Abstract: The invention employs a particle separation mechanism utilizing a generally circular passage using an air flow for the separation of particles. Ideally, within the passage is a conduit employing a hollow winding. Particles are introduced through an input end and drawn through the winding portion forcing, through centrifugal force, the particles to press against the exterior surface of the winding. Openings in the winding allow the particles to be flung from the winding into the circular passage either directly or via feed tubes.

Abstract: Separating a mixture comprising at least two solid materials comprises transporting the mixture into a plenum, introducing air into the plenum, removing a heavier fraction of the solid materials from the plenum, removing air having a lighter fraction of the solid materials entrained therein from the plenum, removing the lighter fraction of the solid materials from the air that is removed from the plenum, filtering the remaining air, and re-circulating the air back to the plenum. Valves at the locations where material is introduced to and removed from the system can prevent air flow therethrough while allowing the materials to pass. The air can be introduced into the plenum at an angle with respect to the pathway in which the heavier fraction of the materials falls through the plenum, thereby avoiding damage to a screen that diffuses the air being introduced into the plenum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing shot from mineral fibres comprising providing a collected web of mineral fibres containing shot, subjecting the collected web of fibres to a disentanglement process, suspending the disentangled fibres in a primary air flow, thereby allowing separation of the fibres from the shot and collecting the fibres, wherein from 0% up to less than 1% by weight binder is present in the fibres collected from the primary air flow.

Abstract: A separation arrangement is provided for separating between particles of different materials having different densities and comprised in a mixture of fine particles. The arrangement comprises: a solid particles feed ingress means, a solid particles pushing/pulling means and at least one mesh adapted to stop particles of the lighter material. The particles comprised in the mixture are allowed to free fall within the separation arrangement, and particles of the lighter material are being extracted away from the free falling particles by the solid particles pushing/pulling means and conveyed towards the at least one mesh. The particles of the heavier material are allowed to complete their free fall and to reach the lower part of the separation arrangement.

Abstract: An air sifting or separating machine for dry separation of raw material, including a carrier member having openings and receiving material to be sifted or separated from a material feed mechanism, and a discharge mechanism for heavy material and light material layered on the carrier member during a sifting process. A pulsating air stream is passed through the carrier member to loosen up and layer the material fed to it. A control device for the discharge mechanism is operative via radiometrical measurement of the thickness of the material, and is comprised of a source of radiation mounted on a wall of the machine, and an associated scintillation unit that measures absorption of radiation given off by the source of radiation. The scintillation unit is disposed within a protective pipe freely mounted at a suitably set distance from the source of radiation and within a sifting or separating bed formed by the heavy material layer.

Abstract: An air classification device for separation of solids comprising an input system, a first solid separator system, an output system, and an emission containing system. The emission containing system employs supplemental air lines, a supplemental air source, and high-velocity air knives to create negative air pressure at any opening in the device. The negative air pressure induces air to move into the device and prevents polluted air from escaping the device at the openings.

Abstract: A separation arrangement is provided for separating between particles of different materials having different densities and comprised in a mixture of fine particles. The arrangement comprises: a solid particles feed ingress means, a solid particles pushing/pulling means and at least one mesh adapted to stop particles of the lighter material. The particles comprised in the mixture are allowed to free fall within the separation arrangement, and particles of the lighter material are being extracted away from the free falling particles by the solid particles pushing/pulling means and conveyed towards the at least one mesh. The particles of the heavier material are allowed to complete their free fall and to reach the lower part of the separation arrangement.

Abstract: Separating a mixture comprising at least two solid materials comprises transporting the mixture into a plenum, introducing air into the plenum, removing a heavier fraction of the solid materials from the plenum, removing air having a lighter fraction of the solid materials entrained therein from the plenum, removing the lighter fraction of the solid materials from the air that is removed from the plenum, filtering the remaining air, and re-circulating the air back to the plenum. Valves at the locations where material is introduced to and removed from the system can prevent air flow therethrough while allowing the materials to pass. The air can be introduced into the plenum at an angle with respect to the pathway in which the heavier fraction of the materials falls through the plenum, thereby avoiding damage to a screen that diffuses the air being introduced into the plenum.

