Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for sensing the presence of bright white paper on a conveyor of a paper sorting system. The conveyor is constantly illuminated with ultraviolet light. When bright white paper is present in the inspection zone of the conveyor, it will re-radiate fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light. Periodically, the inspection zone of the conveyor is illuminated with a second light source in the visible light spectrum. Light is collected from the inspection zone of the conveyor, including reflected light from the secondary source and including emitted fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light falling on bright white paper. Periodically a microprocessor associated with the sensor senses reflected light from the second source to determine whether any object if present on the conveyor. The microprocessor then senses the level of fluorescent light energy being emitted from any object on the conveyor.

Abstract: A paper handling system includes first and second inclined conveyors. The first inclined conveyor operates at a first speed and has an output end. The second inclined conveyor operates at a second speed and is operably positioned to receive paper output from the first inclined conveyor. The second speed is greater than the first speed. The inclined conveyors are preferably inclined at an angle in the range from 15° to 35°. By transporting the paper up the inclined conveyors, upper layers of paper are allowed to slide down over lower layers of paper thereby creating a thinner stream of paper.

Abstract: The present invention includes devices and methods for handling and sorting paper. Devices for accelerating and spreading paper from a paper input to a sensor are disclosed. Operably thin layers of paper are passed through a sensor at cost effective feed rates. One embodiment of the invention includes a spreader positioned to receive paper from the input and an inclined feed section downstream of the spreader. The inclined feed section includes first and second inclined conveyors to further accelerate and spread the paper. A feed accelerator is operably positioned to receive paper from the second inclined conveyor. The feed accelerator further accelerates and separates the paper. The feed accelerator feeds the paper to the sensor which is operably connected to an ejector downstream of the sensor. Targeted paper is ejected from the paper stream and product paper continues downstream to a product conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electromagnetic source which transmits electromagnetic radiation to an object. The electromagnetic radiation then either passes through the object or is reflected by the object depending upon the electromagnetic source and the type of the object. The reflected or penetrating radiation, depending upon the type of application, is picked up by a receiver. The receiver then sends the penetrating or reflected signal into a splitter which divides it into a first and second stream or a third and fourth stream, if necessary. After each of these streams, the split signal can then be run through a filter before it is analyzed by a sensor. The sensor reading is then fed into a microprocessor which compares, combines, and evaluates the various readings.

Abstract: In the present invention, a system and method are disclosed for distinguishing PEN from other types of materials. The method and system discloses an electromagnetic radiation source which transmits electromagnetic radiation to an object. The electromagnetic radiation either passing through an object or rejecting from an object is then measured to determine the amount of penetrating or reflecting electromagnetic radiation. This amount of penetrating or reflecting electromagnetic radiation is then measured to classify the item by type.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for singulating inhomogeneous materials. The pieces of materials are first deposited onto a cleat conveyor which is set at an incline so that the pieces of material not residing on a cleat will fall backwards. The cleat conveyor deposits the materials onto a cross conveyor which has a cross conveyor path perpendicular to the cleat conveyor path. There is a slight drop and slide between the cleat conveyor and cross conveyor. The cross conveyor then deposits materials onto a diverter system having a diverter conveyor moving material along a path. The path is interrupted by diverters extending at obtuse angles across the path of the materials. The diverter system works the materials into a single file order and performs some spacing. The diverter conveyor then deposits the materials onto an acceleration conveyor having a velocity greater then the diverter conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a singulation system for recyclable materials which has a vacuum chamber having a slot down the middle. The vacuum chamber is substantially hollow such that air being pulled through one side of the vacuum chamber is pulled through the slot. Air is pulled through the vacuum chamber using a vacuum. A belt is rolled around the vacuum chamber, and the belt has hole arrays. The vacuum pulling air through the slot pulls air through the hole arrays, thereby allowing the belt to grab hold of and pull containers up the belt. Various outlet hoses can be provided from the vacuum to blow containers off the belt which are not firmly attached at the hole arrays, or to blow air against the diverter which then blows air across the belt, or to blow air through the hole arrays on the underside of the vacuum chamber to clear out holes which may be clogged from time to time.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation is projected through various types of plastics materials such as plastic containers. The readings from the electromagnetic radiation transmitters are received by a sensor array. Plural readings are taken from each plastic bottle as it passes under the sensor. The measurements from the sensor array output are then fed into a computer. The materials are then separated into three classes. The first class contains polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene teraphalate (PET) containers. The second class contains polypropylene (PP) and natural (primarily milk containers) high density polythylene (HDPE) containers. The third class contains opaque materials such as rigid, mixed color high density polythylene (HDPE) containers, opaque polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers, opaque polystyrene (PS) containers, and opaque polypropylene (PP) containers. The groups of plastics contained in each of the classes are then separated out using the same or other detection means.

