Abstract: A screening disk for use on a roller of a roller screen for screening an ore feed is disclosed, which includes first and second opposing side working surfaces, and provisions for mounting the screening disk on a shaft of the roller. At least one of the first and second side working surfaces has a plurality of protrusions operable to extend outwardly into an interstice between the applicable side working surface and a side working surface of an adjacent mounted screening disk. A spacer may be disposed in the one interstice for confining an extent of the one interstice to a region disposed generally between the third working surface and the shaft. A screening disk may have a keyway configured to receive a key for coupling the body of the screening disk to the shaft for rotation therewith.

Abstract: A grading apparatus for grading objects such as in particular fish or shrimp in respect of their size, comprising a plurality of juxtaposed substantially parallel endless conveyor belts (27), wherein the width (9) separating adjacent conveyor belts is larger at the unloading end (29) than at the loading end (28) of the belts and define sorting channels through which the items fall down when the channel width corresponds to the width of the item, each conveyor belt comprising a plurality of hinged segments with a sloping cross-section such that in between each adjacent pair of belts is formed a V-shaped valley with substantially continuous sloping sides (2), each side being at an angle in the range of about 70-85°.

Abstract: A mined ore processing apparatus to process mined ores, such as oil sands ore, into granular material is disclosed. An ore processor bed receives the ore to be processed. The ore processor bed has a frame supporting several rotating elements each separately driven to provide independent rotation rate and direction from the other. The ore processing bed is operable as a sizing device to decimate mined ore supply into granular material and separating it from rocks and other large lump mineral materials found in situ. The ore processing bed may be oriented to provide an upward inclination, which, when combined with alternating rotating element rotation directions, provides a crushing action to the ore material to crush larger rock. Alternately, a rock crusher is also provided to disintegrate oversized materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating elastomeric materials from mixed material streams. A separator includes a bank of parallel rollers extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end. The bank of parallel rollers having a predefined inclination with the first end elevated higher than the second end. Mixed material streams are fed onto a top surface of the high end of the inclined parallel rollers. A material having less friction and elasticity slides down the inclined roller bank top surface are collected into a collection bin positioned adjacent the second, lower end of the roller bank. Other materials having a higher friction coefficient grip the rollers more and are lifted out of the valley due to friction migrating perpendicular to the rotating rollers and are collected in a collection bin positioned adjacent one side of the roller bank parallel to the longitudinal roller axis.

Abstract: Discloses a mined ore processing apparatus to process mined ores, such as oil sands ore, into granular material. An ore processor bed receives the ore to be processed. The ore processor bed has a frame supporting several rotating elements each separately driven to provide independent rotation rate and direction from the other. The ore processing bed is operable as a sizing device to decimate mined ore supply into granular material and separating it from rocks and other large lump mineral materials found in situ. The ore processing bed may be oriented to provide an upward inclination, which, when combined with alternating rotating element rotation directions, provides a crushing action to the ore material to crush larger rock. Alternately, a rock crusher is also provided to disintegrate oversized materials.

Abstract: A grading apparatus for grading objects such as in particular fish or shrimp in respect of their size, comprising a plurality of juxtaposed substantially parallel endless conveyor belts (27), wherein the width (9) separating adjacent conveyor belts is larger at the unloading end (29) than at the loading end (28) of the belts and define sorting channels through which the items fall down when the channel width corresponds to the width of the item, each conveyor belt comprising a plurality of hinged segments with a sloping cross-section such that in between each adjacent pair of belts is formed a V-shaped valley with substantially continuous sloping sides (2), each side being at an angle in the range of about 70-85°.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating flat postal items according to thickness classes. A rigid system of overlapping lamellae (5) on two continuous traction mechanisms (3) revolving on two deflection rollers (4) provides a lamella-type conveyor belt. The lamellae (5), in the end zones of the belt, are inclined outward at the same angle, thereby forming inward-leading gaps in between them. The lamella-type conveyor belt is inclined with respect to the horizontal to such an extent that postal items (10) that are conveyed to the lower part of the belt transporting the postal items upwards can slide, due to their gravity, into the interior of the lamella-type conveyor belt through the downward leading gaps if they are thinner than the gap width. The sorted out postal items (11) slide onto a transport device (7) by means of rigid guides (6) in the interior of the lamella-type conveyor belt. Said transport device transports the postal items laterally outward from the lamella-type conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of separating small rubbish and organic matters from garbage for collection by means of water by considering specific weight, buoyancy, and flow rate of water is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of conveyor screens incorporating injection nozzles, a less inclined channel, a conveyor, and an organic matter screen for effectively separating floated rubbish, organic matters, and sunk rubbish from garbage for collection.

