DE102019127822A1 - Process for the recyclable manufacture of plastic products, in particular films - Google Patents

Abstract

The aim is to find a recycling solution that can be used in a variety of ways, in particular for plastic films and plastic packaging, that is economically viable. This is achieved by a process for the recyclable manufacture of plastic products from a recyclable plastic material, whereby a recycling ID (1, 16) of the plastic product is used, which is a clear or unambiguous identification in a life cycle of the plastic product based on a database (35 , 36) allows stored information of a recycling characteristic of the plastic product. The method is used for the production of plastic products, in particular plastic films, in which the ID of the manufactured product is generated on a production system for the product, in particular with a blown film system, and assigned to it, which is carried out in such a way that identification and tracking of the Foil during its entire life cycle from production and further processing, through an application and / or purpose, to preparation and the input raw material for further use.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a method for the recyclable manufacture of plastic products, in particular films, from a recycled plastic material.

Nowadays, the plastic waste problem is gaining increasing media and political presence. One solution to the problem areas discussed is the recycling of plastic waste. However, there are problems with plastics recycling that prevent optimal material utilization. Plastic waste is often difficult to dispose of because some plastics, such as multi-layer films, are made up of different materials.

One approach that researchers and companies are pursuing is to separate mixed plastics according to type in order to be able to recycle them.

Such plastics are used, for example, as high-tech product plastic packaging in the food industry. The films used are high-tech products made up of several layers.

Even thin plastic films can do much more than just packaging these days. The plastic films can be designed in such a way that they can shield oxygen or absorb water, depending on how the packaged goods need it. Such high-tech materials consist of several wafer-thin layers. However, each layer can be made of a different material. Therefore, recycling problems arise with multilayer plastic films.

Companies that manufacture new plastics from plastic waste are faced with a major challenge with this complex packaging. In addition, packaging systems made from multilayer films are becoming increasingly complex. The more complex the system, the more difficult it is to recycle these foils afterwards.

Plastics are often shredded in recycling plants and then melted down. Ideally, they must be single-variety for this purpose. If there is no varietal purity, there is only so-called down-cycling. The foils and packaging are then used, for example, to make construction fences or garden benches. Alternatively, the plastic remains are simply burned. Although the plastic residues still provide energy for district heating or electricity, they are lost for recycling. This affects about half of all plastics.

Chemical separation processes for complex plastics offer a solution. Technologies are already known to recycle at least some of these mixed plastics. For example, multilayer films for fresh food packaging are often made of polyamide and polyethylene. Such plastic films are dissolved in a solvent bath, which separates a certain part, for example the polyamide. The polyethylene, however, remains solid, which results in the separation. However, such procedures have their limits. The energy balance must also be taken into account in the overall balance. In addition, the chemical solvents have to be produced with relatively great effort.

In recycling plastic production, bales can be collected for plastic recycling. However, films with a complex structure are difficult to separate into components.

A further requirement is that plastics from one industrial sector may often not be mixed with plastics from another industrial sector, despite their identical composition. For example, it would be inconceivable to recycle a canister for motor oil for food packaging.

In order to recycle as much plastic as possible, new recycling technologies are required.

State of the art

From the DE 20 2011 104 968 U1 a melt processing system or blown film system is known in which recycling of the melt derived from the start-up valve is to be improved. For this purpose, a portioning device for portioning the discharged melt into melt portions is to be assigned to a start-up valve, a cooling device being provided for cooling the melt portions into at least partially solidified chunks of material.

From the DE 697 033 55 T2 a multilayer blown film extrusion line for a recycling or regrind layer is known. Such extrusion can include a linear polyethylene layer, a heat seal layer, a barrier layer (against gas and / or steam), recycled or regrind layer, or combinations thereof.

In connection with a blown film line or particularly thin label films, the EP 2 915 668 A1 described that different olefinic and non-olefinic plastics can be combined with one another in successive layers, but then that The film label is no longer pure, which also makes recycling more difficult. For this purpose, a label film laminate is used with a carrier and a label film made of polyethylene that can be detached from the carrier, can be punched, printed, and is extruded. The label film is oriented in a production direction by stretching, the thickness of the label film being less than 70 μm.

The EP 2 853 374 B1 shows and describes an apparatus for recycling plastics. This document proposes to create an improved device for the recycling of plastics which provides a final product of high quality, which device can at the same time be operated with high productivity. The method used for the recycling of plastics, which does not fall under the claimed invention, comprises the following processing steps: a) Preparation of the raw material, whereby the material, if necessary, is comminuted and brought into a fluid-like form and while maintaining its lumpiness and flowability, heated and permanently mixed, and optionally degassed, softened, dried, increased in viscosity and / or crystallized, b) melting of the processed material, at least to the extent that filtration is possible, c) filtration of the melt to remove impurities, d ) Homogenization of the filtered melt, e) degassing of the homogenized melt, and f) discharge and / or subsequent processing of the melt, for example by granulation or blown film processing.

Object of the invention

The invention is based on the object of creating a recycling solution which is economically viable and can be implemented at short notice.

Solution and advantages of the invention

This object is achieved by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1 in conjunction with the corresponding features of the preamble.

It should be pointed out that in the context of the present patent application, the terms "recyclable production of products" and "production of recyclable products" are to be understood synonymously.

Solved objectives and actions, which are the focus of the invention, are in particular:

Varietal purity

On the one hand, the use of different basic raw materials and / or molecular structures in a film composite should be avoided so far in order not to have a raw material conglomerate as an input raw material in the next use step.

Identifiability

On the other hand, the basic raw materials and film recipes used must be clearly and clearly distinguishable from one another in order to be recyclable. It must also be taken into account that, despite having the same name, basic raw materials can have different properties depending on the manufacturer and their origin.

Cycle-compliant recipes

The decisive property of closed resource flows is that the product from the first use step becomes the input raw material for the second use step. This sequence can be repeated as often as required until the properties of the raw materials used do not allow any meaningful processing results, as can be seen, for example, in the use of the so-called PET disposable bottle. With the appropriate implementation of the requirements, both closed and open recycling streams can be implemented. The subsequent use steps can be the same or a different use.

In addition to the two prerequisites “purity of type” and “identifiability” already set out above, the third aspect to be considered is the cycle-compliant recipe. This means that the respective recipes are not only developed taking into account the current intended use, but also taking into account the previous and subsequent use. Put simply: every recipe must also take into account the origin of the material as well as the subsequent use and thus conform to the cycle of use of the raw materials used.

Additional advantages

The present invention advantageously offers a method for the production of plastic films in particular, in which the use of the film as an input raw material for the subsequent application can already be taken into account when formulating the recipe for the first application. This can mainly be done by adapting the recipe accordingly can be achieved. The respective recipes can be given an unambiguous designation or identification with regard to their composition and their intended use.

In particular, the invention can be implemented at short notice by using existing code tables.

The consideration of the other uses when formulating the recipe cannot be limited to a “second” use, but can be continued up to “n” uses. The following use can correspond to the previous one, but different uses can also follow one another. An essential prerequisite for this sequence of uses is that the film recipes provide for the use of primarily only one basic raw material within narrow limits. The properties of the film produced can also be adjusted accordingly using specific processes, such as hiding in the fume cupboard.

Another possibility for identification is to print the foils accordingly. Dyes that are visible to the human eye and invisible to the eye can be used here, and the foils are identified by storing the name of the recipe using machine-readable codes. Printing on the foils can also be used where individual foils will later be used to create laminates from several foils. When marking by printing, the information about the laminate can be stored directly on the film. A characteristic of the ID is that it can not only be detected manually (reading numbers), but can also be recognized in highly automated processes, e.g. through a barcode. This is an important prerequisite for the industrial replaceability of the process according to the invention.

With the invention, a method is created that is very suitable for the production of plastic films, for example by means of blown or flat film extrusion, in which the recipe of the films is selected so that the use of the film as a raw material for a further purpose is taken into account and in which The film receives an ID that enables clear identification of the recipe or base materials used in the further life cycle of the film.

