Abstract: A truck mounted mobile paper shredder with high shredding rate incorporates a hammer mill, with a sweeping arm in a tub feeding the mill. A lifting arm lifts paper containers to an inverted position over the tub to feed paper into the tub. The hammer mill, with striking angle less than 30.degree. feeds paper into a compactor with reciprocating plunger. Compacted shredded paper passes through a movable wall into a storage area having an unloading gate. Movement of the movable wall forces compacted shredded paper out of the unloading gate.

Abstract: Process and system for reclaiming polymeric fibers (e.g., nylon) from post-consumer carpeting includes shredding the post-consumer carpeting into strips, dismantling the carpet strips to form a mixture of the fibers to be reclaimed and the backing material to be discarded, and then separating a substantial portion of the fibers from the backing material. Preferably, the carpet strips are dismantled by impacting the strips of carpeting against an anvil structure with hammer elements using, e.g., a hammermill. A secondary reclamation system is provided whereby the separated backing material which may contain some fibers bound thereto is subjected to secondary dismantling and separation operations. The fractions obtained from the primary and secondary separation operations containing predominantly the polymeric fibers may thus be combined so as to form a process discharge stream which can be pelletized and/or baled as desired.

Abstract: Provided are methods of dry recovering useable fiber from paper making sludge. In the methods, paper making sludge is dewatered and dried. The dewatered and dried sludge is then fiberized using a dry fiberizing machine into a fibrous material consisting of fibers and other material including fiber fines, clay, filler material and the like. The fibers in the fibrous material are then separated out in a sifting process. The separated fibers are then ready for use in paper making without further processing. The fiber fines and filler material separated from the fibers is also collected and can be used as filler material in other composite material applications.

Abstract: For preparing plastic waste composed of different plastics, possibly combined with other materials, for further processing, for example, as additives for construction. A method of the invention comminutes the waste, metals are separated out, the plastic waste is agglomerated, and the agglomerated waste is comminuted further. A device according to the invention for performing the method uses comminution devices, metal separators, and at least one agglomerator. The entire device is completely mobile and equipped with its own power supply.

Abstract: Refuse containing stretched plastic is collected at each of a plurality of collection locations and is there comminuted and, before or after this comminution, is heated to a relaxation temperature of at least a portion of the stretched plastic thereby embrittling and reducing the volume of this portion. Then batches of the thus comminuted and at least partially embrittled and volume-reduced refuse are transported to a single treatment location. Here the batches of preprocessed refuse are mixed with each other and if desired with unprocessed refuse, and the mixture is sorted and comminuted again.

Abstract: A method of making and using a compostable paperboard container and package for liquids which is coated with a polymeric material capable of degrading under composting conditions and subsequently in the presence of light to form carbon dioxide, water, and biomass.

Abstract: A waste comminutor includes two cutting assemblies which include alternating cutter and spacer elements. The two cutting assemblies are intermeshed together so that portions of the cutter elements of each cutting assembly overlap. Surface interruptions, in the form of depressions, recesses or the like are located in the overlapping portions of the cutter elements and define waste particle receiving pockets having a shearing surface against which waste particles may be further comminuted.

Abstract: A system for separating and packaging carpet forming fibrous material and backing material from carpet pieces for recycling. The system comprises a shredding apparatus for separating carpet pieces into substantially even sized small pieces of between two inches by two inches and four inches by four inches. These pieces are passed to a granulating apparatus which slices them into smaller pieces of between one-quarter inch and one-half inch which causes the fibrous material and backing material to begin to separate. A surge apparatus receives the partially separated materials and delivers them in an even manner to an elutriator. The elutriator using an upper air delivery system for carrying off the fibrous material and a lower air delivery system for carrying off the backing material delivers the separated materials to storage apparatus which readies the separated materials for recycling.

Abstract: Manganese dry cells sorted out of used-up dry cells are crushed and sieved to obtain a mixture composed predominantly of anodic substances, which is in turn used for ferrite production. The invention is preferable for a saving of resources and preservation of the environment, and enables ferrites on a practical-enough level to be obtained.

