[54] METHOD FOR PRODUCING ARTICLES FROM WASTE FIBER, WASTE/SURPLUS PAINT, AND WASTE/SURPLUS INK
[76] Inventor: R. Edward Burton, 222 Franklin Ave., Willits, Calif. 95490
[21] Appl. No.: 844,546
[22] Filed: Mar. 2, 1992
[51] Int. CI.' D21F 1/66
[52] U.S. Q 162/189; 162/DIG. 9;
264/37; 106/653
[58] Field of Search 162/189, DIG. 9;
264/37; 106/653, 674, 486
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,909,470 9/1975 Lambuth et al 162/187
4,159,224 6/1979 Cederquist et al 162/189
4,256,446 3/1981 Hinojosa et al 264/119
4,304,877 12/1981 Blount 521/154
4,734,393 3/1988 Lowe et al 162/DIG. 9
5,064,454 11/1991 Pittman 55/302
Primary Examiner—W. Gary Jones
Assistant Examiner—Dean Tan Nguyen
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Harris Zimmerman
A method and apparatus for making productive use of waste products such as spoiled, waste, or surplus paint arid ink and waste slurry from pulp products manufacturing includes dewatering the waste slurry to obtain fiber from the slurry, drying the fiber in bulk, and combining the fiber with a mixture of paint and/or ink to create a moldable mixture. The mixture is formed into a utilitarian shape and cured or dried to form a solid object. In another aspect, there is provided a portable, self-contained apparatus for receiving waste and surplus paint and/or waste and surplus ink and fiber waste, and producing molded products using the method described above. The portable apparatus may be located temporarily at a site where such wastes are generated to avoid the transportation of wastes that is made expensive by mandated transportation safety regulations. A further aspect of the invention comprises useful article fabricated from waste materials using the method described above. Such articles may include stepping stones used for pedestrian paths or gardens, acoustic panelling, flower pots and planters, sculptures, shipping containers and packing materials, and the like.
9 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
