Abstract: A pulverizing dry-washer includes a frame, an upper feeder, a bi-directional pulverizing box, a recovery unit, and a counterweight fan assembly. The upper feeder is angularly attached to an upper end of the frame so that the ore can be screened and discharged into the bi-directional pulverizing box that is positioned below the upper feeder. The bi-directional pulverizing box is mounted onto the recovery unit to further to screen the ore that receives from the upper feeder. A riffle board within the recovery unit is then able to trap precious metal while clay/sedimentary material are discharged through the end of the recovery unit. The counterweight fan assembly is mounted within the recovery unit. An air flow is introduced into the recovery unit via the counterweight fan assembly so that the recovery unit and the bi-directional pulverizing box can be vibrated to separate the precious metal from clay/sedimentary material.

Abstract: A server system and method is for facilitating garment creation. A processor and storage device are configured to receive and store designed digital garment or garment parts for selection, approval and/or inclusion into a digital garment. A designer interface is accessible over a network and is configured to view, approve, select and place two or more of the digital garment parts together to form a digital garment to store in the storage device. An online purchase system is configured to access the storage device to select and purchase the digital garment from a plurality of available digital garments.

Abstract: A generally elastic riffle assembly useful with a dry washer is provided with a frame that is receivable within the washer opening through which the mined particulates descend while the washer is agitated to separate the denser particulates and a set of inclined transverse riffles aligned across the frame to form wedge shaped transverse cavities in which the descending particulates are collected. Each of the riffles further include a plurality of generally vertical posts attached to their elevated edges which assist in the separation of the particulate flow and in setting off of the various modes of elastic motion of their corresponding riffle.

Abstract: A generally elastic riffle assembly useful with a dry washer is provided with a frame that is receivable within the washer opening through which the mined particulates descend while the washer is agitated to separate the denser particulates and a set of inclined transverse riffles aligned across the frame to form wedge shaped transverse cavities in which the descending particulates are collected. Each of the riffles further include a plurality of generally vertical posts attached to their elevated edges which assist in the separation of the particulate flow and in setting off of the various modes of elastic motion of their corresponding riffle.

Abstract: The gold concentrate recovery system and a gold concentrate recovery method capable of recovering gold concentrates from gold ores with high efficiency and stability. The system and method include a shaking table 2 including a plurality of riffles 3 provided on an upper surface 2a. The riffles 3 include a plurality of first riffles 3a provided on the upper surface 2a of the shaking table 2, and at least a second riffle 3b disposed in a flat area 12 where the first riffles 3a are not provided.

Abstract: Opposite ends of a dry vibration-fluidized separator are moved with complex vibrations, including linear, whirl, linear plus whirl, oscillation, linear plus oscillation, pitch and roll. Near zero to large amplitudes up to about ±0.050 inches and low frequencies of about 30 Hz are used. Mixed particulate materials are fed into a first end and circulate across and along the separator in a shallow depth. More dense materials move linearly along a floor and are removed through an opening in a second end of the floor. The less dense materials flow over a weir at the second end of the separator.

Abstract: An automated laundry sorting system is disclosed of the type wherein previously-laundered laundry items on hangers are tagged with electronic identification devices and sorted into predetermined groups. The improvement includes an automatic joining apparatus for electronically separating the predetermined groups from each other and then physically joining together the laundry items representing a single group, such as garments belonging to a single employee.

Abstract: Scrap containing copper is discriminated from iron scrap after being pulverized by imaging iron scrap using a color TV camera, treating RGB signals processed by each of the points in the image as a color vector, and discriminating scrap containing copper from iron scrap when the saturation value of the color vector is larger than a predetermined value and the hue angle of the color vector lies within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A system for processing wastewood. The system may be mounted on a towable chassis. The wastewood is received at one end of the system and metal contaminants are removed from the wastewood. The wastewood is then separated according to size wherein a first size of wastewood is further processed by the system and a second size is removed from the system for subsequent re-processing. Unwanted paper and plastic contaminants are removed from the wastewood, and the wastewood of the first size is subjected to a further separating step wherein it is again separated according to size into usable end products.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting foreign substances in a fiber tuft stream and for separating the foreign substances therefrom, includes a conduit guiding the fiber tuft stream therethrough in a conveying direction; a metal detector situated at a first location of the conduit for detecting a metal substance in flight and for emitting signals representing the metal substance; a first separating device situated at a second location of the conduit downstream of the first location as viewed in the conveying direction; a first control device connected to the metal detector and the first separating device for operating the first separating device in response to a signal emitted by the metal detector for removing the detected metal substance; an optical sensor situated at a third location of the conduit for detecting a non-metal substance in flight and for emitting signals representing the non-metal substance; a second separating device situated at a fourth location of the conduit; a second control device connected to the

