ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 19 -- United States Patent no. 12,331,168, issued on June 17, was assigned to Niimi-Solar Co. Ltd. (Niimi, Japan).
"Thermal decomposition apparatus" was invented by Hideyuki Sakumoto (Niimi, Japan).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A thermal decomposition apparatus comprises: a thermal decomposition apparatus mechanism being provided with a thermal decomposition furnace that decomposes a panel having a plastic layer; and a superheated steam generator that generates superheated steam being supplied to the thermal decomposition furnace. A furnace body of the thermal decomposition furnace is provided with an inner wall made of metal having a space for housing the panel, and wit...