Abstract: A specific gravity-specific waste air sorter separates impurities using a vortex for sorting waste into high-specific gravity materials, low-specific gravity materials, and impurities when the impurities are shaken off and removed by means of the hitting of a rotating drum and vanes while the waste fed therein is turned over by a vortex. A main drum has radial vanes, an upper auxiliary drum, and a lower auxiliary drum. The main drum is provided at one side of an input hole, the upper auxiliary drum is provided at the other side of the input hole, and the lower auxiliary drum is provided below the upper auxiliary drum. The main drum and the lower auxiliary drum rotate in the same direction, whereas the upper auxiliary drum rotates in the opposite direction. A vortex is formed between the main drum, the upper auxiliary drum, and the lower auxiliary drum.

Abstract: Using various embodiments, methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for capturing the behavior of living subjects, where the data can be processed by a machine-learning algorithm to control an autonomous robot. In one embodiment, using the data captured by a user performing everyday operations, the autonomous robot can behave in a substantially similar manner as the living subject did in the environment where the behavior capture sessions of the living subject were carried out. Further, once the autonomous robot is provided with the processed data, the actions of the robot can iteratively be stored and processed by the machine learning algorithm to further refine the robot's movements performing the everyday operations. In another embodiment, behavior recorded from the living subject can be processed such that the autonomous robot is able to speak and understand spoken speech similar to that which occurred most frequently in the behavior capture sessions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rejecter for a product sorting system comprising at least two different co-located rejection means wherein each rejection means is independently activatable to deflect a product from a sorting stream.

Abstract: A device for loading a transporting unit provided for transporting piece goods, in particular mail deliveries, includes a first conveying unit which can be moved into the transporting unit and is provided for conveying and unloading a first stream of piece goods in the transporting unit. At least one second conveying unit is provided for conveying and unloading a second stream of piece goods in the transporting unit in order to optimize loading with respect to a transport filling density of the transporting unit, along with an increased loading throughput and increased working convenience. The piece goods are distributed among the streams of piece goods according to at least one sorting criterion.

Abstract: A sorting installation and a sorting method use a gripping tool for gripping sorted articles, particularly sorted flat mail items. During sorting, the articles are transported in holding apparatuses having two lateral faces each. Each lateral face is preferably formed with one cutout. A supply station puts each article into one holding apparatus, with the result that the article is situated between the lateral faces and is held by the holding apparatuses. A transport apparatus transports the articles to a removal station and produces a sequence of holding apparatuses with articles being held thereby. The removal station has a gripping tool with at least two gripper arms in a gripper arm sequence. These gripper arms grip between filled holding apparatuses and draw a plurality of held articles from these holding apparatuses simultaneously.

Abstract: A system for improving process awareness, safety, security, efficiency, and other aspects of industrial and non-industrial processes for participants associated with the processes. The system includes a control device associated with the process, and for each participant, a mobile client device and participant profile. The system improves safety, security, and efficiency by the control device enabling remote monitoring of participants and the process, implementing participant profile limitations, and authorizing participants to remotely monitor and control aspects of the process. The control device incorporates social network features to validate compliance and/or consent of all designated participants in order for control aspects of the process to be enabled.

Abstract: A method for loading containers that involves intermittently shifting at least one first empty housing and one second empty housing of the containers between respective first and second rest positions. According to one embodiment the method involves calculating an available time td corresponding to the time necessary for an empty housing to reach a loading position of a manipulator and comparing the available time td with a positioning time necessary for the manipulator to collect from its current position each object to be loaded from a collecting area and depositing it in a loading position coinciding with the position of an empty housing of a container. The object to be collected and the delivery position of the object in an empty housing corresponds with a loading position of the manipulator in which the positioning time is closest to the available time td.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a support frame to support a feed mechanism, an orientation mechanism, a measurement mechanism, a transfer mechanism, and an unloading mechanism. The feed mechanism includes a first holding assembly, a first elevation assembly, a second elevation assembly, and a first clipping assembly. The first elevation assembly and the second elevation assembly are positioned under the holding assembly, and the first clipping assembly is positioned over the holding assembly. The measurement mechanism includes a support stage and at least one calibration head. The transfer mechanism includes at least one pickup head. The orientation mechanism includes a driving member and a securing assembly driven by the driving member. The unloading mechanism has the same structure as the feed mechanism. The disclosure further provides a measuring method using the measurement apparatus.

