Method for removing paint from plastic parts

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention relates to a method for removing paint from plastic parts coated with layers of paint.

#2. The Prior Art

#Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is to be understood, however, that the drawing is designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

#The single FIGURE shows a schematic representation of a device 1 for removing paint from plastic parts 2, which are represented only by way of example in the form of automotive bumpers. It is, of course, possible to remove the paint from any other painted plastic parts 2 with the help of device 1 as well.

#Referring now in detail to the drawing, the FIGURE shows the painted plastic components 2, which are first charged in a cutting mill 3 in which they are crushed by the cutting tools 4 into the plastic pieces 5, which have the size of a plastic bulk material. Cutting mill 3 comprises a screen 6 which permits only plastic pieces 5 having a defined maximum size to pass through said screen. Plastic components 2 are crushed by cutting tools 4 until plastic pieces 5 have reached a preset maximum size allowing them to pass through screen 6. Screen 6 is adjusted in such a way that plastic pieces 5 have a maximum size of from about 2 cm to 10 cm, so that they can be transported and processed with the help of known bulk material conveying and processing techniques. However, the size of the plastic pieces is not selected unnecessarily small for the purpose of keeping the total surface area of plastic pieces 5 as small as possible, which is advantageous for the further implementation of the method.

#The crushed, painted plastic pieces 5 are transported to and charged in a container 8 with the help of a transporting device 7, which is indicated in the FIGURE in the form of a conveyor belt. For optimizing the implementation of the method it is also possible to store plastic pieces 5 intermediately in order to allow cutting mill 3 to be operated as continuously as possible.

#As soon as container 8 has been adequately filled with plastic pieces 5, a conveyor screw 9 is put into rotation, conveying the material in an inclined upward direction. Conveyor screw 9 is installed in the area of a bottom 10 of container 8 and provides for continuous circulation of plastic pieces 5 in container 8. Bottom 10 of container 8 is set at an acute angle in relation to the horizontal. Plastic pieces 5 are circulated in this manner in a favorable way, so that all plastic pieces 5 pass a number of times through the range of action of the conveyor screw 8.