Abstract: A method for comminuting material (which in one example may be a plastic or non-plastic material) contained within a plasticized matrix with a machine comprising a mechanism for comminuting said non plasticized matrix and dispersing the material throughout the matrix. The mechanism has at least two separate stages (each stage preferably including stationary plates and non-stationary plates), which cooperate to shear the material and to distribute, disperse and comminute the material into finely comminuted material distributed and dispersed throughout the plasticized material. The finely comminuted material is substantially distributed throughout the plasticized matrix and is so small and so dispersed throughout the plastic so as not to degrade unduly any use to which the plasticized matrix when solidified may be put to or any further process being carried out with respect to the plastic matrix.

Abstract: The solid waste processing device has an infeed plate with an infeed aperture to receive material into the processing device and has a knife with a knife hole. The knife abuts the infeed plate in sliding engagement and slides between a first position which the knife hole aligns with or overlaps the infeed aperture and a second position in which the knife hole is offset from the infeed aperture. With the knife hole aligned with the infeed aperture, material is fed into the infeed aperture and the knife hole. As the knife slides relative to the infeed plate and moves the knife hole out of alignment with the infeed aperture, the material that extends into the knife hole is shorn off.

Abstract: The shredding apparatus comprises a shredder housing with an inlet having a flow regulator that feeds insulation into the housing at a selected rate. A blade assembly is positioned within the housing adjacent the inlet. The blade assembly rotates about an axis designating an insulation flow direction. The blade assembly has a plurality of knife blades that are arranged in a helix about the axis, and are operable to catch insulation fed from the flow regulator. A stator positioned adjacent the blade assembly obstructs the insulation caught on the blade assembly such that the blade assembly shreds the insulation. The blade assembly urges the shredded insulation to an auger positioned coaxially with the blade assembly that discharges the shredded insulation from the housing.

Abstract: A treatment system for the safe disposal and containment of lead base painted wood comprising a mobile chipper arranged in a housing with an articulable conduit arranged to direct the chips to a container and further to a filtration unit. The chipper unit generates its own vacuum to pressurize the chips down the conduit and keep hazardous debris from escaping into the envirinment.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for treating household refuse are disclosed. Household refuse or garbage is comminuted, dried and mixed with granular mineral substance, preferably sand, at a temperature of up to 1000.degree. C. and the mixture is homogenized and degassed by the contact of the refuse with the hot sand until the garbage and refuse has been reduced in volume to a desired degree.

Abstract: Method for disaggregating closed glass members containing pollutants, such as picture tubes or gas discharge tubes, into recyclable constituents, whereby the glass members are separated according to glass types, such as front and cone glass of picture tubes and glass of gas discharge tubes, and into other constituents, particularly metallic and ceramic constituents, and the materials that represent pollutants for the purpose of a recycling are disposed of, whereby complete glass members are disaggregated into palm-sized pieces, in that, subsequently, at least that part of the pollutants released and/or disassociated upon disaggregation of the glass members is separated from the glass fragments and from the remaining parts, and in that the steps of separating magnetic metals, of separating non-magnetic metals, of sorting opaque materials such as ceramic, pottery, stone and/or porcelain parts out, and of separating the various glass types are implemented in corresponding separating means.

Abstract: A mobile crushing plant is described which was developed for processing concrete or masonry waste and includes a trailer with a primary crusher mounted on the trailer. The crusher has an inlet and an outlet. A screening assembly is mounted on the trailer. The screening assembly has a screen disposed at an angle such that pieces of waste material too large to pass through the screen roll down the angled screen to a drop off area. A first conveyor extends from the outlet of the primary crusher to above the screen, whereby crushed pieces of waste material exiting through the outlet of the primary crusher are conveyed to the screen. A second conveyor extends from the drop off area adjacent the screen to the inlet of the primary crusher, whereby pieces of waste material too large to pass through the screen are reprocessed through the primary crusher.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the cleaning of plastic flakes to be recycled. Water is added to the plastic flakes and high shear agitator is provided so that dirt, paper and other contamination are removed from the surface of the plastic flakes. The contaminant containing water is then separated from the cleaned plastic flakes. Batch and continuous embodiments of the present invention are disclosed.

Abstract: An ASR separation and recycling system which permits the separation of ASR into many constituent components for recycling or reuse. Among the products recovered are steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, other non-ferrous metals, fine magnetic fraction (iron oxide product), clean grit, polyurethane foam, various plastics, fibers and rubber. The ASR separation and recycling system comprises four major components. The first is initial size and separation of ASR into three separate fractions. The second component comprises a grit processing subsystem. The third component is a rubber and plastics recovery subsystem and the fourth component is a polyurethane foam separation and cleaning subsystem.