Abstract: An in-shell nut sorting and debris removal assembly for removing debris including empty shells and sorting out unacceptable in-shell nuts includes multiple spaced belt sorting assemblies to removed materials having desired size characteristics and send them into a collision chamber where the materials are subjected to air current to promote collisions between the materials. An inclined or angled separator screen mesh permits the upward air flow and sorts the materials by density as the collisions occur within the collision chamber. Upper and lower openings are used to remove the density sorted materials from the collision chamber. The lower opening is further divided to sort excessively dense materials such as rock from materials having the desired density characteristics.

Abstract: A device for the elimination of trimmings of rolls or logs of ribbon-like material that can be connected below a cropper machine of at least one roll or log, in turn fed by a feed surface (11) of rolls (12) and top and/or tail crop ends (21), one after another, comprising, below of the feed surface (11), at least one conveyor element (16) closed in a ring which moves around a pulley (14) and which receives the rolls (12) and top and/or tail crop ends (21) on an upper section, the conveyor element (16) having an opening (17) with a dimension at least equivalent to the diameter of a log, inside which the top and/or tail crop ends (21) fall, the opening (17) being positioned as the conveyor element (16) rotates at the beginning of the upper section when the top and/or tail crop ends (21) reach this point.

Abstract: Apparatus for making one or more rod-like fillers of shredded tobacco for use in the making of cigarettes or the like employs one or two pneumatic conveyors having endless foraminous belts trained over pulleys and including elongated stretches below communicating parts of a common suction chamber. A shower of intermixed tobacco shreds and smaller particles including tobacco dust and coarser particles is directed against the under sides of the elongated stretches. The shreds are attracted to and advance with the respective belts to form streams which are ready to be trimmed and thereupon draped into cigarette paper or the like. At least some smaller particles penetrate through the respective belts into the corresponding parts of the suction chamber. The contents of the suction chamber are evacuated by suction and are returned to the undersides of the elongated stretches of the belts for classification.

Abstract: A foreign substance eliminating apparatus transfers raw material by passing the raw material between an upstream conveyor (6) and a downstream conveyor (8), and detects a foreign substance on the upstream transfer conveyor with a foreign substance detector (9). An eliminating airflow (R) is ejected from a row of air nozzles (13) when the detected foreign substance falls down, and deflects the falling direction of the foreign substance. At this point, a small foreign substance (BS) is blown off by the eliminating airflow, and sent to the foreign substancereceiving box (16). On the other hand, a large foreign substance (BL) goes across the eliminating airflow, and falls down onto the bar screen conveyor (20). The bar screen conveyor captures the large foreign substance, and removes it outside of the conveyor.

Abstract: In order to enable a reliable and continuous separation of a solid material, a separating device includes a moving belt which revolves around deflection rollers. Transverse strips and longitudinal strips are provided on the moving belt. The transverse and longitudinal strips form screen surfaces. Solid material having a predetermined maximum dimension falls through these screen surfaces. The portions of solid material which are caught between the transverse strips are automatically loosened when the moving belt moves. In addition, portions of solid material which are caught between the longitudinal strips are removed by a cleaning rake thus guaranteeing an uninterrupted operation. The separating device is especially suited for separating pyrolysis residual material. A method of separating solid material is also provided.

