System and method for extracting recyclable material
AssigneeVirginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
InventorsRobert H. Sturges, Zheng Li, Liurui Li, Tairan Yang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for extracting recyclable material from an object. The system has a station for receiving the object, a station that prepares the object's cover for removal, a station that removes the cover from the object, a station that positions the object with the cover removed for loading, and a station that has one or more extraction devices configured to engage the object and remove the recyclable material therefrom and has one or more collection areas for receiving the removed recyclable material.
Claims19
A system for extracting recyclable material from an object, comprising:
- a first station for receiving at least one object, the at least one object having recyclable material received in a cover, and the cover being sealed;
- a second station in communication with the first station to receive the at least one object therefrom and configured to prepare the cover of the at least one object for removal therefrom;
- a third station in communication with the second station to receive the at least one object therefrom and configured to remove the cover from the at least one object;
- a fourth station in communication with the third station to receive the at least one object with the cover removed and configured to position the at least one object for loading;
- and
- a fifth station in communication with the fourth station to receive the at least one object therefrom, the fifth station including one or more extraction devices configured to engage the at least one object and remove the recyclable material therefrom and at least one collection area for receiving the removed recyclable material,
- wherein the object is one or more battery cells and the recyclable material is electrodes supported by at least one separator web, and
- wherein the fifth station includes at least one movable roller and at least one stationary roller for unfolding or unreeling the at least one separator web.
A system for extracting recyclable material from an object, comprising:
- a first station for receiving at least one object, the at least one object having recyclable material received in a cover, and the cover being sealed;
- a second station in communication with the first station to receive the at least one object therefrom and configured to prepare the cover of the at least one object for removal therefrom;
- a third station in communication with the second station to receive the at least one object therefrom and configured to remove the cover from the at least one object;
- a fourth station in communication with the third station to receive the at least one object with the cover removed and configured to position the at least one object for loading;
- and
- a fifth station in communication with the fourth station to receive the at least one object therefrom, the fifth station including one or more extraction devices configured to engage the at least one object and remove the recyclable material therefrom and at least one collection area for receiving the removed recyclable material,
- wherein the second station includes one or more trimming devices configured to trim sides of the cover of the at least one object,
- wherein the third station includes one or more grasping members configured to grasp opposite faces of the cover and remove the cover from the at least one object, and
- wherein the one or more trimming devices include first and second side blades extending from a front blade, each of the first and second side blades and the front blade being angled to have an angled cutting edge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.