Patent ID: 6063899
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: B29C,C08J,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for removing plasticizer from a polymer sheet, the apparatus comprising:a cylindrical chamber having an axis, an inner surface, and an outer surface;a heating member, the heating member mounted in the cylindrical chamber parallel to the chamber axis, the heating member including two side members and a bottom member defining a rectangular slot for containing the polymer sheet, the heating member being heatable to a predetermined temperature;a cooling chamber for containing a coolant, the cooling chamber surrounding and enclosing the cylindrical chamber so that the coolant contacts the outer surface of the cylindrical chamber and causes cooling the inner surface of the cylindrical chamber to cooled;a spigot communicating with the cylindrical chamber; anda vacuum, the vacuum connected to the cylindrical chamber so that the cylindrical chamber may be depressurized and so that the combination of heat and reduced pressure causes the vaporization of the plasticizer from the polymer sheet, the vaporized plasticizer then condensing on the cooled inner surface of the cylindrical chamber and removed via the spigot.