Apparatus for recycling plastic

A plastic recycling apparatus and packaging system for melting and recycling a quantity of plastic material to produce a molten plastic material for application to a packaging container to seal the packaging container, the plastic recycling apparatus and packaging system comprising:

• a plastic melting device comprising:
• a housing having a housing interior configured to receive the quantity of plastic material;
• at least one heating element disposed in the housing, the at least one heating element being capable of melting the quantity of plastic material to provide a quantity of molten plastic material;
• and
• a distribution port operably connected to a removable stopper, the distribution port in fluid communication with the housing interior, the distribution port being configured to be selectively opened and closed by removal and replacement of the removable stopper, the distribution port being further configured to permit a sufficient amount of molten plastic material, to seal a packaging container, to exit the housing through the distribution port in response to opening of the distribution port;
• a conveyor belt configured for supporting and conveying the packaging container to be sealed;
• a plurality of sensors configured to monitor the location of the packaging container as the packaging container is conveyed through the apparatus on the conveyor belt;
• a plurality of mechanical positioning arms configured to stabilize or direct movement of the packaging container, and to work in combination with the conveyor belt to advance and position the packaging container being sealed by the apparatus, the plurality of mechanical positioning arms further comprising a first mechanical positioning arm constructed and arranged to position the packaging container beneath the distribution port to permit application of the sufficient quantity of molten plastic material from the distribution port to the packaging container to seal the packaging container;
• a mechanical roller arm configured to support and position at least one roller constructed and arranged to contact and roll over a sealed portion of the packaging container to ensure the packaging container is sealed by the sufficient quantity of molten plastic material applied thereto to seal the packaging container;
• a cooling means comprising an air machine capable of blowing cold air on the packaging container to cool the sufficient quantity of molten plastic material present on the packaging container to seal the packaging container;
• and
• a power source operably connected to the apparatus.