Abstract: Fiber-containing stock is fed into a hydrocyclone with a wall structure which generates quasi-laminar flow within the hydrocyclone housing. A piezoelectric oscillator introduces ultrasonic waves into the quasi-laminar flow to achieve high volume separation of heavyweight particles from the acceptable fibers with improved differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a separator having a rotatable frame and a plurality of sizing panels attached thereto. The frame has a pair of end rings and a plurality of stringers extending longitudinally between the end rings. Each stringer has a substantially rectangular cross section. The cylinder panels each have a pair of circumferentially extending edges and a pair of longitudinally extending edges. Each sizing panel includes a pair of longitudinally extending flanges that engage the stringer in the separator frame and is clamped in place within the channel of a clamp bar attached on the external surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: A color-sorting machine for granular materials optically detects raw material grains falling along a substantially fixed path and sorts out no-good grains by color. An optical detection unit to this end comprises a condenser lens, a plurality of optical filters and a plurality of light-receiving sensors corresponding to the filters and can detect a plurality of wavelengths. The light-receiving sensors lie side by side on the same plane, are formed in a unit body, require no positioning adjustment among the light-receiving sensors, and make it possible to reduce the size of the optical system. A prism is provided between the condenser lens and the light-receiving sensors. The prism has light path diffraction surfaces of the same number as the light-receiving sensors, so that the light-receiving sensors receive light of the same point of view and can perform color sorting.

Abstract: A de-trashing unit has a rotor fabricated from steel blank. The rotor has two swept blades with blunt leading edges and relieved trailing edges. The rotor is driven to rotate over a trash screen with holes of between one-quarter and one-half inch in diameter. The blade is positioned with a clearance between the blade and the screen of between 0.005 and 0.010 inches. The relieved portions of the blades face the screen while the trailing edges of the blade are tapered between 18 and 30 degrees away from the screen surface. The blade taper creates a strong negative pressure pulse which keeps the screen clear. Holes drilled through the relieved portion of the blade allow circulation through the blade into the region of low pressure generated by the relieved portions passing over the screen. The circulation created by the holes creates microturbulence which keeps a water and paper fiber slurry fluidized.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sorting system, relying on the identification of items to be sorted by means of codes applied thereto, in which it is possible to infer the identity of items whose codes have become unreadable. The system relies on identifying the item by reference to the codes of items which precede and which follow the item.

Abstract: A method and system for recycling construction waste articles is disclosed. In the method and system of this invention, construction waste articles are crushed into primary pieces of not larger than 200 mm in size. The primary pieces are screened into aggregate of not smaller than 40 mm in size and earth and sand. The aggregate is washed in a water tank using a water jetting and aeration effect with any floating materials floating on water. The washed aggregate is separated from water using a screen prior to being crushed into final pieces having sizes of 45-75 mm. The final pieces are divided into standard aggregate of not larger than 25 mm in size and substandard aggregate of larger than 25 mm in size. The substandard aggregate is returned to a cone crusher so as to be recrushed.

Abstract: A sheet registration and deskew assembly including a force reducing deskew roll having deflectable ribs, and alternating grooves for enabling the ribs to deflect once the sheet is in resisting contact against a registration edge guide member of the registration assembly, thus reducing a driving force on the sheet, and hence preventing damage to the sheet as well as excessive wear on the registration edge guide member.

Abstract: A finger device freely loads the printing papers in a feed cassette. The finger apparatus includes a conductor protrusion coupled to a paper sensor at one side of a body where the cassette is attached and detached. The finger is supported by a pin and spring in the feed cassette for separating with a tray portion of the feed cassette. A finger portion of the finger apparatus can be located at an edge of the feed cassette by the projection of the body, upon the feed cassette being attached. The finger portion can automatically separate the feed cassette using a stability of the spring upon the cassette being detached from the body.