Fluid Jet Patents (Class 209/644)
  • Patent number: 10518443
    Abstract: A rotary tablet press having a rotatably driven rotor and a die plate with a plurality of die bores. A plurality of upper and lower punches are configured to produce tablets in the plurality of die bores. The tablets are monitored for one or more characteristics and are sorted by an ejection apparatus according to the one or more characteristics into a reject channel and a satisfactory channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Fette Compacting GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Arning, Nils Petersen
  • Patent number: 10399259
    Abstract: A rotary tablet press having a rotatably driven rotor and a die plate with a plurality of die bores. A plurality of upper and lower punches are configured to produce tablets in the plurality of die bores. The tablets are monitored for one or more characteristics and are sorted by an ejection apparatus according to the one or more characteristics into a reject channel and a satisfactory channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Fette Compacting GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Arning, Nils Petersen
  • Patent number: 10343188
    Abstract: The invention is used in various branches of industry, in particular in agriculture for preparing seeds for sowing and for selection purposes. The method of separating a granular mixture in a flowing medium is based on a gravitational supply of particles, with an aerodynamic, monotonously increasing action thereon with a cascade of flat jets, said cascade being stabilized in terms of pressure and discharge. Large impurities are removed from the granular mixture beforehand, and stable parameters are maintained in the separation chamber. The device comprises a vibrating screen, an adjustable hopper with an agitator and a vibrating chute, a generator of a cascade of flat jets, which is connected to a drive for supplying air under pressure, a fraction collector and a separation chamber. The output of the separation chamber is covered with a filtering element in the form of a rotating drum with a calibrating sifter on the surface, said sifter being connected to a cyclone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ASM TECHNOLOGY SP. Z O.O.
    Inventor: Sergiy Ivanovich Orsyk
  • Patent number: 10086371
    Abstract: A fluidic card including a rigid support and a fluidic channel at least partially formed in the rigid support. The fluidic channel includes an opening coming out on an outer surface of the rigid support, and the fluidic card further includes a flexible film disposed on the outer surface of the rigid support, at least at the opening of the fluidic channel, the flexible film configured to be deformed between a closed position in which it enables the fluidic channel to be closed to prevent a fluid flow from the fluidic channel through the opening and an open position in which it allows presence of a fluid flow space from the fluidic channel through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Commisariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventor: Raymond Charles
  • Patent number: 9114430
    Abstract: A piezoelectric valve stably supplies gas even for a long gas ejection time, with a high responsivity to opening the valve, is provided. The piezoelectric valve, including a gas-pressure-chamber for receiving a compressed gas supplied from outside, a gas-discharge-channel through which the compressed gas is discharged from the gas-pressure-chamber, comprises: a valve body disposed in the gas-pressure-chamber and opens/closes the gas-discharge-channel; a piezoelectric element for producing a driving force to move the valve body as a displacement; a displacement-enlarging-mechanism for enlarging the displacement of the piezoelectric element to act on the valve body; and a driving unit having a signal-generating-unit for generating a signal comprising a pre-pulse and a main pulse and provides the signal generated by the signal-generating-unit to a driving circuit as an input signal to apply a driving voltage to the piezoelectric element to make the piezoelectric element expand and drive the valve body open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignees: SATAKE CORPORATION, MECHANO TRANSFORMER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takafumi Ito, Teruhiko Takeuchi, Tadashi Matsushita, Sze Keat Chee, Takeshi Yano, Takeshi Kamima, Toshiro Higuchi
  • Patent number: 9033157
    Abstract: A separation-apparatus for separating from a particle-stream at least a first fraction with particles of a first group of dimensions, and a second fraction with particles of a second group of dimensions, comprising an infeed-device (2, 10) for the particle-stream, a rotatable drum (5) having at its circumference plates (6, 6), each plate having a radially extending hitting surface for the particles, at least a first receiving area (12) proximal to the drum for receipt therein of particles of the first fraction, and at least a second receiving area (11) distant from the drum for receipt therein of particles of the second fraction, wherein a conveyor (17) in the second receiving area (12) moves during use at a speed of at least 2 m/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Inashco R&D B.V.
