Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure can relate to systems and methods for sorting balls. The systems and methods may involve the use of a ball-feeding mechanism for receiving one or more balls, and feeding the one or more balls to a projection element. The projection element may be located beneath the ball-feeding mechanism such that the balls drop from the ball-feeding mechanism to the projection element, and the balls then project from the projection element to a ball-sorting apparatus. The balls may then subsequently be sorted into a sorting container of one or more sorting containers based on the projected height of the ball.

Abstract: A separator as described herein separates granular input material into component materials. Each component material has a hardness. The separator includes a rebound surface, a propulsion system, and a plurality of sorting zones. The propulsion system propels granular input material toward the rebound surface. The component materials that are rebounded off of the rebound surface and land in sorting zones based on the hardness of the component materials. A method for using the separator is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for sorting objects as having one of an accepted and rejected status. The apparatus includes a hopper assembly configured to receive a plurality of objects and to release the objects through a release port associated therewith. A first object sorting arrangement is in communication with the hopper assembly and is configured to receive the objects therefrom. The first object sorting arrangement includes a first inclined member in communication with the hopper assembly for directing the objects to a first deflector member spaced-apart from the first inclined member. Objects deflected over a first wall member spaced-apart from the first deflector member, the first deflector member being disposed between the first inclined member and the first wall member have an accepted status, while objects directed into a first channel disposed between the first deflector member and the first wall member have a rejected status.

Abstract: A material sorter using guide rails of various configurations on an inclined panel to assist in sorting mixed density materials into higher density and lower density piles. In some embodiments, the guide rails may be repositioned via actuators or manually to adapt to requirements for different types of mixed-density materials to be sorted. The guide rails may be fixed in various discrete positions. Combinations of diverging and converging guide rails are used in some embodiments. Arrangements of multiple material sorters, each configured for different types of mixed-density materials, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of separating a mixture of solid materials includes supplying a stream of a mixture of solid materials to a stationary inclined surface and collecting a plurality of particles at one or more collection ports spaced from and located along the axis of the inclined surface. The mixture of solid materials includes a plurality of particles. The plurality of particles includes rubber particles and plastic particles. The particles of the mixture contact the stationary inclined surface and travel downward along the surface due to gravitational force. The collected particles include a higher percentage of the rubber particles than mixture due to a greater degree of bouncing of the rubber particles due to their higher friction compared with plastic particles. A material sorting apparatus includes a stationary inclined surface, a feeder, and a plurality of collection ports spaced from and located along the axis of the inclined surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for sorting objects as having one of an accepted and rejected status. The apparatus includes a hopper assembly configured to receive a plurality of objects and to release the objects through a release port associated therewith. A first object sorting arrangement is in communication with the hopper assembly and is configured to receive the objects therefrom. The first object sorting arrangement includes a first inclined member in communication with the hopper assembly for directing the objects to a first deflector member spaced-apart from the first inclined member. Objects deflected over a first wall member spaced-apart from the first deflector member, the first deflector member being disposed between the first inclined member and the first wall member have an accepted status, while objects directed into a first channel disposed between the first deflector member and the first wall member have a rejected status.

Abstract: The invention relates to the high speed non-destructive sorting of small food items for softness. The food item is conveyed on a series of belts designed to accurately drop the food item onto a flexible surface at an oblique angle. Accelerometers mounted under the flexible surface generate impact waveforms, which are computer analysed to both detect the item landing position and enable comparison with an operator-selected softness threshold level. Within a few milliseconds of the food item contacting the flexible surface it continues to drop past a rejection point. If determined by analysis to be soft, it is ejected to a waste conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating agricultural produce from stones and clods including at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly arranged to be impinged upon by a mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods, the at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly including a plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions and a mounting assembly supporting the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the mounting assembly including a metal principal support and at least one intermediate metal support element fixed to the metal principal support and to at least some of the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the at least one intermediate metal support element having a resiliency greater than a resiliency of the metal principal support.