Abstract: A pick and place system including at least one input conveyor, at least one output conveyor, at least one pick and place robot and control circuitry. Available picking positions on an input conveyor at which a respective item can be picked are determined as well as available placing positions on an output conveyor at which a respective item can be placed. For the available picking positions and the available placing positions, a respective picking time and placing time is calculated, and the at least one robot is instructed to pick items at the picking positions and place the items at the placing positions in an order determined by the respective picking times and placing times.

Abstract: An eddy current separator (“ECS”) separates electroconductive and non-electroconductive materials. The materials can include “fines” having diameters less than about 10 millimeters. The ECS includes first and second hubs coupled to opposite ends of a magnet support tube. Magnets are coupled to the magnet support tube, substantially between the hubs. A motor coupled to one or both of the hubs rotates the magnet support tube and magnets to generate an eddy current in electroconductive material conveyed proximate the separator. The material in which the eddy current is created is repelled and projected away from the ECS along a predictable trajectory. An eddy current is not generated in nonconductive material conveyed proximate the separator. Therefore, that material is not projected away. A jacket tube may house the magnets and contain centrifugal forces of the magnets during rotation thereof That tube may comprise a Ti60 titanium alloy or other material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rejecter for a product sorting system comprising at least two different co-located rejection means wherein each rejection means is independently activatable to deflect a product from a sorting stream.

Abstract: A document sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes: two print detection units which are provided facing both sides of a sheet, respectively, and detect presence or absence of a print on each side and presence or absence of an indication of a confidentiality level; a confidential sheet housing unit which houses the sheet when a confidentiality indication level detected at least on one side is higher than a preset setting level; and a reuse sheet housing unit which houses the sheet when a print on the sheet is detected only by one of the two print detection units and there is no indication of the confidentiality indication level.

Abstract: A quantity of wire is associated with a number of interruptions that occurred during the production and/or subsequent processing of the wire. The number of interruptions is used to classify the wire as being of a particular quality and/or suitable for a particular task.

Abstract: A deflector device for improving particle distribution within a coal piping system includes a base defining an outer circumference. The base is configured to be mounted inside a pipe such that the base extends partially around the inner circumference of the pipe with the circumferences of the pipe and base being substantially aligned concentrically. A deflector extends radially inward from the base. The deflector is configured to direct a concentrated flow of coal particles toward the center of the pipe.

Abstract: The described embodiments involve the use of an information medium, such as a Barcode, Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) tag or other machine readable medium, such as may be readable by Optical Character Recognition (OCR), to identify a manufactured item. Alternatively, a Machine Vision Identification System (MVIS) may be used to facilitate the identification of the item. Once an item is identified, the materials and subassemblies it is made of may also be identified and used to facilitate its repair, replacement, refurbishment, remarketing and recycling by either a human or robotic device or combination thereof.

Abstract: A stream of shredded scrap metal is divided into increments. A bulk material analyzer is employed to determine the bulk chemical composition of each increment. The increments are then sorted on the basis of the bulk chemical composition of each increment.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating agricultural produce from stones and clods including at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly arranged to be impinged upon by a mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods, the at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly including a plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions and a mounting assembly supporting the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the mounting assembly including a metal principal support and at least one intermediate metal support element fixed to the metal principal support and to at least some of the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the at least one intermediate metal support element having a resiliency greater than a resiliency of the metal principal support.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a separation deck free of stepwise changes in elevation between a first end and a second end, the separation deck comprising a plurality of spaces through which a constituent material may pass, a plurality of scrubbers disposed on the deck, the plurality of scrubbers having a first end disposed at a higher elevation than the deck in at least a first state, and a vibratory generator coupled to the deck. The mixed material moves over the deck and the scrubbers from the first end to the second end by the motion imparted by the vibratory generator. Components of the mixed material move relative to each other as the components move over the scrubbers, thereby causing the constituents material attached to the components of the mixed material to separate and pass through the spaces in the separation deck.