• A1. In der Ausprägung, dass die Rezeptur nur einen dominierenden Grundrohstoff enthält.
• B1. In der Ausprägung, dass eine im Sinne der späteren Verwendung positiven Beeinflussung der Eigenschaften durch thermische und / oder mechanische und/oder chemische Nachbehandlung erfolgt.
• C1. In der Ausprägung, dass die vorgehende Verwendung bzw. Rezeptur der nachfolgenden Verwendung bzw. Rezeptur entspricht.
• D1. In der Ausprägung, dass die vorgehende Verwendung bzw. Rezeptur von einer nachfolgenden Verwendung bzw. Rezeptur verschieden ist.
• E1. In der Ausprägung, dass bei den Rezepturen für nachfolgende Verwendungen auch „neue“ Ergänzungsrohstoffe hinzugefügt werden können.
• F1. In der Ausprägung, dass unterschiedliche in der Rezeptur verwendete Grundrohstoffe, beispielsweise durch ein chemisches Verfahren, vor der nächsten Verwendung einfach voneinander getrennt werden können.

The following variants of the invention are possible:

• A1. In the form that the recipe contains only one dominant basic raw material.
• B1. In the form that a positive influence on the properties in terms of subsequent use takes place through thermal and / or mechanical and / or chemical aftertreatment.
• C1. In the form that the previous use or recipe corresponds to the subsequent use or recipe.
• D1. In the form that the previous use or recipe is different from a subsequent use or recipe.
• E1. In the form that "new" supplementary raw materials can also be added to the recipes for subsequent uses.
• F1. In the form that different basic raw materials used in the recipe can easily be separated from one another before the next use, for example by a chemical process.

• A2. In der Ausprägung, dass die Kennzeichnung auf der Extrusionsanlage aufgebracht wird.
• B2. In der Ausprägung, dass die Kennzeichnung in einem nach der Extrusionsanlage liegenden Verarbeitungsschritt, wie z.B. einer Druck- oder einer Laminier-Vorrichtung, erfolgt.
• C2. In der Ausprägung, dass eine für das menschliche Auge sichtbare Tinte oder ein anderer Farbstoff verwendet wird.
• D2. In der Ausprägung, dass eine für das menschliche Auge nicht sichtbare Tinte oder ein für das menschliche Auge nicht sichtbarer anderer Farbstoff verwendet wird.
• E2. In der Ausprägung, dass die Kennzeichnungen automatisiert von Maschinen gelesen werden können.

The following further variants of the invention are also possible, the marking of the film being done by printing the ID:

• A2. In the form that the marking is applied to the extrusion line.
• B2. In the form that the marking takes place in a processing step downstream of the extrusion system, such as a printing or laminating device.
• C2. In the form that an ink that is visible to the human eye or another dye is used.
• D2. In the form that an ink that is not visible to the human eye or another dye that is not visible to the human eye is used.
• E2. In the form that the labels can be read automatically by machines.

Another variant of the invention is also possible in which a label made of plastic is used.

Another variant of the invention is also possible in which a

The invention also enables a method which is particularly suitable for use in so-called FFS applications, specifically in open and closed material cycles.

The invention also enables a method that can also be used in so-called agricultural applications, specifically in both open and closed loops of recyclable materials.

The invention also enables a method that is also suitable for use in packaging for the end user, namely in both open and closed recycling systems.

The invention can also be used to create a database, the database being used for automated and as seamless as possible. Allocation of foils based on the IDs to a subsequent cycle between the first cycle and the last cycle is possible.

• Unter „Datenbank“ bzw. Datenbankbanksystem, ist jedes System zur elektronischen Datenverwaltung zu verstehen. Die wesentliche Aufgabe einer Datenbank ist es, große Datenmengen effizient, widerspruchsfrei und dauerhaft zu speichern und benötigte Teilmengen in unterschiedlichen, bedarfsgerechten Darstellungsformen für Benutzer und Anwendungsprogramme bereitzustellen.

The following terms are explained:

• A "database" or database system is to be understood as any system for electronic data management. The main task of a database is to store large amounts of data efficiently, consistently and permanently and to provide the required subsets in different, needs-based forms of representation for users and application programs.

The database consists of two parts, namely the administration software, called the database management system (DBMS), and the amount of data to be managed, the database (DB) in the narrower sense, sometimes also called the "database". The management software organizes the structured storage of the data internally and controls all read and write access to the database. A database system offers a database language for querying and managing the data.

The database can be a relational database. The structure of the data is determined by a database model.

The invention provides methods for operating a data processing system with a database and for using the database for recycling plastic products, with information on the origin or the composition of the plastic products being or being able to be stored in the database.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention and further advantages

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be identified in the subclaims.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the database is designed as an open database, in particular that the database is designed as a worldwide open database (global one database).

This database can have the structure of an EAN database. Therefore, it is provided according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention,
that the marking is integrated or attached to the plastic product in a form of at least one sequence of numbers,
and or
that the number is designed as a supplemented EAN number (European Article Number) or EAN code or GTIN code or the ID is integrated into such a code,
and or
that the marking includes a barcode,
and or
that the label is a label printed on the product,
and or
that the ID comprises at least four data fields.

These advantageous embodiments are based on the idea that there are already code systems that allow producers to draw a conclusion for the producer about what, how and on which system something was produced. Various information is possible with a classic EAN number. This system concept could also be expanded for recycling purposes.

In order to ensure recycling after reading the modified EAN code, a so-called XA design must be taken into account or the recipes must be selected so that they can be recycled.

The embodiment of the invention to use the already existing EAN code system as a basis, to additionally define a number range as a suffix, and to use the resulting coding is the presently preferred embodiment of the inventor.

The EAN code solution makes it easy to recognize or select the same material structures. This makes it possible in practice to be able to recognize these in a conclusion afterwards. This improves recognizability or identifiability.

It is also possible to “track” this number so that the entire circuit of the film becomes transparent. A producer can easily use a number that he attaches to the product beforehand. This number can be used to identify a character on a slide, for example. In the end, a recycler can know what it is Foil was, and therefore guarantee that it is also recyclable. In particular, a film producer, for example by using blown film systems, can guarantee recyclability because the film is actually produced by them.

A side effect is that information can be obtained because otherwise not all of the necessary information is available in production for the purpose of recycling.

For example, it must be taken into account that there are different printing colors. There are printing inks that are plastic-based. These are expensive, but you can use them without causing problems in a recycling process. On the other hand, there are printing inks that are cheaper but that contain dyes that cannot be FTA approved. In the event of recycling, however, it must be taken into account what has been printed with or whether a recyclable or non-recyclable paint has been used.

This ID system is particularly suitable for refill packs made of plastic, e.g. for detergents.

This example shows how important it can be to know later what the contents of the package were. If a food was previously included, this would not be a problem in the recycling of food packaging for food. However, if detergent packaging is identified, it could not be recycled into food packaging. Food packaging, on the other hand, could already be recycled into food packaging. So there are exclusion uses.

There is therefore a need to obtain information about the circuit of the film. This information can be broadly divided into three areas, namely the section “made film”, the section “used film” and the section “recycled film”. These three steps can be made fully traceable by the invention and preferred embodiments.

It is basically conceivable that instead of an EAN code with a classic barcode, only a barcode is used to identify recycling information.

An EAN number has the advantage that it already includes around 30 million products today and is basically used by every retailer, so that the recycling ID can easily be put into practice.

It should also be taken into account that the EAN code already contains information that goes beyond the actual content of a package. It is possible to find out which pack is available and what size it is. ID systems can be used that are already today for the area of action, so to speak, or can be used for the "use area". A packer can therefore print information on a package. If the packaging is thrown away by the customer, it can be tracked using the EAN code.

Because an EAN code already consists of three data fields, according to the knowledge available here, it is possible and useful to add a fourth one.

Further advantageous developments of the invention are characterized, for example, in
that the plastic product is a product manufactured in or with a blown film line, flat film line or line producing nonwovens,
and or
that information of the ID is ink information,
and or
that the information includes printing ink information as to whether the printing ink is plastic-based or recyclable,
and or
that the information is printing ink information as to whether the printing ink also contains printing inks that do not have FTA approval.

In order to obtain more precise information about the recyclability of the product, it is advantageous if the label has information about a cycle or life cycle of the plastic product, and / or if the label has at least one cycle information on the film, information about “manufacture the foil ”,“ using the foil ”and / or“ reprocessing the foil ”.

The use of a film database or packaging database is therefore conceivable, either each film or packaging being provided with its own ID or each film being labeled with one of several classes. It is possible to mark each film individually because basically a quasi “unlimited” or extremely high number of IDs are generated and stored in this database. Basically, however, labeling in classes is sufficient because recycling-relevant product properties can be assigned. A class can also or alternatively be used for individual identification.

For this purpose, a modified, serialized, supplemented GTIN number (or EAN number) can be used, i.e. a “global trade identification” number that also contains a sales number.