Abstract: A classifier for classifying particulates entrained in a flowing stream of gas is configured such that a change of direction of gas flow causes particles to impinge upon a target, heavier particles being trapped in a downwardly extending fluidized trap. The classifier is easily constructed, has no moving parts, and can take the place of sifters and other equipment traditionally used for classifying such product streams.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating agricultural produce from stones and clods including at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly arranged to be impinged upon by a mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods, the at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly including a plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions and a mounting assembly supporting the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the mounting assembly including a metal principal support and at least one intermediate metal support element fixed to the metal principal support and to at least some of the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the at least one intermediate metal support element having a resiliency greater than a resiliency of the metal principal support.

Abstract: A classifier for classifying particulates entrained in a flowing stream of gas is configured such that a change of direction of gas flow causes particles to impinge upon a target, heavier particles being trapped in a downwardly extending fluidized trap. The classifier is easily constructed, has no moving parts, and can take the place of sifters and other equipment traditionally used for classifying such product streams.

Abstract: A color-based sorting apparatus comprising, a material supplying device provided so as to discharge and supply the grains stored therein, a color detecting device detecting a color of each of the grains passing through a setting region, a sorting processing section operating to change a transference path for defective grains, a control device, which determines whether each of the grains to be sorted is defective or not based on a detection signal from the color detecting device, and when it is determined that one of the grains is defective, the control device activating the sorting processing section, and a feeding roll disposed between the material supplying device and the color detecting device and rotating around an axial line thereof to cause the grains to be sorted, which are supplied from said material supplying device aligned in an axial direction, to freely fall down toward the color detecting device.

Abstract: A pre-separator for separating out large particles from a fluid flow has a housing forming an interior chamber with an inlet and an outlet, and a separator plate in the chamber between the inlet and outlet. The separator plate has a surface facing the inlet that is provided with a liquid carrying tank into which the flow is directed when it enters the interior chamber through the inlet. The separator plate has a series of nozzle openings therethrough adjacent its periphery to the outside of the tank. The nozzle openings adjacent the periphery of the separator plate overlie a surface of the housing adjacent the outlet. The pre-separator thus has two impaction stages that permit use across a wide range of flows. The separator plate and the housing have surfaces which are tapered so that liquid in the housing can be drained out when the housing is inverted.

Abstract: A reciprocating axis of the ejector is born in a non-sliding state by permanent magnets on the reciprocating axis and permanent magnets surrounding the reciprocating axis. The reciprocating axis linearly projects out and retracts by the reciprocating components which cause the reciprocating axis to reciprocate by the driving signals from the driver circuit. A slanted surface is provided at the foremost end of the reciprocating axis. When the granular objects to be ejected flow-in continuously, the projecting-out action takes place correspondingly with the leading granular object to be ejected and, after the following granular object(s) to be ejected has been ejected, the retracting action takes place.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating seed from husks which consists of one or more separating units. Each separating unit includes a series of impact plates fixed at angles with respect to each other and to the vertical axis. In use, the seed and husks fall freely under gravity to impact and deflect off the impact plates along a path determined by the angles of the plates and the weight of the seed and husks. The deflection path differs such that seed and husks can be collected separately.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sorting meat chunks of variable fat and lean meat content, in which some of the meat chunks are interconnected by stringy tissue, the method including providing a roller located above a separation panel separating a lean meat outfeed location and a fat meat outfeed location, the roller being rotatable about a central axis in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to actively displace interconnected meat chunks striking the roller into either the lean meat outfeed location or the fat meat outfeed location and prevent build-up of interconnected meat chunks on the separation panel.

