45 patents in this list

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PET bottle recycling faces a critical challenge in component separation: caps are typically made from PP or HDPE, labels use diverse materials including PVC and paper, and adhesives can contaminate the PET stream. Current recycling lines process 50,000 to 200,000 bottles per hour, yet incomplete separation of these components can reduce the quality of recycled PET by up to 40% and increase processing costs significantly.

The fundamental challenge lies in developing automated separation methods that can handle high throughput while achieving the material purity needed for food-grade recycled PET.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including robotic cap removal systems, label separation through targeted heating and mechanical action, and integrated sorting technologies that detect and separate different polymer types. These and other approaches aim to improve recycling efficiency while maintaining the quality standards required for bottle-to-bottle recycling.

1. Label Removal Device Utilizing Expansion Balloon and Rotational Alignment for Curved PET Bottles

Jieshou City Jinwu Renewable Resources Utilization Co., Ltd., JIESHOU JINWU RENEWABLE RESOURCES UTILIZATION CO LTD, 2024

Label removal device for recycling PET bottles with curved and hollow bottles. The device uses a mechanism with push rods, expansion balloon, gears, and sliding sleeves to remove labels from curved and hollow PET bottles without deforming them. It involves pushing the bottles onto an expansion balloon that inflates to grip the bottle shape. The balloon is then compressed to push the labels off. The mechanism also rotates the bottles to align them for label removal. This allows recycling of curved PET bottles without damaging them during label removal.

2. Adhesive Cleaning Device with Vertical Seating Chuck and Rotating Brush for Recycled PET Bottles

LIM YOUN SEOB, 2024

Adhesive cleaning device for recycled PET bottles that removes adhesive residue from bottles after label removal. The device has a vertical seating chuck, motor, brush, detergent nozzle, water tank, and recovery box. A user places the bottle in the chuck, pushes a button, and the device rotates the bottle while cleaning it with detergent. The brush contacts the bottle sides and the nozzle sprays detergent. Water rinses the bottle. The recovered detergent goes back in the storage box.

3. Integrated System with Sequential Label Removing Machine, Separation Screen, Cleaning Liquid Separator, and Buffer Tank for Plastic Bottle Processing

ZHEJIANG BORETECH ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CO., LTD., 2024

Integrated system for cleaning and removing labels from plastic bottles that reduces equipment, time, and cost compared to separate label removal and cleaning steps. The system has a label removing machine, bouncing separation screen, cleaning liquid separator, and buffer tank connected in sequence. The label removing machine cleans and removes labels while the screen separates labels and impurities from the main material. The cleaning liquid separator filters and recycles the water. This integrated design enables label removal and cleaning in one step with improved efficiency and resource conservation.

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4. Plastic Bottle Recycling System with Pre-Crushing Label and Cap Removal Mechanism

ZHEJIANG WOOSIYUAN COMMUNICATION TECH CO LTD, ZHEJIANG WOOSIYUAN COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

A plastic bottle recycling system and method to improve efficiency of recycling PET bottles by separating the label and cap before crushing. The system has a sorting device to feed bottles, a positioning device to align them, and a crushing device. The method involves feeding bottles, sorting them to align directions, removing labels and caps, and crushing the separated bodies. This separates different plastic types and prevents contamination during recycling.

5. Automatic Label Removal Device with Conveyor-Integrated Flushing Bin and Multi-Stage Collection and Filtration Assemblies

HUBEI HERUN NATURAL DAILY CHEMICAL CO LTD, 2023

Automatic device for removing labels from plastic bottles in an efficient and complete way. The device uses a flushing bin with conveyor belts and internal components to remove, collect, and filter off labels. The removal assembly scrapes the labels, collecting assembly catches the scraped-off labels, and filter assembly retains the labels while allowing water to drain. This allows thorough label removal from containers with varying shapes. The flushing bin design enables automated label removal for production lines.

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6. PET Bottle Recycling Machine with Arc-Shaped Slot and Telescopic Rod for Automated Label Removal

FUJIAN YUANTONG MACHINERY IND AND TRADE CO LTD, FUJIAN YUANTONG MACHINERY INDUSTRY AND TRADE CO LTD, 2023

A PET bottle recycling machine that automates removing labels from PET bottles to make recycling more efficient. The machine has a feeding plate at the top, followed by a limiting structure with an arc-shaped slot. As bottles enter vertically, they slide down the inner ring plate into the arc-shaped slot. The arc guides the bottles to prevent them from tilting. A hydraulic pump extends a telescopic rod to push the bottles downward. At the bottom, a fitting plate squeezes the bottle bodies to lower them. A cutter head removes the labels as the bottles move. A triangular block collects the labels. The arc-shaped drawer slides out to collect the cut labels. A rotating cover prevents labels from escaping when the drawer is pulled out.

