Abstract: A rotatively oscillating separator comprising separating vessels 4 each having cone-shaped separating plate 5 disposed in the vessel, and drive means 6 for rotatively oscillating said separating vessels 4, mixed rice consisting of unhulled rice and unpolished rice being fed onto the separating plates in the separating vessels at a given location to separate the unhulled rice and the unpolished rice from each other, the unpolished rice being discharged through raised peripheral portions of the vessels, and the unhulled rice being discharged through the central bottoms of the separating vessels.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating granules of different sizes from a granular mixture, by combination of vertical size separation under vibration and horizontal flow. A horizontal base plate with an asymmetric saw-tooth upper profile is provided and a mixture of granules is fed onto the base plate. The base plate is then vertically vibrated, so as to separate the mixture into superimposed, partial layers of granules of different sizes, while horizontally advancing the same in opposite directions and separately collecting these layers.

Abstract: A system for separating construction debris into low density debris and high density debris. The construction debris is delivered into a rotating drum having front and rear discharge openings. The lower portion of the drum is filled with water, and the debris is deposited onto the water, with the low density debris floating at the surface and the high density debris descending to the bottom of the drum. A plurality of high velocity water jets are positioned forwardly of the debris receiving location to create a turbulent high velocity water flow at an upper zone of the water in the drum to move the wood and other low density material toward a rear converging passageway that leads into the rear discharge opening. The higher density material is carried by a scroll type conveyor forwardly in the drum to a forward discharge location where rotating paddles lift the high density debris upwardly and thence move it into the front discharge opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for dry physical separation of particulate material comprises an inclined separating surface having upper and lower edges, oscillation means for inducing non-linear oscillatory motion of the separating surface, and introduction means for introducing the particulate material onto the separating surface between the upper and lower edges.

Abstract: A rotationally oscillating separator for separating mixed rice into unhulled rice and unpolished rice after the rice have passed through a rice huller to remove the hulls from rice.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting constituents of a mixture according to density and/or grain size includes a vibratory table which extends at an inclination underneath a feed inlet for transport in a conveying direction and sorting of the mixture. The vibratory table is subdivided transversely to the conveying direction into single table sections, with each table section being driven by two crankshafts of a crank mechanism and with the movement of the table sections being adjusted to each other by the crankshafts at a phase shift. In order to bridge the gap between successive table sections, flexible transition members are provided by which neighboring table sections are connected with each other end-to-end.

Abstract: A device for separating lighter insulation material from heavier metallic material present in decomposed electric cables or the like, which device comprises an inlet (8) for mixed insulation and metallic material, and a first outlet for the insulation material and a second outlet for the metallic material, separate from the first outlet. The device further comprises a track (40) inclined relative to the horizontal plane, to which the mixed material is delivered from the inlet and which is profiled such that when a reciprocating movement is imparted thereto essentially in the plane of the track, the metal material is transported towards the upper end of the track where it is fed out through the second outlet while the insulation material is transported towards the lower end of the track where it is fed out through the first outlet.

Abstract: A rectangularly shaped separating element for a vibratory grain separator is made from a single metal plate, and has upright front and rear walls, and side walls, one of which side walls has therein a notch serving as hulled rice outlet, and the other of which has therein a notch servicing as an unhulled rice outlet. The plane, upper surface of the separating element has formed thereon a first plurality of spaced protuberances inclined obliquely to the front wall and the sidewall containing the rice outlet for moving the hulled rice toward the hulled rice outlet, and a second plurality of protuberances inclined obliquely to the front wall and the other side wall for moving the unhulled rice toward the unhulled rice outlet.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a rectangular separating plate having upright front and rear walls and unhulled and hulled rice outlets formed on opposite sides thereof, respectively. The plate is adjustably supported in a plane inclined to the horizontal and is reciprocated in a direction transversely of the front and rear walls. Substantially two thirds of the surface of the plate adjacent its front wall is formed with first inclined projections inclined toward the hulled rice outlet, and one third thereof adjacent its rear wall is formed with second inclined projections inclined toward the unhulled rice outlet. Reciprocation of the plate causes the first projections to guide hulled rice toward the front wall and ultimately to the hulled rice outlet, and the second projections guide unhulled rice toward the rear wall and ultimately to the unhulled rice outlet.

