PET Bottle Recycling Optimization Using Optical Sorting
22 patents in this list
Updated:
Modern PET bottle recycling facilities process up to 100,000 bottles per hour, yet contamination rates in sorted material can exceed 5% due to variations in bottle design, condition, and composition. Traditional near-infrared (NIR) sorting achieves 90-95% purity, but emerging quality demands for food-grade rPET require better detection of contaminants, color variations, and material degradation.
The fundamental challenge lies in achieving higher sorting accuracy while maintaining the throughput rates needed for commercial viability.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including multispectral imaging systems, deep learning-based classification, delta robot sorting mechanisms, and marker-based tracking approaches. These and other approaches focus on practical implementations that can be integrated into existing recycling lines while meeting increasingly stringent quality requirements for recycled PET.
1. Waste Plastic Bottle Sorting Device with Multispectral Imaging and Automated Mechanical Transmission
JIANGXI GREEN CYCLE IND CO LTD, JIANGXI GREEN CYCLE INDUSTRY CO LTD, JINGMEN GREEN RECYCLING ELECTRONIC WASTE DISPOSAL CO LTD, 2023
Intelligent sorting device for waste plastic bottles that uses image recognition to accurately sort and separate plastic bottles of different materials without relying on manual labor. The device has a mechanical transmission module to move the bottles, an image recognition module with cameras and spectrometers to capture images and spectra, and a control module to process the data and drive actuators for sorting. It uses multispectral imaging to identify the plastic material based on absorption peaks in near-infrared light. This allows automated sorting of different types of plastic bottles without relying on manual labor.
2. Recycled Plastic Sorting System with Spectral Imaging and Delta Robot Vacuum Gripper Mechanism
DELTABOT INC, 2023
Intelligent recycled plastic sorting robot system that uses spectral imaging and delta robots to accurately and quickly sort various types of plastic waste. The system has a conveyor, a SWIR camera to capture spectral images of the plastics, a sorting unit to classify the plastics based on the spectral data, and a delta robot with a vacuum gripper to sort and move the plastics. The delta robot has a base, drive motors, shoulder brackets, shoulder frames, shoulder end brackets, load arms, an elastic unit, and a vacuum gripper. The gripper has an arm bracket, a buffer, a vacuum generating nozzle, and an elastic cup. The elastic cup allows suction through the bottom port and compresses to release suction. This enables precise vacuum gripping and sorting of different plastic types using spectral imaging.
3. Automated AI-Based PET Sorting System with Vision and Spectral Sensors for Color-Specific Identification
NHC CO LTD, 2023
Automated sorting system for recycled PET that uses AI to select and separate only PET of a specific color. It uses vision and spectral sensors to analyze the waste, and a learning model to sort irregular plastics. The system photographs PET waste, learns to identify colors, extracts location info, irradiates light in that area, analyzes spectrum, and determines if PET. It then sets sorting coordinates for a robot to pick up non-PET.
4. Multi-Stage Plastic Waste Sorting System with Air Classification and Optical Sorting for Material Purification
INDAVER PLASTICS RECYCLING NV, 2023
Sorting mixed plastic packaging waste into pure fractions for efficient recycling. The sorting process involves multiple steps including air classification to separate lower density films, followed by optical sorting to distinguish and separate different plastic types like PET trays, clear PET, colored PET, PP, PS, and MPO. This allows targeted recycling of specific plastic materials with purity requirements. The process can involve multiple passes through optical sorters to further refine sorting and remove impurities.
5. Multi-Camera Recycling System for Plastic Bottle Identification and Sorting by Brand, Material, Aging Level, and Type
TAICHU HUANSU TECH ZHEJIANG CO LTD, TAICHU HUANSU TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022
A recycling system for identifying and sorting plastic bottles that can precisely and efficiently remove foreign objects, separate by brand, material, aging level, and type. The system uses multiple cameras positioned on a conveyor line to scan and analyze the bottles. An infrared camera detects foreign objects, a UV camera identifies aging level, a visible light camera distinguishes brands, and a hyperspectral camera identifies material type. A control module analyzes the camera data to sort the bottles based on these factors. This allows refined sorting of original plastic bottles without flattening.
