KR20210037597A - Method and apparatus for recycling protective film used in manufacturing process - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for recycling a protective film used in a manufacturing process, comprises the following steps: immersing and cleaning a contaminated film in a solution; high-pressure washing the cleaned film using the solution; and drying the washed film. According to the disclosed embodiment, the present invention has an advantage of providing a recycling means which can save resources and protect the environment, by removing foreign substances from the film for a manufacturing process that are generally discarded after use and making the film reusable.

Description

Recycling method and device of protective film used in manufacturing process {METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECYCLING PROTECTIVE FILM USED IN MANUFACTURING PROCESS}

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for recycling a protective film used in the manufacturing process.

The secondary battery assembly process includes a laminating and forming process of an anode and a cathode, and in the process, a PET film is used to protect the electrode. In addition, films are used for transport and protection in various processes such as semiconductors, and after the process, the film is contaminated with conductive foreign substances, making reuse impossible.

Therefore, conventionally, it was common to discard contaminated films, but the amount of the contaminated film was not small, causing environmental pollution and resource consumption problems.

Accordingly, there is a need for development of a technology that allows contaminated films to be treated and provided so that they can be reused.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for recycling a protective film used in a manufacturing process.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

A method for recycling a protective film used in a manufacturing process according to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems, in the recycling method for a protective film used in the manufacturing process, the step of impregnating and washing the contaminated film in a solution, It includes the step of high-pressure washing of the washed film using the solution and the step of drying the washed film.

In addition, the solution may be characterized in that it contains a methyl propyl ketone (Methyl Propyl Ketone, MPK) component.

In addition, the impregnating cleaning step may include a first cleaning step of performing impregnating annealing cleaning and a second cleaning step of performing impregnating precision cleaning.

In addition, the step of impregnating and washing may include injecting the solution and bubbles into a tank, impregnating the contaminated film into the solution injected into the tank using one or more rolling parts, and impregnating using the one or more rolling parts. It may include the step of discharging the cleaned film.

In addition, the drying may include removing moisture by spraying air onto the washed film, and drying the dried film using heat.

In addition, the drying may further include removing foreign substances from the dried film using a non-contact foreign substance removing device.

In addition, the method further comprises the steps of unwinding the contaminated film, transferring the unwinded film to a tank for impregnation cleaning, and rewinding the dried film. I can.

An apparatus for recycling a protective film used in a manufacturing process according to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes at least one rolling unit for transferring a contaminated film, a cleaning tank for impregnating and cleaning the contaminated film, the A pump for injecting a solution and a bubble into a cleaning tank, a high pressure cleaning unit for high-pressure cleaning of the film cleaned in the cleaning tank using the solution, and a drying unit for drying the washed film.

In addition, the solution may be characterized in that it contains a methyl propyl ketone (Methyl Propyl Ketone, MPK) component.

In addition, the cleaning tank includes a first cleaning tank for performing impregnation and annealing cleaning of the contaminated film, and a second cleaning tank for performing impregnation precision cleaning of the film cleaned in the first cleaning tank, , The drying unit may include a water removal unit configured to remove moisture by spraying air onto the film washed by the high pressure washing unit, and a drying oven configured to dry the dried film by applying heat to the dried film.

Other specific details of the present invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the disclosed embodiment, there is an advantage of providing a recycling means capable of saving resources and protecting the environment by removing foreign substances from a film for a manufacturing process that are generally discarded after use and making them reusable.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 is a flowchart briefly illustrating a recycling method according to an exemplary embodiment.
2 is a flow chart showing in detail a recycling method according to an embodiment.
3 and 4 are views showing a recycling device according to an embodiment.
5 is a view showing in detail a cleaning tank according to an embodiment.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and a method of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in a variety of different forms. It is provided to fully inform the skilled person of the scope of the present invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The terms used in the present specification are for describing exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form also includes the plural form unless specifically stated in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements other than the mentioned elements. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements, and "and/or" includes each and all combinations of one or more of the mentioned elements. Although "first", "second", and the like are used to describe various elements, it goes without saying that these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the technical idea of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used with meanings that can be commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly defined specifically.