Abstract: Selective non-magentic detection of non-ferrous metallic particles in a mixture of same with ferrous metallic particles and non-metallic particles derived from homogenized and magnetically treated municipal or like waste by a plurality of electronic detectors and separation of a non-ferrous metallic concentrate from said mixture.

Abstract: Separation of metallic particles from non-metallic particles of processed solid waste such as garbage to obtain a metallic concentrate, including use of such separation as the mid-step in a process which begins with homogenizing and magnetically treating components of the waste and ends with isolating the metallic concentrate as a high-purity metal fraction, for example, high-purity aluminum.

Abstract: Solid waste incinerator fuel is preclassified by passing it through a hollow rotating cylindrical drum which has magnetic extensions called flights protruding from the inside of the drum wall along its length. The drum may also have a first set of non-magnetic flights toward one end protruding farther from the wall toward the center or axis of the drum then a second non-magnetic portion on the other side of the magnetic flights along the length of the drum. The magnetic flights attract particles and material subject to magnetic attraction. The ends of the first set of non-magnetic flights toward the middle of the length of the drum are preferably shaped or rounded somewhat lengthwise. A scraper assembly preferably having two material removal channels or chutes in addition to a scraper blade, may be arranged to extend into an exit end of the drum. The scraper blade removes magnetic or iron particles from the magnetic flights as the drum rotates.

Abstract: Solid waste incinerator fuel is preclassified by passing it through a hollow rotating cylindrical drum which has two sets of extensions from the wall going lengthwise along the length of the drum, the first set toward one end and the second toward the other, the second set being shorter or smaller-sized than the first and the first preferably having rodlike projections which may have at least partly knifelike or bladelike ends or edges at the axial or inner ends thereof. The first set of extensions homogenizes the incoming waste by lifting, dropping, churning, and ripping it as well as fluffing it. The second set of extensions, preferably angled, lifts smaller sized heavier, non-combustible particles to the upper part of the drum from which they are removed at the exit end. The lighter material, mostly combustibles such as paper, textiles and wood, for example, is discharged toward the bottom of the exit end of the drum.

Abstract: An electromagnetic eddy current materials separator is disclosed herein for use in separating particles of greater electrical conductivity from particles of lesser electrical conductivity and, in particular, for separating non-ferrous metallics from ferrous metallics and non-metallics. An electromagnet is energized by current pulses, pulsing the magnet several times while each particle is in the field of influence of the magnet causing eddy currents to be developed in the particles and resulting in a repulsive force being developed between the magnet and the material, causing the material to be repelled from the magnet, the repulsive force varying directly with the electrical conductivity of the material and the momentum imparted to such particles varying directly with the number of current pulses occurring while each particle is in the field of influence of the magnet.

Abstract: A feed system is disclosed herein for use with an electromagnetic eddy current materials separator for supplying material to be acted upon by the eddy current magnet directly into the regions strongest influence of the magnetic field of said magnet. Automatic blockage release means are provided to terminate jam-ups in the event that a blockage should occur in the delivery of feedstock to the region of influence of the magnetic field of the magnet.