Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting objects is described, and which provides high-speed image data acquisition to fuse multiple data streams in real-time, while avoiding destructive interference when individual sensors or detectors are utilized in providing data regarding features of a product to be inspected.

Abstract: A process for separating synthetic turf product comprising includes the consecutive steps of: (a) downsizing the synthetic turf product into a downsized turf material; (b) separating the downsized turf material by sieving into at least a first fraction substantially comprising a mixture of backing material and additional components and a second fraction substantially comprising grass fiber components; (c) separating the first fraction by specific gravity to provide a low density fraction and a high density fraction; (d) separating the second fraction by specific gravity and size by providing an airflow directed upwards in a separator configured to cause a swirling motion whereby a lighter fraction is entrained upwards in the air flow and a heavy fraction is allowed to fall downwards; and (e) collecting the low density fraction and the light fraction.

Abstract: A fruits sorting apparatus includes: a conveyance device configured to convey a plurality of charged fruits from a detection area located on an upstream side to a sorting area disposed on a downstream side; an imaging device configured to photograph the fruits in the detection area of the conveyance device; a processor configured to detect a rotten fruit and a nonstandard fruit having an irregular shape or size based on images of the fruits and vegetables imaged by the imaging device; and a robot configured to pick up the rotten fruit and the nonstandard fruit detected by the processor in the sorting area.

Abstract: A method of recycling a filler included in artificial turf by sorting the filler into two or more materials, including: a first sorting operation of sorting the two or more materials based on a grain size; and a second sorting operation of sorting the materials, which are sorted by the first sorting operation and have grain sizes belonging to a predetermined range, based on specific gravity.

Abstract: A system for orienting particles in a microfluidic system includes one or more radiation pressure sources arranged to expose particles to radiation pressure to cause the particles to adopt a particular orientation in the fluid. A system for sorting particles in a microfluidic system includes a detection stage arranged to detect at least one difference or discriminate between particles in the fluid flow past the detection stage, and one or more radiation pressure sources past which the particles move sequentially and a controller arranged to switch radiation energy to cause a change in direction of movement of selected particles in the fluid flow to sort the particles. The particles may be biological particles such as spermatazoa. The radiation pressure may be optical pressure and may be from one or more waveguides which may extend across a channel of the microfluidic system.

Abstract: A system and a method of sorting scrap particles includes imaging a moving conveyor containing scrap particles using a vision system to create an image. A computer analyzes the image as a matrix of cells, identifies cells in the matrix containing a particle, and calculates a color input for the particle from a color model by determining color components for each cell associated with the particle. A light beam is directed to the particle on the conveyor downstream of the vision system, and at least one emitted band of light from the particle is isolated and detected at a selected frequency band to provide spectral data for the particle. The computer generates a vector for the particle containing the color input and the spectral data, and classifies the particle into one of at least two classifications of a material as a function of the vector.

Abstract: A multi-deck screening assembly includes a plurality of vertically-stacked downwardly-sloping screen decks, each with grading apertures through which under-sized material may pass, while over-sized material passes over a lower discharge end of each screen deck. The screen decks are mounted on a common frame, which is mounted on a chassis and provided with vibration device. The screen decks include an upper deck, an intermediate deck below for receiving under-sized material from the upper deck, and a lower deck below the intermediate deck for receiving under-sized material from the intermediate screen deck. A first chassis-mounted stockpile conveyor receives over-sized material from the lower deck, a second chassis-mounted stockpile conveyor receives over-sized material from the intermediate deck, and a third stockpile conveyor receives over-sized material from the upper deck.

Abstract: Metal tableware articles are separated from trash as the trash is deposited into a trash container through a removable cover having brackets supporting a shaft of a magnetic bar assembly for rotation on a horizontal axis. The shaft is rotated from outside the cover by an axially movable rotatable pin having a knob on its outer end and extending through the side wall of the cover for releasably engaging one end of the shaft. When the knob and pin are retracted axially, the bar assembly may be lowered from the cover for cleaning. The bar assembly has axially spaced magnetic plate units each having a pair of generally triangular metal plates with flat corner surfaces and with a panel of magnetic material of the same shape sandwiched between the plates. The bar assembly is spaced above the bottom surface of the cover for protection of the bar assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding electronic components for insertion onto circuit boards, the apparatus comprising: a vibratory bowl configured for receiving electronic components and for lining up the electronic components onto a moveable conveyor, the vibratory bowl is configured for vibrating and guiding each of the electronic components towards an opening in the vibratory bowl where each of the electronic components is transferred to the conveyor; a component processing unit configured for checking operation of each of the electronic components lined up along the conveyor and for removing any defective electronic component failing the operation check; and a component feeder configured for transferring each of the electronic components that are non-defective to a machine for handling insertion of the electronic components onto circuit boards.