Spatially relative terms "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. It can be used to easily describe the correlation between a component and other components. Spatially relative terms should be understood as terms including different directions of components during use or operation in addition to the directions shown in the drawings. For example, if a component shown in a drawing is turned over, a component described as "below" or "beneath" of another component will be placed "above" the other component. I can. Accordingly, the exemplary term “below” may include both directions below and above. Components may be oriented in other directions, and thus spatially relative terms may be interpreted according to the orientation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a flowchart briefly illustrating a recycling method according to an exemplary embodiment.

In step S110, an unwinding step, which is a process of unwinding the rolled film, may be performed.

The unwinding method of the film is not limited, but a method of unwinding the rolled film while rotating it around an axis or transferring the rolled film from its end using a rolling part or the like may be used.

The unwinded film may be cleaned, washed, and dried in the following steps through a conveying means such as a rolling unit, and finally rewinded as in the first form to be stored or transported.

In step S120, a step of cleaning the contaminated film may be performed.

In one embodiment, a step of impregnating and cleaning the contaminated film with a predetermined solution may be performed. For example, a film to be unwinded passes through a tank in which a solution is accommodated while being transported through a rolling unit, and in the process, the film is impregnated with the solution and may be cleaned due to the components of the solution.

Depending on the embodiment, the transfer of the film may be stopped for a predetermined period of time while at least a part of the film is immersed in the solution so that foreign matter can be cleaned, or the transfer speed of the film may be slowed, but is not limited thereto. Depending on the embodiment, the transfer speed of the film may be set to a speed of a level without problems in performing the following cleaning, washing, and drying steps including the impregnating cleaning step.

In the disclosed embodiment, the solution may include a methyl propyl ketone (MPK) component, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the solution may contain various acetone-based drugs or methyl alcohol components, but is not limited thereto.

In step S130, a step of washing the washed film again using a solution may be performed. In one embodiment, if the cleaning step was a step of performing impregnation cleaning, the cleaning step of step S130 may include washing by spraying a solution onto the film in a spray manner. For example, after washing is performed by immersing a film in a solution, a process of washing foreign substances by spraying the solution at high pressure on the film may be performed. However, the pressure at which the solution is sprayed on the film may be limited to a level at which no damage to the film occurs.

In step S140, a step of drying the washed film may be performed.

A specific method of drying the film is not limited, and examples related thereto will be described later.

In step S150, the step of rewinding the dried film may be performed.

Hereinafter, a film recycling method according to the disclosed embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

2 is a flow chart showing in detail a recycling method according to an embodiment.

Each of the steps described in FIG. 2 corresponds to the step described in FIG. 1, embodies the step described in FIG. 1, or adds an additional step to the step described in FIG. 1.

In step S210, an unwinding step, which is a process of unwinding the rolled film, may be performed.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a configuration in which a film is unwinded using a two-axis unwinder and then infeed to perform cleaning, washing, and drying operations through a rolling unit.

In step S220, the first impregnation annealing cleaning step may be performed by transferring the unwinded film.

As shown in FIG. 3, the in-feed film is transferred through one or more rolling units, and in the process of being transferred, a treatment for recycling is performed through one or more cleaning tanks, washing units, drying units, and the like.

In one embodiment, a first cleaning tank for performing the first impregnation annealing cleaning step of the film is provided. The MPK solution is accommodated in the first cleaning tank, and the film is configured such that the film is impregnated with the MPK solution in the process of transferring the film through one or more rolling parts to be cleaned.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the length, area, time, and number of times that the film contacts the MPK solution accommodated in the first cleaning tank may be increased by using a plurality of rolling parts, thereby improving cleaning ability. .

The impregnated and cleaned film is again discharged from the tank and the solution through the rolling part, and a secondary impregnation precision cleaning step is performed in step S230.

In one embodiment, a second cleaning tank for performing the secondary impregnation precision cleaning step of the film is provided. The MPK solution is accommodated in the second cleaning tank, and the film is configured such that the film is impregnated with the MPK solution in the process of transferring the film through one or more rolling parts to be cleaned.

The second cleaning step is configured to increase the cleaning effect by cleaning the film first cleaned in the first cleaning step again.

Depending on the embodiment, the concentration of the solution or the amount of bubbles injected into the solution may be adjusted in the second cleaning step to enable precise cleaning compared to the first cleaning step, which is an annealing cleaning step.

According to an embodiment, the second cleaning step may be configured to increase the length, area, time, and number of times the film is impregnated with the solution by using more rolling parts than the first cleaning step.