Abstract: A particle separation method and apparatus carrying forward the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,725 whereby separation of particles by density takes place in a size-classified fluidized bed of particles. Particles are disposed on a supporting surface having a plurality of generally concentric annular vertical reaction surfaces which together forms a plurality of annular channels occupied by the particles to be separated. The supporting surface and annular surfaces are agitated with a gyratory motion so as to induce particles in the fluidized bed to move within channels, and through openings between annular channels, toward a central collection zone.In the improved apparatus, the collection zone includes a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal reaction surfaces which enhance the fluidity of particles within that zone. A vertical barrier surface provides a smaller, annular zone of concentration at the center of the collection zone.

Abstract: A method of dividing a mixture of pieces or fragments of different materials and different sizes, e.g. fragments of domestic wastes, into two or more fractions, enriched with respect to one or more materials, in which method the mixture is charged to the lower part of an inclined shaking table arranged for rotary movement about two shafts at an amplitude and a speed of rotation so adjusted that large pieces or fragments of material of high elasticity and/or rigidity are caused to bounce on the shaking table and, as a result of the inclination of said table, bounce down to the lower end thereof and away from said lower end to form a first fraction, while pieces or fragments of material which lack, or have only slight rigidity and/or elasticity are moved as a result of the rotary movement of the shaking table, and are discharged from the upper end of said table to form a second fraction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating waste material contained in a heap in at least one separating zone, the heap largely comprising particles of the same shape, size and density, from which the waste particles differ. It also relates to apparatus for performing the method. The heap is fed onto an inclined conveying surface where it is vibrated and the waste particles are removed upwards and the remaining particles downwards, the vibrations being initiated at an angle to the horizontal which is larger than the inclined position of the conveying surface.

Abstract: A process and apparatus wherein a size-classified bed of particles is fluidized by agitating a supporting surface with a gyratory motion to fluidize the particle bed. Particles are contacted with surfaces, e.g, vertically projecting surfaces, movable with the supporting surface and defining two or more annular regions so as to impart sufficient fluidity to allow the particles to move within the particle bed and distribute themselves according to their relative densities. Particles are then permitted to move through openings between these annular regions whereby the more dense particles tend to accumulate in one of the annular regions and particles of lesser density are displaced into the adjacent annular region(s).Provision is made for continuously extracting from the aggregate particle mass either or both those particles of lesser density and those of greater density whereby a continuous selective separation of particles according to density takes place.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing mold and other detritus from raisins and the like having an aqueous bath in which the raisins are immersed; an endless conveyor having an inclined, transversely grooved, planar upper run onto which the raisins are deposited from the bath; and a drive mechanism for moving the upper run upwardly in time spaced increments of stepped progression while simultaneously oscillating the conveyor longitudinally so that the mold and other detritus are abraded and shaken from the raisins and conveyed upwardly with the run while the separated raisins gravitate downwardly along the run.

Abstract: A separating apparatus has a frame comprised of a stationary lower frame and a tiltable upper frame. A pair of longitudinally independently displaceable tables are spring-biased into respective central positions on the frame and are each displaceable in either longitudinal direction from these central positions. A drive assembly comprises an electric motor operatively connected to a crank pin that is rotated so as to move longitudinally relative to the frame. A link is connected between this crank pin on the front table and the rear table so that the two tables are moved oppositely longitudinally relative to each other when the motor operates. A stabilizer including a two-arm lever pivoted on the frame and having a pair of arms each connected via a respective stabilizing link to a respective table may be provided in the arrangement in order to insure that the strokes of the two tables remain at a fixed ratio to each other.

Abstract: A so-called stone picker is provided with an inclined perforated sorting plate upon which the separating operation of stones and the like from grain is effectively made under the reciprocative oscillation of the plate with wind blowing through parrallel slots and parallel to the direction of said oscillation. Unique constructions of slit openings made in the plate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus wherein a size-classified bed of particles is fluidized by agitating a supporting surface with a gyratory motion to fluidize the particle bed. Particles are contacted with surfaces, e.g., vertically projecting surfaces, movable with the supporting surface and defining two or more annular regions so as to impart sufficient fluidity to allow the particles to move within the particle bed and distribute themselves according to their relative densities. Particles are then permitted to move through openings between these annular regions whereby the more dense particles tend to accumulate in one of the annular regions and particles of lesser density are displaced into the adjacent annular region(s).Provision is made for continuously extracting from the aggregate particle mass either or both those particles of lesser density and those of greater density whereby a continuous selective separation of particles according to density takes place.