Abstract: A rotary shearing/cutting machine, capable of comminuting article of many diverse materials and widely varying dimensional characteristics (i.e., plastic barrels and other containers, plastic and metal films, rubber tires, etc.) has four rotary driven shafts extending across a comminution chamber in parallel spaced relation to each other, with two center shafts rotating in opposite directions and with the shafts rotating at different speeds; a series of primary shear blades interspersed one-for-one with a series of secondary cutter blades are mounted on each shaft for rotation therewith, each shear blade projecting into the space between the shear blades on any adjacent shaft in close overlapping proximity thereto. Each shear blade and each cutter blade is of disc-like configuration having at least one radially projecting C-shaped cutting element affording a transverse cutting edge facing in the direction of rotation; the cutter blades are substantially smaller in diameter than the shear blades.

Abstract: A parts separator for separating small parts from a mixture with larger members, comprising a vertical cylindrical separator baffle wall and a continuously rotating conical rotor mounted co-axially in the baffle; the upper surface of the rotor is radially corrugated with the outer ends of the corrugation "valleys" large enough to accept the small parts but not the larger members. A mixture deposited on the rotor at an input location moves downwardly and outwardly, so that the small parts fall into the corrugation valleys and then through an annular gap between the rotor and the baffle onto a floor at the base of the separator; the small parts are pushed along the floor and out through a small parts discharge port. The larger members ride down the corrugation peaks and come out through a different discharge port, comprising a large gap in the baffle wall. A proximity switch monitors separator operation and affords an alarm in the event of interruption; a friction clutch affords specific overload protection.