    Inventors: Simon Peter Maria Berkhout, Peter Carlo Rem
  • Patent number: 8960445
    Abstract: A support structure for supporting screening media in a vibrating screen. The support structure is received on longitudinal beams of the vibrating screen. The support structure is formed of fixation strips having fixation parts, on which fixation parts carriers are received. The fixation strips and carriers are placed perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property
    Inventor: Mats Malmberg
  • Patent number: 8955689
    Abstract: A propulsive element usable for producing a jet of fluid using a pressurized fluid. An inlet receives the pressurized fluid; a propulsive element passageway extends from the inlet; two main outlets are in fluid communication with the propulsive element passageway and are configured and sized for releasing each a respective main jet portion when the pressurized fluid is injected in the inlet, the two main jet portions being each substantially divergent, the two main jet portions creating a low pressure zone therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Michel Couture
  • Publication number: 20150041373
    Abstract: A system and method for classification of materials employing a material fall path that is intersected by an air flow path, a first materials output located below the material fall path and a second materials output located distally of the first materials output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: David J. Wolf
  • Patent number: 8944255
    Abstract: A chute for an optical sorting machine allows objects to be sorted to drop under gravity from the lower end of the chute, thereby supplying the objects to an optical detection section. The chute is provided with: a first portion which includes a portion for receiving the objects to be sorted which are supplied from a supply section; and a second portion which continues from the first portion. The first portion is composed of a single part and has: flat surfaces along which the objects to be sorted flow down; and connection surfaces. The flat surfaces located upstream are bent downward and the connection surfaces located downstream are bent upward to form a smooth undulation in the surface along which the objects to be sorted flow down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Ito, Tomoyuki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8919565
    Abstract: An ejector system for a color sorter, eliminates particulate matter by air by detection of the particulate matter falling from an end of a transfer device at a predetermined position, and has a nozzle part in which a plurality of air flow paths that communicate with a plurality of nozzle holes are formed. A manifold part is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic valves that communicate with an air space communicating with a compressed air source and in which a plurality of air flow paths for supplying compressed air to the corresponding air flow paths in the nozzle part by the operation of the respective electromagnetic valves are formed. The nozzle part and the manifold part are separably integrated while open surfaces of the air flow paths in the nozzle part and open surfaces of the air flow paths in the manifold part are brought into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Haruyoshi Yamaguchi, Naoto Takahashi, Nobuyoshi Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20140353219
    Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for sorting loose solids, in particular the seeds of grain, vegetable and herb crops using airflows. A separating machine for separating loose mixtures in a fluid, comprising loose mixture loading and feeding means, a fluid oscillator with nozzles and air blowers placed thereunder, a separation chamber with a cover, an air flow baffle placed on the separation chamber rear wall and ready and recycled fractions collectors placed on its bottom, wherein the separation chamber bottom is provided with an ascending air flow generator performed as ejection openings for outside air inflow, placed between the fractions collectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Volodymyr Mytrofanovych Kosilov
  • Patent number: 8893723
    Abstract: Method and device for removing foreign bodies from a first tobacco stream that is conveyed via an air flow in a region of a first foreign body detection device. Method includes detecting, with a first foreign body detection device, the foreign bodies in the first tobacco stream based on at least one property, and removing, with a jet of compressed air, the foreign bodies from the first tobacco stream. In this manner, a foreign body freed tobacco stream and a second tobacco stream including tobacco particles and the foreign bodies entrained by the jet of compressed air are formed. Method also includes at least one of: accelerating the second stream at a distance from the first tobacco stream; and detecting, with a second foreign body detector, foreign bodies in the second stream based on at least one property and removing the detected foreign bodies with a second jet of compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Matthias Jahnke, Harry Drewes, Torsten Grigutsch, Hans Dierken, David Felts, Jeroen Erinkveld, Diederick van Klaarbergen
  • Publication number: 20140319028
    Abstract: The invention relates to a label separating apparatus in which, of labels formed in rows and columns on a continuous substrate being transported along a line of transport, labels found good and labels found defective upon determination of their quality are transported separately. The invention seeks to ensure that all of a plurality of defective labels possibly extant in any one of the rows can concurrently be transferred without fail selectively onto a different line of transport. The apparatus includes a primary conveyer in which a continuous substrate 21A is transported having labels 22A-22D, which are spaced apart from each other by a given distance and arranged in rows and columns, formed thereon and peelably adhered thereto. The primary conveyer includes a transport turn-back member 12A for permitting labels 22A-22D for each row concurrently to peel off the continuous substrate 21.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: MIYAKOSHI PRINTING MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki ENDOU, Masaki TAMURA, Masahiro NAKA, Toshiyuki YAMAGATA, Hiroyuki SHIBATA
  • Patent number: 8833564
