Abstract: The municipal waste sorting system includes a sorting guide rail frame and garbage collecting boxes arranged on two sides of the sorting guide rail frame, a first recycling bin disposed on a tail of the sorting guide rail frame and a second recycling bin in communication with the first recycling bin. A garbage discharge pipe is connected with an end head portion of a front end of the sorting guide rail frame and discharges the garbage into the sorting guide rail frame. A guide rail assembly is arranged on an upper portion of the sorting guide rail fame to transport garbage. A first sorting manipulator assembly, a second sorting manipulator assembly and a third sorting manipulator assembly are arranged on the sorting guide rail frame to screen the garbage to the garbage collecting boxes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for sorting plant material units (101), such as seedlings. The plant material units are arranged in a supply tray and distributed over a plurality of further trays, each further tray being dedicated to plant material units with a specific classification value assigned to it. In the method, first, the supply tray (105) is provided. An image of the plant material units in the supply tray is obtained, and on the basis of the obtained image, a classification value is assigned to each of the plant material units. Finally, the plant material units are sorted on the basis of the assigned classification value by transferring plant material units with the same assigned classification value by means of a robot directly from the supply tray to the corresponding further tray.

Abstract: A recycling appliance is for processing non-organic recyclable materials and organic materials. The recycling appliance includes a non-organic processing assembly configured to receive, process and store the non-organic recyclable materials. An organic processing assembly is spaced apart from the non-organic processing assembly. The organic processing assembly is configured to receive, process and store the organic materials. A housing assembly is configured to house the non-organic processing assembly and the organic processing assembly.

Abstract: A method for storing scanned information concerning a relevant laundry item in a data storage means which is assigned to a carrier holding the laundry item. The laundry item is assigned to a storage means or an intermediate storage means with the carrier comprising its information by a conveying system. The laundry items are sorted by way of their individual information stored on the carriers, moved into corresponding storage sections of the storage means and at the same time are both sorted and formed into laundry batches. The laundry batch then includes laundry items which require a same treatment. The laundry batch can then be supplied, for example, to a continuous-batch washing machine where the laundry items of the laundry batch are washed and, where applicable, subject to further treatments in the manner predefined according to their information. The sorting of the laundry items is automated to a large extent.

Abstract: A multi-pharmaceutical dispensing station includes a circular platform around which a plurality of individual dispensers is arrayed at a convenient loading height. Cylindrical, empty prescription containers bearing indicia of the patient and pharmaceutical to be dispensed into each container. Incident containers first enter an entraining column, where sensors detect the indicia and determine the proper dispenser to which to direct the container. The containers then drop into a dispersion wheel which translates them around the circular station and aligns them with a vertical chute leading to the designated dispenser. Slidable gates cover the chutes until the transport system determines they are above the proper dispenser, then open to drop the containers into the designated dispenser. The dispersion wheel may be used in other applications, such as container content verification, and may include container processing stations along its perimeter for processing the containers before sending them on.

Abstract: Sorting installation with a sorting area for sorting articles from source containers into target containers by means of a sorting person located in the sorting area. The sorting installation includes at least one target container revolving conveyer device adjacent to the sorting area, which is provided such that it supplies a plurality of target containers along a target container conveying circuit in a conveying circuit plane to the sorting person in the sorting area in a repeated and revolving manner until the respective target container is loaded with articles from one or a plurality of source containers up to a predetermined degree, wherein the conveying circuit plane of the target container conveying circuit of the respective target container revolving conveying device extends substantially vertically and crosses the sorting area, and a target container conveying installation for supplying and returning target containers to and from the at least one target container revolving conveyer device.

Abstract: A sorting and distributing system (50) for sorting article units in accordance with customers' orders, the system having a high sorting performance and comprising: a rotary sorting conveyor (14), which may be closed, having a conveyor means, wherein the conveyor means is connected to a plurality of receiving devices (16), to which the article units are to be delivered. A plurality of target positions (54) is coupled to the sorting conveyor (14) and can supply articles units to the receiving devices (16) in accordance with a customer's order, wherein the target positions (54) are assigned to customers' orders. At least one filling station (10; 10?) manually fills the receiving devices (16) by article units, wherein the filling station (10; 10?) includes a plurality of filling buckets (12) each having an opening mechanism (18) at its lower end thereof, in order to allow supply of article units, which are order picked into the filling bucket (12), to the receiving devices (16) in an automated manner.