Abstract: Usage application of a per se known in the art continuous-operation machine or the recycling of gypsum plaster board. A coarsely pre-pulverized material is introduced into a continuous-operation machine and, within the continuous-operation machine, the waste material 20 is guided along a product-cycle in a spiral-shaped fashion through the container 4 The tools 18, 18', 18", 18'", which are arranged along an axial length on the shaft 7, rotate in a Froude number region Fr.gtoreq.7 and break-up the pre-pulverized waste material 20 to a sufficient extent that a grain spectrum is produced which effectively facilitates the use of calcination devices.

Abstract: A waste disposal system includes a stock yard for storing waste articles, a pre-treatment apparatus for separating a metal bulk from each waste article fed from the stock yard, a cryogenic crushing apparatus for crushing the separated metal bulk, and a crushing apparatus for crushing the portion of the waste article other than the metal bulk. The system further includes a light-weight article separating apparatus for separating the crushed waste from said crushing apparatus into foamed material and other wastes, and a foaming agent collecting apparatus which separates the foamed material into solid plastics and gaseous foaming agent and then cools and liquefies the gaseous foaming agent.

Abstract: An unloading facility for receiving a particulate material, such as coal, from a vehicle, and then conveying the particulate material to another location. The unloading facility primarily includes a platform assembly for supporting the vehicle, a bin for receiving the particulate material from the vehicle located beneath the top surface of the platform assembly, a bin door and bumper assembly for covering the open upper end of the bin to permit the vehicle to be driving over the bin and for preventing the vehicle from rolling backwards into the bin, a product sampling assembly, a product analyzer, and a conveying system with divider gates for transporting the particulate material from the bin to one of a plurality of stockpiles based on information obtained regarding the particular material. The platform assembly includes a scale for supporting and weighing the vehicle adjacent the forward and rearward ends of the bin so that the weight of the particulate material can be determined without moving the vehicle.

Abstract: A process for recovering the cellulose flock component of used disposable sanitary non-woven cellulose articles, especially diapers having also a plastics component and a superabsorbent polymer component, comprising: separating the cellulose flock component from the plastics component; disintegrating the cellulose flock component in water into cellulose fibers and separating them from the water containing the superabsorbent polymer component and other waste, by selectively collecting the cellulose fibers onto a rough surface; disposing the water, effluent and separately compacting the separated cellulose fibers and the separated plastics component prior to their discharge. The invention also provides an apparatus for carrying out the process.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separation, recovery, and recycling municipal solid waste and the like by introducing solid waste materials into a rotatable pressure vessel, rotating, pressurizing, adding pH controlling chemicals and heating the pressure vessel and thus the waste material while simultaneously applying a mixing action to the solid waste material. The addition of a predetermined amount of pH controlling chemicals and the application of a vacuum serve to control the moisture content of the final fine organic portion of the processed material. Organic contents of the vessel are pulped and sterilized when processed to facilitate ease of separation and prepare the resulting cellulose material for use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing material, such as trash, refuse, garbage and the like, to a specified size of particles. The apparatus is directed to a single comminuting chamber means as well as to a combination of first and second comminuting chamber means. The first comminuting chamber means includes in the lower portion of said chamber means a flow passage means of varying volume through which the particles pass thereby preventing wedging or packing of the particles in the first comminuting chamber means during the comminution of the material therein. The second comminuting chamber means includes a screenless hammer mill means having holding bars or means for holding pieces of material that exceed a predetermined length until said pieces are reduced to a length equal to or less than said predetermined length.

Abstract: A method of recovering individual material components such as metal, plastic and, where applicable, paper or cardboard, from waste of laminated packaging material comprising layers of metal, plastic and possibly paper or cardboard. The layers of metal and plastic are separated from each other and from the possibly present paper or cardboard layer by treating the waste with an organic acid or a mixture of organic acids selected from among formic acid, acetic acid, propanoic acid, butyric acid and similar volatile organic acids, preferably acetic acid alone.

Abstract: Method for disposing of absorbent material impregnated with waste. The capillary retention capability of the absorbent material impregnated with waste is destroyed, thereby releasing the waste retained in the material. The absorbent material and released waste form a mixture for disposal at a boiler, industrial furnace or incinerator.