6. Plastic Object Sorting System Utilizing Wavelength-Specific Optical Detection and Marker-Based Recycled Material Control
SENSOR INSTR ENTWICKLUNGS UND VERTRIEBS GMBH, SENSOR-INSTRUMENTS ENTWICKLUNGS- UND VERTRIEBS-GMBH, 2021
Sorting plastic objects based on their type, color, and intended use using a low-cost and practical method. It involves detecting the type of plastic by measuring the reflected or transmitted intensities in specific wavelength ranges (optical windows) instead of using expensive infrared cameras. This allows sorting of individual plastic objects without requiring a line scanner. The method also enables controlling the proportion of recycled material in a new plastic product by adding a marker to the recycled material and detecting its concentration. The marker concentration is then adjusted based on the detected level.
7. Plastic Object Sorting System Utilizing Near Infrared Spectroscopy with Spectral Database Comparison
SALDANHA JEEVAN, 2021
Sorting of plastic objects using near infrared spectroscopy to accurately and efficiently separate and recycle different types of plastic waste. The sorting method involves illuminating the plastic objects with near infrared light, detecting the reflected light spectra in the 600-1000nm range, comparing the spectra against a database of known plastic types, and sorting the objects based on the matches. This enables fast and accurate sorting of opaque, transparent, colored, and constituent materials like PET, HDPE, LDPE, PVC, PP, and PS. The near infrared range allows sorting darker plastics compared to visible light.
8. Automated Waste Plastic Bottle Sorting System with Infrared and Visual Detection and Channelized Conveyor
TAICHU HUANSU TECH ZHEJIANG CO LTD, TAICHU HUANSU TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2021
An automated system for sorting and identifying waste plastic bottles to improve recycling quality and value. The system uses cameras and lights to detect debris inside bottles and classify the bottles. An infrared camera and light illuminate the bottles to check for foreign objects. A regular camera and light are used to identify the bottle type. The sorting conveyor has barriers dividing it into channels. This allows multiple bottles to be sorted simultaneously. The cameras and lights are mounted on a frame above the conveyor. The system improves recycling quality by catching contaminants and accurately identifying the bottles.
9. Automated Waste Bottle Sorting Device with Deep Learning-Based Image Recognition and Pneumatic Ejection System
吉林农业科技学院, JILIN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE, 2021
Automated sorting device for recycling waste beverage bottles using deep learning to accurately identify and sort different types of waste bottles at high speed and efficiency. The device uses multiple cameras and computers for image recognition, followed by a landslide sorting conveyor with pneumatic ejection devices. Deep learning algorithms calculate the center of mass of each bottle based on images, then pneumatic strikes eject the bottles out of the sorting area. This allows automated sorting of complex-shaped waste bottles with high accuracy and throughput.
10. Recycling Machine with Cloud-Based Image Recognition for Plastic Bottle Classification
UNIV ZHONGKAI AGRI & ENG, ZHONGKAI UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND ENGINEERING, 2020
An intelligent recycling machine for plastic bottles that uses image recognition to sort and process different types of plastic bottles more efficiently. The machine has a recycling device, controller, cloud, and user terminal. It uses cameras to capture images of the bottles and sends them to the cloud for classification. The cloud identifies the type of bottle and sends instructions back to the machine on how to process it. This allows the machine to handle a variety of bottle shapes and sizes without manual sorting.
11. Automated Plastic Waste Sorting System with Optical Scanners and Shape-Based Pre-Sorting
KANG SUNG HO, 2020
Automated system for sorting plastic waste by type to increase recycling efficiency. The system uses optical sorters with scanners to sort plastic containers like PET, PP, PE, and PS separately. It pre-sorts containers by shape to remove non-container plastics. Then, the containers are sorted by type using dedicated sorters for each resin. This allows automated, efficient sorting by resin for recycling compared to manual sorting of mixed waste.
12. Automated Waste Plastic Bottle Sorting System with Vision and Material Detection Modules
FOSHAN JOE INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT TECH CO LTD, FOSHAN JOE INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2020
A sorting system for waste plastic bottles that accurately separates and sorts different colored and material waste plastic bottles without manual intervention. The system uses vision and material detection to analyze the color, shape, and material of the bottles. A control unit generates sorting targets based on the detection data and dynamically positions the robotic sorter to precisely extract and sort the bottles. The detection modules are above the conveyor belt and the light source is on the belt to inspect the bottles.
