Abstract: A screening device (1) comprises a first compartment (3) for receiving solid particulate material, a second compartment (5) for receiving screened particulates from said first compartment (3), a perforated wall (7) separating the first (3) and second (5) compartments from each other for screening the solid particulate material into at least two particulate size-dependent fractions, and a gas permeable layer (21) for fluidization of particulates in said first compartment (3). The first compartment (3) is provided with a solid particulate material inlet (9) located at a first end (22) of screening device (1), and a particulate material outlet (11) located at a second end (24) of screening device (1), with perforated wall (7) extending from first end (22) to second end (24) of screening device (1), enabling simultaneous transport and screening of at least a portion of said solid particulate material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manipulating particles on a micro- or nano-scale. An embodiment of the present invention includes a magnetic micro-manipulation technique that utilizes micro-coils and soft magnetic microscopic wires for localized manipulation of particles. Another embodiment of the present invention uses magneto-static interaction between two magnetic microscopic wires to mechanically manipulate particles. Yet another embodiment of the present invention combines a magnetic particle with a magnetic manipulator or other device for generating magnetic fields to operate as a micro-fluidic micro-motor. Other embodiments of the present invention employ a magnetic separation system employing porous membranes partially filled with magnetic wires.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter device, especially for a fluidised bed system and particularly for use in the pharmaceutical industry, for separating particles larger than a separating grain from an amount of particles in a fluid flow. The filter device includes a housing and at least one filter portion. A part of the housing is mounted for rotational movement, and the filter portion is provided in the housing, whereby the filter portion is movable upon rotation of the housing. The present invention also relates to a method for separating particles using such a filter device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter device, especially for a fluidized bed system and particularly for use in the pharmaceutical industry, for separating particles larger than a separating grain from an amount of particles in a fluid flow. The filter device includes a housing and at least one filter portion. A part of the housing is mounted for rotational movement, and the filter portion is provided in the housing, whereby the filter portion is movable upon rotation of the housing. The present invention also relates to a method for separating particles using such a filter device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating elastomeric particulates from a pulverized mixture wherein a first separator assembly separates out substantially clean fiber and passes non-fibrous particulates and residual fiber to a second separator assembly that separates out substantially clean non-fibrous particulates. The method includes propelling the pulverized mixture under a plurality of first separator cylinders with mixture-engaging structure and against a structure for removing non-fibrous particulates and residual fibers from the pulverized mixture. The non-fibrous particulates and residual fibers are propelled under a plurality of second separator cylinders that include centrifugally releasable mixture-engaging structures and against a structure for separating non-fibrous particulates from the residual fibers.

Abstract: Air is drawn upwardly through a vertical air separation chamber with an open bottom. Material to be separated is introduced into the rising stream of air. Material having a smaller ballistic cross-section rises, while heavier material falls through the open bottom. The air stream is controlled to below about 1,500 feet per minute. The dispersion of the material is accomplished with a jet of air taken from a plenum connected to an air recirculation system. The air jet is introduced immediately below the material inlet to the chamber. The jet of air breaks up and disperses the material. An air recirculation system includes a fan which draws air out of the top of the air separation chamber by way of a hydrocyclone. The air extracted from the hydrocyclone is reintroduced at the bottom of the air separation chamber from a surrounding plenum.

Abstract: A chamber has a drive shaft rotatably mounted therein and extending along substantially the entire longitudinal extent of the chamber. This drive shaft is rotatably driven by a motor at a speed of 1,200-10,000 rpm. A plurality of screens having a mesh of 6-10 mesh are spaced from each other along the longitudinal extent of the chamber in opposing relationship and attached to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. Above the screens are a pair of discs which are attached to the shaft for rotation therewith and longitudinally spaced from each other. First and second similar plates having circular apertures formed therein are fixedly attached to the chamber in longitudinally spaced relationship, the first and second discs being positioned in the apertures of said first and second plates respectively. Gas to be purified is fed into the bottom of the chamber and driven upwardly by a compressor fan attached to the drive shaft.