Abstract: An infeed conveyor feeds seed cotton modules successively to a feeder head having disperser drums which reduce the modules to clumps of cotton. Incorporated into the conveyor are fluted rollers and beater rollers which cooperate to agitate the bottom portion of the modules and work the fibers on the bottom of each module so as to stretch and relax these fibers, thereby causing the sand, dirt, mud, trash and other debris accumulated along the bottom of the modules to be released. A conveyor feeds this debris to a hopper. Further, after the cotton modules have been dispersed into clumps of cotton by disperser drums in a feeder head and the clumps deposited in a clump chamber, a trough having a sieve means receives the clumps of cotton. In the trough, a conveyor disposed in the trough urges the clumps of cotton in a lateral direction toward an air separator box adjacent the feeder head.

Abstract: Described is a method of sorting a plurality of individually conveyed articles in groups in at least one sorting step in a suspension-type conveyor, the articles being introduced in substantially unsorted manner into a first conveyor circle and being delivered from said circle in sorted fashion to at least one second conveyor circle, with an identification source identifying every article to be conveyed individually. To be able to use such a method in a universal manner and to accelerate the sorting process, the articles are delivered in a partial quantity containing a predetermined number in a first sorting step, independently of the loaded state of the first conveyor circle, from the first conveyor circle to the second conveyor circle as soon as the partial quantity of articles to be sorted in the first sorting step has been identified on the first conveyor circle.

Abstract: Solid waste is sorted by passing it through a rotating hollow drum which has sets of extensions, called flights, from the interior wall of the drum, some sets of flights being separated from each other and from the entrance to the drum by blank sections along the drum wall. The first set of flights are knives, so that filled plastic waste bags are opened and emptied. The second set of flights are adjustable magnet strips, lifting and depositing ferrous material onto a conveyor. A ferrous scraper removes ferrous materials, for depositing onto the conveyor. The third set of flights are flexible lifters for lifting and depositing glass, grit and dirt onto another conveyor. A bar screen is positioned over the conveyor to screen out larger materials, clean the lifters, and to be cleaned by the lifters.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting paper materials includes a separating mechanism for thinning the paper materials and a sensing mechanism for classifying the paper material according to type. The separating mechanism includes a plurality conveyor belts operating at successively higher speeds, whereby passing materials from one conveyor belt to another conveyor belt results in spreading the paper material. The sensing mechanism includes a mechanical striking device to strike the paper material, a microphone to detect the sound caused by the striking device and an evaluation unit to determine the type of paper material on the basis of the sound.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for processing domestic garbage wherein the garbage is debagged and placed on a series of vibrating conveyors which are tilted with respect to the horizontal in a direction substantially normal to the direction of conveyor operation whereby the garbage is separated according to the density/hardness of the material. The apparatus can include various accessory devices including electro magnets, vacuum devices and blowing devices to assist in the separation of the material.

Abstract: There is described a method of sorting a plurality of individually conveyed articles in a suspension-type conveyor apparatus, wherein the articles circulate along a first conveyor circuit in unsorted fashion and are transferred from there individually and automatically to at least a second conveyor path and arranged in groups. To make such a method more simple and less troublesome, it is suggested that the second conveyor path be designed as a second conveyor circuit along which the articles circulate and that an automatically switchable shunt be provided between the first and second conveyor circuits. Both, the first conveyor circuit and the second conveyor circuit, are closed loop and reversibly driven.

Abstract: Solid waste is sorted by passing it through a rotating hollow drum which has sets of extensions, called flights, from the interior wall of the drum, some sets of flights being separated from each other and from the entrance to the drum by blank sections along the drum wall. The first set of flights are rotatable knives, positioned in a reverse spiral, so that larger items, usually filled plastic waste bags, are inhibited from advancing until opened and emptied. The second set of flights are adjustable magnet strips, lifting and depositing metal material onto a conveyor belt. The third set of flights are flexible lifters for lifting and depositing glass, grit and dirt onto the takeout belt, which rub against the conveyor, thus cleaning both the lifters and the conveyor. A bar screen is positioned over the conveyor to screen out larger materials, clean the lifters, and to be cleaned by the lifters. There is also a movable conveyor belt which relieves jamming by moving away from the drum wall.

