Abstract: A system for sorting a mixed stream of colors and types of cullet into separate groups of cullet with similar color and type includes a source for transmitting light through a cullet, and a camera having a plurality of pixels for receiving light transmitted through the cullet or detecting the absence of light blocked by an opaque contaminant, the camera providing at least one value from the light received, wherein the cullet moves along a designated path based in part on the at least one value. The system further includes a radiation source for irradiating a cullet with selected spectral ranges of radiation, and a sensor for determining characteristics of one or more selected spectral ranges of fluorescent radiation emitted by the cullet, wherein the cullet moves along a designated path based in part on the characteristics of the one or more selected spectral ranges of fluorescent radiation.

Abstract: A system for pre-processing material into groups of different sizes comprising three levels. The second level is positioned above the third level and below the first level. The first level comprising a feeding mechanism, one or more first screens coupled to ducts and having apertures, blowers and vacuum ducts, dust collectors and a diverter. The screens transport the material along the first level in a first direction while a portion is sifted away before being diverted to the second level. The second level comprising one or more second screens coupled to ducts and having apertures, blowers and vacuum ducts and a takeaway device. The screens transport the material along the second level in a second direction different than the first while a portion is sifted away before falling to the third level. The third level comprising blowers and vacuum ducts and takeaway devices for receiving a portion of the material.

Abstract: A method and system for sorting different colored objects, preferably glass cullets, into separate groups of same colored objects comprising a plurality of sorting devices for receiving an input feed of different colored objects and sorting the different colored objects based on their light transmission properties into a plurality of output feeds, wherein at least one output feed in the plurality of output feeds is a subsequent input feed to one or more sorting devices in the plurality. The one or more sorting devices sort the at least one subsequent input feed into a plurality of further sorted output feeds. At least one of the plurality of sorting devices is a final sorting device, wherein the final sorting device sorts one or more subsequent input feeds into a plurality of final output feeds. The output feeds preferably contain objects of a desired color, undesired objects and flint objects.

Abstract: A system for sorting a mixed stream of different colored cullet into separate groups of same colored cullet comprises a light emitting source for transmitting light, such as white light, through a cullet, and a camera having a plurality of pixels for receiving light transmitted through the cullet or detecting the absence of light blocked by an opaque contaminant, the camera providing at least one value from the light received, wherein the cullet moves along a designated path based on the at least one value. The camera collects the received light at a desired sampling interval and a circuit converts the values into digital representation values. The circuit calculates a non-linear function from the digital representation values. An electrostatic or fluid driving actuator directs the cullet along a deflected path based on a value of the non-linear function. A vibratory feeder provides the cullet onto a conveyer belt having an exit roller of a desired diameter.

Abstract: A system for sorting a mixed stream of different colored cullet into separate groups of same colored cullet comprises a light emitting source for transmitting light, such as white light, through a cullet, and a camera having a plurality of pixels for receiving light transmitted through the cullet or detecting the absence of light blocked by an opaque contaminant, the camera providing at least one value from the light received, wherein the cullet moves along a designated path based on the at least one value. The camera collects the received light at a desired sampling interval and a circuit converts the values into digital representation values. The circuit calculates a non-linear function from the digital representation values. An electrostatic or fluid driving actuator directs the cullet along a deflected path based on a value of the non-linear function. A vibratory feeder provides the cullet onto a conveyer belt having an exit roller of a desired diameter.