Abstract: The powder classifying device classifies powder having a particle size distribution and collects the classified powder. The device includes a disc-like cavity to which the powder is supplied and where the supplied powder is classified, a powder supply port for supplying the powder to the cavity, guide vanes arranged so as to extend from an outer periphery of the cavity in an inner direction at a predetermined angle, a discharge unit for air streams including fine particles discharged from the cavity, a collection unit for coarse particles discharged from the cavity and air nozzles arranged below the guide vanes on an outer peripheral wall of the cavity along a tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall and blow compressed air into an inside of the cavity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. A valveless conduit provides particle communication from the upper zone to the middle zone and a valved conduit provides particle communication from the middle zone to the lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through the conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the middle zone, the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduit, and the valve in the valved conduit.

Abstract: A classifier includes a central particle inlet, an inclined feed surface, and a classification surface. A plurality of particle feeding vanes are positioned above the feed surface, and the plurality of particle feeding vanes rotate above the feed surface. A plurality of classification vanes are positioned above the classification surface, and the plurality of classification vanes rotate above the classification surface. Particles enter the classifier through the inlet near an axis of rotation and flow radially outward on the feed surface to the classification surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating particulate material into relatively fine and relatively coarse particles wherein such particulate material and a gas stream are introduced independently of one another to a separating zone through which the gas stream flows at such volume and velocity as to entrain fine particles and convey them from the separating zone to grinding or other facilities and wherein the fineness of entrained particles may be adjusted by diverting a selected portion of the gas stream from the separating zone to a bypass passageway followed by recombining the diverted portion of such gas stream with the gas containing the entrained particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugal separator with an inlet channel for a flow containing coarse and fine particles, a first outlet channel for a flow containing predominantly coarse particles, a second outlet channel for a flow containing predominantly fine particles and a separator chamber with at least one separator device, wherein the separator chamber connects the inlet channel to the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel, and wherein the inlet channel, the separator channel and the two outlet channels form a flow path. To improve the degree of efficiency, as a first separator device, one or more separator pockets are arranged in the separator chamber, which project into the flow path. Also disclosed is a corresponding method for the separation of a flow containing coarse and fine particles.

Abstract: An improved dried lavender processing apparatus and method comprises a multi-module system comprising a first de-stemmer unit that receives the dried lavender in bundles, separates the buds (corollas/calyxes) from the stems and leaves, collects the stems and leaves as waste, and provides the buds to a second separator/classifier unit. The second, separator/classifier unit employs air or vacuum transport to convey, separate and classify the final bud product from the minor stem, leaves and minor debris and to exhaust and remove the hazardous dust and organic particulates. The system may include a third unit comprising a dust collector system. The final product flower buds are collected in an output hopper in clean condition for immediate bagging as a potpourri or sachet product, or may be further processed for the essential oils.

Abstract: An air suspension grain cleaner system for efficiently cleaning grain in small applications. The air suspension grain cleaner system includes a frame, a cleaning chamber, a blower unit fluidly connected to a lower portion of the cleaning chamber, a grain inlet fluidly connected to the cleaning chamber, an exhaust chamber fluidly connected to an upper portion of the cleaning chamber, a cleaning damper within the cleaning chamber, and an exhaust damper within the exhaust chamber. A first control member is preferably positioned between the grain inlet and the cleaning chamber to prevent pressurized air from passing through the grain inlet.

Abstract: A longitudinal micrometric separator for the classification of solid particulate materials comprising an outer casing having an inflow opening and an outflow opening for the particulate material, a collection chamber at the bottom, as well as a sliding support for the particulate material extending substantially along a longitudinal drawing axis, in which the material is conveyed in the direction of the aforesaid longitudinal axis by a forced fluid flow. The sliding support comprises at least one first inclined wall, lying in a plane parallel to the drawing axis, and at least one dropping channel with axis parallel to the drawing axis and connected to a side end of the same inclined wall, the other side end of the inclined wall being set at a distance from the internal surfaces of the casing.