Abstract: A new separating method and a corresponding apparatus and the use of the apparatus for the environmentally sound separation of different material mixtures, are disclosed wherein, in addition to dynamic forces, the area pressure between the bodies to be sorted and an inwardly elastic sorting drum are made of use. Bodies which are heavy with respect to specific area pressure sink into the interior of the drum and are thrown out at a lower location. Parts which are light with respect to specific area pressure, on the other hand, are rejected from the surface of the drum and guided away separately. In so doing, the device achieves very efficient separation. The invention is particularly effective for the separation of reclaimable material mixtures, so-called "recyclables", particularly with respect to fractions such as liftings which are otherwise difficult to separate.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for sorting agricultural products such as vegetables or fruits from dirt clods, rocks, or other debris, without bruising the desired product. The mixture of desired product and undesired debris is transported by conveyor and allowed to fall freely on a rotating roller. The individual components rebound differentially from the roller, separating the product and the debris. The roller is constructed of a loose-fitting sleeve supported and rotated by resilient disks on a rotating shaft, with the resilience of the disks minimizing the bruising of the product rebounding from the roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating fine particulates from a particle flow having a generally vertically disposed column with a particle flow channel. A particle flow inlet and outlet are located at opposite ends of the column in which an airstream is produced. Alternatively arranged downwardly slopping baffles are exposed on opposite sides of the channel for receiving and distributing the particle flow to the airstream. Each successive baffle is longitudinally spaced from the previous baffle. A mechanism is provided adjacent the bottom of each baffle for fanning out the particle flow and for removing the fine particulates from the fanned out particle flow into the airstream.

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: Apparatus for separating a mixture of agricultural products and stones including an impact element defining an impact surface, which element is operative to absorb appreciable kinetic energy from stones but to absorb a significanty lower amount of kinetic energy from agricultural products sought to be separated therefrom and apparatus for causing the mixture of agricultural products and stones to impinge on the impact surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating discrete items of different materials from a mixture. The mixed items fall vertically from a feeder device onto a plate spinning about a vertical axis. According to their difference in material, the items rebound with different trajectories so that they land on separate receiving surfaces lying at different radii from the axis. The receiving surfaces may be stationary or maybe vibratable, so that items received by them are conveyed along them by vibration to collection points.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating clods from a mixture of clods and desirable agricultural product utilizing conveyor mechanism for conveying a mixture of clods and agricultural product to a position for free fall onto a separation surface, from which surface the clods and agricultural product rebound different distances into receiving areas.

Abstract: Method for separating clods and the like from potatoes, which includes placing the clods and potatoes on a first belt for transporting the potatoes and clods toward a forward end and positioning a second belt spaced horizontally apart from and vertically lower than the end of the first belt such that potatoes leaving the end travel through the air and land on the second belt. The clods are detected by a detector that includes a magnet and a coil positioned in the field of the magnet. The clods are removed from the system by a normally flaccid inflatable finger positioned between the forward end of the first belt and the second belt. When the detector signals the presence of a clod, air is supplied to the finger causing the stiffening thereof, which deflects the trajectory of the clod causing it to fall between the forward end and the second belt.

Abstract: To sort first bodies from a mixture of first and second bodies in which the first bodies, for example potatoes or other root crop, are less dense than the second bodies, for example stones harvested simultaneously with the root crop, the mixture is dropped down a vertical pathway onto an energy absorber. This comprises spaced resilient strips disposed side by side in a common plane transverse to the vertical. The impact of the denser second bodies bends the strips down sufficiently to allow the second bodies to continue along the pathway past the energy absorber. But the less dense first bodies only bend the strips to a lesser extent and are halted thereby. On resiling the strips flick such halted first bodies from the pathway.