Abstract: A method is proposed for recovering valuable substances, particularly from construction site wastes and industrial trash as well as a system for implementing the method in which the essential sorters are disposed in a closed container which can be placed onto an elevated foundation. The foundation is formed by intersecting walls which simultaneously serve as partitions for various bunkers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting plastic bottles for recycling wherein if it is first determined that a bottle is clear, the bottle will be ejected. If the bottle is not determined as being clear, the apparatus or method next determines if the bottle is colored. If the bottle is colored, the bottle will be ejected. The above method may also be accomplished by use of a truth table which analyzes the characteristics of a bottle. Also provided is a detector for detecting the presence of chlorine in a plastic bottle by means of X-ray fluorescence. A sorter device sorts the bottles into small diameter and large diameter bottles.

Abstract: Apparatus for classifying tobacco includes a plurality of vertical lift, single-pass, closed loop apparatus projecting a stream of mixed tobacco components across a classifying chamber of each module, and a portion thereof directly into the infeed apparatus of the next downstream module. A common porous conveyor extending through the modules of the closed loop air stream removes tobacco heavies. A second lower reversible conveyor removes overflow and dust or other particles falling out of suspension and deposits same in the heavier discharge or in another collection point. The modules as well as the infeed apparatus are interchangeable.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for recycling post-consumer plastic containers supplied as compressed bales thereof to recover at least uncolored and colored PET uncolored and colored HDPE in flake form is provided. The apparatus and process includes debaling, sortation of the desired containers from the bale, granulation of these containers into flakes, wet processing to dissolve glue and the residue of contents of the containers and to provide separation of contaminants from the desired flake by specific gravity difference, and recovery of the purified flakes.

Abstract: A wood chip screen system which includes a gyratory screen apparatus (10) and a disk screen (12). The gyratory system apparatus includes a top screen element (14) and a lower screen (16). The inflow end of the disk screen (12) is immediately adjacent the outflow end of the top screen element (14), while the lower screen element (16) underlies the disk screen (12) for a substantial distance. The size of the openings in the top screen element (14) may be changed by the operator to optimize the operation of the system. The openings in top screen element (14) may also vary along its length. The system produces chips within the acceptable size range, chips which are below the acceptable size range (pin chips and fines), and over-thick chips, which are subsequently typically transmitted to a chip size reduction apparatus such as a slicer.

Abstract: A two-stage procedure is disclosed for sorting wood chips. The chips are directed to a gyratory screen in the first stage and to a disc screen in the second stage. The chip flow is divided in the first stage into four fractions of which the first fraction contains mainly oversized chips and is directed to a pin chipper, from which it emerges as suitable-sized chips and is directed back to the gyratory screen of the first stage. The second fraction contains acceptable sized chips and most of the overthick chips and is directed to the second or thickness screening stage. The third fraction consists mainly of acceptable chips and is directed to a pulping process, while the fourth fraction consists mainly of fine particles and is directed to a burning station.

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: A system and process for sizing wood chips to provide a flow of wood chips which are acceptable for feeding to a digester of a pulping system. A flow management screen station is provided which divides an incoming unacceptable flow into two fractional flows, neither of which is acceptable for feeding to the digester. One of the output flows from the flow management screen is concentrated in oversized and overthick chips compared to the incoming flow. The other output flow is concentrated in undersized chips and particles compared to the incoming flow. The output flows from the flow management screen are then fed to second and third screening stations which separate "overs" from the respective flows to provide acceptable flows to the digester.

Abstract: A system for processing wastewood. The system may be mounted on a towable chassis. The wastewood is received at one end of the system and metal contaminants are removed from the wastewood. The wastewood is then separated according to size wherein a first size of wastewood is further processed by the system and a second size is removed from the system for subsequent re-processing. Unwanted paper and plastic contaminants are removed from the wastewood, and the wastewood of the first size is subjected to a further separating step wherein it is again separated according to size into usable end products.

Abstract: A particulate separating device (1) has an inlet (8) leading to sets of inter-leaved discs (2 and 3). The spacings between the discs determine the sizes of the particles which can pass through to an acceptance outlet (12) while larger particles are carried over to a rejection outlet (10). A comb-like barrier member (11) is interleaved with the set of discs (3) to assist in the removal of particles into the rejection outlet (10).