Abstract: A bag opener for opening bags containing recyclable materials includes a source of heat sufficient to melt the bags and an assembly that brings the bags into the vicinity of the source of heat to open the bags. In a preferred embodiment the source of heat includes a heated member and the assembly brings the bags into contact with the heated member to open the bags.

Abstract: A method of treating plasterboard production scrap wherein the pieces of the plasterboard scrap having the plaster attached to paper components, is passed through an apparatus which comprises a cylindrical housing in which radial arms carry ploughshares riding along the wall of the vessel and cutting heads are provided between the paths of the ploughshares. The apparatus so reduces the pieces that a homogeneous mixture of fibers of the paper components and granular gypsum is formed. This product mixed with raw gypsum provides a calcinable mixture which can be calcined for use in producing additional plasterboard.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a landfill and sludge processing system. The landfill system comprises a first facility for disposing sludge with waste in a landfill, a second facility for forming a compost pile of yard waste mixed with sludge, a third facility for pelletizing sludge for ultimate use as a fuel, and a fourth facility for processing sludge for use in land enhancement applications. Preferably, there is a generator facility for producing energy from the pelletized sludge. The present invention is also comprised of a method for operating a landfill system. As shown in flow chart form in FIG. 6 , the method includes the steps of transporting sludge to the landfill system disposing a first portion of the sludge with waste in a landfill, disposing a second portion of the sludge with yard waste to form a compost pile, forming a third portion of the sludge into pellets for ultimate use as a fuel and processing a fourth portion of the sludge for land enhancement applications.

Abstract: A process for exploiting plastic wastes arising in the production or further processing or after use of the plastic, by, in a sewage treatment plant, comminuting the plastic wastes then mixing them with a sewage sludge to which organic flocculants are added with or without the addition of further amounts of finely divided coal and/or ash, if appropriate, modifying the surface properties of the plastic with binders in such a way that it binds better into the sludge, filtering the pretreated sludge mixture, where the plastic can assume the properties of a filtration aid, i.e. the filtering residue is reduced, incinerating the resulting filter cake, where the plastic assumes the function of an additional energy source and depositing the ash for example in a sanitary landfill or exploiting it.

Abstract: Separation of a mixture of plastic materials by separating the plastic mixture according to particle size, and introducing plastic of similar size particles into a vertical fluidized bed column having an upwardly flowing gaseous stream therein. The flow rate of the gaseous stream is controlled to provide a relatively low density fraction of the plastic mixture exiting at the upper end of the column, and a relatively high density fraction of the plastic mixture exiting at the lower end of the column. In one embodiment, electrostatic charges are induced on the particles of the plastic mixture prior to introducing the plastic of similar size particles into the column, and the column is charged to attract thereto the plastic particles having the highest electrostatic charge.

Abstract: A motor truck for use in collecting and processing solid waste material such as scrap tires. The truck includes a chassis including a cab; a body structure positioned on the chassis behind the cab and defining a storage chamber; a shredder mounted on top of the body structure forwardly of the storage chamber; a compactor positioned within the body structure beneath the shredder and forwardly of the storage chamber; and a conveyor system for conveying tires from a curbside location upwardly for discharge downwardly into the open upper end of the shredder. The shredded tires are discharged downwardly into the body structure rearwardly of the compactor, whereafter the compactor is actuated to stroke rearwardly and compress the tire shreds into the storage chamber.

Abstract: A refuse disposal and recycling apparatus for use with a high rise building having a refuse chute, the apparatus including a carousel holding a plurality of refuse bins thereon, including a deposit position directly beneath the open, lower end of the chute, the carousel including a top plate on which the bins are positioned; a rotatable drive assembly for rotatably driving the carousel; an input conveyor for conveying empty refuse bins, onto the carousel; an output conveyor for conveying filled refuse bins from the carousel; a bin level sensor for sensing when a bin is filled to a predetermined level; a timer for setting predetermined time periods; a rotational position sensor for determining a position of the carousel; a control circuit for controlling the rotatable drive to rotate the carousel so as to move an empty bin to the deposit position at the predetermined time periods and when a bin at the deposit position is filled to the predetermined level; and a deflection wall positioned above the top plate fo

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating paper fiber from mixed waste materials which contain one or more sources of paper fiber in order to obtain substantially pure paper fiber which can be recycled to high grade end uses is disclosed. In addition, the process and apparatus separates plastic with or without metal in order to obtain substantially pure plastic which can be recycled to high grade end uses.