Abstract: An improved vibrating screener is disclosed as including an inlet system which provides for tangential input of the material to be processed by the screener. A spacing frame is provided in connection with the tangential inlet in order to separate materials by disengaging particles from the input material as it spirals down the side of the spacing frame and feed tray. During the spiraling down action, the material decreases in velocity. During the separation process, an external loop is used for by-passed air, thereby providing the full diameter of the machine for the by-pass screen, to avoid by-pass screen blinding. The by-passed air can then be used to pick up the screened powder at the bottom of the unit; or, the by-passed air is reintroduced below the separating screen to flush the machine free of screened product.

Abstract: A air density separation has a vertical air separation chamber that opens downwardly to allow rejected material to fall out the chamber through the open bottom. The air density separator is configured to recirculate the air and entrained fines, and so minimizes emissions and costly air treatment processes. The air separation chamber is connected by a first duct to a cyclone. A fan is positioned adjacent the lower end of the air separation chamber, and draws air through a second duct out of the cyclone for reintroduction into the air chamber. The fan by way of the cyclone draws air through the first duct from the air separation chamber. The fan exhausts into the vertical air separation chamber below the material infeed through a plenum. An oscillating screen composed of bars extends into the separation chamber of the air density separator and is used to disperse material into the separation chamber.

Abstract: An airstream solid sorting technology easily and efficiently sorts electric wire and other slender objects from other unslender objects in crushed bulk wastes. A mixture of slender and unslender objects is supplied into an airstream sorting vessel, in which a turbulent stream of gas supplied from below through a meshed screen tilted in its bottom agitates the mixture. Slender objects stalling and falling longitudinally in the direction in which gravity works pass through the meshed screen, thus falling into a slender objects collecting vessel placed below the meshed screen. Unslender objects sliding down along the tilted meshed screen are thus separated.

Abstract: A grain separator to separate and remove contaminants such as dust and debris from grain including an intermediate separator housing having a grain inlet port to receive grain to be scoured from an external source, a grain outlet port to feed scoured grain to an external collector, a first containments discharge port to discharge heavier contaminants removed from the grain to a first external receptacle and a second contaminants discharge port to discharge lighter contaminants removed from the grain to a second external receptacle, a mechanical separator and transport assembly operatively disposed within the intermediate separator housing to receive the grain and contaminants from the grain inlet port to separate the contaminants from the grain and to move the grain from the grain inlet port to the grain outlet port for collection in the external collector, a first containments transport assembly disposed to receive the heavier contaminants from the mechanical separator and transport assembly and to move the

Abstract: A grain separator to separate and remove contaminants such as dust and debris from grain including an intermediate separator housing having a grain inlet port to receive grain to be scoured from an external source, a grain outlet port to feed scoured grain to an external collector, a first containments discharge port to discharge heavier contaminants removed from the grain to a first external receptacle and a second contaminants discharge port to discharge lighter contaminants removed from the grain to a second external receptacle, a mechanical separator and transport assembly operatively disposed within the intermediate separator housing to receive the grain and contaminants from the grain inlet port to separate the contaminants from the grain and to move the grain from the grain inlet port to the grain outlet port for collection in the external collector, a first containments transport assembly disposed to receive the heavier contaminants from the mechanical separator and transport assembly and to move the

Abstract: An improved article separator in which the particles are separated through the use of an vertical air-flow permitting heavier particles to fall while entraining the lighter particles and storing them in a hopper. The air flow is automatically controlled using a microprocessor or similar apparatus which checks the air-flow/speed within the vertical channel or tubing. Using this data, the controller adjusts a dampener at the end of the channel. The dampener, restricts the flow of air through it so that the overall air-flow within the channel is adjusted. Using a dust collector to create the air-flow, a plurality of vertical columns are used to separate varying sizes of particles. In this manner, the debris is simply swept or shoveled into a hopper and the particles are automatically separated.

Abstract: A semolina cleaning apparatus allows basic operations as in the prior art with complete visual surveillance of operation, but with an outwardly closed product guidance. In this way, entry and exit of dust is completely prevented during normal operation as well as when removing samples. Accordingly, it is possible to operate an individual apparatus as well as an entire group of semolina cleaning apparatuses with circulating air. The air intake can be effected from above.