Abstract: A municipal solid waste material sorting system comprises a multi-stage trommel having a relatively short first stage section with relatively small holes for screening out grit, dirt, coins, small stones and the like, a second substantially longer second stage section for screening out beverage bottles, metal cans, and other waste materials of similar size and a third stage relatively short section for screening out large objects such as half gallon and gallon plastic, metal and glass containers. The respective screened municipal solid waste fractions from each of the three trommel sections are advantageously handled in respective handling streams. Materials screened in the first stage section of the trommel may be further classified as by a vibrative air table-specific gravity device to recover useful materials, such as glass cullet and coins. Materials screened in the second stage of the trommel may be further screened in a two-section disk screening and air classification arrangement.

Abstract: A wood chip sizing apparatus, based on the thickness dimension, which includes a gyratory screen system (16) comprising three separate screens (18, 22, 26) which produces a total of four fractions, one fraction (20) comprising substantially all overthick chips, another fraction (24) comprising both overthick chips and accepts, another fraction (28) comprising substantially all accepts, and another fraction (30) comprising substantially all unders. Fraction (20) is moved directly to a chip slicer (52) which reduces the size of substantially all the chips to accepts. Fraction (24) is directed to a second screening station (42) which separates fraction (24) into two further fractions (44 and 46), one of which (44) comprises overthick chips, and the other of which (46) comprises accepts. The overthick chips (fraction 44) are applied to the chip slicer (52).

Abstract: A shaking table for ore-dressing, having riffles on its deck, has circular orbital motion imposed on it to cause the riffles to oscillate, and for a standing wave to be created between the riffles. The continued circular motion acting on the standing waves causes sharp separation of the material fractions which are discharged continuously from the deck. The slope of the deck and riffles and the configuration of the riffles are critical. The slope of the deck is set empirically by estimating the approximate slope appropriate to the parameters of the material being treated and of the motion imparted to the deck; and the final adjustment is made by slewing the deck in its own plane to obtain an optimum result. For a frusto-conical deck, the adjustment is made on a flat deck and the frusto-conical deck is constructed accordingly. The deck may have rectilinear or curvilinear motion imparted to it, superimposed upon the circular motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting recyclable materials including an inlet conveyor with a magnetic pulleys that directs magnetic objects out of the flow of recyclable materials. A vacuum inlet is positioned adjacent a stepped region of the conveyor so as to pull lighter weight materials out of the material flow. A size sorting conveyor separates larger objects from the smaller lighter weight objects, and heavier objects such as glass are conveyed to still another collecting region.

Abstract: A grain sorter for use in a rotary type rice hulling and sorting device comprising a hulling part, a pneumatical sorting part, sorting cylinders rotatably installed so that mixed rice grains may be fed from one end and the sorter rice grains may be discharged from the other end. The sorting cylinders have a large number of recesses formed on their internal surface and troughs for taking out the sorted rice grains received by the recesses which are installed inside the sorting cylinder. The troughs consist of (1), a plurality of troughs for taking out finished sorted rice grains of the sorted rice grains received by the recesses and (2) a plurality of troughs for taking out sorted rice grains, which must be sorted again, of the sorted rice grains received by the recesses.

Abstract: Mixed pieces of different non-ferrous metals are sorted by initially moving the pieces through a high density, rapidly changing magnetic flux field, and immediately thereafter, freely moving the pieces along unsupported forwardly and downwardly directed trajectories resulting from the momentum of the pieces, the force of gravity and the magnetically induced repulsive forces developed in the pieces by the flux field. The magnitude of the magnetically induced repulsive forces differ for different non-ferrous metals so that the lengths of the trajectories of generally similar size and shape pieces vary accordingly for separating pieces formed of different metals. The magnetic field is provided by a horizontally axised, rapidly rotating, hollow, liquid cooled, iron wall drum having magnets affixed to its outer surface. The magnets are arranged in rows that are formed of numerous, tile-like, small, permanent magnets which are positioned end to end, with their like polarity ends adjacent.

