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US 8,192,586 B2Granted
Devices, systems, and methods for recycling plastic
AssigneeAgilyx Corporation
InventorsCraig W. Garrison, Kevin Clark DeWhitt, Lance Talley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems for recycling waste plastic can include cartridges that are selectively sealable. Some cartridges can have elongated receptacles that improve heat transfer to plastic feedstock within the cartridges.
Claims26
A system for recycling plastic, the system comprising:
- a loading means configured to introduce a plastic feedstock to be recycled into a sealable cartridge;
- a sealable cartridge comprising a body and a plurality of receptacles that are in fluid communication with the body and that extend away from the body, the cartridge further comprising an evacuation port through which gases can be removed from the cartridge when the cartridge is sealed, wherein the cartridge is configured to be selectively opened so as to receive a plastic feedstock therein;
- a heating plenum configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge therein so as to heat the contents of the cartridge, the heating plenum comprising a first fluid port via which heated fluid is delivered into the plenum and further comprising a sidewall, wherein the first fluid port is spaced from the sidewall of the plenum and is configured to direct heated fluid in an outward direction and into contact with the plurality of receptacles when the cartridge is received within the heating plenum;
- a heating means configured to deliver heated fluid to the heating plenum;
- a vacuum system configured to remove one or more gases from the cartridge;
- and
- a vapor treatment means for condensing one or more constituents from the one or more gases removed from the cartridge.
4 more elements
A method of recycling plastic, the method comprising:
- providing a cartridge that comprises a plurality of elongated receptacles;
- introducing a plastic feedstock into the cartridge;
- sealing the cartridge;
- applying heated fluid to an exterior of the elongated receptacles,
- wherein applying heated fluid to an exterior of the elongated receptacles converts at least a portion of the plastic feedstock into one or more gases;
- removing the one or more gases from the cartridge;
- and
- condensing one or more constituents from the one or more gases removed from the cartridge.
5 more elements
A method of recycling plastic, the method comprising:
- providing a first cartridge having a quantity of plastic feedstock therein;
- inserting the first cartridge into a heating plenum;
- applying heated fluid to an exterior of the first cartridge so as to convert the plastic feedstock into one or more gases;
- removing the one or more gases from the first cartridge while the first cartridge is in a sealed configuration;
- removing the first cartridge from the first heating plenum;
- providing a second cartridge having a quantity of plastic feedstock therein;
- and
- inserting the second cartridge into the heating plenum.
5 more elements
A system for recycling plastic, the system comprising:
- a loading means configured to introduce a plastic feedstock to be recycled into a cartridge;
- a cartridge comprising one or more elongated receptacles, wherein a sidewall of each receptacle is open at an upper end thereof so as to be able to receive plastic feedstock into the receptacle;
- a heating plenum configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge therein so as to heat the contents of the cartridge;
- a heating means configured to deliver heated fluid to the heating plenum;
- a vacuum system coupled with the cartridge so as to remove one or more gases from the cartridge that result from heating of the plastic feedstock;
- and
- a vapor treatment means for condensing one or more constituents from the one or more gases removed from the cartridge.
4 more elements
A method of recycling plastic, the method comprising:
- providing one or more elongated receptacles, wherein a sidewall of each receptacle is open at an upper end thereof so as to be able to receive plastic feedstock into the receptacle;
- inserting a plastic feedstock into the one or more elongated receptacles;
- applying heated fluid to an exterior of the one or more elongated receptacles;
- and
- allowing the plastic feedstock to melt within the one or more elongated receptacles.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.