It is conceivable that such a number includes a kind of separate block that identifies a product class. In addition to the well-known EAN code, there is a serial number with several digits.

The implementation of these ideas is practicable because there is expert knowledge who deal with GTIN number systems (EAN codes). For supermarkets or supermarket chains, it is important that a barcode is used. They also receive a number, i.e. an EAN code, for their product and for the product packaging to be recycled. You can print this on the packaging. At the checkout it is determined to which product the barcode belongs. Scanning barcodes is a practice in retail. It is therefore an easy goal to establish such systems for films or film packaging and to make packaging information publicly available.

Thousands of pages of information are already being used because basically database fields are actually described or database content fields are described. In known systems, information on packaging is stored in the form of packaging sizes, but nothing that actually describes recyclability. An essential aspect is that information on recyclability is attached to the film or the product packaging film.

In addition, to provide information about recyclability, the mass of the packaging and / or the material of the packaging or information on recyclability can be given. A separate evaluation matrix for recyclability would be conceivable.

An identification handle is preferably assigned to each film, that is to say to each film produced. In the further course of the life of the film, it is recycled and further supplemented with information. Analogously, this life cycle system can be imagined as a “locomotive” to which “wagons” are attached and detached, thus making it possible to create a deeper differentiability. Already known recycling labels and recycling classes can easily be integrated into the number or code system.

For example, PE and PP material can be labeled. The formation of many recycling fractions is also conceivable.

It is already possible to rewrite data in the database. Therefore, the recycling information can be easily incorporated. For example, a film can be produced with the manufacturer number 12345 and a product number 678,910. Below or next to it, a six-digit sequential number, for example, is set for the roll leaving the factory.

It is possible in this database to write down data in addition to the product and to use a role or the customer machine as recycling information.

The information can be obtained from this that the film is, for example, an agricultural film.

From this a kind of deposit system can be formed that would be very environmentally friendly.

Information about a completely new type of use would also be possible. The moment the film is recycled, it would be given a new ID.

It is advantageous to use a system comprising a component with an ID generator, a component with an ID attachment unit and / or a component with an ID reading unit.

It is also advantageous
if the ID is implemented as a serialized “global trade identification” ID.
and or
if a limited number of characters, bars and / or symbols is used in the ID,
and or
if the ID has information about a group of products, especially packaging,
and or
if the ID contains information about an individual product, in particular individual packaging,
and or
if the ID has information about a mass of a single product, in particular a single package.
and or
if the ID includes a manufacturer-specific number range,
and or
if the ID is or includes information about the recyclability of a packaging.
and or
if the ID includes recycling class information and / or a recycling label,
and or
if the ID is a QR code.

The recycling label described here takes into account that the film is melted, and this no longer has the same characteristics. The beginning and end of the cycle chain are taken into account. The beginning is the manufacture and the source. The film manufacturer is both a source and an origin. For example, a film can be produced from flakes. At the end, this film is shredded and returned to the manufacturer for the next use. In principle, this means recycling.

The focus is on the life cycle that receives a new ID. It would be conceivable that ID numbers, to which information fragments are added or removed, are stored in a suitable database within the cycle. The ID is a reference to any memory.

Basically, a blockchain principle with a data chain is preferably used. This data chain can be supplemented and changed and one would still be able to reconstruct the origin of the data chain. The system according to the invention is based on the idea that nowadays in supermarkets there is a QR code welded onto the packaging. The code can be followed and historical data on the product can be read from it. The aim of recycling should be to establish systems so that information relevant to recycling can be read.

The database system is intended to allow customers to store information in a database. Likewise, information is automatically stored in the database by manufacturing machines.

As the ID is automatically generated and attached to a packaging film, for example, in a film manufacturing plant, consistent quality can be guaranteed over the life cycle of the film. The film manufacturer alone takes on the corresponding data management of the ID, because there is a problem that third parties can write other data into the database. Then the manufacturer no longer has control over how good the data quality is. When manufacturing machines take this step, at least the first step, it leads to better, more reproducible data security.

A method for producing plastic products, in particular plastic films, is therefore particularly advantageous, in which the ID of the manufactured product, in particular the manufactured film, is generated on a production system for the product, in particular a film as a product, in particular with a blown film system as the system is assigned to this or, which is carried out in such a way that an identification and tracking of the film during its entire life cycle from production and further processing, through an application and / or purpose, to preparation and the input raw material for further use is possible is.

A further improvement in recyclability is achieved in that the ID is designed as a recipe ID and / or a recipe is part of the ID.

Essentially, the material components can be identified with the recipe ID.

The recipe can be one of several components of the ID. Additionally or alternatively, recycling classes, e.g. globally recognized classes, could be used. If you think of the example of the packaging film, you get a large number of variants and thus a large amount of data. However, this is not a technical problem and meets the requirements for good recyclability. The more precise the information about what is contained in the recipe, the better the recyclability. A simple example is the recycling of PET bottles. The recycling works so well because only PET is available and there is no great variation, with the input raw material and the output raw material being clearly described. In order to recycle more complex plastics, the ID can be pasted or printed.

Wider application of the invention and further automation is achieved
if a selection machine is used to identify the ID, which is connected to a selection machine in a communication connection, in order to use the read ID to carry out an automatic or semi-automatic selection of the plastic waste from the plastic products provided with the ID,
and or
if the selection machine selects the plastic waste into a limited number of classes,
and or
if the number of classes is between 4 and 50, preferably 8 to 22, in particular about 10.

The invention is also suitable for polymer bags. A truck can deliver new polymer sacks and takes the used ones back with it and brings these sacks to the recycling station or to the manufacturer of the polymer sacks. These are processed into granules and collected. The recycled granulate is then processed in the sack production facility, as the exact recipe is known. So this is a "b-to-b business". This idea can also be applied to agricultural films and industrial packaging films. If you look at the example of industrial packaging films, a pallet and a hood (industrial packaging films) present above or around the pallet. The film secures the packaged goods for transport.

With the ID, a customer could basically also use it to go to the supermarket to feed this industrial packaging film into the recycling process. The use of classes in the ID would be advantageous for this. The classes that exist today are not enough. However, this is not a technical problem and can be solved. If, for example, it is a PE film, PE is in the ID. If you consider the variety of PEs, recycling would be difficult. This problem is solved by the invention through the possibility of storing a variety of information in the ID and the database. It is advantageous that the entire recipe is stored in the ID or identification number.

Furthermore, it is technically not a problem if a supermarket chain uses its own packaging or prescribes the packaging and dramatically reduces the number to a few, e.g. four pieces. Each packaging can also be left with a deposit. If a consumer brings any other packaging to the same supermarket like a consumer in the future, then you can imagine that he will collect it and sort it into his four or five classes. The packaging, sorted by class, can be easily recycled.

In principle, it would be technically possible as an immediate implementation of the invention to apply the ID to the German "Gelber Sack" or yellow bin system. Packaging foils with ID are disposed of via this system. Selection mechanisms or selection systems (scanning the code, separation via air flow) can be used for this. For this purpose, the recipe information is evaluated so that in the end you know which class the plastic waste is to be assigned to or how it is to be selected.

In the case of a few classes, even several chemical markers would be sufficient as ID. Since these are limited, the number of classes should be small.

In the case of a multilayer film to be recycled, it is advantageous to
if the ID is designed as a chemical identification marker, or
if the ID contains information about individual layers of a multilayer film.
Further possible advantageous further developments of the invention are characterized in that
that the ID includes information about the life cycle or information about the life cycle of the material of the plastic product,
and or
that the ID includes information about at least part of the life cycle of the material to be recycled, in particular about the entire life cycle,
and or
that the ID can be supplemented with increasing use of the product.

From a further idea, you can add an ID later. It is conceivable that additional data can be added in the course of its life (e.g. the life cycle of packaging) to which another ID is appended, with the data field being expanded. The new data is then appended to the initial retrieved ID.

Another possible advantageous further linkage of the method is characterized in that the ID includes an ID area that is publicly accessible and includes an ID area that is reserved for a manufacturer or a related group of people. This means that secret recipes can be kept secret.

Other advantageous further developments of the method are characterized by
that the ID contains information about the item price,
and or
that the ID contains information about the product brand and / or a manufacturer assignment.

