# US 10,119,204 B2 · Method for unweaving and realigning carbon fibers

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- Number: US 10,119,204 B2
- Document ID: US10119204B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/523,675
- Filed: 2015-10-30
- Published: 2017-11-02
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-10-31
- Assignees: Universite De Bordeaux; Institut Polytechnique De Bordeaux; Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique
- Applicants: Université De Bordeaux; Institut Polytechnique De Bordeaux; Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique
- Inventors: Olivier Mantaux; Arnaud Gillet; Matthieu Pedros
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119204B2

## CPC

- D01G 11/00: Disintegrating fibre-containing articles to obtain fibres for re-use
- D01G 5/00: Separating, e.g. sorting, fibres (separating fibres of differing lengths in silk-dressing machines D01G17/00; in combing machines D01G19/00)
- D10B 2101/12: Carbon; Pitch
- Y02W 30/66: Disintegrating fibre-containing textile articles to obtain fibres for re-use
- D01G: PRELIMINARY TREATMENT OF FIBRES, e.g. FOR SPINNING (winding or unwinding, conducting or guiding laps, webs, slivers or rovings in general, sliver or roving cans, depositing in sliver or roving cabs B65H; preparation of fibres for paper-making D21)
- D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT

## Abstract

Some embodiments are directed to a method and a device that allows fragile fibers, such as carbon fibers, for example, to be recycled so that they can be reused in a new form.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for unweaving and realigning carbon fibers, from offcuts of fabric having warp and weft yarns, the method comprising:
unweaving the fibers using combs including teeth;
realigning the fibers by successive contacts with at least two walls of a first alignment module, that includes at least two deflectors made up of planes that are inclined with respect to the vertical by a respective angle α and β such that 90°≤α≤0 and 90°≥β≥0, the alignment module having an opening in the lower part; and
shaping by a second module.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second module is given a translational movement.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, further including adding a thermoplastic.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the binder is a thermoplastic added at the same time as the fibers that are to be unwoven.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the binder is added at the outlet from the first alignment module.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the binder consists of thermoplastic fibers.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the binder consists of thermoplastic powder.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the binder is added at the inlet of the first alignment module.

### Claim 9 (depends on 3)

The method as claimed in claim 3, further including activating the polymer binder and of pressing.

### Claim 10

A device, comprising:
an unweaving tool that includes two grids, the two grids including a first grid, and a second grid;
a first alignment module arranged under the two grids; and
a second module positioned downstream of the first module;
wherein the first alignment module has at least two deflectors made up of planes that are inclined with respect to the vertical by a respective angle α and β such that 90°≤α≤0 and 90°≥β≥β0, the alignment module having an opening in the lower part.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second module includes an inclined tray made of a flexible material having two edges driven in a vertical oscillatory movement creating a rotary movement at the bottom of the tray.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second module includes a conveyor belt.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second module is followed by a rotary tube.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The device as claimed in claim 10, further including an activator for activating a binder positioned downstream of the second module.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first grid is produced with parallel rigid rods, and the second grid with parallel plates.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, further including adding a thermosetting polymer binder.