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US 12,728,448 B2Granted
Removing vulcanized rubber from metal components
AssigneeCan Cleantech
InventorsBrian H. Harrison, Hurdon A. Hooper, Matthew Ness, Alex Kyle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Vulcanized rubber can be removed from a metal component such as a pipe by exposing the vulcanized rubber to a swelling agent. The vulcanized rubber absorbs the swelling agent, causing the rubber to swell and put stress on the bond between the rubber and metal. After a sufficient period of time, the vulcanized rubber can be easily removed from the metal component.
Claims15
A method for removing vulcanized rubber from an interior of a pipe comprising:
- sealing at least a first end of a pipe having vulcanized rubber on an interior surface thereof;
- at least partially filling the pipe with a swelling agent;
- exposing the vulcanized rubber on the interior surface of the pipe to the swelling agent for a period of time sufficient to cause the vulcanized rubber to absorb the swelling agent at a swelling ratio of between 1.5 and 3 in order to swell the rubber and stress a bond between the vulcanized rubber and the interior surface of the pipe;
- removing the swelling agent from the pipe after the period of time has elapsed;
- and
- stripping the vulcanized rubber from the interior surface of the pipe.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.