Abstract: The separation of different minerals based on differences in density, surface tension effects and general relative settling rates of the different media over a range of particle sizes is effected in a unique hydraulic mineral separator system. The system and process are particularly useful in the separation of mercury from mercury contaminated soils, sands, gravels, clays and process sludges, (such as chlor-alkali sludges). Sonic vibrations are used to enhance recovery of finely divided mercury and conditioning agents are also used to advantage to reduce surface tension effects and further enhance recovery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating from a mixture materials having different specific gravities which can operate in a continuous manner and can separate particles of materials of non-uniform grain size. Water or other fluid is passed upwardly through an apparatus having an upper funnel in which is disposed a rotatable agitator having vanes or paddles which pass close to riffles on the wall of the funnel. Material to be separated is fed into the funnel and the upward flow of fluid is adjusted so that material of low specific gravity is carried up the funnel to an overflow discharge. With the agitator rotating, fine particles of the material to be separated and having a specific gravity higher than a certain figure are captured in "dead-zones" created behind the riffles and move down through the fluid to a discharge tube. Larger particles of the material to be separated move down through the upward flow of fluid to the discharge tube.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for gravity separation of comminuted solid particles. It has a transparent pipe (18) through which water flows upwards at a controlled velocity to float grains of a given size and specific gravity but to maintain lighter particles in a funnel on top of the pipe. The pipe is enclosed in a housing in which a water level can be raised or lowered to coincide with a mark on a scale indicative of the instant lowermost gravity of particles passing downwards through the pipe (18). The device is of a simple structure and provides the possibility of the readout of the specific weight of the accepted particles.

Abstract: A rotary picker drum for use in a machine for harvesting fruit on a relatively low plants, such as low bush blueberries. The drum contains a series of circumferentially spaced rows of tines which can be retracted during the descending movement thereof as the drum rotates, and extended during the passage of the respective row through the bush and over substantial portion of the upward movement as the drum is rotated. The oscillatory extension/retraction movement is effected within a cylindric plane generally coaxial with the axis of rotation of the drum, the tines of the rows being curved such as to be generally coincident with such cylindric plane. The tines are guided in guiding plates forming one wall of a food collecting trough in the surface of the drum. The guiding plates reinforce the tines and clean same during the retracting movement thereof.