    Abstract: A method of removing dust from granular polysilicon includes introducing a stream of granular polysilicon, dispersing the longitudinal stream of granular polysilicon by redirecting the stream into a radially outward flow having a circular pattern, and introducing a counter flow of gas in an opposite direction to that of the longitudinal stream of granular polysilicon to contact the radially outward flow to separate the dust from the granular polysilicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: SunEdison Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Seok-Min Yun, Seong-Su Park, Se-Myung Kim, Won-Jin Choi, Woo-Jin Yoon
  • Publication number: 20140216991
    Abstract: Use in agriculture for preparing seeds by dividing the seeds into fractions and cleaning foreign bodies and dust from the seeds; the method comprises gravitationally feeding in particles of the mixture to be separated, subjecting said particles to an aerodynamically monotonically increasing effects on them at an acute angle to the vertical with a cascade of slot jets in a mode of resonant auto-oscillatory movement of each jet and of the entire cascade of jets at the frequency of the first harmonic half oscillation, and discharging the prepared fractions, where the lightest solid volatile fractions of the foreign bodies are calibrated according to size into two independent fractions, where the finest fraction together with some of the air stream which has already been used is returned to the generator in which the foreign bodies are accelerated, where a second, larger fraction of volatile foreign bodies is immediately and removed together with the dust and the rest of the stream of air; the apparatus comprises
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Vladimir Stepanovich Suhin
  • Publication number: 20140166552
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating lightweight waste from product with air supplied by a plenum. An air separator includes a blower duct directing air upward through product conveyed on a foraminous conveyor. The blower duct is in communication with a plenum through an opening. One or more blowers fill and pressurize the plenum with air without blowing the air directly through the opening. The drop in pressure from the plenum to the exit end of the duct draws air uniformly through the opening and into the duct. The uniform flow of air through the duct and the conveyor lifts lightweight waste from the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve
  • Publication number: 20140102955
    Abstract: A sorting system and method for separating solid waste including heavy fraction, mid fraction and light fraction materials. A first conveyor belt system cascades solid waste over an end of the belt system whereby the heavy fraction material falls downward to a first collection area and the mid fraction and light fraction material are conveyed by a first planar sheet of air to a second conveyor belt system. A second conveyor belt system cascades the mid fraction and light fraction material over an end of the second conveyor belt system whereby a Tollable mid fraction of the solid waste can tumble backwards to drop into a second collection area and whereby the mid fraction pieces of solid waste fall downward to a third collection area and light fraction solid waste is carried away by a second planar sheet of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Viny
  • Publication number: 20140083916
    Abstract: A method and a device for gravity separation of plastics particles, in particular of plastic flakes, where separation gas is guided upwardly in the counter stream against the plastic particles to be separated. Due to the fact that the separation gas is at least partially ionized, the selectivity of the separation can be increased with low energy input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Frank Rossen
  • Patent number: 8662314
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for sorting foreign material and undesirable articles from a product stream. A mechanical diverter having a concave shape is responsive to an inspection station coupled to the product stream. The mechanical diverter is employed to effectively launch or otherwise redirect undesirable articles in an alternate path. In addition, an air ejector in one form of the invention is provided and is responsive to the inspection station and is employed to dislodge foreign material from the product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Key Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter T. Jones, Philip L. Hoffman, Hans G. Halmberger, Ken McGarvey, James Ruff, Mike Lemke, Timothy Reardon
  • Patent number: 8590710
    Abstract: A device separating target particles in a fluid sample includes first through third multi-orifice flow fractionation (“MOFF”) channels, each including a multi-orifice segment with an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends, and an alternating series of contraction channels and expansion chambers interconnected in a lengthwise direction; a first separation unit including a first separation channel which is interconnected in fluid communication with a center region of the outlet of the first MOFF channel, and first branch channels which are interconnected in fluid communication with sidewall regions of the outlet of the first MOFF channel, and respectively with inlets of the second and third MOFF channels; and buffer inlets which are connected to the inlets of the second and third MOFF channels and through which a buffer flows into the second and third MOFF channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Tae-seok Sim, Jeong-gun Lee, Hyo-il Jung, Ki-ho Kwon
  • Publication number: 20130233776
    Abstract: A separation-apparatus for separating from a particle-stream at least a first fraction with particles of a first group of dimensions, and a second fraction with particles of a second group of dimensions, comprising an infeed-device (2, 10) for the particle-stream, a rotatable drum (5) having at its circumference plates (6, 6), each plate having a radially extending hitting surface for the particles, at least a first receiving area (12) proximal to the drum for receipt therein of particles of the first fraction, and at least a second receiving area (11) distant from the drum for receipt therein of particles of the second fraction, wherein a conveyor (17) in the second receiving area (12) moves during use at a speed of at least 2 m/s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: INASHCO R&D B. V.
