US 8,147,650 B2 · Method and apparatus for manufacturing a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials

Abstract

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials. The method includes blending cellulose particles and polymeric fibers into a cellulose and polymeric fiber blend. The blend is heated to a temperature at which the polymeric fibers begin to melt and to bond with the cellulose particles, so as to form a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials. An apparatus for the method includes a first conveying means, a second conveying means, a blending means and a heating means. The apparatus further include a primary shredder and a secondary shredder for shredding the cellulose material, typically recycled newsprint, prior to mixing with the polymeric fibrous material. A shredder is also described.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of manufacturing a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials, the method comprising:

shredding recycled newsprint into smaller particles to form cellulose particles with an average particle size of no greater than 30 mm in diameter;
separating dust from the cellulose particles;
treating the cellulose particles by using a hydrophobic chemical;
providing a polymeric fibrous material including polymeric fibers, wherein the average length of the polymeric fibers is at least 51 mm;
blending the cellulose particles and the polymeric fibers into a cellulose and polymeric fiber blend;
and,
heating the cellulose and polymeric fiber blend to a temperature at which the polymeric fibers begin to melt and to bond with the cellulose particles so as to form a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials, wherein the product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials is capable of absorbing oil at least 15 times the weight of the product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for manufacturing a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for manufacturing a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14