Abstract: There is disclosed the sterilization of infectious hospital waste to generating a residue which is suitable for disposal. The invention comprises a first step of digestion at elevated temperatures and under highly alkaline condition for one to three hours. This step is combined with the necessary comminution, e.g., grinding, pulverizing and the like, to ensure substantially complete liquefaction of the wastes. The liquid reaction products from the first step are neutralized to a slightly alkaline pH, e.g., 7.5-9.5, and the waste is then subjected to enzymatic digestion with a suitable proteolytic enzyme for a short period of time. Preferably this proteinase treatment is combined with further comminution to further reduce any oversized particles that may remain in the waste following the first treatment. The enzymatic treatment is continued for a period from 30 to 90 minutes at temperatures most suitable for the selected enzyme and results in substantially complete hydrolysis of the proteins in the waste.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste material, particularly organic catering waste, includes a hopper having an outlet at a bottom part thereof; a comminuting device adjoining the hopper for receiving waste material from the hopper; a chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion; and a raising device having an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the raising device opens into the hopper above the hopper outlet and into the upper portion of the chamber, whereby waste material lifted by the raising device is discharged in part into the hopper and in part into the upper portion of the chamber. The apparatus further has a supply device situated below an outlet of the comminuting device and in the lower portion of the chamber. The supply device advances waste material from an outlet of the comminuting device and from the lower portion of the chamber to the inlet of the raising device.

Abstract: A process for preparing a building material from waste material. The waste material is ground and then mixed with an epoxy resin. The mixture of the ground waste material and the epoxy resin is then mixed with a silica material.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing to particles scrap rubber, consisting of an inclined pre-cooling tunnel (11) comprising a conveying means (27) and adapted to be charged via a feed shaft (13), a main cooling tunnel (12) filled, at least in part, with a cooling medium (38) and provided with a conveyor means (41) and a size reduction device (46) downstream of the main cooling tunnel (12). The main cooling tunnel (12) and the pre-cooling tunnel (11) are interlinked via at least one gasification pipe (48) conveying a cooling medium.

Abstract: A trash bag opener and removal apparatus has a feed conveyor, a housing assembly and a discharge conveyor for opening and removing plastic and paper bags filled with material and discharging the material at a chute end of the discharge conveyor. The bags are routed by the feed conveyor into the housing assembly, which has a separate input conveyor, a slicer assembly, a slitter assembly, a bag stripper assembly and first and second paddle wheels. The input conveyor is located proximate to the feed conveyor and travels faster than the feed conveyor to upset the bags and ensure that the bag bottoms are exposed for the slicer assembly. The slicer assembly has a rotating, cylindrical drum with three serrated blades along its length and oscillates to tear the bags open. The paddle wheels retard and assist in moving the bags and refuse from the slicer assembly to the slitter assembly, which has rotating notched disk blades to rip the bags open, and then to the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: Used foils made of polyethylene are shredded and, in a solvent bath containing an organic solvent, subjected under intensive motion, for example through mechanical stirring, to a frictional surface cleaning, and simultaneously to an extraction without dissolving the plastic material. By the extraction, ingredients added to the foils and PE waxes are separated from the shreds, and the printing inks are removed especially through the frictional surface cleaning.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening plastic bags containing recyclable materials includes a feed conveyor for transporting the plastic bags from a receiving area to a sorting area, and a plurality of bag opener units positioned along the feed conveyor. Each of the bag opener units includes a flexible line connected to a rotating head. Free ends of the whirling lines shred and open the plastic bags as they are rotated by the rotating heads and as the plastic bags are transported along the feed conveyor.

Abstract: Used automotive type oil filters are provided in drums to a tipper which operates to deposit the filters therefrom into a feed hopper. An input feed conveyor receives the filters from the hopper and conveys the filters to a coarse shredder. Shredded pieces are deposited from the coarse shredder onto a conveyor which deposits the pieces into a fine shredder from which the shredded pieces exit onto either another conveyor for transport to a hammer mill shredder or to a washer input conveyor for transport into a washing drum. A magnetic separator may be disposed between the hammer mill shredder and washing drum to separate out ferrous materials for transport to the drum. Oil that drips and seeps from the shredders, hopper and conveyors is collected in wells and conducted therefrom through filters and under pump action to a waste oil storage tank.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separation, recovery, and recycling municipal solid waste and the like by introducing solid waste materials into a pressure vessel having a rotatable section. The vessel is disposed for subjecting the waste material to heat and pressure while simultaneously applying an extruding action to the solid waste material. The extruding action is achieved by a rotatable extruder mechanism carried in the pressure vessel and rotated in response to the rotating section thereof. The rotation forces the processed solid waste material through a pair of constricted areas before the waste material is expelled from the pressure vessel by rotation of the extruder mechanism.