Abstract: An open configuration is provided for the housing of a particulate material dedusting apparatus through which particulate material passes to be cleaned by air passing through wash decks to separate dirt and debris from the particulate material for discharge from the housing. The front wall and side access doors of the housing are configured to be openable for full access to the front and rear chambers. The primary wash deck is detachably mounted within the housing for removal for cleaning purposes. The generally horizontal floors of the housing are formed with a slope to allow water to drain from the housing. The open configuration of the deduster housing facilitates cleaning, draining and drying of the housing to expedite changeover from one material to another. Furthermore, the open configuration allows access for improved welding to eliminate cracks and openings in joints which accumulate dirt and debris during operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the separation of microparticles by means of a nozzle (12) for the release of a separating stream (20), comprising at least one enveloping fluid and microparticles entrained Therein, with a vibration generator (18), for the dispersion of the separation flow (20) into a droplet flow (20?), with a deflector device (24), for separation of the droplet flow (20?) into a through flow (20A) and at least one side flow (20B, 20C, . . . ), depending on signals from an analytical device (38). Said analytical device (38) is provided for the analysis of the microparticles(s) contained in the droplets and to control the deflector device (24). Also provided is a protective chamber for product and personnel protection, in which at least the nozzle (12), the oscillation generator (18) and the deflector device (24) are arranged.

Abstract: A screening apparatus for separating components of a material by vibratory separation which, in certain aspects, includes a vibratable box connected via vibration isolators within a container, the box including screening apparatus thereon or the vibratory separator having replaceable screening cartridges within a container. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for producing bulk concentrate for precious metal recovery from clay-salt residues of plants processing potassium-magnesium ore and rock salt, usable for recovery of components in the form of sedimentary and floated particles, wherein the liquid phase comprises components varying in solubility and density. The method is cost-effective and includes a three-stage hydro-cycloning applied to slimes with S:L=1:3 ratio, carried out sequentially via 10, 7, and 5 degree hydro-cyclones. The bulk concentrate is mixture of sedimentary and floated materials, insoluble in water slimes residue. The second hydro-cyclone discharge, being a salt solution and floated part of the residue with natural and artificially-made organic structure, is forwarded to the third hydro-cyclone for extracting the floated fraction via a discharge fitting and further mixing with concentrates of the first and second hydro-cyclones, formation of the bulk concentrate.

Abstract: A preparative chromatography column is equipped with one or more valves that can each be used to both inject a column packing into the column or withdraw used packing from the column, in addition to cleaning the supply and discharge lines associated with the valve itself, all by moving a movable plug within the valve body and all without protruding into the column interior. Each valve is mounted on the lateral wall of the column just above the filter plate at the column floor, and the plug is movable between a closed position in which the end surface of the plug is flush with the inner wall of the column and an open position in which the plug is recessed within the bore. Each valve has two additional ports in its valve body, positioned such that when the plug is closed, both ports are open to the valve bore, and when the plug is open, at least one of the ports is open to the bore. The position of the plug within the valve bore determines the valve function.

Abstract: Disclosed are computer-implemented methods of sorting particles from a particle stream in a flow cytometer. The methods include: calculating sort decision making parameters using the raw event data values from a flow cytometer and a sort logic; performing sort logic computations using the sort logic definition and the sort decision making parameters to generate sort decisions; converting the sort decisions into sort commands; and sending the one or more sort commands to the flow cytometer. Sort logic computations may include algorithmically using conditional branching logic, and may include sort logic equations having mathematical functions characterizing one or more regions of interest in multidimensional data space. Such mathematical functions may be determined based on one or more parameters provided by a user. Also disclosed are corresponding systems having a flow cytometer and a computer.