Abstract: A mobile separator for separating irregular particles of varying sizes using a separator belt conveyor having a plurality of horizontally disposed endless belts in spaced parallel relationship, a rotary vibrator bar located beneath the top runs of the endless belts is rotated in the same direction as the belts and sets up vibrations which agitate the particles as they are conveyed to enhance separation. The top runs of the belts are guided for parallel travel and the bottom runs are guided such that adjacent belts are positioned in superimposed relation for increased spacing to permit free passage of material therethrough. The rotary vibrator bar may be driven by the same power source as the separator belts with speed control means to drive the belts and the vibrator bar at different speeds.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating briquettes and fragments in a product stream resulting from briquetting direct reduced iron. Separating and cooling of the briquettes and fragments are carried out simultaneously in an initial step with use of separating means submerged in a cooling bath. The process enables use of less rugged apparatus following the initial step and the apparatus is not subjected to handling the product stream at the elevated temperatures at which briquetting is carried out. Capital expenditure and equipment maintenance is thus reduced.

Abstract: A grading apparatus, especially for delicate material such as fish. The apparatus consists of a feeding device, ridged belts, rail guides for the transport and grading of material, grading compartments, a driving device and adjustment mechanism. The material to be graded is fed to the feeding device and therefrom onto the ridged belts, which transport it and grade it by thickness into the appropriate grading compartments. The apparatus is unique in that the feed device (4) consists of one or more interconnected and adjustable stages (4a, 4b, 4c). Each stage is equipped with side panels (67) or/and turning pins (55), side panels (67) dividing each stage into one or more channels (70) through which the objects are transported to thereby control the flow direction (77) and the velocity of the objects at each stage and onto the ridged belts (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and equipment for grading by thickness sensitive objects (particularly fish), large and small, involving gentle treatment of the objects, using ridge belts which are drawn by a drive along guides which are wider at the output end than at the intake end and covey the material gently without vibration or rubbing, together with infeed equipment.

Abstract: A sizing device is described using traveling conveying spool rollers. The rollers are of a configuration using various openings that allow the produce to be sized as to shape or cross section diameter. Rollers are constructed of a plastic polymer with a very low friction coefficient, thus avoiding the scuffing damage to the produce. The variant surface speed of the spools encountered by the produce coupled with the speed of the whole creates movement of the produce which assures that the size openings are available and encountered by the undersized pieces.

Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic sorting apparatus for sorting out pieces under process, such as fish and shellfish or industrial products, into different size groups. In the prior art automatic sorting apparatus, pieces under process are readily caught in sorting holes, making it difficult to obtain smooth sorting. The invention permits smooth sorting. An automatic sorting apparatus to this end includes an endless conveyor having sorting holes and capable of excursion, an inner receiver disposed inside the endless conveyor for receiving pieces under process falling from the sorting holes, and an outer receiver disposed outside and below a U-turn portion of the endless conveyor for receiving pieces under process falling off the U-turn portion. Another automatic sorting apparatus includes two or more endless conveyors having different excursion diameters and disposed one inside another at an interval. The sorting holes of each endless conveyor are smaller than those of the next outer endless conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting round produce by diameter size using a conventional transport conveyer assembly and including a sorting size adjustment mechanism to automatically adjust the produce sorting size and an anti-pinch mechanism to prevent damaging the produce during the sorting process is disclosed. The conveyer assembly has a horizontal top run and a V-shaped bottom return run formed by a plurality of elastic conveyer bands trained about three elongated roller shafts. The conveyer bands are spaced across the width of the roller shafts at a fixed horizontal distance. As the produce is transported across the top conveyer run, the produce, whose diameter is smaller than the spacing between the adjacent conveyer bands, falls between adjacent conveyer bands for collection and the remaining produce travels to the end of the top conveyer run for separate collection.

