Patent · US Expired

Process for recycling a shipping container

US5469691A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
47References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 2, 1993
Grant dateNov 28, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 2, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02W90/10
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A cushioned shipping assembly includes a corrugated carton and foam inserts which are returned by an end user to the fabricator. In some embodiments, the carton collapses to a diminished size for return. The fabricator refurbishes the components, recycling aged or spent pieces. Preferably polyolefin foams, olefin-based adhesives and coatings, and wood fiber-based corrugated material make up the cushioned system, and one component is compatible with recycling processes of others. The fabricator may perform on-premises pelletizing of reclaimed polymer, thus providing a more efficient, environmentally clean system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.