In one embodiment, the rolling unit provided with the second cleaning tank may be configured to vibrate at a preset frequency. For example, the rolling part impregnated in the solution contained in the second cleaning tank is configured to vibrate at a preset frequency, and accordingly, the film transferred through the rolling part vibrates together in the solution, thereby improving the cleaning ability. Can be improved. The direction in which the rolling unit vibrates may be an axial direction or a direction perpendicular to the axis, but is not limited thereto.

Depending on the embodiment, the rolling unit provided with the first cleaning tank may also perform a cleaning operation through vibration, and in this case, the frequency used in the first cleaning tank and the frequency used in the second cleaning tank Can be different. For example, the frequency used in the second cleaning tank may be greater than the frequency used in the first cleaning tank, but is not limited thereto.

In step S240, a third spray high pressure washing step may be performed.

The film washed in steps S220 and S230 described above is transferred to a washing unit (or washing tank) for high-pressure spray washing. In the process of being transported through the rolling unit, the MPK solution is sprayed through one or more high-pressure cleaning sprays provided in the washing unit, and foreign substances of the film may be removed through the components of the MPK solution and the pressure at which the solution is sprayed.

In one embodiment, a solution containing other components in addition to the MPK solution, or washing water including distilled water, tap water, deionized water, etc., is sprayed onto the film to wash off foreign substances and solutions remaining in the film. .

According to an embodiment, the washing unit includes two or more spray units, which include a first spray unit for spraying an MPK solution, and a second spray unit for washing the solution by spraying washing water after the first spray unit performs washing. can do.

In step S250, a step of removing water using air may be performed.

For example, the step of removing water by spraying air on the washed film through step S240 may be performed, and the pressure at which air is sprayed may be adjusted according to the embodiment, but the water is dried without damaging the film. Air having a level of pressure to shake off the film can be blown onto the film.

Referring to FIG. 3, an apparatus (drain removal unit) for removing moisture by spraying air onto a film transferred through a rolling unit is schematically illustrated.

In an embodiment, in the process of removing moisture by spraying air, a step of shaking off moisture by vibrating the rolling unit at a preset frequency may be performed. For example, in the process of removing moisture, the rolling unit for transporting the film is configured to vibrate at a preset frequency, and through this, it may be configured to shake off moisture remaining in the film.

In step S260, a step of drying the film from which moisture has been removed through air using heat may be performed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the dried film is transferred to a drying oven, and the drying oven uses heat to dry the film. Depending on the embodiment, the drying oven may dry the film with hot air using air other than heat.

The temperature used for hot air drying is not limited, but a temperature at a level that does not damage the film may be used.

In step S270, a step of removing foreign substances from the dried film using a non-contact foreign substance removing device may be performed.

For example, the non-contact foreign matter removing device may perform an operation of inhaling foreign matter remaining in the film through air, but is not limited thereto.

Depending on the embodiment, the non-contact foreign matter removing apparatus may collect foreign matter remaining in the film using static electricity, but in this case, an operation of removing static electricity such as grounding to prevent static electricity from remaining on the film must be accompanied.

In one embodiment, the non-contact foreign matter removing device may further include an inspection step of checking the foreign matter remaining in the film after removing the foreign matter remaining in the film, and an inspection unit performing the same.

For example, the inspection unit may include at least one imaging device and a light source that irradiates light to the film.

In one embodiment, the inspection unit irradiates light to the film using a light source, and the color of the light source is not limited, but white light may be used depending on the embodiment.

In an embodiment, the inspection unit may acquire image information on a film irradiated with white light using an imaging device. The imaging device may be a camera device including an image sensor, or may be a light quantity sensor that collects and analyzes a result of the light irradiated using the imaging device transmitted through the film or reflected from the film.

In an embodiment, when an image of the film is acquired, the inspection unit may determine whether a foreign substance is contained in the film through image analysis. A method of determining whether a foreign substance is included is not limited, but conventional image analysis methods may be used.

In another embodiment, the inspection unit may measure the amount of light by collecting light irradiated through a light source and transmitted through the film using a light amount sensor.

In an embodiment, when the amount of light at a specific location is less than or equal to a preset reference value, the inspection unit may determine that the foreign matter remains at the location.