    Inventors: Simon Peter Maria Berkhout, Peter Carlo Rem
  • Publication number: 20130118959
    Abstract: An ejector system for a color sorter, eliminates particulate matter by air by detection of the particulate matter falling from an end of a transfer device at a predetermined position, and has a nozzle part in which a plurality of air flow paths that communicate with a plurality of nozzle holes are formed. A manifold part is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic valves that communicate with an air space communicating with a compressed air source and in which a plurality of air flow paths for supplying compressed air to the corresponding air flow paths in the nozzle part by the operation of the respective electromagnetic valves are formed. The nozzle part and the manifold part are separably integrated while open surfaces of the air flow paths in the nozzle part and open surfaces of the air flow paths in the manifold part are brought into contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: SATAKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruyoshi Yamaguchi, Naoto Takahashi, Nobuyoshi Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20130032514
    Abstract: An automated method is used to direct seeds to desired locations. The method includes isolating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds, for example, in a seed bin, and then measuring desired properties of the seeds. The measured properties are evaluated, and the seeds are then directed to desired locations, for example, based on the measured properties. The individual seeds are each contacted with a stream of air to move the seeds to the desired locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • Publication number: 20130008837
    Abstract: A sorting apparatus is described and which includes a substantially continuous source of a product to be sorted; and a downwardly oriented supporting surface for guiding the source of product for movement, at least in part, under the influence of gravity, along a path of travel through a first inspection station which is oriented along the supporting surface, and where the product is first inspected, and then travels to a second location or station, which is located off the supporting surface, and where, at the second location or station, individual defective products are removed from the substantially continuous source of product to be sorted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Johan Calcoen
  • Publication number: 20130008832
    Abstract: Processing waste materials to recover valuable metals, such as copper, from the materials. The disclosed systems and methods employ processes that further refine the waste materials to concentrate the metallic material after the waste materials are initially processed. Processes include employing air separation and screening. Processes also include employing a dynamic sensor and a vacuum pressure separator to separate metals from other materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas A. Valerio
  • Publication number: 20130001139
    Abstract: A separating and conveying unit in which a device for sorting out incorrectly positioned cylindrical bodies, such as for hollow bodies, is arranged. The device has a roller sorter with rollers and air nozzles arranged laterally adjacent the rollers. Incorrectly positioned cylindrical bodies are blown out of the roller sorter by the air nozzles. The air nozzles can be pivoted and at least one of the air flows escaping from the air nozzles is directed at the cylindrical body at an angle of attack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Marcel Tanner
  • Patent number: 8247724
    Abstract: A chute for inspection and sorting apparatus has first and second flat sections, with the lower end of the first section being disposed over the second section to form a step from which product falls onto the second section. Additional sections may be included. In one variant a third channeled section is included, with the lower end of the second section being disposed over the third section forming a second step from which product falls onto the third section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Buhler Sortex Ltd.
