Patent ID: 7824502

Claim:
A method for removing and separating labels, and contaminants in general from containers of plastic material to be recycled, according to which the containers are subjected to a washing action and to a mechanical centrifugating action for the removal of the labels and contaminants, and in which the removed labels and contaminants are subsequently separated from the containers, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a first centrifugation step of subjecting the containers to be treated to a first weak action of mechanical centrifugation and removal of the labels and contaminants in a washing fluid, said first weak mechanical centrifugating action being such as to impose on the containers a circumferential speed lower than 45 m/s, of such intensity as to maintain the containers substantially unbroken; carrying out a first separation and of the removed labels and contaminants from the containers; a second centrifugation step of subjecting again the containers to a second action of mechanical centrifugation, the second action of mechanical centrifugation being stronger than the first action of mechanical centrifugation, and removal of the residual labels and contaminants in a washing fluid, said second mechanical centrifugating action being such as to impose on the containers a circumferential speed higher than 55 m/s, and of such intensity as to cause the detachment of the remaining labels and contaminants.