Abstract: A fine-particle classification apparatus includes an aerosol generation section which generates an aerosol containing fine particles in a medium background gas, a fine-particle classification section which classifies the fine particles contained in the aerosol in a sheath gas, and an introduction section, between the aerosol generation section and the fine-particle classification section, which introduces the aerosol generated in the aerosol generation section into the fine-particle classification section. The introduction section uses a carrier gas with an adequately high velocity to introduce the aerosol generated in the aerosol generation section to the classification section using a pressure difference.

Abstract: A parts separator is provided for separating undesired heavy material from wet chips. The parts separator is adapted to be attached to a centrifugal separator, and includes a first chute member having a top portion and a bottom portion and including spaced open first and second chute ends. The first end is adapted to receive wet chips to be centrifuged and the second end is adapted to be connected to a centrifugal parts separator. The parts separator also includes a heavy material drop out opening disposed in the first chute member bottom portion. The first chute member top has at least one opening disposed therein. The parts separator also includes a second chute member having spaced open first and second ends. The first end of the second chute member is adapted to receive wet chips to be separated and the second chute member end is attached to the first chute member at the location of the opening in the first chute top portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a cyclone comprising a generally cylindrical inlet head into which a vortex finder extends co-axially, and from which a tubular section extends opposed to the vortex finder, a generally tangentially disposed inlet for introducing raw material into the inlet head, the tangential inlet being elongated at the zone of its junction with the inlet head to define a major outer wall and a major inner wall, the major outer wall merging with the wall of the cylindrical inlet head generally tangentially at such junction, while the major inner wall diverges towards the axis of the inlet head at each junction.

Abstract: A multi-chamber fluidized bed classifying apparatus comprising; a main chamber having a fluidized bed arranged on wind boxes, through a perforated gas distributing plate is divided into a drying chamber and a classifying chamber by a partition plate, and a communication passage is defined under the plate. The wind boxes have respective lower ends connected to discharge devices respectively. The wind box is connected to a processing fluidization gas supply system for supplying the fluidization gas into the box, while the wind box is connected to a classifying fluidization gas supply system for supplying the fluidization gas into the box. The classifying fluidization gas supply system is provided with a flow control unit which adjusts the quantity of gas supplied into the classifying chamber to control the size of classified particles. The processing fluidization gas supply system is provided with a control unit, which adjusts the gas quantity and/or the temperature of gas supplied into the drying chamber.

Abstract: A gas stream classifier has a gas stream classifier for classifying a feed powder supplied from a feed supply nozzle, into at least a coarse powder fraction, a median powder fraction and a fine powder fraction by an inertia force acting on particles and a centrifugal force acting on a curved gas stream due to Coanda effect in a classification zone, wherein the classification zone is defined by at least a Coanda block and a plurality of classifying edges, the feed supply nozzle is attached at the top of the gas stream classifier, the Coanda block is attached on one side of the feed supply nozzle, and the feed supply nozzle has at its rear end a feed powder intake portion for supplying the feed powder, and a high-pressure air intake portion.

Abstract: A gas current classifier has a material feed nozzle, a Coanda block, a classifying wedge and a classifying wedge block having the classifying wedge. The Coanda block and the classifying wedge define a classification zone, and the classifying wedge block is set up in the manner that its location is changeable so that the form of the classification zone can be changed.

Abstract: A raw material is dispersed around a rotating separator main body having a plurality of classifying blades annularly arranged on the main body and is exposed on a rising flow of classifying air so as to sift off crude powder which cannot be entrained on the flow of the classifying air. The remaining raw material entrained on the classifying air is peripherally introduced into the separator main body for classification into fine and crude powders, the fine power being the powder which is allowed to pass through the classifying blades while the crude powder is the powder which is not allowed to pass. A dispersion plate is arranged between the separator main body and a raw material inlet above the separator main body to receive and disperse the raw material from the inlet. The dispersion plate is rotatable at number of revolutions different from that of the separator main body.