13. Plastic Bottle Sorting System with Image Recognition and Electromagnetically Activated Rotational Mechanism
UNIV ZHONGKAI AGRI & ENG, ZHONGKAI UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND ENGINEERING, 2020
Intelligent plastic bottle sorting system using image recognition to automatically sort and collect different types of plastic bottles for recycling. The system has a plastic bottle recycling device with a mechanism that rotates based on electromagnetic activation. A camera captures images of the bottles, classifies them, and triggers the appropriate electromagnet to attract the bottle. This rotates the mechanism to open a specific collection hole for that type of bottle. The bottles slide down an inclined surface and fall into the opened hole for separate collection.
14. Automatic Plastic Bottle Sorting Device with Integrated Computer Vision and NIR Detection System
NANJING JULI INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING TECH RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO LTD, NANJING JULI INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO LTD, 2019
Automatic sorting device for recycling waste plastic bottles using computer vision and near infrared (NIR) technology to automatically sort waste plastic bottles based on color and material. The device has components like a breaker, linear vibrating feeder, high-speed camera, belt conveyor, NIR detector, air sorting machine, and remote control terminal. The conveyor has the camera and NIR detector to identify the bottles by color and material.
15. Recycling Waste Sorting System with Rotary Separator and Optical Material Classifiers
CLEAN RESOURCE IND INC, CLEAN RESOURCE INDUSTRY INC, 2019
Sorting recycling waste by plastic material with high precision and efficiency. The method involves using a combination of rotary separator and optical sorters to sort plastics by volume and then material. The process breaks bags, separates plastics by size, then further separates by optical sensing for specific materials like PET, PE, and PP. This allows sorting large-scale plastics with high precision by minimizing manual sorting.
16. Artificial Intelligence-Driven Waste Plastic Bottle Sorting System with Visual and Infrared Detection Units
FOSHAN JOE INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT TECH CO LTD, FOSHAN JOE INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2019
An artificial intelligence method for sorting waste plastic bottles using a system with a conveyor, detection unit, and mechanical sorting unit. The detection unit has a camera for visual inspection and an infrared sensor for material analysis. It collects color, shape, position, and material information from the bottles. The system control unit receives this data and sorts the bottles using the mechanical unit based on the analyzed characteristics.
17. Optical Distribution Device for Simultaneous Component and Color Sorting of Mixed Waste Plastics
IOINAE & AMP T CO LTD, IOINAE&T CO LTD, 2011
Real-time color sorting of mixed waste plastics using a single optical distribution device that can simultaneously separate plastics by component and color. The device has an optical distribution unit with near-infrared and visible light absorption for both component analysis and color selection. This allows sorting waste plastics by both component and color using the same equipment. The sorting process involves feeding mixed plastics on a conveyor, analyzing the components using near-IR spectroscopy, and then separating by color using the same device. The device has multiple reflectors for enhanced component analysis light collection. By using the same device for both component and color sorting, it increases sorting capacity and efficiency compared to separate devices.
18. Automated Recyclables Sorting Device with Multi-Stage Property-Based Separation System
2006
Automated recyclables sorting device to efficiently sort recyclables like metal cans, bottles, plastic containers, and paper without manual sorting. The device uses a series of automated sorting stages like crushers, vibrating feeders, separators, and sorters to sort the recyclables based on properties like size, shape, density, and material type. It automates the sorting process to reduce labor costs and improve efficiency compared to manual sorting.
19. Automated System for Mechanical Sorting of Recycled Plastics from Mixed Waste
LEE JUN CHANG, 2006
Automatic method for sorting recycled plastic from mixed waste to improve reliability, reduce defects, and enhance competitiveness compared to manual sorting. The method involves using screening equipment to accurately separate and classify recycled plastic from other materials. This involves using specialized machines to sort the mixed waste into clean streams of recycled plastics rather than relying on manual visual identification. This improves sorting reliability, reduces errors, and minimizes contamination compared to manual sorting.
20. Method for Sorting Mixed Plastic Waste Using Sequential Optical and Mechanical Criteria on Conveyors
DER GRUENE PUNKT - DUALES SYSTEM DEUTSCHLAND AG, DER GRUENE PUNKT DUALES SYST, HECKERT UMWELTTECHNIK GMBH, 2002
A method for sorting mixed plastic waste into clean fractions for recycling. It uses multiple sorting devices on moving conveyors to separate plastics based on optical and mechanical criteria. The sorting steps involve: (1) removing metals, (2) singulating and separating small and large parts, (3) separating films, (4) separating bottles, (5) separating colored PET, (6) separating natural PET, and (7) separating PE. The sorting steps are chosen based on the plastic composition of the feed stream to maximize purity.
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