WO1993012286A1

WO1993012286A1 - Recycling paper

Info

Publication number: WO1993012286A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1992/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter David Abbott Harris; Elizabeth Harris Abbott; Michael Robert Abbott
Original assignee: Peter David Abbott Harris; Elizabeth Harris Abbott
Priority date: 1991-12-19
Filing date: 1992-12-18
Publication date: 1993-06-24
Also published as: AU3174593A

Abstract

A kit apparatus and its method of use in the production of recycled paper, the kit apparatus including a frame (1) which is embedded or attached to a coarse mesh (2) which, in use, acts as a draining screen, a fine mesh screen (3) of a similar shape and size as the frame (1) and a deckle (4) which generally corresponds in shape and size to the frame (1). The frame incorporating the coarse mesh (2), the fine mesh screen (3) and the deckle (4), when assembled together acts to constrain paper pulp and allow water to drain away through the fine mesh screen (3) and coarse mesh (2), and the partially formed paper when lifted up on the fine screen (3) and laid on to a drying surface forms a sheet of paper (5). The frame (1) and deckle (4) can be made of any suitable material.

Description

RECYCLING PAPER

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for recycling paper- It is an object of this invention to allow members of the public to recycle waste paper an inexpensive and efficient manner.

With trees being a dwindling natural resource it is a further object of this invention to reduce the drain on natural resources in particular those of forestry and native habitat areas.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method of recycling waste paper which is simple to understand and employ and is a relatively cheap and quick method of manufacturing paper.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following example which is given by way of example only- According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a kit apparatus for use in the production of recycled paper, the kit apparatus comprising a frame which is imbedded or attached to a coarse mesh which, in use, acts as a draining screen, a fine mesh screen of a similar shape and size as the frame and a deckle which generally corresponds in shape and size to the frame, the frame incorporating the coarse mesh, the fine mesh screen and the deckle, when assembled together acts to constrain paper pulp and allow water to drain away through the mesh screen and coarse mesh, the partially formed paper when lifted up on the fine screen and laid on to a drying surface forms a sheet of paper. The frame and deckle can be made of any suitable material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for producing recycled paper comprising the steps of: forming a mix from water and waste paper; mixing the water and waste paper to produce an homogeneous pulp; applying some of the pulp to a coarse mesh draining screen; removing the partially formed and wet sheet from the mesh screen by placing the sheet, still attached to the mesh screen, on a surface to allow it to dry to thereby form a sheet of recycled paper.

Further aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a paper making apparatus according to the invention shown with its parts spaced apart;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the wire mesh screen being removed from a draining screen of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the wire mesh screen with the wet sheet being placed on a drying board.

The method and apparatus according to the present invention requires water and small pieces of waste paper to be mixed together. Water amounts are varied to alter the consistency and thickness of the mix.

The homogeneous mix is left for at least 15 minutes, although it is preferred that the mix can be left overnight before it is used.

Once the waste paper has been soaked for a required period it is mulched by a blender/mixer unit or by hand to form a pulp.

A user now arranges the paper making apparatus in the general orientation shown in Figure 1. The draining screen 1 with a coarse mesh screen 2 at the top forms a draining screen and is placed at the bottom. On this screen 2 is placed a fine mesh 3. A deckle 4 is then placed on the mesh 3.

In use the user holds the assembled parts of the apparatus tightly together with the deckle 4 at the top and immerses the apparatus in a receptacle holding the pulp. Alternatively the pulp can be spread from above into or onto the assembled frame parts. Excess water is allowed to drain from the assembly.

The user then removes the deckle 4, leaving a wet sheet of recycled paper 5 on the fine mesh 3. The user lifts the fine mesh 3 off the draining screen 2 as illustrated in Figure 2 with the paper side 6 of the fine mesh 3 generally facing away from the user. The user then slowly lowers the mesh 3 onto a drying surface 7 as illus-fc-trated in Figure 3.

Once the mesh 3 has been laid on the drying surf ce or any suitable alternative the mesh 3 may be sponged dry to remove any further excess water. The mesh 3 is then removed, leaving the recycled paper on the drying surface 6.

The board 6 is then placed in an appropriate place for drying. When the paper feels completely dry, it is removed from the drying surface in the usual fashion.

Thus by this invention there is provided a method and apparatus for producing recycled paper.

A particular example of this invention has been described herein by way of example and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A kit apparatus for use in the production of recycled paper, the kit apparatus comprising a frame which is imbedded or attached to a coarse mesh which, in use, acts as a draining screen, a fine mesh screen of a similar shape and size as the frame and a deckle which generally corresponds in shape and size to the frame, the frame incorporating the coarse mesh, the fine mesh screen and the deckle, when assembled together acts to constrain paper pulp and allow water to drain away through the mesh screen and coarse mesh, the partially formed paper when lifted up on the fine screen and laid on to a drying surface forms a sheet of paper.

2. A kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame and deckle are made of wood, plastics or any other suitable material.

3. A kit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mesh screens is/are formed from a metal, fibreglass or plastics materials.

4. A kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and substantially as hereinbefore described.

5. A method for producing recycled paper comprising the steps of: forming a mix from water and waste paper; mixing the water and waste paper to produce an homogeneous pulp; applying some of the pulp to a coarse mesh draining screen; removing the partially formed and wet sheet from the mesh screen; placing the sheet on a surface to allow it to dry to thereby form a sheet of recycled paper.

6. A method for producing recycled paper substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A recycled paper sheet manufactured in accordance with the method of claim 5 or claim 6.