US 11,858,003 B2
Systems and methods for the management of waste associated with processing guayule shrubs to extract rubber
Yingyi Huang, Hudson, OH (US); Hiroshi Mouri, Chuo-ku (JP); Robert W. Handlos, Uniontown, OH (US); and Jenny L. Sheaffer, Waite Hill, OH (US)
Assigned to Bridgestone Corporation, Chuo-ku (JP)
Filed by Bridgestone Corporation, Chuo-ku (JP)
Filed on Mar. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/653,764.
Application 17/653,764 is a continuation of application No. 16/662,649, filed on Oct. 24, 2019, granted, now 11,267,019.
Application 16/662,649 is a continuation of application No. 14/409,117, granted, now 10,471,473, issued on Nov. 12, 2019, previously published as PCT/US2013/046328, filed on Jun. 18, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/660,983, filed on Jun. 18, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2022/0184663 A1, Jun. 16, 2022
Int. Cl. B07B 11/06 (2006.01); B29B 15/02 (2006.01); C08J 11/06 (2006.01); C08C 4/00 (2006.01); C08C 2/06 (2006.01); A01D 45/00 (2018.01); B02C 23/08 (2006.01); B29K 7/00 (2006.01)
CPC B07B 11/06 (2013.01) [A01D 45/00 (2013.01); B02C 23/08 (2013.01); B29B 15/02 (2013.01); C08C 2/06 (2013.01); C08C 4/00 (2013.01); C08J 11/06 (2013.01); B29K 2007/00 (2013.01); C08J 2307/00 (2013.01); Y02W 30/62 (2015.05)] 20 Claims
 
1. A method for managing waste associated with the processing of guayule shrubs for the extraction of rubber, the method comprising:
providing guayule shrubs comprising leaves, bark, woody material, and roots at a harvest site;
utilizing a portable local sub-station comprising a chopper which reduces the guayule shrubs to a guayule plant matter with pieces having an average length of about ¼″ to about 4″, wherein only above-ground portions of the guayule shrubs are included in the guayule plant matter, thereby producing a semi-processed guayule material with a weight at least 5% lower than the weight of the guayule shrubs; and
transporting the semi-processed guayule material to a remote rubber extraction plant capable of producing rubber, resin and waste bagasse from the semi-processed guayule material where the waste bagasse comprises at least 60% by weight of the semi-processed guayule material.