The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 27, 1995
Randall A Sferrazza, Arden, NC (US);
Alan C Handermann, Asheville, NC (US);
Cecil H Atwell, Brevard, NC (US);
David K Yamamoto, Paris, CA;
BASF Corportion, Mt. Olive, NJ (US);
Shred-Tech Limited, Cambridge, CA;
Abstract
Process and system for reclaiming polymeric fibers (e.g., nylon) from post-consumer carpeting includes shredding the post-consumer carpeting into strips, dismantling the carpet strips to form a mixture of the fibers to be reclaimed and the backing material to be discarded, and then separating a substantial portion of the fibers from the backing material. Preferably, the carpet strips are dismantled by impacting the strips of carpeting against an anvil structure with hammer elements using, e.g., a hammermill. A secondary reclamation system is provided whereby the separated backing material which may contain some fibers bound thereto is subjected to secondary dismantling and separation operations. The fractions obtained from the primary and secondary separation operations containing predominantly the polymeric fibers may thus be combined so as to form a process discharge stream which can be pelletized and/or baled as desired.