Separation of floor covering components for recycling
AssigneeInterface, Inc.
InventorRaymond A. Berard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to methods for processing floor coverings (100), such as carpet and/or carpet tile, having at least one layer containing a polyurethane (104), such that at least this polyurethane—containing layer (104) can be recycled and reused. The method involves contacting the floor covering (100) with an organic polyol (110) and heating (120) it, so that the polyurethane—containing layer (104) softens and/or partially liquefies, but can be resolidified by contact with additional polyisocyanate (140).
Claims14
A method for processing a floor covering comprising a facecloth layer, a backing layer, and optionally an adhesive or precoat layer, wherein the floor covering comprises at least one layer containing a polyurethane formed by reacting a polyisocyanate and a first organic polyol, which comprises:
- contacting the floor covering with a second organic polyol_by disposing said second organic polyol onto the facecloth layer of the floor covering,
- heating the floor covering and second organic polyol by increasing the temperature of the floor covering and second organic polyol sufficiently to at least partially liquefy the polyurethane;
- and
- separating the facecloth layer from the backing layer by pulling said facecloth away from said backing layer.
A method for processing a floor covering comprising a facecloth layer, a backing layer, and optionally an adhesive or precoat layer, wherein the floor covering comprises at least one layer containing a polyurethane formed by reacting a polyisocyanate and a first organic polyol, which comprises:
- contacting the floor covering with a second organic polyol;
- heating the floor covering and second organic polyol;
- separating the facecloth layer from the backing layer;
- and
- reconstituting the backing layer by contacting it with additional polyisocyanate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.