of the plastics is melted to form a flowable plastics melt. The flowable plastics melt is caused to flow though the outlet under the influence of gravity into a cooling zone during which gas is allowed to escape to facilitate the flow. From another aspect there is provided an apparatus for treating a volume of plastics waste including a melt chamber defining a heating zone and heating means for heating the volume of plastics waste.

Abstract: This invention provides a polytetrafluoroethylene powder capable of giving moldings which are improved in surface roughness Ra tensile strength and/or tensile elongation as compared with the prior art ones and can be excellent in dielectric breakdown strength and, further, can be excellent, if desired, in apparent density and/or powder flowability as well, and a method of producing a polytetrafluoroethylene molding powder. The present invention is a PTFE powder wherein a surface roughness Ra of molded articles a1 for measurement is less than 0.92 ?m.

Abstract: Method for comminuting and cleaning waste plastic, in particular, mixed plastic (MKS) with the following steps: a compacted material, especially, an agglomerate is produced from film scraps or film remnants comminuted into flakes and/or thick-walled plastic parts chopped up into chips, the compacted material is introduced into a disc or drum refiner and is ground therein in the presence of water, wherein the portion of compacted material of the goods located in the refiner amounts to at least 10 percent by weight, a fine grain fraction is removed from the ground stock exiting from the refiner, the remaining ground stock is washed and either mechanically dewatered and dried, or pulverized again in a further refiner stage in the presence of water, and subsequently dewatered and dried.

Abstract: A process for preparing extremely small RPET particles comprises proving a quantity of RPET flakes, increasing the crystallinity of the RPET flakes, separating a portion of the RPET flakes having the lowest particle density from the remainder of the RPET flakes, and comminuting the remaining RPET flakes, to prepare RPET particles having an average mean particle size less than 500 microns.

Abstract: A system for recycling reusable resin mold products recovered from discarded apparatuses is disclosed. This recycling system includes a crushing system for crushing resin mold products one kind by one kind into crushed resinous pieces and packing the same in a bag, a classification system for irradiating a light beam to the resin in the bag and classifying the bags into respective kinds of resins based on a reflected beam therefrom, a cleaning system for separately cleaning the respective kind of crushed resinous pieces taken out of the bag to remove foreign matters adhered onto the surfaces of the crushed resinous pieces therefrom, and a recovery system for recovering the cleaned crushed resinous pieces.

Abstract: A method for recycling polymeric materials, including a mechanical separation step (B), a first density separation step (C), an intensive cleaning step (E), and a second density separation step (G, V) is described. Additional separation steps, such as a third density separation step (M, W), and optionally a fourth density separation step (Ga, Gb). Further less essential steps such as wetting (A), grinding (D), air flow separation (K), drying (I), electrostatic sorting (Z) and optional sorting (Za) steps may also be carried out to achieve optimized and refined separation. Polymeric materials from refuse or crushed motor vehicles may thus be separated, and polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins may be recycled.

Abstract: A method for recycling polymeric materials, including a mechanical separation step (B), a first density separation step (C), an intensive cleaning step (E), and a second density separation step (G, V) is described. Additional separation steps, such as a third density separation step (M, W), and optionally a fourth density separation step (Ga, Gb). Further less essential steps such as wetting (A), grinding (D), air flow separation (K), drying (I), electrostatic sorting (Z) and optional sorting (Za) steps may also be carried out to achieve optimized and refined separation. Polymeric materials from refuse or crushed motor vehicles may thus be separated, and polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins may be recycled.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a trash and garbage processing device which may be sized to fit into a kitchen of a home or sized to be used in a multi-family dwelling. The present invention 10 has a plurality of sorting compartments 12 disposed on the top thereof for receiving various types of waste products. There is a compartment for shrinking and palletizing plastics, another compartment for shredding paper and cardboard 58, another compartment for perishable organic waste 48, a crushing compartment for crushing cans and glass/plastic products 54 and a disposal compartment 60 for non-degradable, solid waste such as bones and batteries. After the various types of waste materials are processed, they are transferred to a conduit to a recycling bin 32 for temporary storage and then thereafter removed from the recycling bin and transferred for final disposal.

Abstract: A granulator for reducing the size of plastic particles to facilitate the removal of contaminants therefrom. The granulator includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber defined by an exit screen. The upper chamber includes a rotary shear and an air handling system for creating a pressure drop across the screen to facilitate the transit of particulate material therethrough.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing platelets, wherein a material to be processed into platelets is applied in a flowable or gaseous state to a substrate, consolidated, removed from the substrate, and subjected to a crushing or grinding process, wherein the material is applied to the substrate in succeeding layers such that after application, a lamina pack is present which, in cross section perpendicular to its surface, has individual laminae of a thickness of between 0.2-1000 &mgr;m, and said lamina pack, having been stripped from the substrate, is treated in such a way that the material disintegrates into individual laminae and the individual laminae are reduced in size to a particle size of 0.5-10000 &mgr;m.

Abstract: In a toner production process having at least a kneading step, a pulverization step using a mechanical grinding machine, and a classification step, the grinding means comprises a mechanical grinding machine having at least a rotor which is a rotator attached to the center rotating shaft and a stator which is provided around the rotor, keeping a constant gap between the stator and the rotor surface, the grinding machine being so constructed that a circular space formed by keeping the gap stands airtight, and the surface of at least one of the rotor and the stator is coated by the plating of a chromium alloy containing at least chromium carbide.

Abstract: Hydrogel particles are produced by a drying step followed sequentially by precomminuting, grinding, separating, and further drying of coarse particles.