Abstract: The present invention reveals a sorting system for use in manual sorting, which presents a detached ephemeral display moving in a manner corresponding to the movement of the article, by which an article to be sorted can be quickly and easily identified. To accomplish its purpose, the device comprises: feed conveyors; a switching unit; optical readers positioned to capture destination indicia affixed to each article; a detached moving display which remains close to the article to be sorted and presents information representative of the article's destination location; a destination location which signals when a related article is approaching; and a controller capable of assigning destination locations and controlling display devices.

Abstract: The present invention reveals a sorting system for use in manual sorting, which presents a detached ephemeral display moving in a manner corresponding to the movement of the article, by which an article to be sorted can be quickly and easily identified. To accomplish its purpose, the device comprises: feed conveyors; a switching unit; optical readers positioned to capture destination indicia affixed to each article; a detached moving display which remains close to the article to be sorted and presents information representative of the article's destination location; a destination location which signals when a related article is approaching; and a controller capable of assigning destination locations and controlling display devices.

Abstract: The system for cleaning items by using washing baskets (7) comprises a stripping station (A), a tunnel washer (2) and, on the clean side, a station (B) for storing and unpacking items from the washing baskets, as well as a washing basket return equipment comprising two separate return conveyors (8, 9), one (9) arranged above and the other (8) arranged underneath a table (10) in station (B) and leading back to the top of the stripping station (A). The clean baskets (7) are manually put onto the conveyors (8, 9) in station (B) and manually discharged from the conveyors (8, 9) in station (A) for reuse.

Abstract: A mobile system for recovering materials from construction waste or demolition debris is provided. The system includes a mobile wheeled chassis that has at least one picking station. A grapple is mounted on the wheeled chassis for selectively retrieving waste or debris from a jobsite. A screen is disposed on the wheeled chassis and is configured to receive the waste or debris from the grapple. The screen sorts the waste or debris into fines and oversized material. A conveyor transports the oversized material adjacent to at least one picking station to allow selected materials to be removed for further processing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sorting used batteries, comprising an intake station, an outlet station and a pre-sorting station disposed between the intake station and the outlet station, which pre-sorting station connects to a first re-sorting station and a second re-sorting station. The two re-sorting stations are arranged for manual examination and removal of undesirable batteries and further objects, as well as for manual sorting of batteries and other objects that land in the re-sorting stations during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A discarded industrial product recycling system capable of acquiring pertinent data required for processings of discarded industrial products such as discarders, reception dates, persons responsible for disposal, disposal dates and so forth for selecting proper disposal for each of the discarded industrial products while automatizing the article data acquisition to a possible maximum for enhancing the enhance disposal rate. An electronic tag (radio-frequency identifier tag) is attached to each of discarded industrial products to allow data required for the processing to be written and read by readers/writers. At a time point and a place where a discarded industrial product is received, basic data required for the processing of that article is written in the electronic tag. Pertinent processing route for each of the manufactured articles is decided by reading the data from the electronic tag while writing additional data in the tag as occasion requires.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for separating compressed material containing paper fibers where the apparatus includes at least three hammer rollers arranged essentially in a same plane and each hammer roller includes rotatable hammers. The process includes rotating the rotatable hammers, transporting the material over the at least three hammer rollers in a transport direction essentially parallel to the plane and transverse to the axes of the rollers, breaking up the material into fine material and non-fine material, and separating the fine material from the non-fine material by allowing the fine material to pass through gaps formed between the hammer rollers. The apparatus includes a machine frame and a plurality of rotors arranged next to one another in the machine frame. Axes of the driven rotors are arranged to lie in at least one plane, and the rotors are positioned to form free gaps between the driven rotors.