Information about product prices but also product brands can be stored in the ID. A first detergent manufacturer can use different colors for the print image of its packaging (bottle, box or bag) than a second detergent manufacturer. Based on the brand or the brand stored in the ID, conclusions can be drawn about the nature of the colors. The brand itself can also be used to draw conclusions about the recyclability of the packaging. Conclusions can be drawn from the brand of a company that is particularly committed to "making packaging that is particularly biologically valuable" that 100% old plastic has been used. Based on the brand or the ID, one could therefore draw conclusions about biodegradable properties. If one manufacturer uses biodegradable paints and the other manufacturer still uses industrial paints, scanning the ID could give the environmentally friendly manufacturer a bonus of e.g. 3 ct. credit. Such ID differentiation is therefore important.

A further improvement in recyclability results from the fact that the ID includes information that can be transferred to a further life cycle,

This preferred embodiment is based on the idea that an ID can be assigned in which a type of “birth certificate” is stored in relation to the smallest unit. One can also imagine that one ascribes this ID in a certain way to the property of being “inheritable”. This is possible because a film is made from a large parent roll. The parent role is divided into partial roles on a splitter. The ID (birth certificate) contains the parent role and partial role. The part roll can be divided into smaller rolls and then divided down to the finished piece packaging at the end of the day.

The specific film ID can thus describe the “life” of the film product or the film packaging. If the film is recycled several times, it has N-lives. These N-lives can be easily described with the ID. For example, the ID can be used to describe whether the packaging previously contained muesli or machine oil. It stands to reason that information about life is important for recycling.

Through a comprehensive ID system, different IDs of the different N-lives can be linked with one another. The ID itself is enough for a lifetime.

Information about a previous life cycle can also be relevant. A cycle is linked in a chain, so to speak, that has several life cycles.

In order to maintain quality, it may be desirable to limit the cycle of recycling to a limited number of lives. The number of lives can be increased by adding new material (virgin material).

The thought also plays a role that a certain percentage or per thousand amount of impurities and / or undesirable material is allowed in my formulation in the plastic. The ID could also contain information about contaminants and / or unwanted material.

It would also be conceivable to store information about contamination in the ID or the database. But even if no suitable information about contamination is stored in the ID, one can follow the path of origin of the film and thus determine the cause.

It should be taken into account that, depending on the use, it would be possible to cause contamination in the material, e.g. the film, i.e. the recycled film, through production errors or even deliberately. One can imagine that recycled food packaging would be used and it would happen that one (or more) consumers would become ill from the consumption of food in connection with the corresponding food packaging. The recycling cycle (s) can be used to prove how much contamination has been allowed or in which line the film was produced. The invention is therefore of particular interest to diaper manufacturers, for example. They have a problem with using recycled material for diapers, because the requirements are that the smallest contamination must be avoided. If the diaper product is made from recycled material, it is usually always contaminated to a certain extent when it is recycled. In extreme cases, this can lead to legal disputes with consumers. The ID could even serve as evidence in court proceedings. If, however, it can be read from the ID that these impurities are negligibly small, for example by recycling with suitable waste or by adding virgin material, then it would even be possible to recycle diapers or to manufacture them from recycled material. As far as impurities are concerned, the same applies to food film. Due to the lack of suitable recycling processes, it is not possible to use recycled goods in food film today. As mentioned above, there could be residues of printing inks and the like. This goes so far that, as part of an acycle discussion (example: FFS Sack), a granulate polymer sack may be used for the automotive industry but not for food because there is a fear that recycled material will come with it migrated out of the recycling material into the "clean" granulate.

This could allow contaminants to get into the food film. With the present invention, however, the smallest impurities, e.g. below the detection limit, can be permitted. The invention can therefore increase a recycling rate by also making recycling in sensitive areas possible through the invention. In this context, reference is made to the problems with oil contact or detergents described above.

The invention focuses on the recycling of plastic product packaging.

It is therefore also advantageous that the ID is stored in an RFID element on the product and / or a material batch in the process chain of the product.

It would be conceivable to arrange an RFID on a film roll of the film to be produced. This ensures traceability. An RFID code can be used to establish a correlation between the data along the entire process chain. This means you know where film production has been carried out and what has been made of it. Information is obtained from a printing machine or a stretch machine, for example, if the films are to be used for packaging and correlations can be established. You can also let data flow back, which works particularly well when printing. The identification options according to the invention can then also serve a completely different purpose.

An ID is preferably assigned, but information only flows in the direction of the life cycle and no correlations are formed between any stations.

It is also possible to use methods which, so to speak, consist of two parts. On the one hand, from a process part “collecting the data”, of course, only in the direction of life and then, on the other hand, a process part of what you do with the data. These conclusions draw on subsequent stages.

For these reasons it is beneficial to
if the ID includes information about a plastic film roll for manufacturing the product,
and or
if the ID includes a sequential serial number generated by the manufacturing facility,
and or
if the ID can be combined from a system of different IDs.

The invention uses this idea and has the advantage that machines can automatically write the ID on the foil. The machines must have access to the database or databases for this. The database or databases must transfer the data. For example, you have to use a uniform number for the product type, a serial number and an actual sequential number.

Systems in the form that the ID itself receives classifications can advantageously be used as a basis. These can be supplemented by further features.

It is advantageous if the ID is used in connection with a "smallest unit". In the present case, this is not the roll of material for producing the film, but the preferably individual product.

The ID can be transformed in the course of the life cycle without the information of the original ID being lost. This takes into account essential processing steps, re-printing, coating and laminating. The film is cut lengthways or crossways into several pieces from the roll and divided. You can also unroll 50 percent of a roll, cut it crosswise and, for example, make the statement that 10 small rolls have now been created from one large roll. You can also cut the roll lengthways in the execution. The film can be combined with other films or other materials, paper webs or the like. Different IDs can be combined with each other if other procedural steps are added. The film or film composite can basically be divided into any small units, e.g. flakes, shredded, as in known recycling processes. You can wash the foil beforehand and then use it to make flakes and snippets that are small. Granulate is made from this again. The flakes can be further split in a machine, which is then processed into granules.

Compared to flakes, granules have a better bulk density and thus allow constant dosing. This is more pronounced for PE than for PET. Because PET is stiff. Flakes are suitable for the PET process. Granules are suitable for the PE process.

PE flakes cannot easily be fed into a blown film line with an extruder. The step of making granules is easier because there are only small fluctuations in throughput, i.e. fluctuations in bulk weight.

During production, it is important to dose constantly, whereby the flakes or granules are preferably sorted for recycling.

It is therefore particularly advantageous to mark PET and PE material with the ID. With the help of the ID, you can decide whether the product, if it becomes garbage, will be recycled into flakes or granules.

Multi-component injection molding can also be taken into account.

Different plastics as components cannot be combined with one another at will. Some plastics are inherently incompatible. These have to be chemically modified, e.g. with a soft component. A problem can arise if an operator of the system forgets to drain the material that was previously in a funnel of the soft component. The system has sucked in the new material. Such a soft component can be taken into account in the ID. The defective pieces can be sorted out and recycled again into other suitable products. The defective pieces do not need to be burned as garbage. The system can automatically recognize the supply of a soft component and automatically generate data for the ID.

The invention is also based on the idea that the ID is assigned to a smallest unit.

A smallest unit can be flakes or granules. It should be noted that the ID cannot be transferred directly to the smallest unit, i.e. not directly to small flakes or even granules.

The ID should therefore be able to be broken down into ID number ranges. If the flakes are the smallest part and not the end of life, that would mean that each individual flake would have to be given an inherited ID. That would be unrealistic. Alternatively, a container with the flakes could take over this task and the ID. The container would be marked with the ID.

This would no longer be its own individual ID. The flakes or granules do not have a subdistributed ID or an underspecified ID, but keep the previous ID. A container or the batch would have to be identified with the ID.

The IDs themselves, which have been flaked and packed in a sack, are illegible. You cannot then under-specify this any further. But you can assign a new ID to the batch.

A kind of "interim ID" would be conceivable, e.g. for the area between the flake and the new melting.

In addition or therefore it is particularly favorable
if the ID is designed to be expandable,
and or
if the ID is stored in a link database, whereby the link database brings together information from several individual databases,
and or
if at least one individual database only contains information about various virgin materials that are added to the product,
and or
if at least one granulate and / or flakes is used to manufacture the product, information about this granulate and / or flakes being stored in at least one individual database,
and or
if at least one individual database contains information on plasticizers,
and or
if at least one individual database contains information suitable for the food industry,
and or
if the ID is attached by means of printing suitable for the food industry.

