Abstract: An uncasing and sorting machine for refillable plastic bottles includes a first conveyor arrangement having an inlet section, an intermediate section, and an outlet section, the intermediate section being positioned within a water bath. Crates of sortable bottles are carried by the first conveyor through the described sections such that lightweight plastic bottles are allowed to float within the water bath. To assist in the upward lift of the lightweight bottles in the water bath, a secondary propulsion force of air or water is provided beneath the bottles. Those bottles which are lifted due to their combined buoyancy and the secondary propulsion force, are transported to a separate facility via a secondary conveyor of either mechanical or air type.

Abstract: A screening deck is shown and described including an intermediate frame structure mountable to the screening deck in a manner similar to that of an original screen component, but providing mounting formations for attachment of a plurality of screen modules thereon. The screening deck need not be modified in order to receive the intermediate frame. The intermediate frame may be applied to either a crowned screening deck or a flat screening deck. In the crowned configuration, the intermediate frame takes a form similar to the original screen, but includes mounting rails for receiving the screen modules. In the flat screening deck configuration, individual intermediate frame components mount along the longitudinal support beams and provide formations for mounting of screen components thereon. In each illustrated embodiment, individual screen components are mounted and dismounted without separate fastening elements and enjoy support along at least two edges thereof.