Abstract: Separation apparatus and methods separate ferrous, glass, plastic and aluminum articles in kind from each other when all articles are presented in a commingled stream. Ferrous articles are first removed by magnetic apparatus. The remaining commingled stream of glass, plastic and aluminum articles are conveyed over a vibratory screen for removal or residue materials not first removed prior to ferrous article separation. Plastic and aluminum articles are lifted away from glass articles in a vertically moving air column of a closed loop air flow system. The glass is conveyed past the column for further separation and collection while the plastic and aluminum articles are discharged together from a centrifugal classifier portion of the closed air loop. Large plastic articles are first removed from the combined plastic and aluminum, then aluminum articles are separated from the remaining smaller plastic articles.

Abstract: An improved slat conveyor includes an improved slat having leading and trailing edge configurations inhibiting conveyed product leakage through the slat-formed apron. A leading edge of one slat overlaps and engages the depressed rearward edge of a preceding adjacent slat providing a substantially co-planar product apron. Movement of the slats about a headstock at a conveyor discharge end disengages the leading from the rearward edge, opening a slight gap between the slats so any captured product can fall out, as well as providing a scraping action of the trailing edge of a preceding slat with respect to the underside of the leading edge of a following slat to dislodge entrapped or impacted product. At the same time the leading edge overhangs the preceding slat so discharging product slides off the slats into the discharge location and not between the slats.

Abstract: A horizontal storage silo or bin for particulate matter such as, for example, peanuts and cereal, includes a moving apron or floor and a dam for gently receiving product, controlling product deposit into the silo and supporting the rear face of the product pile during discharge to insure a uniform discharge rate throughout the discharge cycle. Full bin storage capacity is utilized. First-in, first-out processing is attained. Various alternative apparatus and methods are disclosed and various product infeed points and bin orientation are accommodated.

Abstract: A horizontal storage silo or bin for particulate matter such as, for example, peanuts and cereal, includes a moving apron or floor and a dam for gently receiving product, controlling product deposit into the silo and supporting the rear face of the product pile during discharge to insure a uniform discharge rate throughout the discharge cycle. Full bin storage capacity is utilized. First-in, first-out processing is attained. Various alternative apparatus and methods are disclosed and various product infeed points and bin orientation are accommodated.