Abstract: In a method for separating heavy particles from a particulate material containing such heavy particles, use is made of a device having a Coanda sifter, which is adapted to receive a flow of the particulate material and which has a downwardly-facing, convexly single-curved surface (9), and a zigzag sifter (13) arranged after the Coanda sifter and having a plurality of zig-zag-shaped vertical walls (14) which are perpendicular to the axis of curvature of the single-curved surface (9) and define between them channels (15) extending upwards in zig-zag fashion. The particulate material is transported to the Coanda sifter and is conducted over its convexly single-curved surface (9) to have imparted to it a direction of motion (P1, P2) which is dependent on the weight of the particles and in which the particles are guided into the zigzag sifter (13). The particles are guided into the channels (15) of the zigzag sifter (13) in the lower portions thereof and from the side parallel to the channel walls (14).

Abstract: A device for cleaning a mixture of substantially granular grains containing differently sized particles comprises a housing (5) which has an inlet (11) for the mixture (1) on its upper side and an outlet (12) for the cleaned granules (18) on its lower side as well as a distributing plate (6). Cleaning gas flows through the granules falling down through the device against the direction of their fall. In the inlet area there is provided a guiding device (19) for the inflowing mixture (1) and a retention unit (2) for the larger particles (3). The distributing plate (6) is provided with a covering hood (16) having a recess (17) for the inflowing mixture. Between the distributing plate (6) and the covering hood (16) there is provided a slot (8), which preferably has a height of about 8 to 15 mm.

Abstract: The application disclosed a granular material classifying device comprising a horizontally disposed, transversely unrestricted wind tunnel, having an upstream end, a downstream end, a top end and a bottom end, for directing a horizontal airflow from the upstream end to the downstream end thereof; an air forcing assembly operatively mounted on the wind tunnel for inducing the horizontal airflow therethrough; a particle injection assembly operatively associated with the wind tunnel for free fallingly injecting a flow of granular particles to be classified into the horizontal airflow at an upstream, top end portion of the wind tunnel; and a bottom skirt assembly mounted at a bottom portion of the wind tunnel; the bottom skirt assembly defining at least one transversely unrestricted skirt cavity in fluid communication with the wind tunnel and having a downwardly and inwardly tapering cross sectional configuration adapted to provide a low velocity airflow interface between the wind tunnel horizontal airflow and th

Abstract: A foreign object removal system is disclosed including a removal chamber projecting laterally from the combustion chamber of a fluid bed reactor and connected via a downwardly directed pipe to a material flow control plenum chamber, which includes means for fluidizing the mixture of inert bed particles and foreign objects at the bottom of the pipe for lateral movement into an air classifier, wherein the foreign objects are dropped to a collection tank and the fluid bed particles are carried upwardly by a stream of classifying air to a deentrainment chamber where their velocity is reduced and they are returned to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for classifying particles entrained by a solid-gas jet stream includes a feed nozzle, a cyclonic wall having an inner arcuate wall, and an auxiliary inner arcuate wall provided at an outlet port of the nozzle. The solid-gas stream is preliminarily bent along the auxiliary inner wall so that the particles are preliminarily or roughly classified into undersized and oversized particles by the action of the centrifugal force before they are classified by the cyclonic wall. The apparatus may include a collecting port disposed downstream of the nozzle outlet port and spaced slightly away from the inner arcuate wall of the cyclonic wall. The collecting port permits the apparatus to collect the undersized particles in a more effective manner.

Abstract: A process for classifying toner particles supplied through a supply nozzle into at least three fractions in a classifying chamber divided into at least three sections and placed under a reduced pressure under the action of the inertia force of the toner particles supplied together with a gas stream and the centrifugal force of the curved gas stream due to Coanda effect. A first gas introduction pipe and a second gas introduction pipe are disposed above the classifying chamber so as to provide a first inlet and a second inlet opening with the first inlet being disposed closer to the supply nozzle than the second inlet. The absolute values of the static pressures P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 in the first and second gas introduction pipes are controlled so as to satisfy the relations of: .vertline.P.sub.1 .vertline..gtoreq.150 mm.aq., .vertline.P.sub.2 .vertline..gtoreq.40 mm.aq. and .vertline.P.sub.1 .vertline.-.vertline.P.sub.2 .vertline..gtoreq.100 mm.aq.

