Tags for the sorting of plastics
AssigneeEmpire Technology Development LLC
InventorKwangyeol Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems for identifying and sorting of different plastics rely on the differences in the surface polarity of the various plastics. A marking system may be used which provides markers that adhere specifically to only one type of plastic, and the adhering markers may then allow for a positive identification of the plastic. This type of system may be used for the identification and separation of polylactic acid plastics from various other plastics.
Claims28
A method for distinguishing at least one first plastic material from at least one second plastic material, the method comprising:
- providing at least one marker having a greater affinity for adherence to the first plastic material than to the second plastic material;
- contacting the first plastic material and the second plastic material with the marker;
- and
- adhering the marker to substantially only the first plastic material and not the second plastic material.
A method for sorting at least one first plastic material from at least one second plastic material in a mixture of plastic materials, the method comprising:
- providing at least one marker having a greater affinity for adherence to the first plastic material than to the second plastic material;
- contacting the first plastic material and second plastic material with at least one marker;
- adhering at least one marker to substantially only the first plastic material and not to the second plastic material;
- and
- separating the first plastic material having at least one adhered marker from the mixture.
A marker for distinguishing plastic materials of different polymeric compositions, the marker having a strong affinity for adherence to at least one first polymeric composition and a weak affinity for adherence to at least one second polymeric composition.
A method for applying a marker to at least one first plastic material of a mixture of plastic materials, wherein:
- the mixture of plastic materials comprises the at least one first plastic material and at least one second plastic material;
- the marker has a strong affinity for adherence to substantially only the first plastic material and a weak affinity for adherence to the second plastic material, and
- the method comprises:
- contacting the first and second plastic materials and at least one marker;
- and
- adhering the at least one marker to substantially only the first plastic material and not to the second plastic material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.