Abstract: A technique for sorting different materials using x-ray radiation employs a conveyor for conveying a non-singulated stream of material items along a feed path and a transmission/detection arrangement. The transmission/detection arrangement transmits x-ray radiation to material items in the feed path, detects x-ray radiation received from different portions of each material item, and generates signals corresponding to radiation received from different portions of each material item. A circuit averages at least a portion of the signals to produce an averaged signal and analyses the averaged signal to determine at least one physical property of each material item based on analysis of the averaged signal. A sorting assembly sorts the material items based on the analysis of the averaged signal.

Abstract: Solid waste is sorted by passing it through a rotating hollow drum which has sets of extensions, called flights, from the interior wall of the drum, some sets of flights being separated from each other and from the entrance to the drum by blank sections along the drum wall. The first set of flights are knives, so that filled plastic waste bags are opened and emptied. The second set of flights are adjustable magnet strips, lifting and depositing ferrous material onto a conveyor. A ferrous scraper removes ferrous materials, for depositing onto the conveyor. The third set of flights are flexible lifters for lifting and depositing glass, grit and dirt onto another conveyor. A bar screen is positioned over the conveyor to screen out larger materials, clean the lifters, and to be cleaned by the lifters.

Abstract: A bag opener for opening bags containing recyclable materials includes a source of heat sufficient to melt the bags and an assembly that brings the bags into the vicinity of the source of heat to open the bags. In a preferred embodiment the source of heat includes a heated member and the assembly brings the bags into contact with the heated member to open the bags.

Abstract: An automated sorter includes a feed slide on which containers or refuse may be fed. The feed slide includes a separation region on which a several objects may be located. A light source directs light on the objects in the separation region. An ejector, including several ejector units, is positioned downward of the separation region. A scanner scans the separation region, determines when an object should be ejected, and controls the ejector units to eject the selected objects. Thus, the selected objects are ejected into a first fraction, and the non-selected objects are left in a second fraction. A fraction thus obtained can be sorted, to separate the containers or refuse into further fractions.

Abstract: An automated interrupt driven system which employs a circular buffer is used to sort materials based on differing electromagnetic radiation absorption and penetration characteristics. The system has a conveyor and a source of electromagnetic radiation which radiates materials travelling along the conveyor. A controller samples detector outputs at various times to evaluate the absorption and penetration characteristics of the materials to be sorted, based on a plurality of samples. Portions of the materials are ignored to obtain accurate readings from the detectors. Based on the detected penetration and absorption characteristics, the controller activates ejection mechanisms causing materials of different compositions to be deposited into different bins. The controller executes interrupts to cause detection, ejection, testing, and system history maintenance at required times.

Abstract: A bag opener for opening bags containing recyclable materials includes a source of heat sufficient to melt the bags and an assembly that brings the bags into the vicinity of the source of heat to open the bags. In a preferred embodiment the source of heat includes a heated member and the assembly brings the bags into contact with the heated member to open the bags.

Abstract: Solid waste is sorted by passing it through a rotating hollow drum which has sets of extensions, called flights, from the interior wall of the drum, some sets of flights being separated from each other and from the entrance to the drum by blank sections along the drum wall. The first set of flights are rotatable knives, positioned in a reverse spiral, so that larger items, usually filled plastic waste bags, are inhibited from advancing until opened and emptied. The second set of flights are adjustable magnet strips, lifting and depositing metal material onto a conveyor belt. The third set of flights are flexible lifters for lifting and depositing glass, grit and dirt onto the takeout belt, which rub against the conveyor, thus cleaning both the lifters and the conveyor. A bar screen is positioned over the conveyor to screen out larger materials, clean the lifters, and to be cleaned by the lifters. There is also a movable conveyor belt which relieves jamming by moving away from the drum wall.