    Inventors: Stewart Mills, David Cox
  • Publication number: 20120168356
    Abstract: A method for the separation of fine particles from granulate-like bulk material conveyed in a pipeline as a product flow by means of a compressed air or vacuum conveyance, characterized in that the product flow is radially dispersed at the intake end of a pipe screen integrated in the pipeline in an airtight manner, and aerated there by a cleansing airflow, flowing at an angle to the direction of the dispersed product flow, in the region of a cleansing plane, which deflects the lighter particles, fibers, clusters, dust or similar items carried in the product flow from the trajectory of the heavier granulate, and conveys said into an annular sheath through which the cleansing air flows, from which they are removed by means of a separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Zeppelin Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Winkhardt, Michael Heep
  • Publication number: 20120152810
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sorting and a sorting device for sorting out parts (2) by means of air blasts (12). The sorting device contains at least one air blast generator (8) comprising a diaphragm unit (33) which can be deflected by electric activation and which delimits a work chamber (34) connected to a ejection opening (32). When activated, the diaphragm unit (33) functions as an air displacement unit and produces an active air discharge out of the work chamber (34) through the ejection opening (32) on the basis of the air displacement resulting from said activation. In particular, the air blast has the shape of a toroidal eddy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Hannes Wirtl, Martin Maichl
  • Publication number: 20120085684
    Abstract: Method for separating a non-ferrous metal-comprising fraction from ferrous scrap, wherein the ferrous scrap is conveyed to a processing device for separating the non-ferrous metal-comprising fraction from the remainder of the ferrous scrap. The processing device supplies a beam of water, and the ferrous scrap is conveyed and released into the waterbeam so as to cause that the ferrous scrap is allowed to fall and move further, subject to the forces of gravity and the waterbeam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ReSteel B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Carlo Rem, Simon Peter Maria Berkhout
  • Patent number: 8123041
    Abstract: Method of separation of loose mixture in fluid medium consists in the gravity feed of particles, aerodynamic monotonically increasing effect on them at acute angle to the vertical line by the cascade of slot jets and the outlet of separated fractions into separate collectors. Before aerodynamic effect on loose mixture particles each jet is transferred to developed turbulence mode by their vertical expansion jets until jets are merged with each other with faulty or close to it form of jet formation and the appearance of at least two circulation zones different in size in each inter-jet space of all contiguous jets. The device for separation contains the bunker with vibrating chute mounted underneath the jet generator, the flat nozzles located one under another at acute angle to the vertical line, the height of cross sections of which, step and angle of installation increase top-down. The generator is connected with the source of air supply under pressure, and is covered by the side walls, and grade collectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Airomachus, Co.
    Inventor: Suxin Vladimir
  • Publication number: 20120031819
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a vehicle for separating a mixed debris stream. The vehicle may include an elongate vehicle frame; a separating structure mounted on the vehicle frame and configured to contact the mixed debris stream with a fluid stream to separate the mixed debris stream into at least a first debris stream and a second debris stream; a feed structure for transporting the mixed debris stream to the separating structure at a delivery location; a first conveyor configured to receive the first debris stream at a receiving location; and a second conveyor configured to receive the second debris stream. At least one of the delivery location of the mixed debris stream, the receiving location of the first debris stream, and/or an ejection angle of the fluid stream may be adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger G. Smith, Jason D. Gerard
  • Patent number: 8096421
    Abstract: A micro-fluidic chip including a channel through which a liquid containing micro-particles flows, and a gas jetting section configured to jet a gas toward the micro-particle-containing liquid ejected from the channel is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masataka Shinoda
  • Publication number: 20110315608
    Abstract: A surface mount process, a surface mount system, and a feeding apparatus thereof are provided. The surface mount system includes a feeding apparatus and a surface mount apparatus. The feeding apparatus includes a vibrating tray feeder module, a vibrating linear feeder module, and a component recycling module. The vibrating tray feeder module has a circular vibrating conveyer belt with a vibrating tray output end. The vibrating linear feeder module has a linear vibrating conveyer belt connected to the vibrating tray output end and has a linear vibrating output end opposite the vibrating tray feeder module. The component recycling module is disposed under the vibrating tray feeder module to recycle the rejected components. The surface mount apparatus has a component receiving unit corresponding to the linear vibrating output end of the vibrating linear feeder module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Ji-Huei CHEN, Ming-Hua Tsai, I-Chang Tsao, Jhih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 8078329
    Abstract: A system for rejection of tablets produced in a rotary tablet press comprises pan ejection nozzle for sorting out defective tablets. The ejection nozzle is supplied with compressed gas through a supply line having an inlet end for connection with a source of compressed gas and an outlet end communicating with the ejection nozzle. The supply line is provided with a control valve controlled by a control unit in order to open the supply line when a defective tablet has been detected by the control unit. Furthermore, the supply line is provided with a sensor arranged between the control valve and the inlet end of the supply line and adapted to detect a variable indicative of a gas flow through the control valve in order for the control unit to generate an error signal in the case of malfunction of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Courtoy NV
    Inventors: Jurgen Boeckx, Dirk Christiaens, Ivo Van Den Mooter
  • Publication number: 20110284432
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a device for removing impurities from an agricultural fibrous material. In addition, the invention is related to a method for obtaining the same. The device according to the invention comprises: a processing unit (4) having an inlet (16), an outlet (38), and a first (18) and second holding member (19) defining a holding space there between for holding said material, wherein at least said first holding member is moveable; a drive unit for driving at least said first moveable holding member to obtain a compression and expansion of said holding space; an impurities collection unit (5) coupled to or disposed in said processing unit to collect impurities released from said material; The compression and expansion of the holding space ensures an effective release of impurities from the fibers of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Matthieu Johannes Jozef Van den Hurk
  • Patent number: 8016119
    Abstract: In an apparatus for separating plastic film material from waste, a plurality of hooks is mounted on a hook carrier for circulating the hooks along a trajectory through an engagement area near a supply track and through a disengagement area downstream of the engagement area. The engagement area is located higher than the supply track and/or in supply direction beyond the downstream end of the supply track, such that, in operation, a remainder of the waste passes by the trajectory of the hooks without contacting the hooks. The hooks project from the drum via openings in the circumferential surface of the drum and are retractable into a circumferential surface of the drum. A method for separating plastic film material from waste is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Machinefabriek Bollegraaf Appingedam B.V.