Abstract: A station for sorting solid waste is provided with at least one transportation belt located outside of a waste loading and unloading zone and situated in a room of a superstructure mounted on a platform, an impervious housing inside the superstructure with at least one pair of openings and a control window, a pair of sleeves ending in gloves which seal the openings of the impervious housing and fit the arms and hands of a person doing the waste sorting, and dumping points inside the impervious housing which are allocated to one sorting person and are arranged on both sides of the transportation belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for classifying materials utilizing a computerized touch sensitive screen or other computerized pointing device for operator identification and electronic marking of spatial coordinates of materials to be extracted. An operator positioned at a computerized touch sensitive screen views electronic images of the mixture of materials to be sorted as they are conveyed past a sensor array which transmits sequences of images of the mixture either directly or through a computer to the touch sensitive display screen. The operator manually "touches" objects displayed on the screen to be extracted from the mixture thereby registering the spatial coordinates of the objects within the computer. The computer then tracks the registered objects as they are conveyed and directs automated devices including mechanical means such as air jets, robotic arms, or other mechanical diverters to extract the registered objects.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for distributing articles to be sorted to physical target locations. The articles to be sorted are delivered to a number of receiving elements that move along a conveying path past the physical target locations. The receiving elements are controlled so that the physical target locations are assigned dynamically and in dependence on the operating sequence for the sorting operations to the logical sorting targets, which optimizes the capacity of the arrangement and the operating sequence.

Abstract: Dense, tramp material, is efficiently separated in a comminuted cellulosic fibrous material feed system, for example in a chemical cellulose digester feed system, in a simple but effective matter. By merely utilizing a generally vertical conduit and a slurry flow within it (which may be augmented by high speed liquid introduction), that is caused to turn in a radiused path, centrifugal force allows separation of the tramp material into a cavity beneath the radius transition without requiring any mechanical element to engage the slurry. Appropriate purges, baffles, and discharge mechanisms may be provided. Alternatively, a tramp material separator may be built into an otherwise conventional metering screw in a digester feed system, or one or more centrifugal separators can be provided downstream of the slurry pump in a chip slurry transport system or digester feed system.

Abstract: A device including an annular rotary tray (1) surrounding a central space (4) housing a waste infeed and discharge assembly (14). An adjustable flap (10) selectively urges the waste on the rotary tray (1) towards the edge or the center thereof. A loading belt (6) delivers the waste onto the rotary tray (1). As the rotary tray (1) rotates in one direction, the adjustable flap (10) gradually urges the waste towards personnel located at the periphery of the tray or towards a discharge chute. When the rotary tray (1) is rotated in the opposite direction, said adjustable flap (10) returns uncollected waste to the central space (4) for discharge.

Abstract: A letter coding station for a mail sorting system. In order to ensure good ergonomics when coding letters at a coding location, letters which are to be separated and coded are brought in stacks, via a first conveying section, to the operator. The operator can thereafter feed letters individually, in the conveying direction, to a further conveying section. The first conveying section aligns the letter stacks by a lectern-like arrangement such that the top side of the letter stacks which are to be separated is aligned approximately perpendicularly with respect to the viewing direction of the operator, while the operator is oriented obliquely to the a table of the coding station. This arrangement allows for a comfortable position of both arms, and allows the operator a good view of the letters being coded.

Abstract: A refuse-sorting device for use at the base of a building's refuse chute, for aiding in category-sorting of refuse. The device includes an open-topped container which is fitted with an openable bottom element. The container is supported for disposition under the discharge opening of a reuse chute, but for being shifted in a horizontal direction into overlying relation with any one of a plurality of upwardly open refuse bin. The device includes a first detector for detecting that refuse is falling into the container, and a second detector, for indicating that the container has completed shifting into overlying relation to a refuse bin designated for reception of the category of refuse contained in the container.

Abstract: A sorting installation for useful products is proposed, which serves in particular to sort out reusable packaging materials. In order to achieve the sorting-out of individual types of packaging with maximum efficiency, the sorting-out of individual monofractions is undertaken, on one or more manual sorting sections, onto a collector conveyor belt which is connected in parallel, the content of which, after sorting-out is complete, is introduced into an associated bunker.

Abstract: An automated multi-grade wastepaper recycle center and sorting system is provided. The center is a multi-acre fenced-in complex having security that allows for recycling trucks to deliver multiple grades of wastepaper for separating and sorting to one location prior to pulp processing and deinking type processes. Collection tracks leave their loads in one of four drop pits where different conveyor systems start the sorting process. A novel swivel conveyor system can remove papers from the drop pit for temporary storage on various locations on a primary segregation floor where plied papers can later be recycled into main pit area when needed. Alternatively, loads from the drop pits can be conveyed to the main pit area directly and then presorted onto different conveyor systems. One conveyor can then send wastepaper through a star-wheel sorter system that can separate desired grades of paper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for directing a parcel to a correct station from a conveyer. A parcel guide is actuated to move transversely across the conveyer adjacent the correct station.