At least one link database would be advantageous, especially for each interim ID. If your own link database is used, you get a data record that is generated by the interim ID, so to speak

The link database is particularly advantageous when adding new goods or first goods or virgin material when recycling. A product made from 100% virgin material that has become rubbish is considered new.

A code consisting of the new product and the previous recycling material can be generated from the link database.

It is advantageous if an ID is generated separately for the flakes or granules and is used in the recycling process.

The actual purpose is to only allow flakes of one ID, in a certain cycle or with a combination that you know will work later or production is possible at all. Known input material (additives) can be used for direct processing for flakes or granulate made from flakes. Different granulate classes are conceivable, e.g. for the raw material.

It must be ensured that the recipe information is not lost during the recycling process. Therefore, an existing physical ID (the print itself) can be shredded into flakes, or it can then be granulated, or it can be shredded even smaller, as long as the ID information can be assigned to a recycling preparation activity. This can be ensured by intermediate databases (individual databases).

As long as material is stored separately, there are no problems because the recipe always remains the same, unless you mix in a component, which can be used to soften the material better. Plasticizers would have to be written separately in the ID as a data field or data record.

It would be advantageous to use a date and regranulate qualities or usage restrictions in the ID.

Different regranulate qualities could be identified in terms of classes. It would be important to know what regranulate is made of.

The number system of the ID must allow a parent role to be specified, information on how often this role can be shared is to get information about the smallest unit at the end. Data can be automatically provided by a packaging machine or the like and transmitted directly to the database via the Internet or temporarily stored on a data carrier.

The above advantageous embodiments can be combined with one or more of the following embodiments or features.

These would be characterized by
that an ID of the plastic product is used that allows a clear or unambiguous identification of the origin of a plastic formulation used in the ongoing manufacturing process in a life cycle of the plastic product,
that an ID of the plastic product is used in a life cycle
of the plastic product allows a clear or unambiguous identification of the composition of a plastic formulation used in the ongoing manufacturing process,
that an ID of the plastic product is used that allows a clear or unambiguous identification of a purpose of a plastic formulation or the plastic product in the ongoing manufacturing process in a life cycle of the plastic product,
that the ID of the plastic product is added during the ongoing manufacturing process,
that at least one dye visible to the human eye is used for the ID,
that the ID includes information about at least one recyclable or non-recyclable plastic base material,
that the ID is automatically read or recognized by a reading device in an automated reading process,
that the ID is printed,
that the ID is introduced by ink,
that the ID is used as printing, in particular as a barcode,
that the ID is inserted after an extrusion system in a printing or after a laminating device.
that machine-readable coding is used as ID,
that new supplements are added during the recycling process,
that the extrusion line is designed as a flat film extrusion line,
that the formulation of the plastic article of the plastic article manufactured in the ongoing manufacturing process contains only one dominant raw material,
that the base material is a polymer raw material, in particular polyolefins, polycondensates, PE, PET, PP, PA, PBT, PLA or EVOH,
that at least one chemical solvent process is used during the recycling process that allows different layers and / or the basic materials to be separated, and / or
that the solvent process is used immediately before the current manufacturing process.

A flat film extrusion system or cast film system is particularly suitable for rigid plastic packaging with the GTIN ID according to the invention, while a blown film system is suitable for plastic packaging bags with the GTIN ID according to the invention. The use of calender systems or extrusion coating systems is also possible.

Films made of PS or PP, PET film, barrier films, mineral-filled films, yoghurt cups (PS), margerine cups (PP), delicatessen cups (PP), MAP trays for meat packaging (PP), drinking cups (PS or PP) can be recycled thanks to the ID. , his.

Recyclable packaging products provided with the ID can be PET packaging such as transparent fruit bowls, transparent egg packaging, transparent packaging for confectionery products, blister packs and display packaging, trays for ready-made meals (C-PET).

The ID can then be used for recyclable packaging for supermarket products that are transported over long distances and use up to 9-layer trays with a combination of different polymers that create the necessary barrier properties. Recycling objects provided with the ID according to the invention can be packaging such as aroma-proof packaging for cheese and fish, coffee capsules, MAP packaging for fresh meat.

The invention enables CPP foils to be recycled, for example bread bags, foils for flower packaging, foils for textile packaging, foils for metallization for food packaging, foils for lamination with BOPP (pasta packaging), foils for office applications (file covers, pocket sleeves).

Hygiene films, such as backsheet for baby and adult diapers, film for feminine hygiene articles, cast PET films, such as blister films, twist films, laminating films, films for folding boxes, coatings of nonwovens and textile materials, composite materials such as roof underlays, interior linings for automobiles, textile backsheets for can be recycled Diapers, packaging with paper, aluminum foil and BOPP or BOPET films, such as coffee packaging, flexible barrier packaging or beverage cartons.

In connection with blown film systems, products can be printed with the ID such as, flexible packaging films, fine shrink films, films for press packaging, laminating films, tube laminates, films for freezer packaging, label films, surface protection films, backsheet films, carrier bag films, shirt bags, garbage bags, stretch hoods, shrink hoods, FFS Foil tubes for heavy goods bags, lid foils, deep-drawing foils, foil for stand-up pouches, packaging foil, e.g. B. for cheese, sausage, coffee, milk. Possible raw materials here are LDPE, LLDPE, mLLDPE, MDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, EVA, EBA, ionomer or organic raw materials.

Another embodiment is characterized by use in an FFS application in an open or closed circuit.

Another embodiment is characterized by an insert for producing agricultural plastic agricultural products, in particular agricultural films.

A method for operating a data processing system with the database and for using the database for recycling plastic products is advantageous, information on the origin or the composition of the plastic products being or being able to be stored in the database.

A method in which the database is operated and used for the automated assignment of plastic films on the basis of the IDs is also advantageous.

In another development of the invention, printing, in particular a barcode, is used as the identification marker ID. There are already commercially available readers and systems in the form of adhesive labels.

In such solutions, the ID is preferably applied after an extrusion system in a printing or after a laminating device.

In any case, it is advantageous that a machine-readable code is used as the identification marker ID.

Theoretically, a film can be recycled with the invention for an almost infinite amount of time. In practice, however, it will be the case that a compromise must be made between environmental protection and economic aspects. It would be conceivable to design the invention in such a way that a new identification marker is added after or during the ongoing manufacturing process. This enables a statement to be made about the number n or about the number of recycling cycles that have taken place in a later manufacturing process. If the last or newest identification marker is determined, e.g. the marker last used or the identification marker with a highest "value", a statement can be made on how often the film has been recycled. When the recycling end is reached, the material can be used for other inferior products, e.g. park benches.

The idea is behind it: eg before the first cycle an ID with value 1 is added, after this cycle "1" is read and ID 2 is added, after the second cycle 2 is read and ID 3 is added, etc. until n = 100, for example is reached.

The invention can be used on a large number of products, but, as already explained, the invention is particularly suitable in connection with plastic films that are to be recycled, in particular multilayer films that could previously only be recycled using expensive separation processes.

In order to improve the quality of the multilayer film, it is also advantageous that new supplements are added during the recycling process.

In addition, an extrusion system can be used for the ongoing manufacturing process. Recyclable products can be created with proven extrusion technologies and without separation processes with solvents.

The extrusion system is preferably designed as a blown film system. Such a technology allows the production of a large number of high-quality products such as plastic bags for medical technology.

Products can be film packaging or large-area films.

Recycling is considerably simplified if the formulation of the plastic article of the plastic article produced according to the ongoing manufacturing process contains only one dominant base material. The base material can be a polymer raw material, in particular polyolefins, polycondensates, PE, PET, PP, PA, PBT, PLA or EVOH.

The number of recycling cycles can be increased further if a thermal and / or mechanical aftertreatment is carried out in the ongoing manufacturing process in such a way that a product property is positively influenced in terms of a later use of the end product.

Likewise, the number of recycling cycles can be increased further if at least one chemical solvent process is used during the recycling process that allows different layers and / or the basic materials to be separated. The solvent process can be used immediately prior to the current manufacturing process.

A further development of the invention is possible in which it is used in an FFS application in an open or closed circuit.

Preferred articles are agricultural plastic products, in particular agricultural films, plastic carrier bags, plastic products for the food industry, in particular plastic films, plastic packaging and the like.

Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, further advantageous developments of the invention and advantages thereof being described.

