Abstract: A controllable refuse recycling system includes a conveyor for conveying refuse. The refuse is carried past a plurality of operating personnel who extract recyclable materials from the refuse, and deposit the extracted materials into separate deposit chutes. At least one deposit chute is situated directly in front of each operator so that the deposit chute is located on the conveyor itself, or on the other side of the conveyor from the operator. The system is also controllable, and includes a control deck for monitoring and controlling the operation of the system. In one embodiment, the operation of the refuse recycling system is modified depending upon the species of refuse which is introduced into the system, so that the system operates in a first mode when commercial refuse is received, and in a second mode when residential refuse is received.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of selectively sorting commingled recyclable waste materials wherein the waste materials are continuously fed to a primary conveyor unit having a primary sorting conveyor and a primary return conveyor. A plurality of sorting stations having a plurality of sorting chutes are positioned along the primary sorting conveyor so that designated waste materials are selectively removed and deposited into the respective designated chutes, whereby the selective waste materials are transferred to a secondary conveyor unit, as well as to designated containers, hoppers or bins that are operably connected to a respective sorting station. The secondary conveyor unit includes a secondary sorting conveyor and a secondary return conveyor and at least one secondary sorting station, whereby designated waste materials from the secondary sorting conveyor are removed and transported to more specific designated containers, hoppers or bins.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of conduits extending from a kitchen area to bins in a level beneath the kitchen. In one embodiment, the upper ends of the conduits are concealed behind a vertical panel hinged at the lower edge to an "island" cabinet and forming a surface of the cabinet. The upper ends of the conduits are accessed by rotating the panel outwardly from the cabinet to expose the ends.

Abstract: A capsule-inspection apparatus includes a base and a capsule-receiving tray slidable on the base to cause all of the capsules cradled in pockets formed in the tray to be turned simultaneously about their longitudinal axes to enhance visual inspection of substantially the entire exterior surface of the cradled capsules. An inspection mask is positionable on the tray to permit a user visually to inspect the coating dip line of coated caplets cradled in the tray quickly and easily to determine if the coating dip line is located substantially in the middle of the caplet to ensure that the caplet coating causes the caplet to resemble a two-piece capsule.

Abstract: There is provided, a method and apparatus for determining if the lengths of all of the leads on all four sides of a PLCC packaged devices are within a selected tolerance of each other. To do so a relatively smooth surface across which the device is to be advanced is provided with that surface having a plurality of fingers affixed thereto. Each finger protrudes from the surface by an amount equivalent to the selected tolerance, with the plurality of fingers being in number at least equivalent to the number of leads on the longest side of the device to be tested. In addition, the surface is supported at a selected angle to horizontal. As the device is advanced across the surface in the direction of, and across the space spanned by, the fingers, the devices having all of its leads within the selected tolerance are differentiated from those devices that do not have all of their leads within the selected tolerance.

Abstract: A pallet repair and inspection system includes pallet destacking apparatus for automatically dispensing pallets from stack of vertical pallets one at a time and discharging the pallets onto an inspection table. The destacking apparatus includes a vertically reciprocating table onto which the stack of pallets is driven and horizontally reciprocating forks which are operated to suspend all but the lowermost pallet as the table is successively lowered and raised between a pallet discharge height and a pallet pick-up height, to discharge the pallets into the inspection table one at a time. The top of the inspection table is foldable to define a cradle for one end of the pallet, orienting the pallet generally vertically, allowing inspection of its top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for bunching flowers and similar produce including a rotating endless belt defining a plurality of flower bunching locations on the surface thereof, at least one, and preferably a plurality of sorting tables adapted to be arranged adjacent the endless belt, stem trimming apparatus mounted adjacent the endless belt downstream of the sorting tables, stem cleaning apparatus mounted adjacent the endless belt downstream of the stem trimming apparatus, and tying means mounted adjacent the endless belt downstream of the leaf removing apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating cutlery from restaurant waste. A hopper (1) forms a chute and is adapted to be placed above the opening of a waste container. In the hopper there is a sloping surface (2) on which the waste is tipped, there being an opening (3) at the lower portion of the surface. A flap (16) arranged in the hopper is pivotable between two positions, namely a first position (18) for closing off the opening (3) and a second position (19) for uncovering the opening. An electrical switching signal from an inductive type probe (4) controls a drive member (17) for pivoting the flap between the first and second positions. The probe (4) is placed on the underside of the sloping surface (2).