7. Label Removal Device with Rotating Clamping Assembly and Alcohol-Soaked Friction Sponges

MAANSHAN HUBIN NONWOVEN CLOTH TECH CO LTD, MAANSHAN HUBIN NONWOVEN CLOTH TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

Device to efficiently remove labels from used plastic bottles prior to recycling. The device has a workbench, a clamping assembly to hold and rotate the bottle, and a friction assembly with alcohol-soaked sponges against the bottle body. As the bottle rotates, the friction sponges scrub off the labels, including those with adhesive, to leave a clean bottle surface for recycling. The clamping assembly secures the bottle while rotating it.

8. Label Recycling System with Sequential Crushing and Alkali Ink Separation

FUJI SEAL INT INC, FUJI SEAL INTERNATIONAL INC, 2023

Efficiently recycling labels from plastic containers by separating the ink and drying the base material in multiple crushing and washing steps. The label is first crushed into larger pieces, then treated with an alkali solution to separate the ink and base material. The base pieces are further crushed into smaller sizes, then dried. This allows efficient ink separation and drying compared to crushing the label directly.

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9. Automated Plastic Bottle Recycling Machine with Transmission-Driven Twisting and Cutting Mechanisms for Component Separation

WANLVDA RENEWABLE RESOURCES UTILIZATION CO LTD, WANLVDA TIANJIN RENEWABLE RESOURCES UTILIZATION CO LTD, 2023

Automated plastic bottle recycling machine that separates bottle caps, bodies, and labels without manual intervention. The machine has a twisting mechanism driven by a transmission that separates the bottle parts. It clamps the bottle, twists it to separate the label, then cuts it off. This automates the separation process compared to manual labor. The transmission mechanism drives the twisting mechanisms to twist the bottle body in opposite directions to separate the label. A cutting mechanism removes the label once it's separated.

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10. Automated PET Bottle Component Separation Machine with Sensor-Based Material and Color Verification

YEDITEPE UENIVERSITESI, Yeditepe University, 2022

Automated recycling machine that separates components from PET bottles and makes them ready for recycling. The machine uses sensors, cameras, and processors to check if bottles are PET and the right color. If not, it drops them back for return. The machine then cuts the neck to separate the bottle from cap and ring. It softens labels to remove them. The separated components go to containers. The machine can also dissolve label adhesive. It has a touchscreen, RFID reader, lighting, and wheels for user interaction, deposit loading, and mobility.

11. System for Automated Segmentation of PET Bottle Components Using Rotating Brush and Signal-Activated Label Remover

UNIV YEDITEPE, YEDITEPE UNIVERSITESI, 2022

Automated removal of the caps, rings and labels on PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles, separated them into their components and makes them ready for recycling. The removal includes using a rotating brush, which cuts the caps and the ring in three parts, a label remover, which removes the label from the bottle by acting on the signal received from the processor, and a recycling machine.

12. Method for Recycling PET Bottles with Impurity Removal, Wet Crushing, and Granulation Process

SUZHOU JIU LONG REGENERATION TECH CO LTD, SUZHOU JIU LONG REGENERATION TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022

Recycling PET bottles that can be recycled in the natural environment, are easy to use, and can be recycled in a variety of forms, including PET plastic, plastic fragments with different sizes, PET label paper and PET plastic label pieces. The recycling includes sorting the recovered PET bottles to remove impurities which are not made of PET materials; crushing the sorted PET bottles into PET plastic fragments with different sizes by a wet crusher; removing bottle caps from the PET plastic chips; adding a detergent into the PET plastic chips with the bottle caps removed for cleaning, adding caustic soda flakes, heating for cleaning, and washing the PET plastic chips clean with water; and dehydrating, drying, extruding and granulating the washed PET plastic chips.

13. Automated PET Bottle Pre-Processing Device with Robotic Cap Removal, Label Separation, and Compression Mechanisms

Huazhong University of Science and Technology, HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 2022

PET bottle recycling device that automates the pre-processing steps of removing caps and labels from PET bottles for recycling. The device uses robotic mechanisms to clamp the bottle, separate the cap, remove the label, and compress the bottle body. It has a clamping claw, screw cap remover, de-labeling mechanism, and compression mechanism. The robotic actions are coordinated using motors, gears, and sensors to efficiently and reliably prepare PET bottles for recycling.