Abstract: A mobile seed cleaning and/or separating apparatus has a wheeled, self-propelled chassis mounting a plurality of cleaning and/or separating stations. The stations are interconnected by conveyors which transport the seed through the apparatus. The cleaning and/or separating stations include a coarse screen to remove material of a size larger than the seed to be separated, an aspirator to remove relatively light material, a pair of pocket cylinders to separate materials of different sizes and a screen cylinder to finally screen the seed. After cleaning, the seed passes through a weighing device which continuously batch-weights the seed and actuates a prickling machine to introduce a furyside, mold-inhibitor or other chemical.

Abstract: A process for treating radioactive contaminated soils to remove radioactive metal oxide contaminants therefrom comprises creating a suspension of particles of the soil in a column of water, alternately forcing fresh water in the column upwardly to force ligher soil particles upwardly in the column and allowing heavier particles to gravitationally settle in the bottom of the water column. The heavy particles comprising radioactive metal oxides are collected and handled for radioactive waste material storage. The aqueous slurry of lighter soil particles is directed to a separator for removing substantial amounts of water after which the particles are directed to a conveyor and spread out to a substantially uniform thickness and detected for any radioactivity. Portions of material in which radioactive particles are detected ar diverted and the uncontaminated soil material is recovered.

Abstract: A mineral concentrator, including a main support base interconnected to a deck by a flexible support and an oscillator assembly, for recovery of free minerals from a mixture of screened raw materials is disclosed. A symmetrical deck is divided in equal parts by a longitudinal center line plane and includes two sloping surfaces extending laterally and longitudinally downwardly and away from a feed end of said deck. Water and raw material are continuously supplied at the feed end of said deck and moved along the sloping surfaces. First riffles are defined in association with the sloping surfaces and generally perpendicularly to a fall line. The first riffles intercept said raw material and terminate at a point allowing the water and entrained waste materials to fall to the side of the deck for removal from troughs positioned thereat.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating metallic from nonmetallic components in a mixture are disclosed. The process and apparatus rely upon the combination of prefractionation by sedimentation, preferably centrifugal sedimentation, followed by final concentration in a laminar flow process, preferably employing a spiral separator and one or more vibrating tables, to recover substantially all metal components of the mixture.

Abstract: Fines are separated from pin chips and a system in which a mixture of fines and pin chips is introduced onto a rotating disk which imparts centrifugal forces thereto for separation. In a first embodiment, the fines and the pin chips are propelled over different length paths to fall into separate collectors, the fines collector entraining the fines into an air stream for disposal. In this embodiment, the rotor comprises a rotary disk having a smooth upper surface, while in a second embodiment the upper surface is provided with a plurality of vanes on the upper surface thereof. In a third embodiment, the rotary disk is provided with a plurality of grooves for directing the fines over the periphery of the disk into its collector. In a fourth embodiment, the rotary disk is provided with a plurality of generally radial slots with vanes beneath in order to provide a classification between fines and pin chips.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed apparatus for separation of two mixed solid phases of which one is formed by a fluidizable powdery material and the other is formed by a material which is not fluidizable under the conditions of fluidization of the former, an enclosure is suspended by springs and formed by a lower casing portion (1) for a flow of gas and an upper casing portion (2) for a flow of fluidized powdery materials, between which there is disposed a porous fluidization wall (3), at least one conduit (4) for feeding gas to the lower casing portion (1) and at least one conduit (5) for discharging the fluidization gas from the upper casing portion (2). The upper casing (2) includes an inlet (6) for the regular introduction of the mixture of the two solid phases to be separated, an overflow (7) on a face of the enclosure for discharge of the fluidized solid phase, and an outlet for discharge of the settled solid phase.

Abstract: A gravity-magnetic ore separator for concentrating magnetic or weakly magnetic minerals having a relatively high specific gravity is disclosed. The ore separator utilizes codirectional magnetic and gravitational forces to achieve separation capabilities in excess of that which can be achieved using gravity forces alone. Typically, the gravity-magnetic ore separator is formed by retrofitting a conventional gravity separator such as a spiral, cone, pinched sluice, etc. with magnets so as to enhance the separation capability of the conventional gravitational ore separator. Means are provided to prevent build up of magnetic material on the surface over which the ore flows.

Abstract: A material separating system is disclosed having one or more pendantly supported tables with head motion devices for imparting reciprocatory motion to each of those tables to separate material mixtures supplied to the tables into at least two fractions in accordance with the specific gravity of the materials so that one fraction includes particles essentially all of which have specific gravities above some predetermined value while the other fraction particles are substantially all below that predetermined specific gravity value. Associated with each vibrator and the table or tables reciprocated by that vibrator is a remotely actuable device for modifying the attitude of the table or tables and therefor also the predetermined specific gravity value.