• 1 eine Darstellung eines ergänzten EAN- bzw. GTIN-Codes mit Barcode,
• 2 eine Darstellung eines ergänzten EAN- bzw. GTIN-Codes mit QR-Code,
• 3 eine Darstellung eines ergänzten EAN- bzw. GTIN-Codes mit Barcode und QR-Code,
• 4 eine Eingabemaske eine Programmproduktes zur Eingabe der bisherigen EAN/GTIN,
• 5 eine Eingabemaske eine Programmproduktes zur Eingabe einer Recyclingklasse einer recycelbaren Folienverpackung,
• 6 eine Eingabemaske eines Programmproduktes zur Eingabe einer Materialzusammensetzung der recycelbaren Folienverpackung,
• 7 ein Blockdiagramm einer ersten Anlagenstruktur zum Herstellen einer recycelbaren Folienverpackung,
• 8 ein Blockdiagramm einer weiteren Anlagenstruktur zum Herstellen einer anderen recycelbaren Folienverpackung,
• 9 ein Blockdiagramm eines Recyclingvorgangs für Supermarktwaren,
• 10a eine schematische Darstellung von Sortiervorgängen einer Selektionsmaschine bzw. Selektionsanlage,
• 10b eine weitere schematische Darstellung von weiteren Sortiervorgängen der Selektionsmaschine bzw. Selektionsanlage,
• 11 ein Blockdiagramm eines Recyclingprozesses einer ersten Anlagenstruktur zum Herstellen einer recycelbaren Folienverpackung,
• 12 ein Blockdiagramm eines Recyclingprozesses einer zweiten Anlagenstruktur zum Herstellen einer recycelbaren Folienverpackung,
• 13 ein Blockdiagramm eines Recyclingprozesses einer dritten Anlagenstruktur zum Herstellen einer recycelbaren Folienverpackung,
• 14 ein Blockdiagramm eines Recyclingprozesses der ersten Anlagenstruktur zum Herstellen von ersten recycelbaren Folienverpackungen,
• 15 ein Blockdiagramm eines Recyclingprozesses der ersten Anlagenstruktur zum Herstellen von zweiten recycelbaren Folienverpackungen,
• 16 ein Blockdiagramm eines Recyclingprozesses der ersten Anlagenstruktur zum Herstellen von dritten recycelbaren Folienverpackungen,
• 17 ein Blockdiagramm eines Recyclingprozesses einer Struktur zum Herstellen von Lebensmittel-Verpackungen aus Agrarfolien,
• 18 ein Blockdiagramm eines Recyclingprozesses einer Struktur zum Herstellen von Motorölkanistern aus Lebensmittel-Verpackungen,
• 19 eine schematische Darstellung einer Mutterrolle und Teilrollen mit ID'S zur Herstellung einer Lebensmittelverpackung,
• 20 eine schematische Darstellung mit zwei Teilrollen mit ID'S zur Herstellung einer Lebensmittelverpackung aus beiden Rollen.
• 21 ein Blockdiagramm einer Datenbankstruktur für die ID'S von zu recycelnden Folienverpackungen, und
• 22 ein Blockdiagramm einer Datenbankstruktur aus 19 mit einer Schnittstelle zu einer Datenbank einer Produktionsanlage.

Show it:

• 1 a representation of a supplemented EAN or GTIN code with barcode,
• 2 a representation of a supplemented EAN or GTIN code with QR code,
• 3 a representation of a supplemented EAN or GTIN code with barcode and QR code,
• 4th an input mask for a program product for entering the previous EAN / GTIN,
• 5 an input mask for a program product for entering a recycling class of a recyclable film packaging,
• 6 an input mask of a program product for entering a material composition of the recyclable film packaging,
• 7th a block diagram of a first system structure for producing a recyclable film packaging,
• 8th a block diagram of a further system structure for producing another recyclable film packaging,
• 9 a block diagram of a recycling process for supermarket goods,
• 10a a schematic representation of sorting processes of a selection machine or selection system,
• 10b a further schematic representation of further sorting processes of the selection machine or selection system,
• 11 a block diagram of a recycling process of a first system structure for producing a recyclable film packaging,
• 12 a block diagram of a recycling process of a second system structure for producing a recyclable film packaging,
• 13 a block diagram of a recycling process of a third system structure for producing a recyclable film packaging,
• 14th a block diagram of a recycling process of the first plant structure for producing the first recyclable film packaging,
• 15th a block diagram of a recycling process of the first system structure for producing second recyclable film packaging,
• 16 a block diagram of a recycling process of the first system structure for producing third recyclable film packaging,
• 17th a block diagram of a recycling process of a structure for producing food packaging from agricultural films,
• 18th a block diagram of a recycling process of a structure for making motor oil canisters from food packaging,
• 19th a schematic representation of a master roll and partial rolls with IDs for the production of food packaging,
• 20th a schematic representation with two partial rolls with ID'S for the production of a food packaging from both rolls.
• 21st a block diagram of a database structure for the ID'S of film packaging to be recycled, and
• 22nd a block diagram of a database structure 19th with an interface to a database of a production plant.

1 shows an ID 1 or an imprint of an ID 1 with barcode. This is used in a process for the recyclable manufacture of plastic products from a recyclable plastic material. The product can be a film, a film packaging or a packaging made of hard plastic. The packaging can also be a deep-drawn part for a packaging tray that is accommodated in a packaging box. The plastic products will eventually become plastic waste. This is recycled using the process described here. The recycling ID is a label printed on the product.

Life cycles, the database and recycling processes will be explained later using additional figures.

It is essential that a recycling ID 1 of the plastic product is used, which allows clear or unambiguous identification in a life cycle of the plastic product on the basis of information stored in a database of a recycling characteristic of the plastic product.

The product is, for example, a packaging film for packaging goods, with the identification or recycling ID 1 is a label attached to the packaging film.

The recycling ID 1 or identification is in a form of at least one number 2 or number sequence integrated or attached to the plastic product, in particular printed. The identification or recycling ID 1 includes the barcode 3 . This marking or recycling ID 1 is designed as an extended goods code or integrated in this code. In particular, the ID 1 in the form of an extended EPA or GTIN code with preferably a supplemented EPA number or a supplemented GTIN number. The extended GTIN identification comprises three data fields 4th , 5 and 6 and a check digit starting with the reference number 7th is marked. This information corresponds to the previous GTIN with country code, company number and article number. There is also new information, namely recycling information 8th as the fourth data field 9 . The ID therefore comprises at least four different data fields, preferably with number fields.

The recycling ID 1 In particular, the recycling information can be implemented as a serialized identification, ie this includes, for example, a serial number which is provided by the producer of the packaging and is assigned to an individual packaging. Using the serial number (recycling information 8th ) further recycling information can be called up in a database, on the basis of which the recycling route is determined. This database contains, for example, the material composition of the packaging. The recycling information 8th can be indirect or direct information.

The ID 1 is at least partially implemented as a recipe ID. A recipe, for example a packaging film, is part of the ID 1 .

The packaging design with images and information can be printed on the freezer bag with printing ink on the packaging film, which contains, for example, frozen vegetables. The ID 1 includes, for example, printing ink information, ie information as to whether the plastic material of the freezer bag can be recycled directly with its printing ink. The information is, for example, printing ink information as to whether the printing ink is based on plastic and is therefore recyclable. The information can be printing ink information as to whether the printing ink also contains printing inks that do not have FTA approval. The printed ID can itself consist of food-grade printing. The ID 1 can for example include information about a mass of the individual packaging, for example the mass of the vegetable freezer bag. The ID 1 can include information with a manufacturer-specific number range. The information can be a combination of various pieces of information that have been mentioned here.

2 shows an ID 1 with a QR code with a known GTIN base number and a recycling number according to the invention. The basic information and recycling information are integrated in the modified QR code.

As 3 shows it is possible to print both barcodes and QR codes. Barcode and QR code can contain the same information. But it is also possible that the information of the two codes is different. The QR code may contain other recycling information that is not included in the barcode. This could be encrypted. Only certain people (e.g. the film manufacturer) could have the key, for example to protect security recipes. The public part of the code only needs to have information so that the film can find its way to the film manufacturer. This then uses the QR code to decide how to recycle. The ID 1 can therefore include an ID area that is publicly accessible and an ID area that is, for example, encrypted and therefore not publicly accessible, or is reserved for a manufacturer or a related group of people.