    Inventors: Hermannus Johannes Maria Legtenberg, Hendrik Huibert Witting
  • Patent number: 8016115
    Abstract: Disclosed is a waste separation apparatus comprising a vortex initiator (10) and a vortex generator (20). The vortex generator (20) is arranged to direct the airflow from the vortex initiator (10) towards the waste to be separated. The airflow is used to separate less dense waste from more dense waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Tek-Dry Systems Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Fryars
  • Publication number: 20110210047
    Abstract: An automated machine is used to handle and manipulate individual pieces of particulate matter. The particulate matter is contained in a bin. The machine operates to pick single individual pieces of the particulate matter from the bin. The picked individual pieces are then conveyed for further handling. Pneumatic transport is primarily used for the conveying operation. One aspect of the handling involves individually weighing each piece of the picked particulate matters. Another aspect of the handling involves sorting the individual pieces of particulate matter into a plurality of receptacles. Yet another aspect of the handling involves both weighing and then sorting the individual pieces of particulate matter, wherein the sorting operation may be performed based upon the measured weight of each piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Kevin L. Deppermann
  • Patent number: 8002117
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting a gas-driven stream of generally flat and light-weight articles of varying dimensions execute a, preferably optical, inspection and upon so finding a non-conforming article remove the latter from the stream. In particular, the inspection and the sorting are executed during a substantially straight movement of the articles. The removing is executed through gas driving in a direction substantially transverse to the straight movement. Advantageously, the inspection is preceded by orienting the articles through a centrifugal force that orients said articles against an inclined wall in a transition to the vertical movement. Also airflow means (83,84) can be used to confine the articles in a thin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Comas, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Thomas Marinus Antonius Van de Laak, Mario Martin, Robertus Cornelis Van Hoek
  • Patent number: 7997413
    Abstract: In an apparatus in spinning preparation for separating foreign objects at conveying equipment for fiber material, at least one separation device is associated with the conveying equipment. The separation device comprises an arrangement for producing a blast of air that flows in the direction onto the conveying equipment and generates an air flow that detaches the foreign objects from the conveyed fibers and carries them away. The arrangement comprises a plurality of blast nozzles arranged across the width of the conveying equipment and connected to a compressed air pipe and to valves. To reduce the proportion of good fibers in the waste in a simple manner, and to allow a more selective action of the blast air current, a bar member for mounting the blast nozzles is present and the nozzles are integrated in the bar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Truetzschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joerg Schmitz, Konrad Temburg
  • Patent number: 7968814
    Abstract: A grain images obtained by CCD line sensors are processed by binarization processing to obtain contour images of grains and images of colored portions in the grains. The images are displayed on a monitor screen of an operating panel 30. The contour images and the images of the colored portions are displayed in a superposed state. Box frames generated by a highlight display circuit in control means 12 are simultaneously displayed by being superposed on the contour images having defective portions, thus producing a highlight display of defective grains. The defective grains include a grain having a light colored portion and a grain having a dark colored portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Imai, Norihiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7905356
    Abstract: A method for separation of heterogeneous products included in household waste (HW) comprises separating the products in a fractionation vessel containing a liquid. The waste includes components, of which at least some are capable of floating in the liquid. The components are exposed to a first essentially horizontal force (P1) in a first direction (D1) enforced by a flow of the liquid in the fractionation vessel and to a second essentially horizontal force (P2) in a second direction (D2), which is substantially different from the first direction (D1). The combined impact of the forces (P1; P2) on the components spreads the components and leads them to at least two collection areas. Products of varying buoyancy may thus be treated separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Holm Christensen Biosystemer APS
    Inventors: Borge H. Christensen, Lena H. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20110042278