Abstract: By rotating a seed agitater means such as a rotary cutter within a seed container in which seeds such as of spinach and lawn grass are admitted, the seeds are peeled to separate seed cores from seed coats while being stirred. The seed cores free from the seed coats are allowed to pass through a screen attached to the bottom of the seed container so as to collect stripped seeds thus obtained. The stripped seeds enjoy a very high rate of germination.

Abstract: A coarse particle separator for separating and collecting coarse toner particles having a size greater than substantially 500 microns comprises a tank having an inlet and an outlet, the separation being performed within the tank. The inlet to the tank is located at a lower portion of the tank and is connected to an eductor station by an eductor line. Particles are introduced to the inlet by the eductor line at a velocity of approximately 4500 ft/min. The separation of coarse and light toner particles can be performed by reducing the flow velocity so the coarse particles settle out by their own weight. A flow baffle made of a 75 micron screen hinders the passage of coarse particles. The outlet outputs light toner particles to at least one toner storage bin. Alternatively, the tank can have a conical-shaped upper portion which induces a cyclone effect in the flow of toner particles, the cyclone effect resulting in the collection of coarse particles in the lower portion of the tank.

Abstract: A granular material cleaning apparatus and method. The apparatus has an upright container housing assembly; an inlet housing assembly pivotally connected to the upright container housing assembly to receive a contaminated granular material; and material inlet control assembly mounted to the upright container housing at an upper inlet portion thereof. A discharge housing assembly is mounted to the upright container housing assembly; and a material flow channel assembly is mounted within the container housing assembly generally underneath the material inlet control assembly to initially receive the contaminated granular material at an upper end thereof and pass the same under gravity moving transversely on the material flow channel assembly until discharged into the discharge housing assembly.

Abstract: The invention is comprised of an apparatus for cleaning particulate material, particularly grain, wherein the grain is comprised of relatively heavy whole grain particulates and relatively lightweight fine grain particles and foreign material. An upstanding vertically disposed housing has upper and lower ends with upper and lower vertically spaced hoppers having upper and lower ends mounted therein. Vibrating screen members of a frusto-conical shape are mounted on the upper ends of the hoppers. The hoppers are laterally spaced from the housing to create a substantially continuous vertical air conduit from the lower to the upper end of the housing. A centrifugal fan is mounted on the top of the housing to move air upwardly through the air conduit. A second air conduit connects the lower ends of the hoppers and the upper end of the housing, and is operable so that suction is imposed by the fan on the second air conduit.

Abstract: A method of deinking comprises: (a) mechanically fiberizing a secondary fiber source in a substantially dry state, preferably air dry, thereby producing a fibrous material consisting of substantially discrete fibers and ink-bearing fines: (b) depositing the fibrous material onto a moving screen or wire which retains fibers and allows fines to pass therethrough; and (c) lifting the fibrous material above the screen with upwardly directed forced air and redepositing the material onto the screen, whereby upon re-deposition of the material, additional fines pass through the screen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and apparatus for processing new or reclaiming used abrasive material such as that material used in the surface preparation of structural steel prior to the application of paint or other protective coating. A stream of wet abrasive material, debris and contaminants is placed in a pre-scalper which serves to separate out components thereof having diameter greater than one (1) inch. The remaining abrasives are then conveyed to a dryer for drying. The flow of hot air through the dryer separates fines and talc from the stream of abrasives. The abrasives are then placed in a rotary scalper which serves to remove all particles greater than 3/16ths of an inch in diameter. A dust plenim surrounds the rotary scalper and serves to remove all fines and talc which pass through a 150 mesh screen.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of separating elongated articles having certain aerodynamic properties from a mixture containing contaminating particles of random shape is disclosed wherein a housing is diagonally divided into upper and lower chambers with a separation apparatus communicating between the chambers. The separation apparatus includes a funnel disposed within the upper chamber, a diffuser tube disposed within the lower chamber and a tubular neck connecting the funnel to the diffuser tube. A hopper is disposed above the funnel for dispensing the mixture to the funnel. A fluid, such as air, is forced into the lower chamber at a sufficient pressure to establish a predetermined flow rate through the diffuser tube and tubular neck to the base of the funnel. This flow rate is adequate to create a "fluidized bed" in the mixture, at the base of the funnel, permitting the articles and contaminating particles to move relative to each other.