Abstract: A mail sorting system employing a modified mail conveyor in combination with a sorting table where articles of mail moving linearly in the direction of their longest dimension are deposited in a shingled pattern onto an angled sorting table surface provided with a conveyor so that the articles of mail are conveyed in the direction of their shortest dimension and in partial overlapping relationship.

Abstract: A note receptacle for currency validators is presented which is capable of receiving notes of two distinct widths, while offering both such notes to the validator in proper registration for testing. The invention includes two distinct note paths, one beneath the other, which note paths blend together into a final note path which communicates directly to the slot of a currency validator. Side rails are provided along each note path for purposes of alignment and registration.

Abstract: A mail sorting rack is provided utilizing a rack structure with a plurality of parallel divider blades between which the postal worker inserts mail pieces for various addresses in order, there being a tray in the instant invention underlying the mail which enables the worker to pull the tray free of the extending blades, eliminating the dividers from the sorted mail so that he may more easily group and band them for delivery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the spheres from the non-spheres in a large number of particles of lamp fill material of substantially equal mass in which the spheres are placed in the grooves of an inclined surface to roll downwardly thereon under the influence of gravity. The grooves are configured to limit the contact with the particles to two points intermediate the depth of the groove so as to keep the particles out of contact with the bottom of the groove. Vacuum pick-up means are used to remove those particles which do not roll down the grooves because of their spherical irregularities. The surfaces in contact with the lamp fill material are made of stainless steel and the entire operation is conducted within the confines of a dry box to minimize contamination.

Abstract: Support and discharge apparatus (10) includes a pair of forward legs (20) which are pinned to the forward edge portion of a rectangularly-shaped table (14) and a pair of rear legs (22) pinned to the rear end portion of the table. Legs (20) and (22) are in turn supported by fluid cylinders (24) and (26) which are pivotally connected to the lower end portions of the legs. When cylinders (24) and (26) are retracted, table (14) is supported in horizontal position. Table (14) is tilted forwardly by extending forward cylinders (24) and maintaining rear cylinders (26) retracted. Alternatively, table (14) is tilted rearwardly by extending rear cylinders (26) and maintaining forward cylinders (24) retracted. When rear cylinders (26) are in retracted positions, rear legs (22) are retained against rotation by spaced apart studs (122) which press against the edges of the legs (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting stones contained within a supply reservoir by viewing the stones individually through a microscope includes a pick-up tube having a first opening disposed at one end thereof, the first opening adapted to form a substantially airtight seal with one of the stones. A vacuum source is connected to a second opening disposed at the other end of the pick-up tube, the second opening being in communication with the first opening. The apparatus further includes support apparatus connected to the other end of the pick-up tube for moving the one end of the tube between a first position disposed at a transfer location whereat the one end is exposed to the stones within the supply reservoir, and a second position outside the reservoir whereat the one end is positioned exactly within the field of view of an objective of the microscope such that a stone held adjacent the first opening is disposed precisely at the focal length of the microscope objective.

Abstract: A fish-sorting apparatus for use on board a fishing vessel of the type including fish-storing bins. The apparatus includes a surface for sorting fish, by category, into different selected ones of the bins, or overboard (for rejected fish), through ports and adjustable chutes which communicate with the surface.

Abstract: A nutritional supplement organizer for quantizing, in individual containers, complete daily supplement requirements composed of one or more individually prepared tablets, capsules, or other dosage forms, has a base, a guide slot for guiding the individual dosage forms into containers disposed below the guide slots, and a support structure for supporting the guide slots on the base and in pre-determined spaced apart relation to the base in orer to permit the containers to be inserted in the organizer below the guide slots.

Abstract: Self-rotating and travelling tendency of a circular tablet in its erect posture along an inclined transferring path and an impeding effect upon the tendency which occurs when the tablet is defective one having a breakage or a speckle, are advantageously utilized by the present invention for detecting flaws in tablets and for discriminating the defective tablets from normal ones.Transferring path bridging equipment in a tablet processing line, is usually composed of a parallel but spaced pair of rails having shoulders on right opposed faces thereof and upper side plates above said shoulders. The shoulders are capable of carrying the tablets thereon or therein between and having an inclination sufficient for giving the normal tablet a self-rotating and travelling tendency along the path in a given direction. The upper side plates are capable of permitting unobstructed passage of the tablet in its erect posture but make it stagnate on the path in a reclined posture.