Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for splitting open contents-filled garbage bags selected from bags filled with yard waste and bags filled with cans and bottles. The assembly is composed of a flighted conveyor that conveys the filled garbage bags into a confined bag splitter assembly. The bag splitter assembly has sidewalls to confine filled garbage bags therein and has an overhead array of blade assemblies laterally spaced across the conveyor for confronting filled garbage bags conveyed by said conveyor into the bag splitter assembly. The blade assemblies are composed of a pivotally mounted blade holder disposed above the conveyor and carry horizontally-disposed canard-like blades having a forward point for confronting the filled garbage bags. The blades are disposed substantially continuously laterally across the width of the bag splitter assembly. For garbage bags filled with cans and bottles, the blades have a forward tip carry pointed elongate elements for puncturing the bags.

Abstract: The present invention broadly is directed to enhancements to various bag splitting apparatuses. One such improvement for splitting open garbage bags containing stacked paper includes a row of pivotally-mounted blades mounted for rotation away from the filled bags and having a serrated lower edge with downwardly-projecting teeth that confront the bags being conveyed through said assembly, followed by a row of pivotally-mounted blades mounted for rotation away from the bags and having a serrated lower edge with teeth projecting into and confronting the bags being conveyed through the assembly. The corresponding method for splitting open bags containing stacked paper forms another aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention is addressed to an apparatus for tearing open conveyed bags containing municipal solid waste and emptying the contents therefrom. The bag splitter assembly comprises a series of pivotally mounted splitter blades which is located above a bag transporting conveyor. The confronting serrated edges of the splitter blades tear open the conveyed bags while the trailing serrated portion of the blades grip the torn bags allowing the conveyor to separate the contents from the retained bag.

Abstract: The invention is addressed to a method for preventing spillage of conveyed materials from the edges of a conveyor by employing sidewalls along the edges of the conveyor bearing upper and lower flanges for tactilely engaging the edge surface of the conveyor. The method includes adjusting replaceable wear plate which are fitted to each of the upper and lower flanges as the wearing plates lose contact with the conveyor surface.

Abstract: The present invention is addressed to an apparatus and method for carrying out the effective separation or classification of MSW into fractions with improved efficiency. This improved efficiency is achieved inter alia through the use of various separation devices designed to segregate fractions of MSW based on their ultimate usages or physical properties. Through the utilization of devices optimized to categorize by the physical properties of various fractions, a large percentage of the sortation process can be achieved without the use of human sorters.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for carrying out the air separation of waste wherein the waste is transported by conveyor to the input location of the housing of the apparatus, whereupon it is dropped. A fan having a selectively directed dual airstream is positioned to provide airstream interception of the material stream falling to a confrontation region. Baffling is provided to substantially eliminate turbulence as may be caused by the fan. Separation is developed at three outlets beneath a plenum of the apparatus and a deflector is positioned between that outet receiving organic and that outlet receiving plastic categorized materials. To improve separation, deflectors are mounted vertically on the housing walls to increase airstream velocity. Airstream guidance, deflection and baffling are made adjustable to tune the system to accommodate for variations in the consistency of waste.

Abstract: Windrowing apparatus utilizing a windrowing conveyor which confronts an elongate row of biodegradable material for agitating and transferring it. The apparatus has two rearwardly disposed drive wheels which are fixed to a rigid frame and are selectively driven by hydraulic motors. The wheels have fixed axes to carry out pivotal turns. A third wheel forwardly disposed in a location remote from the row of material being windrowed provides the third component of a three point support. An internal combustion engine is mounted on the rigid frame to provide a primary source of power to hydraulic motors driving the rear wheels and the conveyor itself.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing inorganic acid-forming constituents from a gas stream contaminated therewith (e.g. high sulfur coal effluent). Such removal is accomplished by passing the gas stream through an active composting biodegradable organic waste held under thermophilic bacteria-phase digestion conditions. Also disclosed is a comprehensive composting treatment site which desirably employs a windrowing composting technique and is suitably adapted to be operated with the gas stream scrubbing process disclosed herein.

Abstract: Windrowing apparatus for laterally transferring an elongate row of waste material wherein a windrow conveyor is supported for movement by three pivotally mounted and freely rotatable wheels. The apparatus may be coupled or decoupled from a conventional front end loader and the wheels are so spaced and positioned as to permit the windrow conveyor to confront a row of waste while remaining protected from "climbing up" on the waste material. Considerably improved flexibility in the operation of a windrowing facility is effected with the apparatus.