Abstract: A batch of raisins in which moldy raisins are mixed with sound ones is immersed in a hot water bath, causing the moldy raisins to assume a mushy and sticky texture while leaving the texture of the sound raisins substantially unaffected. The batch of raisins is then dropped onto a laterally inclined conveyor belt. The conveyor belt moves the raisins over a framework which is rapidly moved up and down to slap the underside of the belt, causing the raisins to bounce up and down on the continuously moving conveyor. The sound raisins, which have retained their firm texture, are bounced substantially higher than the moldy raisins, and thus, bounce down off the side of the conveyor as they move along the length of the conveyor. Because of their mushy texture, the moldy raisins do not bounce as high as the sound ones and therefore do not as readily bounce downward off the conveyor. Instead, they are carried along and off the end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A sorting device, particularly for trout and fish eggs which is of the type having an inclined wall against which the eggs are launched and caused to rebound a distance apart depending on the resilience thereof. Collecting means are provided for receiving the eggs according to their different trajectories. The device comprises a tank for receiving eggs and water having a rotating drum associated therewith having a plurality of cups on the outer surface thereof. Each cup is adapted to receive one egg therein and the cups are arranged in parallel transverse rows. The bottom of the cups is perforated so as to permit the water to be discharged therefrom. A fan is provided in order to dry the eggs in the cups through the perforated bottom thereof and a pneumatic launching device serves to launch the eggs against the inclined wall.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sorting objects exhibiting identifiable dynamic response to vibrational phenomena, such objects including potatoes, onions, tomatoes and other comestibles. The system utilizes an elongate sorting zone incorporating a surface which oscillates at a predetermined frequency and amplitude which varies from a minimum at the input of the zone to a maximum value at the output thereof. The objects to be sorted move along the zone supported from two positions for a coding interval promoting their dynamic reaction with the oscillatory surface. Objects with higher resilience characteristic are rejected from the zone, while those exhibiting a lesser resilence are transported therethrough. The oscillatory surface is dynamically balanced and readily mounted upon field harvesting devices. By adjustment of frequency of the sorting zone oscillatory surfaces, a multi-stage sorting system is made available.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and system for sorting objects exhibiting identifiable dynamic response to vibrational phenomena, such objects including tomatoes and other comestibles. The system utilizes an elongate sorting zone incorporating a surface which oscillates at a predetermined frequency and amplitude which varies from a minimum at the input of the zone to a maximum value at the output thereof. Conveyor belts transport the objects to be sorted along the zone for a coding interval promoting their dynamic reaction with the oscillatory surface. Objects with higher resilience characteristic are rejected from the zone, while those exhibiting a lesser resilience are transported therethrough. The oscillatory surface is dynamically balanced and readily mounted upon field harvesting devices. By adjustment of frequency of the sorting zone oscillatory surfaces, a multi-stage sorting system is made available.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and system for sorting objects exhibiting identifiable dynamic response to vibrational phenomena, such objects including tomatoes and other comestibles. The system utilizes an elongate sorting zone incorporating a surface which oscillates at a predetermined frequency and amplitude which varies from a minimum at the input of the zone to a maximum value at the output thereof. Conveyor belts transport the objects to be sorted along the zone for a coding interval promoting their dynamic reaction with the oscillatory surface. Objects with higher resilience characteristic are rejected from the zone, while those exhibiting a lesser resilience are transported therethrough. The oscillatory surface is dynamically balanced and readily mounted upon field harvesting devices. By adjustment of frequency of the sorting zone oscillatory surfaces, a multistage sorting system is made available.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sorting objects exhibiting identifiable dynamic response to vibrational phenomena, such objects including potatoes, onions, tomatoes and other comestibles. The system utilizes an elongate sorting zone incorporating a surface which oscillates at a predetermined frequency and amplitude which varies from a minimum at the input of the zone to a maximum value at the output thereof. The objects to be sorted move along the zone supported from two positions for a coding interval promoting their dynamic reaction with the oscillatory surface. Objects with higher resilience characteristic are rejected from the zone, while those exhibiting a lesser resilience are transported therethrough. The oscillatory surface is dynamically balanced and readily mounted upon field harvesting devices. .[.By adjustment of frequency of the sorting zone oscillatory surfaces, a multi-stage sorting system is made available..].

Abstract: A batch of raisins in which moldy raisins are mixed with sound ones is immersed in a hot water bath, causing the moldy raisins to assume a mushy and sticky texture while leaving the texture of the sound raisins substantially unaffected. The batch of raisins is then dropped onto a laterally inclined conveyor belt. The conveyor belt moves the raisins over a framework which is rapidly moved up and down to slap the underside of the belt, causing the raisins to bounce up and down on the continuously moving conveyor. The sound raisins, which have retained their firm texture, are bounced substantially higher than the moldy raisins, and thus, bounce down off the side of the conveyor as they move along the length of the conveyor. Because of their mushy texture, the moldy raisins do not bounce as high as the sound ones and therefore do not as readily bounce downward off the conveyor. Instead, they are carried along and off the end of the conveyor.