Methods for removing ink from polymeric substrates
AssigneeUnion Camp Patent Holding, Inc.
InventorsAjit K. Bose, Michael Hughes, Katherine C. Hlubik
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method for removing ink from a substrate containing at least one synthetic polymeric resin which comprises contacting the substrate with an aqueous solution of a glycol ether for a time sufficient, and under conditions effective, to remove the ink, wherein the glycol ether may be represented by Formula (I) R.sub.1 --O--R.sub.2 --OH (I) wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms. This invention also pertains to improved methods for preparing de-inked recycled substrates employing the aqueous solution of glycol ether.
Claims9
A method for preparing a de-inked recycled substrate comprising a thermoplastic resin which comprises the steps of:
- (a) providing a first substrate comprising a thermoplastic resin, wherein the first substrate has a first shape and bears ink on a portion of its surface;
- (b) removing the ink in step (a) by contacting the first substrate with an aqueous solution consisting essentially of a glycol ether for a time sufficient to remove the ink, wherein the glycol ether is represented by Formula (I)
- R.sub.1 --O--R.sub.2 --OH (I)
- wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms;
- (c) converting the de-inked first substrate in step (b) to a fluid substrate;
- and
- (d) casting the fluid substrate in step (c) into a second substrate having a second shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.