Abstract: A screen conveyor belt for farming equipment has a plurality of flat belt members having a longitudinal extension in the direction of travel of the screen conveyor belt and being arranged parallel to one another. Rod members extend perpendicular to the direction of travel and are spaced from one another in the direction of travel so as to form therebetween openings of the screen conveyor belt. The rod members have a first and a second flat end section and a central operative portion located between the first and second flat end sections. The first and second flat end sections of each one of the rod members are positioned on adjacent ones of the belt members, respectively. Fasteners for connecting the flat end sections to the flat belt members are provided and the fasteners penetrate the flat end sections. A thickness of the flat end sections is greater adjacent to the central operative portion than at the free end of the flat end sections.

Abstract: Device to discard short bars shorter than a predetermined length from a plurality of bars being fed by feeder that comprise a plurality of first conveyor chains (14a) and a matching plurality of second conveyor chains (14b), on which the bars (11) are positioned perpendicular to the conveyor chains (14) and are fed in a direction at a right angle to the lengthwise extent of the bars (11), the downstream ends of the first conveyor chains (14a) and upstream ends of the second conveyor chains (14b) being progressively staggered so as to define a separation channel (13) positioned at an angle to the axis of feed of the bars (11), an angle of between 10.degree. and 45.degree. being defined between the separation channel (13) and the axis of the bars (11), the separation channel (13) cooperating with a bridge to support ends of bars of at least the predetermined length.

Abstract: A removable conveyor flight formed of a flight body 12 having downwardly extending arcuate clamp arms. A pair of opposing arcuately shaped rigid clamps (14) and (16) are embedded within the flight body. Formed integrally with clamps (14) and (16) are compression tabs (20) which extend upward into the flight body to a fulcrum point (22). Bolts (28) are provided to draw the clamps together, thereby clamping the resilient clamp arms of flight body (12) against the cross bar or rod (34) of draper chain (32).

Abstract: An apparatus for separating recyclable waste which has a conveyor belt transport track, collecting belt under a section of the transport track, and belt guides positioned along a section of the transport track. The conveyor belt is provided with openings and mutually contacting surfaces of the conveyor belt and the belt guides are profiled such that movement of the conveyor belt along the transport track causes a portion of the belt passing the guides to shake in a direction substantially transverse to the transport track.

Abstract: A new separating method and a corresponding apparatus and the use of the apparatus for the environmentally sound separation of different material mixtures, are disclosed wherein, in addition to dynamic forces, the area pressure between the bodies to be sorted and an inwardly elastic sorting drum are made of use. Bodies which are heavy with respect to specific area pressure sink into the interior of the drum and are thrown out at a lower location. Parts which are light with respect to specific area pressure, on the other hand, are rejected from the surface of the drum and guided away separately. In so doing, the device achieves very efficient separation. The invention is particularly effective for the separation of reclaimable material mixtures, so-called "recyclables", particularly with respect to fractions such as liftings which are otherwise difficult to separate.

Abstract: The invention comprises a machine for cleaning various crops such as peanuts and separating debris therefrom which may be easily transported to the field when such crops are harvested. The machine includes a unique conveyor which is formed of spaced rods mounted on endless chains in a manner so that the spaces may be selectively varied. The conveyor is vibrated as it carries the crop and debris from a feeding hopper to a discharge chute.