Abstract: A screening apparatus for grading particulate material includes a grading screen having apertures for water and/or undersize particles to pass through. The grading screen is supported on a frame mounted on a chassis via resilient linkages, and the grading screen being vibrated by a vibrating device that imparts circular or reciprocating motion to the grading screen. The grading screen is set at a predetermined slope whereby material to be graded can be delivered onto an upper end while the grading screen is vibrated to convey the material over the grading screen and to cause undersize material to pass through the apertures. Oversize material is discharged from a lower end of the screen onto a conveyor or into a collection bay or hopper. A sump beneath the grading screen receives under-sized material passing through the grading screen, and a jet pump conveys material from the sump to a dewatering screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for reducing moisture in mineral slurries, particularly mineral slurries containing minerals of small particle diameter, using a granular drying material. The invention also relates to novel mineral products and intermediates useful in connection with the process. The method and system reduced moisture by contacting the mineral slurry with the granular drying material. The granular drying material is selected to be readily separated from the dried minerals using a size separation technique such as a sieve screen. The granular drying material is the regenerated, preferably using a process involving heat exchange and cross-flow air. The granular drying material is preferably capable of regeneration and recycling in a continuous process with minimal attrition.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus including a trough having one or more decks, with an inlet end and an outlet end, a first plurality of isolation springs disposed between the trough and ground, and a two-mass, sub-resonant frequency exciter supported on the trough. The trough and the exciter move 180-degrees out of phase with each other. The apparatus also includes a dynamic balancer including a plurality of isolation springs disposed between the exciter and ground.

Abstract: An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.

Abstract: A method is described for operating machines (10) having moving parts and arranged jointly on a support (32), said parts being moved periodically with substantially the same frequency, and wherein the phase of an oscillation of one machine (10) in relation to the phase of an oscillation of a further machine (10) is controlled by shifting the phases with respect to one another such that the amplitude of an oscillation of a structural part, for example of the support (32), remains below a predefined maximum value.

Abstract: An attachment configured to be captured and lifted by a bucket of a vehicle includes a back end proximate the bucket, in operation; a left side; a right side; a front end distal from the bucket, the front end defining a bottom surface; connection means for receiving a forward edge of the bucket, wherein the bucket can engage and lift the attachment; and means defining a material handling area between the left side, right side, front end, and back end, the material handling area including apertures for sifting, wherein material rolls up into the material handling area when the attachment moves forward so that material can be sifted in the sifting area.

Abstract: A screen device for sorting screening material into one or more fine grain fractions and one or more oversize grain fractions. The screen device includes a frame and a roller screen including screen rollers which are arranged, such that they can be rotary-driven about a roller axis each, next to each other and which are supported on the frame and which each comprise a roller body and one or more screen structures which protrude radially relative to the roller body. There is a fine grain screen gap between the roller bodies of respectively adjacent screen rollers, through which a fine grain fraction falls, while an oversize grain fraction is conveyed on the roller screen in the axial direction of the rollers when the screen rollers are rotary-driven.

Abstract: A screen cloth for use in a screening device for screening out oversize objects in a material flowing in a direction is provided, comprising a metal plate having a perimeter and comprising a plurality of openings therethrough and forming a grid having longitudinal ligaments substantially parallel to the direction of the material flow and transverse ligaments substantially perpendicular to the direction of the material flow, the metal plate having an impact surface and a bottom surface; a coating or liner comprising an elastomer, coating or lining at least the impact surface of the metal plate or a portion thereof; and a wear material at least partially embedded into the elastomer coating or liner, or a portion thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for reclamation of indoor and outdoor gun ranges, wherein a mixture of rubber chunks, lead pieces, and trash from the range are fed into a first cyclonic separator for the removal of the lead. The rubber and trash are segregated and moved from the first cyclone to a second cyclonic separator, for separation of the rubber from the trash, while the trash is passed to a filter system. In the filter system, the trash is removed and drops out through a rotary valve at the bottom of the filter, leaving the air to be removed out the top of the filter system to be moved by suction through a Roots type blower to become pressurized air to distribute the rubber particles coming from the second cyclonic separator, back to the range or into collection in bags.

Abstract: The present invention includes a mining system adapted to change underwater mining by selecting and harvesting only the target ore or gem. It eliminates costly displacement in mass of ore or material to the surface or shore, reduces pollution of the water column, and minimizes disturbance of the environment. The system includes a trommel fluidly coupled to separators, wherein each separator uses a vortex-like flow pattern to separate high-density sediment from lower density sediment based on flow rate. The present invention is the capable of separating and collecting various sized of desired ore in one pass. Additionally, the system is adapted to be coupled with a ROV dredge to reduce or eliminate diving time and risk of human life.

Abstract: A screen panel has a pre-tensioned screen with a polished metal plate mounted to the top of the frame to eliminate all the exposed surface areas of epoxy which secures the screen to the screen panel frame. The metal plate also provides an edge against which a silicone bead may be seated to provide a much cleaner and finished looking panel which is anticipated to meet the standards set forth by the USDA. Additionally, the spatial positioning of the plate atop the screen material and screen frame allows for a clean and smooth transition across the components and one which may accept a finished bead of silicon or other material for reducing and/or eliminating sites for mold growth or other containments thereby enhancing the ability to clean and sterilize the screen panel for the processing of various materials.