US 11,673,291 B2
Recyclable single polymer floorcovering article
Dale R. Williams, Greer, SC (US); Joseph Wallen, LaGrange, GA (US); Ty Grant Dawson, Spartanburg, SC (US); Nils David Sellman, Jr., LaGrange, GA (US); Daniel Taylor McBride, Chesnee, SC (US); Joseph R. Royer, Simpsonville, SC (US); and John L. Sanchez, Moore, SC (US)
Assigned to Milliken & Company, Spartanburg, SC (US)
Filed by Milliken & Company, Spartanburg, SC (US)
Filed on Jun. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/353,941.
Application 17/353,941 is a division of application No. 16/561,158, filed on Sep. 5, 2019, granted, now 11,084,186.
Application 16/561,158 is a division of application No. 15/002,468, filed on Jan. 21, 2016, abandoned.
Application 15/002,468 is a continuation of application No. 14/201,996, filed on Mar. 10, 2014, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/777,028, filed on Mar. 12, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2021/0308908 A1, Oct. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. C08J 11/10 (2006.01); B29B 9/12 (2006.01); A47G 27/02 (2006.01); D06N 7/00 (2006.01); B29B 9/06 (2006.01); B29B 17/00 (2006.01); C08J 11/12 (2006.01); B29K 67/00 (2006.01); B29K 105/26 (2006.01)
CPC B29B 9/12 (2013.01) [A47G 27/02 (2013.01); B29B 9/06 (2013.01); B29B 17/0036 (2013.01); C08J 11/10 (2013.01); C08J 11/12 (2013.01); D06N 7/0065 (2013.01); D06N 7/0068 (2013.01); D06N 7/0076 (2013.01); D06N 7/0081 (2013.01); B29K 2067/00 (2013.01); B29K 2105/26 (2013.01); C08J 2367/02 (2013.01); D06N 2203/061 (2013.01); D06N 2213/02 (2013.01); D06N 2213/065 (2013.01); Y10T 428/23979 (2015.04)] 2 Claims
 
1. A process for recycling a polyester floorcovering article comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a floorcovering article comprised of substantially 100% polyester material, wherein the 100% polyester material includes a plurality of face yarns tufted into a primary backing fabric held in place by an adhesive layer that further adheres a secondary backing to the floorcovering article;
(b) shredding the floorcovering article;
(c) feeding the floorcovering article into a plast agglomerator;
(d) heating the floorcovering article by friction to just below the melting temperature of the article;
(e) forcing the floorcovering article of step “d” through a die;
cutting the floorcovering article of step “e” into granules with a high bulk density; and
(g) using the granules as a feedstock for other processes to make polyester articles.