Abstract: System for separating newly hatched chicks from hatching debris is provided with comprising at least one movable belt constituted of rollers arranged parallel with respect to each other, but perpendicularly with respect to their direction of displacement, and above which the chicks and the debris to be sorted are brought, with the chicks being adapted to pass between the rollers. There is further included at least one support arm which is rotationally mounted above the belt about an axis substantially parallel to the rollers of the movable belt, and that comprises means for maintaining at least one basket in which the chicks and debris to be sorted are placed.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting articles according to size comprising an endless conveyor (13) including a plurality of elongate conveyor members (16) pivotally linked to a pair of continuous chains (22) by rigid rods (24) located at each end of members (16). Chains (22) are driven by sprocket (21) in a circuitous path defined by rigid tracks (60) and (63), idler sprocket (23) and catenary (76). Conveyor members (16) move in a substantially oval path (15) having a flattened upper portion (17) defining an article support surface (18), and a flattened lower portion (67). Members (16) within support surface (18) are spaced from one another by variable amounts by virtue of the circuitous path followed by chains (22), and the spacings permit selected size articles to pass therethrough and be sorted from articles of different sizes.

Abstract: A separator for blow-molded parts, which separator includes a plurality of endless belts movably supported between a pair of horizontally spaced pulleys, one of which is a drive pulley. The belts, preferably of circular cross section, have upper reaches extending in approximately parallel but sidewardly spaced relationship to define small gaps therebetween through which scrap parts can pass. The other parts remain on the belt and are transported to a discharge location. The adjacent belts are preferably driven at slightly different speeds to facilitate agitation and dislodgement of scrap parts so that they can move into and through the gaps. The ends of the belts are supported by rotatable end idler pulleys, alternate ones of which preferably have exterior belt-engaging profiles which are noncircular relative to the rotational axis to effect cyclic vertical displacement of the upper reaches of alternate belts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting elongate articles by length is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor belt, a holding mechanism located at the discharge end of the first conveyor belt and a grasping mechanism located at an inlet end of the second conveyor belt. The holding and grasping mechanisms are spaced from one another by a gap through which articles having a length less than a preselected length fall. The holding mechanism holds the articles which pass the discharge end of the first conveyor belt in alignment with a plane in which the top run of the first conveyor belt moves. The grasping mechanism grasps the front ends of desired elongate articles which have a length equal to or greater than the preselected length prior to the release of the rearward ends of the desired articles from the holding mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating peanuts and like commodities from vines and debris entrained with the peanuts during the harvesting process includes an endless conveyor forming a screen structure made up of elongated platelike members interconnected by spaced apart endless roller chains trained over a triangular arrangement of drive shafting and supporting sprockets. The conveyor screen members are formed by the elongated plates which include horizontally projecting spaced apart tines and vertically extending rake teeth aligned with the tines. The adjacent tines and adjacent plates form openings of predetermined size for allowing peanuts to drop through the conveyor screen into a first receiving hopper while retaining stems, vine parts and other debris on the conveyor screen to be deposited in a second receiving hopper.

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: An improved sorting apparatus for separating loose debris, rocks and clods of dirt from root crops such as potatoes includes a channelizing conveyor, a take-away conveyor having an inlet end positioned below the discharge end of the channelizing conveyor, and a plurality of diverter paddles aligned with the channels of the channelizing conveyor. The channelizing conveyor includes an endless series of segments, each segment comprising a bar having hook portions at the ends thereof and an elastomeric molding formed thereon. Each molding includes several uniformly spaced, wedge-shaped projections, and the projections are longitudinally aligned to form channels for the potatoes, rocks and clods. The segments are interconnected with the hook portions thereof being engaged upon the trailing segment.

Abstract: A harvester apparatus comprising a plurality of discrete stations disposed in operative communication relative to each other on a self-propelled mobile chassis to remove plants from the earth and separate the fruit or vegetable from the stem or vine including a cutting station comprising an adjustable cutter having an adjustable positioner station disposed adjacent thereto to engage the plants and orient the plants for cutting by the cutter, a first transport station comprising a diagonally disposed conveyor having a plurality of lateral positioned cross members or retainers formed thereon disposed to receive plants from the cutter station and a feed element to direct plants from the cutter station to the first conveyor, a stripper station adjacent the first transport station to receive the plants therefrom comprising at least one pair or set of counter-rotating separator members to separate the fruit or vegetables from the vine or stem, a culling station comprising at least one movable open mesh conveyor dis