If it is determined that foreign matter remains by the inspection unit, the rolling unit can return the film to the non-contact foreign material removal device through reverse rotation, and after performing the foreign material removal operation again through this, the film is transferred back to the forward direction through forward rotation. I can make it.

Even when the foreign matter removal operation is performed again, if it is determined that the foreign matter remains on the film, a message to call the operator may be transmitted or a notification may be output. Through this, it is possible to allow the operator to directly remove foreign substances remaining in the corresponding location.

In another embodiment, when it is determined that foreign matter remains in the film, the film is cut at the outfeed step or before and after the film to remove the remaining foreign matter, and the film roll rewinded up to that point is exported. , You can start rewinding a new roll of film.

In step S280, the step of outfeeding the film on which the foreign material has been removed may be performed.

As described above, the inspection process may be performed on the film in which the foreign material removal is completed in the pre-outfeed step, and when it is confirmed that the foreign material removal process is completed, the film may be exported through the outfeed process.

In step S290, a step of making a film roll by rewinding the out-feed film may be performed. The film roll made through the above-described process is in a reusable state, and can be used again in the manufacturing process.

In one embodiment, the rewinding device is provided with a means for removing static electricity through grounding, and through this, it is possible to remove static electricity that may remain in the film or that may occur during the rewinding process of the film.

In the disclosed embodiment, an apparatus for recycling a protective film used in a manufacturing process using the above-described methods is also disclosed.

The apparatus disclosed below performs the above-described methods, and even though there are contents omitted in connection with the apparatus described below, the contents described in connection with the above-described methods are also applied to the apparatus described below, Conversely, the contents of the apparatus described below may also be applied to the above-described method.

The recycling device according to the disclosed embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, wherein the recycling device includes at least one rolling unit for transferring a contaminated film, a cleaning tank for impregnating and cleaning the contaminated film, and a solution in the cleaning tank. And a pump for injecting bubbles, a high pressure washing unit for high-pressure washing of the film washed in the washing tank using the solution, and a drying unit for drying the washed film.

In the disclosed embodiment, the cleaning tank may include a first cleaning tank that performs primary cleaning and a second cleaning tank that performs secondary cleaning.

In addition, the high pressure washing unit may include a washing tank and a spray for spraying a solution or washing water at high pressure.

In addition, the drying unit may include a moisture removal unit for removing moisture using air and a drying oven for drying the film using heat.

In addition, a non-contact foreign matter removal device that removes foreign matter remaining on the film after the drying step may be further included, and according to an embodiment, an inspection unit that detects the foreign matter remaining on the film and determines whether the film can be reused or the foreign matter removal operation is completed. It can be included more.

In addition, the recycling device includes an unwinding device and a rewinding device for unwinding and rewinding the film, an infeed device for supplying the unwinded film to the foreign material removal step, and an outfeed device for discharging the film after foreign material removal has been completed. May be further included.

5 is a view showing in detail a cleaning tank according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cleaning tank 300 described in connection with FIGS. 3 to 4 is shown. The cleaning tank 300 shown in FIG. 5 may be used in the first impregnation cleaning step and the second impregnation cleaning step shown in FIG. 3, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the film 10 is transferred to the cleaning tank 300 through one or more rolling parts 310, and the cleaning tank 300 through one or more rolling parts provided in the cleaning tank 300 It is transferred in a state impregnated with the solution 20 contained therein, and is washed during the transfer process and discharged to the outside of the cleaning tank 300.

The amount and height of the solution 20 accommodated in the cleaning tank 300 are not limited, but at least one rolling part is immersed in the solution 20, so that the film conveyed through it is impregnated with the solution 20. You can make it washable.

In one embodiment, a pump 320 for injecting a solution into the cleaning tank 300 may be provided. In one embodiment, the pump 320 may inject bubbles together with the MPK solution so that the film is cleaned by the solution and bubbles in the cleaning tank 300.

The amount, size, and type of the injected bubbles are not limited, but may be set differently depending on the cleaning step.

In an embodiment, a filter 330 for filtering a solution injected through the pump 320 and a heater 340 for controlling a temperature of the solution may be further included.

According to an embodiment, the filter 330 may perform a role of filtering foreign substances mixed with the solution inside the cleaning tank 300 and discharging them to the outside or re-injecting them into the cleaning tank 300.