Abstract: A dry material sorting device for selectively sorting mixtures of granular material comprising component materials such as sand and gold having different specific gravities. The use of a horizontal wind tunnel to sort the materials is described. Use of a prescreening device to segregate particles into separate batches based on particle size prior to blowing of the material in the wind tunnel is disclosed. An alternate mode comprising screening of particles after blowing in the wind tunnel using a dynamic screen having variable aperture sizes therein is also disclosed.

Abstract: Process for sorting coarse to fine materials according to their chemical composition, in which samples are taken and analyzed, and in which the transporting and/or further processing of the materials is controlled according to the results of the analysis. The samples are taken in the form of an air swirled mixture of coarse dust and fine dust (i.e., particles with grain sizes of less than 200 .mu.m) which is obtained as a by-product or is produced artificially. The coarser dust is separated from the mixture. All of the fine dust or a fraction thereof is analyzed.

Abstract: Appratus for automatically removing stuck and down ware from an automatic glassware forming machine conveyor produces a first signal for each item of normal ware, stuck ware and down ware which is conveyed past an inspection location. Each of the first signals has a duration corresponding to the time required for passage of the corresponding item past the inspection location. In order to prevent the generation of spurious first signals, two spaced radiant energy beams are sensed which are directed transversely across the transport path of the wares and which are in coplanar alignment perpendicular to the transport path of the wares. A first one of the beams is aligned with the bases of upright wares and the other of the beams is aligned above the first beam. The first signal is produced if either of the beams is interrupted.

Abstract: A chip screening system has a primary screening station for dividing an incoming flow of chips into a first acceptable fraction and a second fraction having acceptable chips and also both oversized and overthick chips. The second fraction is directed to a second screening station where the incoming flow will again be fractionated into an acceptable flow being screened primarily according to thickness and a second fraction being composed of oversized and overthick chips. The second fraction is then directed to a size reducing station.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for treating titanium machining scrap to remove both magnetic and non-magnetic high density inclusions, particularly bits or pieces of tungsten carbide broken from the cutting tool or tools associated with the scrap. In the process and apparatus a major portion of the undesired high density inclusions are removed by the novel use of an air separator, particularly one having an inclined, vibrating, air-conducting deck onto which the work product is fed and through which an upward current of air is blown. One or more magnetic separators are also used in advance of a final x-ray inspection station. The overall efficiency of the process and apparatus is such that a high percentage of initial input material is converted to high quality material passing the x-ray inspection and suitable for use in making rotating aircraft parts or other parts subjected to severe service demands.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically removing stuck and down ware from an automatic glassware ware forming machine conveyor produces a first signal for each item of normal ware, stuck ware and down ware which is conveyed past an inspection location. Each of the first signals has a duration corresponding to the time required for passage of the corresponding item past the inspection location. The apparatus also produces a second signal simultaneously with the production of each of the first signals, the second signals having a predetermined duration corresponding to the time required for a normal upright and spaced item of ware to be conveyed past the inspection location. The generation of a reject signal during the duration of each of the second signals is inhibited and a reject signal is generated if a first signal is present after the termination of the corresponding second signal, which actuates a signal responsive automatic ware removal mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a particle analyzer wherein uniformally charged liquid droplets, having a uniform velocity in a linear trajectory, proceed into a tubular electrode in which the electrostatic field is shaped to position particles on a center axis, and provide the particles with a rate movement along this axis that provides a sufficient time duration for evaporation of the droplets, the particles being subsequently deflected from said center axis or collected from said center axis, after evaporation.

Abstract: A liquid flow system contains suspended biological cells for the purpose of orienting them, spacing them from each other and analyzing the cells. Many biological cells are not of spherical shape but may be disk-like or rod-like in appearance. The present flow system includes means for orienting the cells with respect to the liquid flow and for either centering them or displacing them into a desired plane within the fluid flow. The cells are electrically charged, suspended in a dielectric fluid and deflected by a suitable electric field. Optionally an image analysis may be performed.

Abstract: The invention sorts small particles by subjecting them to a charging and motivating field produced by a single positively charged electrode. The magnitude of the charge placed on the particle passing the electrode is a function of the observed particle parameters. Once the particle has been deflected in accordance with its observed parameter, the particle may be collected for further study.