US 12,179,217 B2 · System and method for creating and collecting magnetic microplastics

Abstract

A system and method for creating and collecting magnetic microplastics effectively combines magnetic material with plastics during their manufacture, thereby producing microplastics that can be easily collected via removal devices equipped with magnetic components. Magnetic particles are mixed with plastic/rubber resins during manufacturing of tires, roofing materials, and other plastic items. The magnetic particles can be made from natural or artificial magnets. After mixing, the partially-magnetic rubber/plastic result can be applied to areas of the manufactured plastic item that have the highest propensity to degrade into microplastic pollutants. For example, the thread of a tire, where friction with the road causes most of the wear, is an optimal location for integration of magnetic particles. When the plastics break down into microplastics, the microplastics can then be collected with magnets. The collected microplastics can then be removed from the magnetic collectors during routine maintenance and subsequently recycled safely.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method for creating and collecting magnetic microplastics, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing at least one magnetic particle collector, a quantity of magnetic particles, a quantity of polymeric particles, and a waste receptacle;
(B) producing a quantity of magnetic polymeric particles by mixing the quantity of magnetic particles into the quantity of polymeric particles;
(C) manufacturing the quantity of magnetic polymeric particles into at least one pollutant-generating portion of a consumer product;
(D) installing the at least one magnetic particle collector into at least one waste collection site, wherein the at least one waste collection site is a roof gutter, adjacent to a synthetic roof;
(E) capturing a quantity of magnetic polymeric waste with the at least one magnetic particle collector, wherein the quantity of magnetic polymeric waste was degraded off the at least one pollutant-generating portion, wherein the quantity of magnetic polymeric waste is degradation from the synthetic rooftop;
and
(F) disposing the quantity of magnetic polymeric waste from the at least one magnetic particle collector into the waste receptacle.

4 more elements

A method for creating and collecting magnetic microplastics, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing at least one magnetic particle collector, a quantity of magnetic particles, a quantity of polymeric particles, and a waste receptacle;
(B) producing a quantity of magnetic polymeric particles by mixing the quantity of magnetic particles into the quantity of polymeric particles;
(C) manufacturing the quantity of magnetic polymeric particles into at least one pollutant-generating portion of a consumer product;
(D) installing the at least one magnetic particle collector into at least one waste collection site, wherein at least one the waste collection site is selected from the group consisting of:
at least one inlet of a community drainage system, at least one outlet of the community drainage system, at least one location within the community drainage system, and combinations thereof;
(E) capturing a quantity of magnetic polymeric waste with the at least one magnetic particle collector, wherein the quantity of magnetic polymeric waste was degraded off at least one the pollutant-generating portion, and wherein the quantity of magnetic polymeric waste is degradation from an exterior layered paint job;
and
(F) disposing the quantity of magnetic polymeric waste from the at least one magnetic particle collector into the waste receptacle.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for creating and collecting magnetic microplastics

Life of this patent

System and method for creating and collecting magnetic microplastics

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11