Abstract: Described are a process and device for recycling articles containing metals or metal vapors, in particular mercury-vapor lamps. The articles are fed into a container containing a liquid which converts the metal or metal vapor into harmless compounds, in particular sulphides. In the container, the articles are pushed into the liquid and then destroyed under the liquid, releasing the metal or metal vapor, the liquid acting as a protective layer and ensuring that the metal or metal vapor is trapped immediately is released. The container is emptied at intervals diately it is released. The container is emptied at intervals and the contents transferred to a central processing plant.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the decontamination of waste in a reaction chamber is provided. The control system monitors the chamber temperature and disinfectant concentration. Using the disinfectant concentration, the control system then calculates the minimum temperature required to maintain a specified level of decontamination. This minimum temperature is then compared to the actual temperature by the control system. If the actual temperature is below the minimum, the control system operates a heater to heat the reaction chamber. Additional temperature control can also be provided by the control system. If desired, the control system compares the actual chamber temperature to an ideal operating temperature. If the actual temperature exceeds the ideal temperature, the system cools the chamber by pumping in additional low temperature disinfectant. In this manner, the additional disinfectant maintains the level of decontamination as the chamber temperature decreases.

Abstract: A separator for separator a paper ply from a polymer or other ply of heterogeneous, multi-ply packaging materials subjects the packaging materials to high pressure liquid delivered from a plurality of rotating nozzles. The packaging material is delivered into the chamber from a pre-wetting or soaking station. The nozzles in the chamber separate the paper from the polymer and reduces the paper to fibers. The polymer is skimmed off the top of the chamber in which the material is treated. The water and pulp are delivered to a settling tank where the paper fibers settle and water is removed. The remaining liquid and the paper fibers are delivered to a centrifugal screw where the remaining water is removed from the paper.

Abstract: Method for treating an incinerated waste material feedstock to obtain a "free-from-ash" ferrous metal product and/or a "metal-free" ash product are disclosed which provide for early separation of the initial feedstock into a predominately ash stream and predominately ferrous metal stream by stepped separation based on size of the material at different stages of the process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing solid or semi-solid waste materials with one or more additives to produce a solid nonpolluting end product is disclosed. A receiving hopper equipped with paddle-type chopping auger conveyors receives the solid or semi-solid waste material, reduces the size of lumps contained in the waste material and discharges the material into a batch hopper. The batch hopper is equipped with a weighing mechanism to determine the amount of waste material loaded into the batch hopper and thereby enable the calculation of the appropriate amount of additive(s). The mixture of waste materials and additive(s) is then transferred to a pin blender for homogenization. The homogenized mixture may then be hauled or pumped to a final disposal site.

Abstract: Medical waste products including plastic and non-plastic elements are placed in a metal container which includes a raised insert element for supporting the waste above the bottom of the container. The container and used medical waste products are subjected to dry heat treatment at temperatures below the waste material flash points but of sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to melt the plastic elements as well as to sterilize the contents. During the heating process the metal, rubber and other non-plastic elements remain on the raised insert; whereas, the molten plastic flows through or over the side of the insert to the bottom of the container. Upon cooling the plastic and non-plastic components of the medical waste products are separated as well as being sterile such that the container can be opened and the contents separately handled for appropriate recycling.

Abstract: A continuous method for shredding waste material, particularly medical waste material, includes continuously loading the waste material into a hopper; passing the waste material into a continuously running primary shredder; initially shredding the waste material in the primary shredder; passing the initially shredded material into a continuously conveying screw conveyor wherein the initially shredded material is mixed together; conveying the mixed material into a continuously running high speed shredder for further shredding; passing the further shredded material into a turbo blender for additionally reducing the particle size of the shredded material; removing the shredded material by conveyor to a discharging area, and discharging the shredded waste material to a receptacle.