Abstract: A system to separate and store trash which has been segregated into various categories for use in a multi-floor building. The system has a vertical waste chute with at least one access door to the chute located at each floor of the building. The chute has an upper and lower portion and two paths therethrough. The first path permits vertical disposal of the trash and the second path is angled to the first to permit designated trash to follow a different pathway for disposal. The system further includes a diverter located adjacent the lower portion of the chute for diverting the path of the trash placed into the chute from a first location containing a plurality of trash receptacles located on a platform to a second location having at least one trash receptacle, such as a trash compactor. The system also includes a receptacle mover to move a selected trash receptacle beneath the chute to receive a particular category of trash deposited into the chute.

Abstract: A stand-alone takeaway and correction conveyor system for a food loaf slicer or other food product machine that produces groups of food products that must be held to close tolerance as to weight or some other readily measurable characteristic includes two conveyors, one for reject groups and one for acceptable groups. The two conveyors are mounted on one base, in spaced parallel relation to each other, with the reject conveyor above the accept conveyor. Both conveyors are driven, at related speeds, from one drive; the drive is mounted in the base and is energized and controlled, as to speed, from the food product machine. The conveyor for acceptable groups has a pivotal outboard section to allow for service of packaging equipment without moving the system. Both conveyors have eccentric mounts to compensate for large elevation differences in packaging equipment. A correction tray is used for correction of reject groups of food products.

Abstract: A dynamic landfill recycling system has wheels attachable to a plurality of refuse processing sections in one or more semi-trailer or other vehicular units. A refuse receiving section has a dump bed or one or more vehicular refuse bins to accept new refuse from refuse trucks or optionally to accept old refuse from old refuse sites for processing, A primary conveyor belt is slanted upwardly towards a vibratory feeder. The primary conveyor is rotated rapidly to throw the refuse in an arc onto the vibratory feeder where the throwing action causes the refuse to spread out as it falls. The vibratory feeder is slanted downwardly at an angle which causes vibrated refuse to fall towards a bottom end and a bag cutter that is positioned above and intermediately between ends of the vibratory feeder to further expose and scatter the refuse on the vibratory feeder. A magnetic separator belt conveys the scattered refuse upwardly to a magnetic pulley wheel which separates ferrous from non-ferrous materials.

Abstract: A carton glue monitoring system includes a conveyor moving a plurality of cartons in a first direction. An encoder provides pulses at a rate proportional to conveyor line speed. A glue applicator applies a glue strip having a fluorescent material added thereto to the cartons on the conveyor. A glue check station includes a UV source for illuminating the fluorescent material in the glue and a UV sensor for sensing the fluorescent material. The glue station further includes a glue skip detector and an excess glue detector for generating a glue flag and for holding the glue flag until the carton exits the glue station. A glue shift register includes Y registers and is connected to the UV sensor and the encoder for shifting the glue flag in the Y registers. Y is proportional to the encoder rate and a distance between the rejection marking device and the glue station exit minus the carton length.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor is shown and described for moving composite material through the output gate of a bin and then past a sorting station to remove unwanted elements of the composite material. At the interior side of the output gate rests a powered leveling roll rotatable about an axis transverse to the material flow for maintaining a selected volume of composite material exiting the bin. An upward and forward facing portion of the powered leveling roll is shielded against contact with the composite material in the bin. A downward and rearward facing portion of the powered leveling roll, including the portion opposing the conveyor, moves opposite the direction of material flow. The powered leveling roll includes formations for engaging the composite material and repelling excess material.

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: A sanitary trash recycling apparatus includes a pit for receiving unsorted refuse, a electromagnetic device for removing ferrous materials and stations for permitting manual sorting of recyclable materials. The stations for manually sorting materials includes a device for moving the material to be sorted out toward the sorting operators as it moves through the station. A plurality of chutes are provided for each one of a number of recyclable products and bins are provided for receiving the sorted materials.

Abstract: A waste collecting and recycling system where a portable waste sorting apparatus is located at a first collecting location. Waste from a nearby locality is brought to the collecting location where the recyclable material is sorted out and carried to another location for recycling or possibly further shipment. Then the portable separating apparatus is moved to a second collecting location and the process is repeated. The waste material brought to these locations can in some instances be presorted, with further sorting or separation being accomplished at the collecting locations. Thus, efficiencies are realized in transportation costs and also in effective use of the sorting apparatus.