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14. Device with Frame and Clamping Jaw Assembly for Rotational Detachment of Material Attachments

ZHEJIANG ZHEJIANG INTELLECTUAL MANUFACTURE CO LTD, ZHEJIANG ZHEJIANG INTELLECTUAL MFT CO LTD, 2022

Device for efficiently and stably removing attachments like labels from materials to improve yield and reduce waste. The device has a frame, driving mechanism, moving mechanism, and clamping jaw assembly. The driving mechanism moves the frame with conveyor belt, allowing the clamping jaws to grip and rotate the attachment off the material. The conveyor belt drives the frame, connected to the jaws, to tear off the attachment. This provides stable and repeatable removal compared to manual peeling.

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15. Portable Label Removal Device with Rotating Wire Wheel and Telescopic Piston Mechanism

SUZHOU TENGXU PACKAGING MAT CO LTD, SUZHOU TENGXU PACKAGING MATERIALS CO LTD, 2022

Portable device for removing labels from discarded bottles without residue or additional power. It has a rotating mechanism with a wire wheel, friction belt, and pulleys to grip and peel off labels. A piston with a telescopic rod extends to apply pressure. Water spray cleans the bottle. The device is compact, self-contained, and easy to use.

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16. Automated System for Sequential Soaking, Scraping, and Unloading of Labels from Plastic Bottles

Zhejiang Huanuo Pharmaceutical Packaging Co., Ltd., ZHEJIANG HUANUO MEDICAL PACKAGING CO LTD, 2022

An automated label removal system for plastic bottles that allows efficient recycling of used bottles without manual label removal. The system uses a series of devices to soak, scrape, and unload the bottles after label removal. The process involves moving the bottles through steps where they are fixed, soaked, scraped, and unloaded. This allows automated label removal without human intervention. The soaking step softens the labels, making them easier to scrape off. The scraping device removes the softened labels. The unloading step removes the bottles from the system.

17. Device for Label Removal and Cleaning of Plastic Bottles Using Clamping, Heating, Compression, and Rotational Mechanism

CHEN YAPING, 2022

Automated device for removing labels and cleaning plastic bottles prior to recycling. The device uses a mechanism with clamps, heating, compression, and rotation to peel off labels. The device clamps the bottle, heats it, compresses a piston, and rotates the bottle to scrape off labels as they peel due to heat expansion.

18. Recycling Device with Conveyor, Cap Stripping, Lid Opening, and Water Dumping Mechanisms for Plastic Bottles

Yangzhou Jinxia Plastic Co., Ltd., YANGZHOU JINXIA PLASTIC CO LTD, 2021

Recycling device for efficiently emptying and processing waste plastic bottles like mineral water bottles to enable automated recycling of plastic bottles with remaining water. The device has features like a conveyor belt to move bottles, a stripping mechanism to remove caps, a lid opening mechanism to access the bottle contents, and a water dumping section to empty the bottles. This allows automated processing of wet bottles without manual draining. The device also has a collection box for the emptied water and a separate box for the raw materials.

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19. Automated Contaminated Plastic Bottle Recycling System with Integrated Cutting, Cleaning, and Separation Mechanisms

XIAMEN LEISI TRADE CO LTD, 2021

A waste plastic bottle recycling system that efficiently processes contaminated plastic bottles for recycling. The system has a machine with a feeding slot, a conveyor, cutting mechanism, and cleaning components. When a bottle is inserted, sensors trigger the machine to clamp, cut, and clean the bottle. The conveyor moves the bottle through stages to separate cap, cut body, and extract impurities. It uses motors, gears, slides, and electromagnets to automate the process. The system can efficiently recycle plastic bottles with impurities by cutting, cleaning, and separating caps.

20. Adhesive Label Removal Method Using Alkaline Wash with Crosslinking Agent for Detackification

UPM RAFLATAC OY, 2021

A method to easily remove adhesive labels from surfaces like bottles that have been washed using alkaline solutions at elevated temperatures. The labels have an adhesive layer made of acrylic-based adhesive. After washing, the labels are further treated by adding a crosslinking agent to the washing solution. This causes the adhesive to detackify and become non-sticky. The label can then be easily removed without leaving tacky residue.

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21. PET Bottle Recycling System with Rotating Blade Label Separator, Cap Peeling Mechanism, and Hot Air Bottle Shrinker

22. Label Removal Method Using Discrete Adhesive Areas on Recyclable Containers

23. Device for Removing Self-Adhesive Labels from Cylindrical Products Using Conveyor with Flexible Pads and Rotating Rack Mechanism

24. Label Removal Device for PET Bottles with Heated Transfer Pipes and Compression Rollers

25. PET Bottle Stripping Machine with Warm Water Adhesive Softening and Integrated Drying System

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