In one embodiment, the positions of the one or more rolling units 310 may be changed. For example, based on the power unit connected to the axis of the rolling unit 310, the rolling unit 310 may move in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and accordingly, a path through which the film is transported may change.

As the path through which the film is transported changes, the length, area, and time that the film is impregnated in the solution may be changed. For example, the rolling part 310 shown in FIG. 5 is turned to the right based on the figure shown in the drawing. When moving, the length of the film impregnated into the solution becomes longer.

In one embodiment, when a film with foreign substances remaining is found by the above-described inspection unit, the corresponding information is transmitted to the control unit of the recycling device according to the disclosed embodiment, and the control unit includes each rolling unit 310. Even if the moving path of the film becomes longer by moving the part, the length, area, and time for the film to be impregnated in the solution can be adjusted to increase. In this case, the time taken for the recycling process of the film is increased, but the cleaning ability of the film can be improved.

In this way, the moving path and the cleaning level of the film may vary according to the movement of the rolling unit, and this may be adjusted by the control unit adjusting the positions of the rolling units according to the inspection result of the inspection unit.

In one embodiment, a plurality of fine through holes are provided in each of the rolling parts 310, and a solution and a bubble injected from the pump 320 may be injected into the rolling part 310 through a hose or pipe. The solution and bubbles injected into the rolling unit 310 are sprayed to the outside of the rolling unit 310 through a hole provided in the rolling unit 310, through which the surface of the film transferred by the rolling unit 310 is Can be washed.

In one embodiment, according to the above-described inspection result, the controller injects more solution and bubbles into the tank using the pump 320, thereby increasing the level of the solution 20 accommodated in the tank and injecting it into the solution 20. You can increase the cleaning effect by increasing the amount of bubbles.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the surface of the rolling unit 310 that may contact the film may be configured as a cleaning unit. For example, the cleaning unit may be made of a material capable of removing foreign substances from the film surface without scratching the film surface, such as cloth, microfiber, synthetic fibers, etc. so that foreign substances on the film surface can be wiped while rotating in contact with the film. However, it is not limited thereto.

In the above, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. You will be able to understand. Therefore, the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects, and should be understood as non-limiting.

Claims (10)

In the recycling method of the protective film used in the manufacturing process,
Impregnating and washing the contaminated film with a solution;
High-pressure washing of the cleaned film using the solution; And
Drying the washed film; Including, the method. The method of claim 1,
The solution is,
Characterized in that it contains a methyl propyl ketone (Methyl Propyl Ketone, MPK) component,
Way. The method of claim 1,
The impregnation washing step,
A first cleaning step of performing impregnating annealing cleaning; And
A second cleaning step of performing impregnation precision cleaning; Containing,
Way. The method of claim 1,
The impregnation washing step,
Injecting the solution and bubbles into a tank;
Impregnating the contaminated film into the solution injected into the tank using one or more rolling parts; And
Discharging the impregnated and cleaned film using the at least one rolling part; Containing,
Way. The method of claim 1,
The drying step,
Spraying air onto the washed film to remove moisture; And
Drying the dried film using heat; Containing,
Way. The method of claim 1,
The drying step,
Removing foreign substances from the dried film using a non-contact foreign substance removing device; Further comprising,
Way. The method of claim 1,
Unwinding the contaminated film;
Transferring the unwinded film to a tank for impregnation cleaning; And
Rewinding the dried film; Further comprising,
Way. In the recycling device of the protective film used in the manufacturing process,
One or more rolling parts for transferring the contaminated film;
A cleaning tank for impregnating and cleaning the contaminated film;
A pump for injecting a solution and a bubble into the cleaning tank;
A high pressure washing unit for high pressure washing the film cleaned in the washing tank using the solution; And
A drying unit for drying the washed film; Containing, device. The method of claim 8,
The solution is,
Characterized in that it contains a methyl propyl ketone (Methyl Propyl Ketone, MPK) component,
Device. The method of claim 8,
The cleaning tank,
A first cleaning tank for performing impregnation and annealing cleaning of the contaminated film; And
A second cleaning tank for performing impregnating precision cleaning of the film cleaned in the first cleaning tank; Including,
The drying unit,
A water removal unit for removing water by spraying air onto the film washed by the high pressure washing unit; And
A drying oven for drying the dried film by applying heat to the dried film; Containing,
Device.

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