Abstract: A position indicator device for conveyed objects having a checking area disposed in a conveying passage where a plurality of objects are unidirectionally conveyed while being aligned in a conveying direction and a direction normal thereto; an indicator manually movable to a position of a target object within the checking area for indicating a position of the same; and an indicator-position detector for detecting a two-dimensional position of the indicator within the checking area. The checking area includes a plurality of beam emitters operable together to project beams of light in a grating form within the area and a plurality of beam receivers each operable to receive a light beam from a corresponding emitter. The indicator acts as a beam-blocking member for blocking the beam transmission between the emitter and receiver. The indicator-position detector detects a position within the checking area of the indicator based on a position information of the receiver blocked by the indicator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles passing an inspection station and subsequently removing selected articles from a transporting track. The position of the articles to be removed is determined by means of a pointer positioned next to an article during its movement along the inspection station, and the position moves along with the transporting track. A signal is generated by the pointer for removing the article from the track. The position of the article is determined by the pointer and at least two fixed points on either side of the inspection station. The pointer and the fixed points are fitted with an ultrasonic transmitter and a receiver, respectively, or the other way round, or with a combined transmitter/receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manipulation of products, comprising a conveyor for conveying a plurality of products in a prescribed path, a locator for emitting light at the position of a specific product out of the plurality of products being conveyed in a detection zone on the path of the conveyor a video sensor and a microcomputer for receiving the light and, based on the received light, issuing a position coodinate signal indicating the position of the specific product in the detection zone, a conveyor speed detector for detecting the speed of the conveyor and issuing a travel speed signal corresponding to the speed, a microcomputer for issuing a current position coordinate signal indicating the position of the specific product in a separation zone of the conveyor situated downstream relative to the detection zone based on the position coordinate signal issued by the video sensor and microcomputer and the travel speed signal issued by the conveyor speed detector, and a removing device for giving necessary treatmen

Abstract: Sorting apparatus conveying articles through an inspection station includes an operator manipulated indicator which cooperates with an orthogonal sensing matrix beneath the conveyor to provide position and article size information used to selectively actuate deflection fingers to deflect an indicated article.

Abstract: An article coding and separating system such as for instance, in which articles or defective eggs which are randomly dispersed in a plurality of similar articles are coded and their location identified. An elongated pivotally mounted pointer is disposed so as to be pivotable over an inspection area in mutually orthogonal directions, parallel and transverse to the longitudinal axis of a conveyor, and axially movable towards and away from the articles being conveyed. The pointer generates signals for simultaneously indicating the position of articles on the conveyor within the inspection area, and the type of article being identified.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus, e.g. for root vegetables such as potatoes, comprises a roller table conveyor which has an inspection area onto which a video camera is directed. An operator uses a hand-held probe or wand incorporating a light source and provided with a pressure-sensitive switch in its tip. The switch is actuated by touching a selected article in the inspection area. The position of the wand as indicated by light is given in the video signals fed from the camera to a control circuit to which the switch is also connected. The control circuit also receives speed indicating signals from the conveyor and it provides control signals to operate a finger bank to selectively deflect those articles indicated by a touch of the wand. Provision may be made for a plurality of wands to be used at the same time, each wand having an individually modulated light.

Abstract: A medicinal capsule inspection device in which the capsules are arrayed end to end between adjacent rotating rollers and visually inspected as they are rotated by the rollers. The rollers are supported by and roll around a pair of circular ledges comprising the smaller diameters of a pair of parallel, concentric flanged discs. The rollers are driven around the ledges by projections on a pair of rotating discs which are synchronously driven from a common source. A feed chute, discharge outlet, an air ejection system and a light source are provided to facilitate the operation of the device and to facilitate the detection of faulty capsules.

Abstract: An apparatus for the aerobic decomposition of garbage, sludge, and similar organic waste materials having a reaction container (10) with vertically descending walls for the material to be decomposed, a discharge opening (12) extending over the entire cross section of the container (10), discharge elements (14) extending over the entire area of the discharge opening, and a removal device below the opening extending over the entire area of the discharge opening. A bi-directionally driven conveyor belt (16) transports the material to be removed from the discharge opening (12) into a first receptacle (22) which receives the material that has not been adequately purified or a second receptacle (24) for purified material. The conveyor belt (16) is preferably provided with cleansing devices (26).