Abstract: A system for manual delivery of mail to a series of recipients includes a stack of mail holders each comprising a front flap, a back flap and a central fold. One or more mail pieces are disposed in each holder, such that all of the mail pieces in each holder are to be delivered to the same recipient. The holders are stacked in a predetermined order for a carrier delivery route, and may be banded or otherwise secured together until the time of delivery.

Abstract: A device for separating individual tires that have become entwined including a movable head for engaging at least one tire in a stack of tires, an engaging finger coupled to the movable head, and at least one manipulating apparatus for moving the engaging finger and the movable head to dislodge entwined tires.

Abstract: A longitudinal micrometric separator for the classification of solid particulate materials comprising an outer casing having an inflow opening and an outflow opening for the particulate material, a collection chamber at the bottom, as well as a sliding support for the particulate material extending substantially along a longitudinal drawing axis, in which the material is conveyed in the direction of the aforesaid longitudinal axis by a forced fluid flow. The sliding support comprises at least one first inclined wall, lying in a plane parallel to the drawing axis, and at least one dropping channel with axis parallel to the drawing axis and connected to a side end of the same inclined wall, the other side end of the inclined wall being set at a distance from the internal surfaces of the casing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for automatically creating and enriching a data base in a system for sorting mail items linked, through an INTRANET communications network, to computer stations of addressees of these mail items and comprising reading means for recognizing postal data printed on these mail items, processing means in order, in relation with a work data base comprising identification data relative to the addressees of the mail items, to identify the individual addressee of a determined mail item, and sorting means for allocating this mail item to the addressee thus identified, process in which there is firstly automatically sent to the electronic mail address of each addressee, a determined electronic message requesting him to be connected on a WEB page of the sorting system in order to enter personal identification data, and, once entered, these data are then automatically stored in a temporary data base for comparison with the data present in the work data base in order thus to ensure autom

Abstract: A grain dropping passage constituted below a husking unit (D) serves as a winnowing room (A). A winnowed grain conveyor (1) is provided as the sole conveyor below the winnowing room (A). A winnowing wind blown by a winnowing fan (F) through a blowing room (B) passes through below the winnowed grain conveyor (1) and then rises in the winnowing room (A). The grains mixed with hulls and others are winnowed in the winnowing room (A) so as to be sorted into two kinds: winnowed grains to be received by the winnowed conveyor (1), and the other including hulls to be received by a hull conveyor (2) arranged oppositely to the winnowed grain conveyor (1) with respect to the winnowing fan (F). In this manner, powerful separation can be executed by means of winnowing wind having a large amount and large speed so as to improve a winnowing ability remarkably.

Abstract: In the method, each envelope (1) is provided with an envelope number that can be read by humans and by machine. The control system of a sorting machine (4) is coupled to an e-mail system. The sender (3) looks for the addressee in the e-mail system and enters the number (2) of the envelope (1) to be sent. He then transmits a message with the addressee and the envelope number (2) to the control system of the sorting machine. In the control system there is a file (6) for the sorting plan, which allocates sorting compartments to the addressees. By means of the message from the e-mail system, the sorting compartment of the addressee is also allocated the envelope number (2), so that after the machine-readable number (2) of the envelope (1) has been read, the envelope can be led into the compartment belonging to the addressee. This allocation is then deleted again. In this way, the difficulties in reading the handwritten addresses are avoided.

