Abstract: A paper handling system includes an acceleration conveyor having an acceleration belt operating at an acceleration speed. The system includes a pinning structure operably positioned to pin paper to the acceleration belt. The pinning structure is a rotary feeder which includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending radially from a roller into engagement with the acceleration belt. The speed of the acceleration belt is sufficiently high to create a suction phenomena such that when paper is pinned to the acceleration belt with the rotary feeder, the paper will be accelerated to a paper speed substantially equal to the acceleration speed. The system also includes a blower system operative to facilitate carrying the paper off of the acceleration belt across a transition gap between the acceleration belt and a product belt.

Abstract: A sorting system for sheeted material is presented, the sorting system including a path for travel of the sheeted material; an entrainment gas source for providing a first flow of gas in a direction substantially the same as the path for travel of the sheeted material; a plurality of receiving bins for receiving the sheeted material; a directional gas source associated with at least one of the plurality of receiving bins for providing a flow of gas directed to maintain the sheeted material entrained in the first flow of gas; a sorter associated with at least one of the plurality of receiving bins for directing selected ones of the sheeted material into such receiving bin.

Abstract: A paper handling system includes an acceleration conveyor having an acceleration belt operating at an acceleration speed. The system includes a pinning structure operably positioned to pin paper to the acceleration belt. The pinning structure is a rotary feeder which includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending radially from a roller into engagement with the acceleration belt. The speed of the acceleration belt is sufficiently high to create a suction phenomena such that when paper is pinned to the acceleration belt with the rotary feeder, the paper will be accelerated to a paper speed substantially equal to the acceleration speed. The system also includes a blower system operative to facilitate carrying the paper off of the acceleration belt across a transition gap between the acceleration belt and a product belt.

Abstract: A paper handling system includes an acceleration conveyor having an acceleration belt operating at an acceleration speed. The system includes a pinning structure operably positioned to pin paper to the acceleration belt. The pinning structure is a rotary feeder which includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending radially from a roller into engagement with the acceleration belt. The speed of the acceleration belt is sufficiently high to create a suction phenomena such that when paper is pinned to the acceleration belt with the rotary feeder, the paper will be accelerated to a paper speed substantially equal to the acceleration speed. The system also includes a blower system operative to facilitate carrying the paper off of the acceleration belt across a transition gap between the acceleration belt and a product belt.

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: A self-supporting textile package. The package includes a first generally rectangular sheet of cardboard forming a bottom layer having an upper and lower surface. A plurality of stacks of loose cut fabric pieces are placed on the upper surface of the first sheet of cardboard. A second generally rectangular sheet of cardboard forms a top layer having an upper and lower surface. Plastic film then is used to surround both the first and second generally rectangular sheets of cardboard and the plurality of stacks of loose cut fabric pieces to form a stable, self-supporting package suitable for shipment.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for recycling foamed polystyrene from municipal solid waste and more particularly, from fast food restaurant waste. A steady stream of waste is delivered to a flail mill for reducing particle size, a rotary trommel for eliminating undersized waste and a rotary air classifier for removing "heavy" waste from the stream. At this point, the waste stream comprises mostly paper and foamed polystyrene. The paper and foamed polystyrene are delivered to a water pulper which fiberizes the paper so that it can then be separated from the foamed polystyrene by passing it through a screen of selected mesh size to allow the water and paper pulp to pass through while retaining the foamed polystyrene.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus comprising an air classifier system which includes a material receiving chamber having at its lower end a discharge conveyor which removes material from the chamber to another area, and conveyor means within the lower end portion of the chamber for moving material which has been deposited in the chamber and discharging it onto the discharge conveyor without clogging, together with suitable air locks and controls for regulating material flow through the apparatus.

Abstract: An air classifier system for separating mixed materials and comprising the combination of a horizontal drum or tunnel having a feed screw therein at one end of which mixed materials are deposited for movement toward the discharge end of the drum, and means for directing a flow of air through the drum at relatively high velocity for entraining and removing light materials from the drum while permitting heavy materials to be independently moved out of the drum by the screw.