Abstract: Separator device for edible meal, comprising a vertical cylindrical container (4) provided at its the bottom with a discharge rotary valve (9). A feeding duct (5) extends axially into the top portion of the container, and swirling means are provided so that the meal to be treated will reach with a whirling flow the central portion of a distributing chamber (31) having equispaced lateral openings (32) from which equal spiral-shaped tubes (33) protrude outwards with the same curvature, whereby the meal is discharged tangentially onto the periphery of an underlying horizontal dish (6) which is arranged co-axially in the upper portion of the container (4). Arranged at a suitable distance above the disc there is a horizontal partition (1) which is fixed to the container and is sealingly traversed by the curved feeding tubes (33).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel machine that, by a dry process, will segregate granules of different specific gravities. The machine first segregates the granules as to size, regardless of their specific gravities and regardless of the multiplicity of the sizes (within limits set by the machine). In the next step the machine feeds individual granules side by side ranging progressively from fine to more coarse into a stream of air that ranges in carrying power from low to high in a sequence corresponding to the increasing sizes of the granules that fall through it. The carrying power of the air stream is regulated to convey granules having the same specific gravity to the same container, regardless of the sizes of the granules. Granules of different specific gravities will be deposited in different containers. Thus gold will be segregated from silver, and silver from copper etc. by the present invention.The invention is more fully described in the preceding specification.

Abstract: A classifying system including an air elutriation device is disclosed, which device is in the form of an upright box defining an airflow chamber open at its lower end and connected at its upper end to an exhauster device. A mixture of particulate materials is admitted into the chamber through a slot in the side of the box above a series of rods which extend across the chamber and are adjustable for varying the rate and turbulence of the airflow in the admitting zone to separate the lighter particles from the heavier particles in the mixture with the lighter particles being carried by the airflow upwardly and out of the chamber.

Abstract: Circulating air classifier having a separator chamber containing an impeller rotatable about a vertical axis, and a funnel-shaped pre-separator disposed underneath and in open communication with the separator chamber. A blower forces air through a conduit. Material to be classified is fed into the air through an inlet in the conduit. The feed material and air enter the upper part of the pre-separator tangentially causing pre-separation, i.e. some coarse matter to separate. The air with the remaining feed material passes upwardly into the separator chamber wherein aided by the impeller further separation of coarse matter takes place. The air with the suspended fine material passes out of the separator chamber into cyclones wherein the fine material is separated from the air. The thus cleansed air is recirculated to the suction side of the blower.

Abstract: A continuous flow of material is separated in a continuous centrifugal classifying method into at least one fraction of coarse material and at least one fraction of fine material using a deflected flow with the stream of material introduced in a thin layer into a classifying flow which is deflected in a classifying region, the classifying flow being internally adjacent a curved inner deflection wall having an inner deflection angle greater than approximately 45.degree.

Abstract: A fruit gathering machine, by which the fruit is released by means of shakers, is provided with means for separating out leaves which are removed at the same time. The leaves and fruit fall towards lateral discharge conveyors and each conveyor has air ducting with outlet openings whereby air jets are directed from opposite sides of the conveyor. An upper jet of air discharges the leaves from the machine.The machine is specially adapted for use in grape gathering.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically popping corn in heated seasoning oil. A rotary valve disk in a closed pot is operated to correlate the phases of corn and salt input into the pot, cooking, steam discharge, and discharge of popped corn and unpopped kernels by means of an air current. A deflector plate directs the air into a path for optimum corn evacuation through a downwardly facing outlet. The air current sweeps the corn and kernels through the outlet and along a curved path whereby the corn and kernels are separated from the air current. Thereafter the air current is recirculated into the pot. "Old maids" in the discharge of popped corn from the pot are trapped and separated therefrom for removal through a chute in one form, or through a screen in the bottom of the display case in another form.