    Abstract: The methods and apparatus separate fines from crushed rock and stone. A motorized conveyor belt system is activated that includes a conveyor belt moving in an upward direction. A spray system is activated to spray a fluid on an underneath surface of the conveyor belt. The mixture of rock and fines are directed to the conveyor belt. The rock tumbles or rolls down the conveyor belt and is collected at a first end of the conveyor belt. The fines stick or adhere to the conveyor belt, and the fines are scraped off of the conveyor belt at or near the second end of the conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a conveyor belt system, including a moving belt, a motor to move the belt, the belt including a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is elevated relative to the first end. The apparatus includes a spray system, including a source of fluid, a sprayer in fluidic communication with the source of the fluid, and the sprayer positioned to spray a surface of the belt with the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Bill M. Janssen
  • Patent number: 7775369
    Abstract: Sorting apparatus comprising conveying means for conveying input objects into to the apparatus, extraction means for extracting from the conveying means input objects identified as belonging to a particular object-class processing means arranged to received input data corresponding at least to the portions across the conveying means of said identified input objects and to output control signals corresponding to the input data to the extraction means to effect extraction of said identified input objects, where the extraction means comprises an array of nozzles extending in a direction (z) across the conveying means, each of which is independently operable under control of the processing means to produce an air jet in a generally upward direction (y), and is arranged to activate sub-groups of nozzles corresponding to, and in response to, said control signals, characterised in that the conveying means has a partially open surface arranged to convey input objects over the array of nozzles, in that the array of no
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Donald Cowling, Darren Stinchcombe, Wesley John Galliver, George Nicholas Takel
  • Patent number: 7740140
    Abstract: A method for sorting tablets at a rotary press for making tablets, comprising the following steps: the individual tablets are monitored with regard to at least one property of their condition during the pressing process, and a bad-signal is generated, if a tablet does not fulfill the property, and tablets which do not generate a bad-signal being good-tablets; the good-tablets are directed from a die plate of the rotary press into a good-channel; after a bad-signal has been generated, a bad-tablet is directed into a bad-channel by means of an air blast; by means of a further air stream, which is directed into the bad-channel, the bad-tablet is accelerated into the bad-channel whereby a returning to the die plate is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Fette GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Schmidt, Andreas Arning, Kai Hübner
  • Publication number: 20100141013
    Abstract: Coal burning waste gases, notably carbon dioxide (CO2), can be removed or sequestered, and the distribution and utilization of coal as a safe, efficient, and convenient heat source can be improved. Carbon dioxide, a waste gas as from a coal burning process, can be sequestered within freshly fractured rock particles, such as Oligocene rock serpentine, using an adapted version of a rotary collider to fracture down hens-egg sized incoming rocks in a pressurized waste gas. The process sorts the small, fractured rocks and coats them after CO2 sequestration with a cementitious coating for use as a component of building material. In order to improve the transport and delivery of mined coal it is an advantage to fracture the coal and coat the particles with an aqueous liquid. The methods and apparatus deal with the improved delivery of said liquid-coated coal particles for current and new customers who become interested in using coal as an economical heating fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Roy Jeremy Lahr
  • Publication number: 20100072115
    Abstract: A classification device for classifying particles by size including an upper impeller-type rotor, a first end of which is covered with a cover disc without penetration hole and a second end of which is covered with an upper cover disc with a penetration hole; and a lower impeller-type rotor, a first end of which is covered with a cover disc without penetration hole and a second end of which is covered with a lower cover disc with a penetration hole. The upper impeller-type rotor and the lower impeller-type rotor are provided so that axes thereof are coincident and the first ends face with each other forming a gap therebetween in an axial direction, and the diameters of the penetration holes of the upper cover disc and the lower cover disc are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Nobuyasu MAKINO, Masakazu YASHIRO, Kazuo KURATANI
  • Patent number: 7658291
    Abstract: A system for sorting fine nonferrous metals and insulated copper wire from a batch of mixed fine nonferrous metals and insulated wire includes an array of inductive proximity detectors, a processing computer and a sorting mechanism. The inductive proximity detectors identify the location of the fine nonferrous metals and insulated copper wire. The processing computer instructs the sorting mechanism to place the fine nonferrous metals and insulated copper wire into a separate container than the non-metallic pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas A. Valerio