Entering the ID 1 can take place automatically without any human input, but also semi-automatically or even manually through at least one input mask of a computer program, such as the 4th to 6 exemplify. In a first mask after 4th The basic GTIN and other information, as shown, could be entered for article management, such as creating article, article description, etc. For the GTIN addition, in the second mask according to 5 Enter a recycling class that is specified in a list. The search can be facilitated by a search function. Alternatively and / or additionally, in the third mask according to 6 a material composition of the packaging with material (PP, PE etc.) and relative values (%) and / or absolute values (grams) can be entered. In the case of food packaging, the information can be given by the packaging manufacturer, the food manufacturer and / or a supermarket.

This information is preferably made automatically by the packaging manufacturer (e.g. film or hard plastic packaging), such as 7th to 9 illustrate.

The attachment 17a after 7th represents yogurt cups 10 (Deep-drawn part, without contents and lid) made of hard plastic. A control unit 11 with a single database 12 controls the production and printing process of the code, which is in 1 has been presented. Database 12 includes customer-specific data (yogurt manufacturer) and recycling information 8th that are responsible for printing the ID 1 are necessary. Database 12 is in communication link with a central database 13 which will later be based on the 21st and 22nd is explained in more detail. From the database information (database 12 and or 13 ) the code is generated automatically.

Similar is in the attachment after 8th other packaging, e.g. vegetable freezer bags, and with the ID 1 printed. However, here film tubes are formed with a blown film system, rolled up on a roll and with the separating unit 14th separated into individual pieces before these with the ID 1 be printed.

Another course of this packaging is in 9 shown. The freezer bag is delivered by the producer, filled with vegetables and finally arrives as a vegetable package (symbolically shown as a cylinder) at a supermarket and in a consumer's shopping cart. The same applies to the yoghurt (trapezoid), a packaging film for cheese (triangle) and a product with a hard plastic shell that is not a food (cuboid). All packaging bears the ID.

After the consumer returns the plastic waste to a drop-off station, shown here as a "recycling charge / deposit system", the waste can be separated. The delivery is shown here in the supermarket, but can also include other delivery stations or garbage cans (without deposit).

After manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic separation, the plastic waste can become regranulate RG1 , RG2, RG3, RG4 can be processed. The regranulate RG1 -4 is in a material carrier 19th or container kept. To identify the ID 1 can be a selection machine 27 or selection device are used which are in communication with an ID reader (scanner 3 and / or scanner 2 ) is connected to an automatic selection of the plastic waste with the ID 1 provided plastic products. The selection machine 27 selects the plastic waste of the products into a limited number of classes.

The 10a and 10b show the selection device 27 and selection processes. Here it is assumed in a simplified manner that the selection machine 27 stands in the supermarket. The selection machine 27 Alternatively, it can also be located away from the supermarket in a factory for the production of regranulate or another facility. This facility supplies the packaging manufacturer. The packaging manufacturer himself can provide the facility. The consumer scans the empty packaging V based on their ID with the scanner S. and throws it through an opening O ( 10a) . A conveyor F. the packaging is transported with e.g. straps V to the right container C. and throws the packaging V by means of a sorting element, e.g. a blowing device B ( 10b) . For sorting there are further blowing devices, not shown, which are assigned to further containers (only a second one shown). Each container can have an ID ( 10a above), which is assigned to the respective packaging ID.

The selection device 27 includes a controller and further components (not shown in part) such as (at least one), scanner, conveyor, sorting element, optical sensor, camera and / or light barrier, which are connected to the controller.

The corresponding regranulate container (any container, e.g. barrel, sack, etc.) is assigned an ID 16 provided in order to be able to assign the granules.

Individual packagings can be grouped together so that, for example, the yogurt symbol also applies to similarly recyclable packaging. The ID 1 can include recycling class information and / or a recycling label or deposit system label, such as the German PET bottle deposit system label.

A marking on the plastic product and on a material carrier with material for manufacturing the plastic product, in particular a film roll, flake or granulate container ( RG1 - 4). This means that the ID can be assigned to the smallest material unit (granulate) during a recycling process.

The 11 to 13 show different production of three packages with different systems.

The plastic product can be a product manufactured in a blown film line, a film extrusion line, an extrusion coating line, calender line or a cast film line.

11 shows a first system 17th for manufacturing the product comprising a component with an ID reading unit 18th , another component with an ID generator 28 , a component with an ID attachment unit 20th and a database 29 . The ID reader 18th scans the granulate information based on the ID 16 . Using the ID information of the ID 16 together with other data the ID 1 formed and printed on the package.

The blown film line after 12 and the cast film line 13 allow the production of multilayer films. Analogous to 11 these have the units 11 , 14th , 18th , 20th , 28 and 29 .

According to 12 are made from regranulate, for example RG1 and virgin granules VG 1 a first layer of film from the regranulate RG1 and an additive Z1 VG 1 a second layer of film, and only the regranulate RG1 a third layer is formed. The ID 1 has information about individual layers of the multilayer film.

According to 13 on the other hand, for example, the regranulate RG3 becomes a first layer of film, the regranulate RG1 and formed a second and third layer from further, different regranulates RG5, RG6. The ID 1 can be a consecutive serial number that is generated by a manufacturing facility ( 11 to 13 ) of the product is generated.

The plants set the individual database 29 containing information about the recyclability of various regranulate, virgin materials and / or additives that are added to the product. At least one granulate, in particular regranulate and / or flakes, in particular recycled flakes, is used to produce packaging products, information about this granulate and / or the flakes in the individual database 29 are stored. The individual database can also contain information about plasticizers and materials suitable for the food industry.

Based on 14th to 17th explains how a production of plastic films is possible in which the ID of the manufactured packaging product is generated and assigned to a production system for the packaging product. The ID is designed in such a way that the packaging product can be identified and tracked throughout its life cycle, from manufacture and further processing, through an application and / or intended use, to preparation and the incoming raw material for further use.

14th illustrates the manufacture of a second packaging product 22nd from a first packaging product 21st . The ID has the information "21", RG7 and thus the use "21" and raw material RG7.

15th illustrates the manufacture of a third packaging product 23 from the second packaging product 22nd . The ID also has the information "22", RG7 and thus the use "21" and raw material RG7. Overall, the new ID has the information “21, RG7; "22", RG2.

16 illustrates the manufacture of a fourth packaging product 24 from the third packaging product 23 . The ID also has the information "23", RG8 and thus the use "23" and raw material RG8. Overall, the new ID has the information “21, RG7; "22", RG2; "23", RG8. The recycling information is conveniently attached.

The raw materials RG7, RG2, RG8 have the same or at least a similar recipe. all products 21st to 24 consist of the same or a similar material, the shape and use of which is different.

The identification or recycling ID 1 here has an expandable number of numbers, letters, characters, lines and / or symbols. The ID is supplemented with increasing life or recycling cycles of the product or increasing use. The ID includes information that can be transferred to a further life cycle and is designed to be expandable. The ID includes information about several recycling cycles or several life cycles of the plastic product to be recycled, in particular information about all recycling cycles or all life cycles of the product to be recycled and thus information about the life cycle of the material of the plastic product. The identification thus comprises at least one cycle information, for example a film, in particular information about “producing the film”, “using the film” and / or “reprocessing the film”, such that these steps can be followed.

As an example, it is assumed that after several recycling cycles it turns out that the regranulate RG7 contained carcinogenic toxins, then all products ( 22nd to 24 ) are taken out of circulation because the information "RG7" has not been lost.

The 17th and 18th show that the invention is not limited to food packaging, films or packaging per se.

17th shows that the packaging 22nd from an agricultural film 25th (RG10) has been recycled for a tomato greenhouse.

18th shows that the packaging 22nd to an engine oil canister 26th has been recycled. From the ID of the engine oil canister, there is a restriction that its regranulate is no longer suitable for the food industry, but can be used for other suitable recycling purposes.

19th shows a mother role 30th with an RFID element 31a that has ID information in it. The mother role 30th will be in partial roles 31 with another ID 31b divided. Pieces of material are created from a partial roll 32 , which are provided with the ID of the parent and / or partial role. From the pieces of material 32 eg yogurt cups or other products, especially packaging products, are created. The ID can therefore be stored in an RFID element on the product itself and / or a material carrier with material for manufacturing the plastic product, in particular a film roll, flake and / or granulate container.

As 20th shows, the ID can be generated or combined from several or different IDs. As 20th the product is illustrated 34 from two partial roles 33 made with thin foils. This is a multi-layer product 34 . The pieces of material 32a, 32b have usable material 37 and material residues 38 . The scraps of material 38 have an ID and can also be recycled. The products 34 ( 19th , 20th ) are for example deep-drawn parts.