Abstract: An automated interrupt driven system which employs a circular buffer is used to sort materials based on differing electromagnetic radiation absorption and penetration characteristics. The system has a conveyor and a source of electromagnetic radiation which radiates materials travelling along the conveyor. A controller samples detector outputs at various times to evaluate the absorption and penetration characteristics of the materials to be sorted, based on a plurality of samples. Portions of the materials are ignored to obtain accurate readings from the detectors. Based on the detected penetration and absorption characteristics, the controller activates ejection mechanisms causing materials of different compositions to be deposited into different bins. The controller executes interrupts to cause detection, ejection, testing, and system history maintenance at required times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distinguishing and separating material items having different levels of absorption of penetrating electromagnetic radiation by utilizing a source of radiation for irradiating an irradiation zone extending transversely of a feed path over which the material items are fed or passed. The irradiation zone includes a plurality of transversely spaced radiation detectors for receiving the radiation beams from the radiation source. The material items passing through the irradiation zone between the radiation source and the detectors measures one or more of the transmitted beams in each item passing through the irradiation zone to produce processing signals which are analyzed by signal analyzers to produce actuated signals for actuating a separator device in order to discharge the irradiated items toward different locations depending upon the level of radiation absorption in each of the items.

Abstract: Selective non-magentic detection of non-ferrous metallic particles in a mixture of same with ferrous metallic particles and non-metallic particles derived from homogenized and magnetically treated municipal or like waste by a plurality of electronic detectors and separation of a non-ferrous metallic concentrate from said mixture.

Abstract: Separation of metallic particles from non-metallic particles of processed solid waste such as garbage to obtain a metallic concentrate, including use of such separation as the mid-step in a process which begins with homogenizing and magnetically treating components of the waste and ends with isolating the metallic concentrate as a high-purity metal fraction, for example, high-purity aluminum.

Abstract: Solid waste incinerator fuel is preclassified by passing it through a hollow rotating cylindrical drum which has magnetic extensions called flights protruding from the inside of the drum wall along its length. The drum may also have a first set of non-magnetic flights toward one end protruding farther from the wall toward the center or axis of the drum then a second non-magnetic portion on the other side of the magnetic flights along the length of the drum. The magnetic flights attract particles and material subject to magnetic attraction. The ends of the first set of non-magnetic flights toward the middle of the length of the drum are preferably shaped or rounded somewhat lengthwise. A scraper assembly preferably having two material removal channels or chutes in addition to a scraper blade, may be arranged to extend into an exit end of the drum. The scraper blade removes magnetic or iron particles from the magnetic flights as the drum rotates.

Abstract: Solid waste incinerator fuel is preclassified by passing it through a hollow rotating cylindrical drum which has two sets of extensions from the wall going lengthwise along the length of the drum, the first set toward one end and the second toward the other, the second set being shorter or smaller-sized than the first and the first preferably having rodlike projections which may have at least partly knifelike or bladelike ends or edges at the axial or inner ends thereof. The first set of extensions homogenizes the incoming waste by lifting, dropping, churning, and ripping it as well as fluffing it. The second set of extensions, preferably angled, lifts smaller sized heavier, non-combustible particles to the upper part of the drum from which they are removed at the exit end. The lighter material, mostly combustibles such as paper, textiles and wood, for example, is discharged toward the bottom of the exit end of the drum.

Abstract: An electromagnetic eddy current materials separator is disclosed herein for use in separating particles of greater electrical conductivity from particles of lesser electrical conductivity and, in particular, for separating non-ferrous metallics from ferrous metallics and non-metallics. An electromagnet is energized by current pulses, pulsing the magnet several times while each particle is in the field of influence of the magnet causing eddy currents to be developed in the particles and resulting in a repulsive force being developed between the magnet and the material, causing the material to be repelled from the magnet, the repulsive force varying directly with the electrical conductivity of the material and the momentum imparted to such particles varying directly with the number of current pulses occurring while each particle is in the field of influence of the magnet.

Abstract: A feed system is disclosed herein for use with an electromagnetic eddy current materials separator for supplying material to be acted upon by the eddy current magnet directly into the regions strongest influence of the magnetic field of said magnet. Automatic blockage release means are provided to terminate jam-ups in the event that a blockage should occur in the delivery of feedstock to the region of influence of the magnetic field of the magnet.