Abstract: A produce processing house such as a cabbage packing house is mounted on wheels and towable from location to location. Centrally of the house are superposed main conveyors which extend from a produce receiving section exterior of the house substantially the length of the house and a lower culls receiving conveyor. Along one wall, is a take-away conveyor which also extends the length of the house and parallel to the main conveyor. The culls and take-away conveyors are each provided with elevating conveyors at their discharge ends.

Abstract: In apparatus for sorting potatoes a roller table conveyor conveys potatoes beneath a television camera which produces on a television monitor screen a picture of an inspection area of the roller table. An operator watching the monitor screen selects potatoes to be rejected by pointing a light pen at the monitor screen. The light pen feeds to a microcomputer a signal indicative of the light pen position on the television monitor screen, which corresponds to a transient position of the potato in the inspection area. Sensors deriving signals from sprocket-wheels coupled to the conveyor feed to the microcomputer a signal dependent upon the conveyor speed, and the microcomputer actuates selectively a bank of deflector fingers to deflect reject potatoes. The choice of deflector fingers actuated is determined by one orthogonal co-ordinate of the light pen, and the timing of actuation of the deflector fingers is determined by the other orthogonal co-ordinate of the light pen and the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: A system for routing correspondence from a first location including a plurality of slot entries to a predetermined conveyor path to a second, discharge location. A collection assembly is disposed at the discharge location for collection of routed correspondence along two adjacent conveyor paths.

Abstract: Intended primarily for use in the commercial photofinishing industry, a convertible loading and delivery pouch together with associated mounting means in an automatic sorter device is disclosed. A number of such pouches demountably installed at successive loading stations along the sorter conveyor path are maintained suspended from parallel support arms in normally open, article receiving position with the front walls of the individual pouches bowed outwardly to accommodate the articles being discharged from the conveyor at such stations. With the pouches removed from the support arms, the front walls can be bowed inwardly against the sidewalls and rear wall in order to permit interengaging the cooperating elements of a closure device such as a slide fastener to secure the contents within the pouch for delivery purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing baby chicks in a hatchery comprises a turntable disposed concentrically within an annular conveyor. The center area of the turntable may be provided with a downwardly extending funnel, or provided with a funnel and an adjacent disposal system inlet feed channel. A conveyor is included for transporting chicks between the turntable and the annular conveyor.Depending upon the particular chick processing sequence of operations, either or both the turntable and annular conveyor may be provided with a plurality of tray rings. In addition, the turntable is provided with debeaking mechanisms.

Abstract: An article sorting apparatus provides a continual indicator stream which is directed by operation of an indicator member onto a selected article of several articles conveyed through an inspection area. The position of the indicator member when the stream impinges on it is detected to generate a position-dependent signal which is fed to a deflector to deflect the selected article from the path followed by the other articles.

Abstract: An improvement in mail processing equipment is provided in which items of mail are presented to operators at stations adjacent a continuous transporter. An operator works at any desired pace because items of mail are presented repeatedly until removed by the operator.

Abstract: A method of associating one of at least two grades with each of a plurality of articles which are to be fed in succession along a path, comprises feeding one grade of article into the path at a first feed station, for movement along the path, feeding a second grade of article into the path at a second feed station arranged upstream of the first feed station, so that only grades of article other than the one grade travel along the path from the second feed station to the first feed station but after the first feed station all grades of article travel along the path, arranging a first sensor between the first feed station and the second feed station, the first sensor being arranged to emit a signal each time an article passes the first sensor and having means to associate each signal with the article which generates the signal, and utilizing the signals to associate grades with the articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for classifying materials utilizing a computerized touch sensitive screen or other computerized pointing device for operator identification and electronic marking of spatial coordinates of materials to be extracted. An operator positioned at a computerized touch sensitive screen views electronic images of the mixture of materials to be sorted as they are conveyed past a sensor array which transmits sequences of images of the mixture either directly or through a computer to the touch sensitive display screen. The operator manually “touches” objects displayed on the screen to be extracted from the mixture thereby registering the spatial coordinates of the objects within the computer. The computer then tracks the registered objects as they are conveyed and directs automated devices including mechanical means such as air jets, robotic arms, or other mechanical diverters to extract the registered objects.