Abstract: Air is directed downwardly from at least one laterally extending air manifold to push newspaper in a stream of mixed recyclable materials against the discs of an inclined disc screen to ensure that the newspaper is conveyed upwardly over an output end of the screen while containers and bottles in the stream tumble downwardly off a lower input end of the screen. In an alternate embodiment, the disc screen has a V-shaped configuration with a lowermost region that provides a laterally inclined trough that received the mixed recyclable materials.

Abstract: A tube winder structure including a seat body and a reel. The seat body has a stand, a handle and a shaft. The reel is rotatably fitted on the shaft of the seat body. The handle of the seat body has a tube-squeezing unit composed of the handle and a rod member parallel to the handle. A gap-adjusting mechanism is connected between the handle and the rod member for adjusting the gap between the handle and the rod member. During winding of the tube, the tube-squeezing unit is able to drain the water from the flat tube and simultaneously flatten the flat tube so as to reduce the volume thereof, whereby the flattened flat tube can be smoothly wound and collected on the reel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning and/or classifying seed is disclosed. The apparatus includes a seed conditioning/classification unit having an acceleration conduit and a convexly curved Coanda surface provided adjacent to the conduit at its outlet, curving upwardly therefrom. As the crude particulate feed stream is discharged from the outlet, it is conditioned by the Coanda effect into a first outlet stream of entraining gas and lightweight extraneous materials, which is channeled approximately along or parallel to the Coanda surface, and a second stream of relatively heavier materials such as seeds, which is expelled approximately parallel to the central axis of the conduit at the outlet. Seeds which are expelled from the conduit are also classified by momentum discrimination.

Abstract: A wire collector, designed for auto reeling of communication wire, having a shell body with a wire reel, an elastic element, and other component members in the interiors. The wire reel enables the lower end of the wire to pass through the front end of the shell body, while the upper end of the wire will pass through the rear end of the shell body. The reel is connected to an elastic element. In use, communication wire will no longer tangle in a disorderly manner when the wire collector is being rolled, and users will be able to pull out the front end of the communication wire or enable it to be reeled in automatically by the elastic element to make the entire operation easy and convenient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sorting any desired pieces of products in dependence on criteria, and a method for operating the same. It is the object of the invention to provide a solution which permits a very fast at least three-channel fractionating of a product flow with a simultaneous mild treatment of products, at low expenditures for energy, and at a high wear resistance. The object is realized in that the products pass a first approaching zone, arrive in a second zone in which a separating element set into rotations by operation of a stepper-motor, including on its circumference with equidistantly spaced fingers, and which, in dependence on a respective control, transfers the products to be sorted into at least three further zones. A real-time image tracking system is provided which is adapted to capture the entire path of the products through the zones.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for sorting sheetlike data carriers which firstly has a compact and ergonomically optimal design and secondly permits the use of compact and cost-effective test devices, it is proposed that the input pocket (2) and the output pocket (12-15) are designed and oriented with respect to the front side (1) of the apparatus such that the long sides of the data carriers (3) face the operator. The singling device (19) and the transport system (4) transport the data carriers through a test device in the direction of their long sides. After running through the test device (6) the data carriers are supplied to one of the output pockets (12-15) by a longitudinal/cross conveying device (7) along their transverse sides.

Abstract: A wire reeler enables the auto collection of communication wire, and has a wire collector, an elastic element, and a switch inside a shell body. The wire collector has one end of the communication wire wound on the rotation axle, while another end is wound on the axial column of the wire collector, which axial column is pivotally connected with the switch. The bottom end of the wire collector is engaged with the elastic element. The communication wire will be collected in order without twisting, and the users can take it out easily by pulling or reel it back in automatically.

Abstract: A spooler for tensioning a fence rail includes a hub with an aperture. The aperture receives the rail such that the rail may pass through the hub. Each of a pair of cup-shaped discs has a plurality of openings in the bottom. The discs are located at each end of the hub and face away from each other. At least one drive is located on one of the discs and receives a driver. A rim of the disc extends to be at least flush with the end portion of the drive. At least one locking pin is adapted to be inserted into one opening in each disc. When the at least one locking pin is fully inserted, the sides of each disc extend beyond ends of the at least one locking pin.

Abstract: Method and device for detecting dirt on eggs is provided which comprises exposing the eggs to ultraviolet light, capturing images of the exposed eggs resulting in images formed of pixels, and determining within the images, surface areas of dirt by correlating data of contrast and data of position of the pixels. Such a method enables selecting and subsequently removing eggs which contain dirt surface areas of a predetermined size. Further, such a method and device may be applied advantageously for both white and brown eggs in egg sorting machines.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a base frame, a spool journalled to the base frame, a webbing wound around the spool, and a motor for rotating the spool. A speed-reduction mechanism is interposed between the motor and the spool. The speed-reduction mechanism includes at least one transmission train with a predetermined gear ratio, a common transmission element connected to the transmission train, and a resistant torque device connected to the transmission train. The common transmission element transmits rotation of the motor to the spool when the torque of the rotation is smaller than the preset value. Winding of the webbing is made based on the wearing condition of the webbing and the running condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the bulk density, permeability, moisture retention and thermal properties of bulk materials are provided by selectively sizing the bulk material. Preferably, the bulk material is sized into a bi-modal size distribution to control these properties. Methods of decreasing the density of bulk materials are also provided. In one embodiment the bulk material is separated into a first fraction and a second fraction, the second fraction being smaller than the first. Subsequently, the second fraction is separated into a third fraction and a fourth fraction, the fourth fraction being smaller than the third. The third fraction is then comminuted to be the same size as the fourth fraction, at which point the first, third, and fourth fractions are finally mixed to produce a densified bulk material.