The 21st and 22nd show an example where the ID 1 in a database 13 , in particular a link database 35 is stored, whereby link database 35 Information from several individual databases 36 (12 in 7th ) merges and links product information, such as country code, company number and article number, with recycling information. The link database 35 can the database 13 or an additional database ( 22nd ) his. Database 35 can be part of the database 13 his. In the database 13 or. 35 information on the recycling characteristics of the plastic product is stored. Database 35 is designed as an open database. The basis for the database 35 are well-known GTIN databases. Database structures with regard to producer, supplier, customer database, article master data, price updates, article comparison are known and are therefore not explained further. In addition, the extended ID according to e.g. 1 the integration of the packaging manufacturer into the database structure. Database 35 is designed as a globally or worldwide open, in particular Internet-accessible database.

Additional link databases can also be used. Another link database can be located at the place of manufacture of the packaging, more or less as a further individual database. This link database stores (links) code information, e.g. from virgin material and recycled material.

The examples shown illustrate that the ID has recycling information about an individual product, in particular individual packaging. The ID includes recycling information about a group of products, in particular packaging. The ID contains information about the item price and the product brand.

The examples can be used to create database structures, interfaces and installation systems in the form for carrying out the method shown in the figures or described in total. This also applies to computer program products with program steps for carrying out the method.

Identically drawn components without reference symbols correspond to identically drawn components with reference symbols. For example, is the reference number 18th also on the reading unit in 15th drawn.

The invention is not limited to these examples. Described and / or shown features of the introduction to the description and / or of the examples (also of the prior art) can be combined with one another as desired. Thus, a chemical identification marker can also be arranged in the product as ID, in particular in a film such as packaging film and the like. The ID 1 can be combined with information from a chemical identification marker.

List of reference symbols

1

ID 1

2

number

3

Barcode

4th

Data fields

5

Data fields

6th

Data fields

7th

Check digit

8th

Recycling information (data field)

9

Fourth data field

10

Yogurt cups

11

Control unit

12

Single database

13

Central database

14th

Separation unit

16

ID

17th

investment

17a

investment

18th

ID reader

19th

Material carrier

20th

ID attachment unit

21st

Packaging product

22nd

Packaging product

23

Packaging product

24

Packaging product

25th

Agricultural film

26th

Motor oil canister

27

Selection machine / selection device

28

ID generator

29

Database

30th

Mother role

31

Partial roles

31a

RFID element

31b

ID

32

Pieces of material

33

Partial roles

34

product

35

Link database

36

Single database

37

Recyclable material

38

Residual material

C.

Container

F.

Conveyor

O

opening

S.

scanner

V

packaging

RG1 etc.

Regranulate

VG1

Virgin material (new granulate)

Z1

Additive

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 202011104968 U1 [0012]
• DE 69703355 T2 [0013]
• EP 2915668 A1 [0014]
• EP 2853374 B1 [0015]

Claims (54)

Method for the recyclable manufacture of plastic products from a recyclable plastic material, characterized in that a recycling ID (1, 16) of the plastic product is used, which in a life cycle of the plastic product is a clear or unambiguous identification based on a database (13, 29 , 35, 36) stored information of a recycling characteristic of the plastic product. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized for the production of plastic products, in particular plastic films, in which the ID of the manufactured product, in particular the manufactured film, is generated on a production system (17, 17a) of the product, in particular a film as the product, in particular with a blown film system as the system and is assigned to this or, which is carried out in such a way that an identification and tracking of the product or the film during its entire life cycle from production and further processing, through an application and / or intended use, to processing and the input raw material for further use is possible. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the recycling ID (1, 16) is an identification on the plastic product (22-4) and / or on a material carrier (19) with material for manufacturing the plastic product, in particular a film roll (30, 31), flake or granulate container or a container for regranulate (RG 1-10) is attached. Procedure according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the recycling ID (1, 16) or identification is integrated or attached to the plastic product in the form of at least one number (2) or number sequence. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification or recycling ID (1, 16) comprises a barcode (3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification or recycling ID (1, 16) comprises a QR code. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification or recycling ID (1, 16) is designed as an extended goods code or is integrated in this code, in particular as an extended EPA or GTIN code with preferably supplemented EPA Number or supplemented GTIN number is carried out. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification or recycling ID (1, 16) is implemented as a serialized identification or comprises a serial number. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification or recycling ID (1, 16) comprises a limited or expandable number of numbers, letters, characters, lines and / or symbols. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1, 16) comprises at least four different data fields (4, 5, 6, 8), preferably number fields. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification or recycling ID (1) is an identification printed on the product. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1, 16) comprises printing ink information, information as to whether the plastic material can be recycled directly with its printing ink. Procedure according to Claim 12 , characterized in that the information is printing ink information as to whether the printing ink is plastic-based and is therefore recyclable. Procedure according to Claim 13 , characterized in that the information is printing ink information as to whether the printing ink also contains printing inks that do not have FTA approval. Procedure according to Claim 13 or 14th , characterized in that the ID (1) itself consists of food-grade printing. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification or recycling ID (16) is an identification printed on a material carrier with material for manufacturing the plastic product, in particular a film roll, flake and / or granulate container. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1, 16) is stored in an RFID element on the product itself and / or a material carrier with material for manufacturing the plastic product, in particular a film roll, flake and / or granulate container . Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product is a plastic film. Procedure according to Claim 18 , characterized in that the product is a packaging film for packaging goods, the identification or recycling ID (1) being an identification applied to the packaging film. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) is arranged as a chemical identification marker in the product, in particular is arranged in a film such as packaging film and the like, or is combined with information from a chemical identification marker. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1, 16) is supplemented with increasing life or recycling cycles of the product or increasing use. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) is generated or combined from several or different IDs. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic product is a product produced in a blown film line, a film extrusion line, an extrusion coating line, smoothing plant or a cast film line. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a system (17, 17a) for producing the product comprising a component with an ID reading unit (18), another component with an ID generator (28), and a component with an ID Mounting unit (20). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a selection machine (27) is used to identify the ID (1), which is connected to an ID reader in a communication connection, in order to use the read ID to automatically select plastic waste from the ID tagged plastic products. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) comprises a consecutive serial number which is generated by a production facility for the product. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one individual database (36) is used which contains information about the recyclability of various regranulate, virgin materials and / or additives that are added to the product. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID is stored in a link database (35), the link database (35) bringing together information from several individual databases (12, 29, 36) and merchandise information such as country code, company number and article number Linked recycling information. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one granulate, in particular regranulate (RG 1-10) and / or flakes, in particular recycled flakes, are used for product manufacture, information about this granulate and / or the flakes in at least a single database (12, 36) are stored. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one individual database (12, 29, 36) comprises information on plasticizers. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one individual database (12, 29, 36) comprises information materials suitable for the food industry. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the database (35) in which stored information about the recycling characteristics of the plastic product is stored is designed as an open database. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the database (35) is designed as a globally or worldwide open, in particular internet-accessible database. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1, 16) includes information about several recycling cycles or several life cycles of the plastic product to be recycled. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1, 16) includes information about all recycling cycles or all life cycles of the product to be recycled and thus information about the life cycle of the material of the plastic product. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1, 16) includes information that can be transferred to a further life cycle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification or ID (1, 16) comprises at least one item of cycle information for a film, in particular information about "making the film", "using the film" and / or "reprocessing" of the film ", preferably in such a way that these steps can be followed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID has the ID (1) recycling information about an individual product, in particular individual packaging. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 36 , characterized in that the ID (1, 16) comprises recycling information about a group of products, in particular packaging. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a selection machine (27) selects the plastic waste of the products into a limited number of classes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) includes information about a mass of an individual product, in particular an individual packaging. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) comprises a manufacturer-specific number range. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) comprises recycling class information and / or a recycling mark or deposit system mark, such as the German PET bottle deposit system mark. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) is designed as a recipe ID or a recipe of the product, in particular a film, preferably a packaging film, is part of the ID. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) has information about individual layers of a multilayer film. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) comprises an ID range that is publicly accessible and comprises an ID range that is encrypted and therefore not publicly accessible, or reserved for a manufacturer or related group of people is. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) contains information about the item price. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) contains information about the product brand. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) includes information about a plastic film roll, in particular a master roll (30), for manufacturing the product. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) is assigned to a smallest material unit during a recycling process. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ID (1) is designed to be expandable. Database system with a database structure for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims. Plant system with an interface to a database for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims. Computer program product with program steps for executing a method according to one of the preceding claims.

Images