Abstract: A bean sprouts processing apparatus includes a feeding section, a treating section and a separating section arranged in sequence substantially in a horizontal manner. The feeding section includes a receptacle for receiving un-processed bean spouts therein and a conveyor for conveying the bean sprouts to the treating section. The treating section has a sprout tray movably supported on a base with a shaking device arranged between the sprout tray and the base to shake the sprout tray relative to the base so as to separate husks from the sprouts and to break roots of the sprouts and also move the sprouts and the separated husks and broken roots toward the separating section. A cooling device is optionally mounted on the base of the treating section to lower the temperature of the sprouts down to about 3.degree.-5.degree. C. The separating section has a sprout support plate movably supported on a base to receive the sprouts from the treating section.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating angel hair from bulk material includes a hollow drum which is partly immersed in the flow of bulk material and rotates in such a manner that the immersed part of the drum moves in opposite direction to the bulk material flow. The drum has an outer jacket which is provided with circumferentially spaced bores through which one end of spikes projects, with their other end being swingably mounted to a bearing member. The bearing member has a center axis which is offset to the axis of rotation of the drum so that the spikes project beyond the outer surface of the drum at their bulk material facing side while being retracted at the bulk material distant side of the drum. Thus, during a revolution of the drum, the spikes gradually move in and out of the drum.

Abstract: The present invention is addressed to an apparatus and method for carrying out the effective separation or classification of MSW into fractions with improved efficiency. This improved efficiency is achieved inter alia through the use of various separation devices designed to segregate fractions of MSW based on their ultimate usages or physical properties. Through the utilization of devices optimized to categorize by the physical properties of various fractions, a large percentage of the sortation process can be achieved without the use of human sorters.

Abstract: A system and process for sizing wood chips to provide a flow of wood chips which are acceptable for feeding to a digester of a pulping system. A flow management screen station is provided which divides an incoming unacceptable flow into two fractional flows, neither of which is acceptable for feeding to the digester. One of the output flows from the flow management screen is concentrated in oversized and overthick chips compared to the incoming flow. The other output flow is concentrated in undersized chips and particles compared to the incoming flow. The output flows from the flow management screen are then fed to second and third screening stations which separate "overs" from the respective flows to provide acceptable flows to the digester.

Abstract: A sorter for separating waste material such as aluminum cans, large plastic containers, cardboard containers, cardboard, small lumber or wood material, paper and similar lightweight material by directing the waste material to be sorted downwardly onto pairs of elongated driven rollers which are arranged for gripping and pulling paper and similar material downwardly between adjacent rollers of a pair while aluminum cans and large plastic and cardboard containers will move longitudinally on the rollers with the plastic containers being lifted upwardly and discharged onto a conveyor and the cans being discharged from the ends of the rollers. The rollers have a spiral rib thereon to facilitate gripping of paper material and movement of the aluminum cans and containers. A kicker, in the form of a rotatable brush, is oriented above the discharge end of the rollers for lifting large lightweight material such as large containers upwardly along the interior of a curved deflector onto a conveyor.

Abstract: A flatware separating apparatus comprising a track having a top surface for receiving and delivering different items of flatware along a selected path; a mechanism for contacting selected items of the flatware at a selected point along the path of the track and pushing the selected items off the surface of the track and allowing other selected items of the flatware to remain on the surface; and a mechanism for further separating the selected items of flatware pushed off the surface of the track.

Abstract: A debris separation system including a rock grizzly having relieved rails for inhibiting rock hang up, a vibrating grizzly having rods of alternating height for aligning limbs with the rod openings, a fines separating screen, and a rotary air separator for separating small rock and wood chips. The system is considered unique in its ability to distinguish rock and wood (log debris) by their physical characteristics. The vibrating grizzly rejects large rock while accepting long narrow limbs, and the rotary air separator separates rock and wood of the same general size and shape by reason of mass differential i.e. the more dense rock is less effected by air suction then the less dense wood.

Abstract: A mobile seed cleaning and/or separating apparatus has a wheeled, self-propelled chassis mounting a plurality of cleaning and/or separating stations. The stations are interconnected by conveyors which transport the seed through the apparatus. The cleaning and/or separating stations include a coarse screen to remove material of a size larger than the seed to be separated, an aspirator to remove relatively light material, a pair of pocket cylinders to separate materials of different sizes and a screen cylinder to finally screen the seed. After cleaning, the seed passes through a weighing device which continuously batch-weights the seed and actuates a prickling machine to introduce a furyside, mold-inhibitor or other chemical.