Abstract: A continuous cleaning system to prevent clogging of screens in screening machines used to sort materials such as aggregates, such system comprising positioning a cleaning device such as a chain in line with the length of and on top of, a screen to be cleaned, and then using a motor assembly to rotate said cleaning device thereby moving it back and forth across the top of said screen, so that substantially the entire area of the top of said screen comes in contact with said rotating cleaning device, which taps or otherwise contacts the surface of said screen as it moves back and forth across the top of a screen deck, thereby dislodging any dust or other material that might otherwise clog or block the openings in said screen. In a preferred embodiment, a motor rotates the cleaning device which has the effect of driving it back and forth along a tight cable on which said pulley travels. The speed, power, and direction of the motor is subject to controls which may be easily set by an operator.

Abstract: A recording paper roll includes a tubular spool shaft having first and second end faces. Thermosensitive recording paper is wound about the tubular spool shaft in a roll form. A code is formed in the first end face. For use with the recording paper roll, a supply magazine includes two roll holders secured to the spool shaft. First and second support plates are arranged in an axial direction of the roll holder, and support the roll holder in a rotatable manner. Guide cutouts are formed in the first and second support plates, receive first and second ends of the roll holder, and move the roll holder in a predetermined direction according to a decrease in a diameter of the recording material roll in use of the recording material. A code sensor reads the code from the first end face. A sensor shifter constituted by a depression portion moves the code sensor in the predetermined direction with the two roll holders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety belt apparatus, in particular for motor vehicles, comprising a safety belt (11) which is connected on the one hand via a belt lock (12) to the vehicle body (13) and on the other hand to a belt winder (14) which is attached to the vehicle body (13), and which has a belt roller (15) which is rotatable about a transverse axis (16) and onto which the belt (11) is wound up to a greater or lesser extent, which is stressed by a spring mechanism (17) in the belt roll-up direction and is connected to a belt tautener (18) as well as to an unwind blocking apparatus (19) which blocks the further drawing out of the belt in the attempt of a rapid belt drawing out and/or in accident caused accelerations at the latest after a limited further rotation of the belt roller (15), with a coupling (20) consisting of an input part (22), an output part (24) and coupling members (25) which are active between them being placed between the belt tautener (18) and the belt roller (15), which coupling (20)

Abstract: A screen assembly has been invented which has a base, at least one layer of screening material on the base, and at least one ramp formed in the at least one layer of screening material.

Abstract: An apparatus for decelerating signatures moving in tandem fashion through sheet processing equipment is provided. A pair of counter-rotating cams lying in general face-to-face relation along a travel path of the signatures reach into the travel path of the signatures to effectively grab the trailing end of each signature so as to decrease the speed of each signature as the signature continues or to further processing equipment in the sheet handling system. Also provided is a guide assembly which increases control over the signatures during the decelerating process and during transport of the signatures to further downstream processing equipment. The guide assembly includes grooved rollers which act as pulleys for belts near the exit stream of the slow-down equipment, wherein the protruding segments between belt grooves act to push the signatures away from the belt.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting an operator in sorting mail includes a wireless headset equipped with a microphone, and a workstation that includes a processing unit, voice-recognition and voice-synthesis circuitry, and a database. In operation, addressee information spoken into the microphone is transmitted to the workstation where it is used to search the database. Destination information from a matching database record is then output to the operator on one or more of a display terminal, headset speakers, and heads-up display fixed to the headset. The convenience and enhanced capability provided by this system streamlines operator productivity and sorting volume. The emobdiments disclosed herein are primarily directed to a headset that is operated completely remotely from the processing unit, and also to a headset comprising a heads up display having means by which an operator can access the database.

Abstract: A conveyor system particularly configured for discrete parcels, which combines tilting tray concepts with “cross-belt” or powered conveyor concepts, which allows for the acceleration of parcels above one gravity force “G”. In one configuration, two levels can be used, the upper for larger packages, and the lower for lower packages.

Abstract: An inspection system detects the presence or absence of desired components of an assembled cigarette after tipping paper has been applied to join a multi-component filter to a tobacco rod. A transport moves the assembled cigarettes having multi-component filters along a high speed path of travel. At a first inspection station a transverse detection beam is directed through each cigarette in the area of the multi-component filter. A second inspection station directs a longitudinal detection beam toward an end filter component along a path substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. Control circuitry allows an assembled cigarette to continue along the high speed path of travel when the second inspection station detects the presence of an end filter component unless beforehand the first inspection station fails to detect the presence of an internal filter component in which case the second inspection is withheld and the cigarette is removed from the high speed path of travel.

Abstract: A system for separating construction debris into low density debris and high density debris. The construction debris is delivered into a rotating drum having front and rear discharge openings. The lower portion of the drum is filled with water, and the debris is deposited onto the water, with the low density debris floating at the surface and the high density debris descending to the bottom of the drum. A plurality of high velocity water jets are positioned forwardly of the debris receiving location to create a turbulent high velocity water flow at an upper zone of the water in the drum to move the wood and other low density material toward a rear converging passageway that leads into the rear discharge opening. The higher density material is carried by a scroll type conveyor forwardly in the drum to a forward discharge location where rotating paddles lift the high density debris upwardly and thence move it into the front discharge opening.