Abstract: Coarsely crushed toner particles comprising at least a binder resin and a colorant are effectively pulverized by a mechanical pulverizer including a generally cylindrical rotor rotating about an axis and a stator surrounding the rotor with a minute gap from the rotor. Each of the outer wall of the rotor and the inner wall of the stator is provided with a plurality of grooves which extend generally in parallel with the rotation axis of the rotor and are formed of a wave-shaped plurality of projections and intervening recesses. Each recess on at least one of the rotor and the stator is provided with a flat-shaped bottom between a forward corner and a rear corner adjacent a forward slope and a rear slope respectively, with respect to the rotation direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating tenaciously elastic materials such as plastics and rubber from materials tearing and/or defiberizing under high mechanical stress, particularly paper, and to a device for performing said process. The process is characterized in that the mixture of materials to be separated is subjected to high radial, axial and tangential acceleration forces, whereby a mass flow of shredded fibrous material and a mass flow of substantially unshredded plastics is withdrawn separately. The device for performing the process consists of a screen basket which is cylindrical or preferably polygonal in shape and has borings in its jacket to let the defiberized material pass through, a rotatable driving shaft being arranged coaxially inside the screen basket, with blades being attached to said driving shaft, preferably in rigid connection.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing styrenic resin granulates including dry-compression-molding a powder of styrenic resin having a syndiotactic configuration at a compression pressure of 1-20 t/cm and at a molding temperature falling within the range of the glass transition temperature of the powder of styrenic resin to the melting point thereof, inclusive; and crushing the resultant molded product. High-quality styrenic polymer granulates can be produced in an industrially advantageous manner by means of a large-scale apparatus for producing styrenic polymer having a syndiotactic configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-absorbent resin powder and its production process and use, wherein the water-absorbent resin powder has high liquid permeability and high water absorbency. The production process for a water-absorbent resin powder, according to the present invention, comprises the step of obtaining water-absorbent crosslinked polymer particles by an aqueous solution polymerization step, and grinding the resultant crosslinked polymer particles until the bulk density thereof increases to not lower than 0.72 (g/ml). The water-absorbent resin powder is characterized by being arbitrarily pulverized and having a bulk density of not lower than 0.74 (g/ml) and a water absorption capacity of not lower than 20 (g/g) for 0.9 weight % physiological saline under a load of 0.7 psi (4.83 kPa). In addition, the absorbent structure comprises the above water-absorbent resin powder and a fibrous material. The absorbent article comprises an absorbent layer including the above absorbent structure.

Abstract: In a toner production process having at least a kneading step, a pulverization step using a mechanical grinding machine, and a classification step, the grinding means comprises a mechanical grinding machine having at least a rotor which is a rotator attached to the center rotating shaft and a stator which is provided around the rotor, keeping a constant gap between the stator and the rotor surface, the grinding machine being so constructed that a circular space formed by keeping the gap stands airtight, and the surface of at least one of the rotor and the stator is coated by the plating of a chromium alloy containing at least chromium carbide.

Abstract: A process for recovering thermoplastic polymer particles from an expanded thermoplastic polymer material includes grinding the expanded thermoplastic polymer material in a grinding chamber under elevated temperature while feeding ionized gas through the grinding chamber during the grinding. An apparatus for recovering the thermoplastic polymer particles from the expanded thermoplastic polymer material includes a grinding chamber into which the expanded thermoplastic polymer material is introduced, the grinding chamber having grinding components therein, one or more inlet passages at a bottom potion of the grinding chamber for entry of ionized gas, and optionally also for entry of hot gas, and one or more outlet passages at a top portion of the grinding chamber for exit of gases from the grinding chamber.

Abstract: Coarsely crushed toner particles comprising at least a binder resin and a colorant are effectively pulverized by a mechanical pulverizer including a generally cylindrical rotor rotating about an axis and a stator surrounding the rotor with a minute gap from the rotor. Each of the outer wall of the rotor and the inner wall of the stator is provided with a plurality of grooves which extend generally in parallel with the rotation axis of the rotor and are formed of a wave-shaped plurality of projections and intervening recesses. Each recess on at least one of the rotor and the stator is provided with a flat-shaped bottom between a forward corner and a rear corner adjacent a forward slope and a rear slope respectively, with respect to the rotation direction.

Abstract: Process for production of three-dimensional objects by stereolithography in which a laser hardens particular areas of constantly succeeding layers of resin fluid. Prior to or during laser light action, the particles, which define physical or mechanical qualities of the object-to-be-produced, will be added into, and/or alternatively, will be produced within the resin fluid, leading to a resin-fluid-particle-mixture. The particles are integrated into the resin and/or compound with resin and/or other particles by means of laser light action or ultrasonic mixing.

Abstract: A process for cleaning plastic materials is disclosed, in which foreign materials adhered on and internally intruded into the plastic materials are cleaned to recycle the plastic materials. The process for cleaning plastics to recycle them according to the present invention includes the following steps. (1) A first cleaning is carried out on roughly crushed plastics of a size of 2-3 cm by using a solvent within a dumbler. (2) The solvent is discharged out of the dumbler after the first cleaning. (3) A second cleaning is carried out on the plastics by using a solvent within the dumbler after the first cleaning. (4) The solvent is discharged out of the dumbler after the second cleaning. (5) The plastics are dried after the second cleaning by injecting a heated nitrogen gas into the dumbler. (6) The nitrogen gas is discharged out of the dumbler under a reduced pressure, whereby contamination materials adhered on surfaces and internally intruded are cleaned.