Abstract: A soil plug processing mechanism for processing soil plugs which occur during ground maintenance. The soil plug processing mechanism having a separating device for picking up and processing the soil plugs by separating the soil plug material into fine particles and coarse particles. The separating device has at least one rotatable rotary sieve which has a rotatably driveable sieve drum with an outside surface which is configured at least partially as a sieve area.

Abstract: Grading machines include machines for sorting and/or separation of solid granular or particulate materials according to the physical parameters of the component particles. Some grading machines employ a grading cylinder for retaining the material, the grading cylinder being driven by the machine to rotate about its axis. Disclosed herein are devices for easy insertion, removal, or replacement of grading cylinders from such grading machines. Also disclosed are methods for cylinder removal from a grading machine, e.g. for maintenance or cylinder replacement. The devices and methods disclosed permit stacking of grading machines in a factory or industrial setting.

Abstract: An apparatus for formation of a course of fibrous materials on a perforated forming wire mesh with an underlying suction box and an overlying fiber distribution box, in which a pair of rotating, perforated drum cylinders are provided for the delivery of a stream of air-fluidised fiber, which is then flung out down on to the wire mesh by the drawing-down of air by the suction box from the upper end of the distribution box, cover plates (18) is arranged at a distance below the upper level of the drum cylinders, which plates substantially shield-off the free flow of air down through the vertical spaces between the drums themselves and between the drums and the adjacent side walls of the distribution box.

Abstract: An apparatus for sieving a particulate material into selected size fractions. This apparatus includes a screen for separating the particulate material into an undersize fraction and an oversize fraction, and having an inlet end and an outlet end. The apparatus further includes a rotating/oscillating drive for rotating or oscillating the screen about an axis thereof, and a twin phase drive for driving the screen in a vertical direction and an axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of removing and transporting empty, recyclable, aluminum and plastic beverage containers returned to redemption centers without requiring the redemption centers to sort the containers by distributor and then separate the containers into like materials for removal. The present invention also illuminates the burden imposed on the distributors from having to pick up the containers from the redemption centers, then shred or bale the materials, and then sell the materials to recyclers. The invention comprises the steps of collecting and depositing the aluminum and plastic containers into a single holding bin at the redemption center's facilities. Using a blower such as a centrifugal fan and chute to blow the contents of the holding bin into a transporter such as a semi-trailer or compactor. Transporting the transporter to a separating facility which automatically separates the aluminum and plastic containers into like materials.

Abstract: The secondary grain separator comprises an outer drum (12) constituted by at least two successive perforated lengths (18, 20, 22) having different mesh sizes, a feed chute (24) at the upstream end of the drum for pouring substances into the drum for separation along a vertical tangent, a curved wall (14) situated inside the drum and running from the chute at least as far as the bottom of the drum and defining an annular gap (16) for receiving the substances to be separated, deflector fins (30) inside the drum and inclined relative to the drum axis, and a collecting volute (34) surrounding the drum and including radially extending partitions (40, 42) defining collecting channels (44, 46, 48) facing the various lengths of the drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of the combustible portion of crushed domestic waste. The waste is pre-dried and separated from dense-medium material such as metal and glass prior to processing. A dried waste moisture level of about 8-10% is maintained throughout the process. High heat value briquets are produced without the addition of a bonding agent by sifting out fine inert material and plastic material prior to briquetting.

Abstract: The seed cleaner comprises a scalper drum which drives an auger pick up and which separates all materials thicker than the desired seed such as head, stalks and the like. The remaining fraction then passes through an air cleaner which removes chaff, dust and light fractions. The remainder is fed into a pair of shells or drums which screen out seed and the like which is thinner than the desired fraction and then this desired fraction passes into an indent or pocket-type separator drum. This indent drum includes two sections, the first section which removes seeds shorter than the desired length and the second section which removes and discharges longer than desired seeds. The remaining seed is fed from the second section and collected at the discharge end of a trough pick up of the indent drum.

Abstract: A sugar cane harvester having walls defining a channel through which harvested sugar cane is to be conveyed. Power-rotated conveyor rollers extending across the channel move the cane through the channel. At least one of the rollers is in the form of a drum of expanded metal which allows escape from the cane of earth and rocks and permits inflow of air to trash removal apparatus.

Abstract: Tobacco is graded by size by separating a sample into size fractions using a rotary drum screen. The sample is characterized by two distribution curves, one for a finer portion and the other for a coarser portion. The crossing point of logarithmic plots of the percentage by weight vs. particle size distributions of the two portions provides a precise and sensitive descriptor, which can be termed as a "percent desirable fraction," for grading the size characteristics of threshed or cut tobacco.