1. MIXED PLASTICS RECYCLING Intellectual Property and its Relation with Mechanical Mixed Plastic Recycling Assignment 2 - Innovation and Technology Transfer 16/02/2001 João Letras José Simões Manuel Bóia Pedro Faria

2. Introduction What are we going to address: n Strategy: Patent Application. n Patent Activity. n Conclusions.

3. Patent Application - 1 Title of Invention: Method for producing low-pressure sewage piping by extrusion-calendering using mixed plastic waste. Cross-Reference to Related Applications : Calendering and Extrusion Processes particularly in flat head extrusion. Statement Regarding State Sponsored Research or Development: To be decided (IAPMEI)

4. Patent Application - 2 Background of Invention: n The invention is based on integration of available plastic transforming technologies, establishing an innovative method for production of sewage piping. n The materials used are mixed plastic wastes and virgin or high quality recycled plastic.

5. Patent Application - 3 Brief Summary of the Invention: The invention consists in the junction of co-extrusion and calendering technologies. A 3 layer co-extrusion produces a continuous plate that is pressure-rolled up by a calender to form a continuous pipe. The semi-fluid state of the plastic coupled with the pressure, joins the 3 layers and subsequently their edges. The pipe can then be cut and fitted as desired.

6. Patent Application - 4 Brief Summary of Advantages: n This process not only gives one more solution for mixed plastics recycling, but also greatly improves sewerage implementation. n Allows for the production of long life application using waste materials.

7. Patent Application - 5 Claims: n Technology Integration of Machinery (extruder head and calender) and Process (rollers). n Innovative Pipe Constitution

8. Patent Activity - 1 Patent Activity in this Field: n Machines Mainly patented by equipment manufacturing companies (all patents consulted) n Machine + Accessories Mainly patented by companies + individuals (all patents consulted). Individuals seen as users.

9. Patent Activity - 2 Patent Activity in this Field: n Product Mainly patented by plastic or pipe companies (all patents consulted) n Mixed Plastics Mechanical Recycling Mainly patented by plastic and recycling companies (all patents consulted) n No University activity found patent-wise

10. Conclusions n The project at hand is an integration of existing technologies with minor improvements. Universities are out of this scope (i.e. Polymer Engineering). n Patent Registration is complicated and bureaucratic.