Abstract: A sorting installation for separating a first type of articles from a second type of articles fed mixed to the sorting installation. The articles of the first type are relatively light and substantially two-dimensional, while the articles of the second type are relatively heavy and substantially three-dimensional. There is provided an article-supporting surface which receives the first and second type of articles in a generally mixed state and which has a length dimension and a width dimension perpendicular to the length dimension. The article-supporting surface is inclined to the horizontal in a direction parallel to the width dimension for causing primarily the second type of articles to move by gravity downwardly on the article-supporting surface transversely to the length dimension and laterally off the article-supporting surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for infeeding cigarettes to the wrapping line of a packer, provided with: a hopper, the lower part of which contains the cigarettes in the form of stacks that are movable in steps along corresponding channels outgoing from the hopper; a sensor for checking, in succession, the cigarettes in the channels with each step forward of the stacks; and at least one cigarette expelling device, interlocked to the sensor, placed along the channels downstream of the sensor, in the direction in which the stacks move forward. Provision is also made for a device with which to engage and restrain the faulty cigarettes, able to brake the cigarettes during expulsion and to complete the extraction thereof from the hopper.

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: A device is provided for testing the integrity of each container in a conveyed sequence of containers by individually applying pressure internally of each, sensing that pressure and generating a signal having a magnitude corresponding to the value of that pressure, comparing that signal magnitude to a selected threshold signal value, providing an output control signal indicative of the achievement of that signal magnitude and setting an enablement device in one of two states corresponding to the presence and absence, respectively, of that output control signal. One of those states corresponds to an unacceptable container condition and the other to an acceptable container condition. If the unacceptable container condition or reject state exists, a reject cycle is enabled over at least an enabling duration sufficient to clear the container or broken portion thereof from the position it occupies in the sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating objects of different shapes or sizes is described. A vibrating conveyor belt is equipped with upwardly projecting fingers spaced at intervals to entrap therein objects of a particular size or shape and convey them in the direction of the movement of the belt and to simultaneously support objects of another shape or size on the ends of the fingers and to convey them by vibration in a direction different from the movement of the belt, thereby separating the objects.

Abstract: A machine for sorting objects, such as for instance mushrooms, depending upon the size of the object includes an elongated supporting frame, a continuous carrier chain extending longitudinally on each side of the frame, there being apparatus for synchronously driving the chains, and a plurality of spaced, transversely extending rods spanning the distance between the chains and carried thereby for movement therewith, there being a finger member carried by each of the rods in swingable engagement therewith, each finger member having an upper hook portion engaging the rod, a lower edge portion and an intermediate arcuate portion between the hook and the edge.

Abstract: The removal of so-called zip-tape from reclaim tobacco is achieved by use of an elongate vibratory conveyor having grooves extending longitudinally therewith and of longitudinal depth profile preselected from groove-containment of the reclaim tobacco, except for the zip-tape content thereof. Rollers having surface affinity for the zip-tape are arranged in overlying relation to the conveyor surface and groove rises, and are disposed in acute angle relation with the conveyor feed direction. The rollers are supported for joint movement with the conveyor so as to be maintained in fixed relation to the conveyor surface during vibration. Zip-tape encountered by the surfaces of the rollers is withdrawn from the conveyor grooves and is displaced successively transversely of the conveyor for collection aside the conveyor.

Abstract: The sorting method includes moving materials at a certain horizontal speed such that on falling their points of impact are disbursed over a moving sorting belt in such a manner that the materials become located at points which are sufficiently different to enable effective sorting to be obtained by small adhesion differences so that the adhering materials are carried by the sorting belt to a discharge region and the non-adhering or weakly adhering materials are rejected by the belt. The apparatus includes a feed device located above a moving adhesion belt having an adjustable speed control and an arrangement for adjusting the position of the feed device relative to the adhesion sorting belt.