Abstract: A system for sorting waste objects is disclosed. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the system includes at least one sorting unit, in which the sorting unit is connected to at least one sensor system that identifies the waste objects. The sensor system is arranged to detect one or more waste object characteristics and is also arranged to provide a control system with a signal when a waste object of a desired type is detected. The system also includes at least one sorting conveyor that conveys the waste objects to the sorting unit in which the sorting unit is provided with two or more sorting devices that sort the waste objects. The sorting devices of the present disclosure are arranged to receive at least one signal from the control system in response to a waste object of a desired type being detected by the sensor system.

Abstract: A coin processing apparatus houses received coins for each denomination of the coins and dispenses the housed coins in accordance with a coin output instruction. The coin processing apparatus includes: a conveyance unit that conveys the coins that are received and stored in an input section upwards one by one along a predetermined conveyance path, allows authenticity and a denomination of each coin to be checked by a checking section while the coin is conveyed, sorts the coins checked to be true coins by denomination, and dispenses the coin checked to be a false coin; and a coin output suspending unit that receives the coin dispensed from the conveyance unit, outputs the received coin from a dispensing outlet when a coin output command is given, and feeds the received coin to the input section when a feeding command is given.

Abstract: An ashtray device (1) for collecting cigarette or cigar ash and butts, the device comprising a separation mechanism (2) for separating the ash from the butts, and at least two containers (10, 11), wherein a first container (10) is positioned so as to receive the butts and a second container (11) is positioned so as to receive the ash.

Abstract: The invention relates to a selecting and screening device (15) for sealing elements or for hollow stoppers intended for a sealing station (4), the device being provided in the form of a chute consisting of two portions: a feed portion (17) and an outlet portion (18), and, between said two portions, a transit channel (20) forming an arc and comprising an ejection window (33), wherein said outlet portion (18) is to be connected to the sealing station (4), said channel (20) partially encloses a wheel (21) provided with notches (22) that match the size of said stoppers (2), and the wheel (21) is associated with pins (30), characterized in that the function of said pins (30) is to support the stoppers (2) in the respective notch (22) thereof as the former pass in front of said ejection window (33), if said stoppers are correctly oriented and not defective, and in that said outlet portion (18) is intended to convey said properly oriented and non-defective stoppers.

Abstract: A tilt roller grader for grading solid objects, such as shrimp. The grader has grading rollers obliquely arranged across a tilted grading bed. Jacks in cross members supporting the bed are used to jack up the grading bed across its width to adjust the flatness of the bed for uniform grading gaps between the grading rollers and the bed.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for recuperating at least one target object from a mixture conveyed to a refuse container, the apparatus comprising a tray having an upstream end for receiving the mixture and a downstream end adapted to be positioned above the refuse container, a moving member for conveying the mixture at a predetermined speed from the upstream end to the downstream end of the tray, a control module and a target object detector mounted near the downstream end of the tray, the object detector providing a first signal to the control module when no target object is detected in the mixture and a second signal when a target object is detected in the mixture. The control module stops the moving member from conveying the mixture upon reception of the second signal so that the detected target object can be recuperated.

Abstract: A pyrolysis plant for refuse and a method for screening solid residues provide a sure and trouble-free sieving of a solid material using a sieving device having a configuration which is as simple as possible. A spiral formed by a rod which is wound in a helicoidal manner, or a plurality of such rods, are provided as the sieving device. The rod or rods can rotate around a longitudinal axis. The solid material is introduced into an interior formed by the rod for sieving, preferably with the assistance of an aligning device for longitudinally extended solid material parts. The spirals include, in particular, a bend so that the lodged solid materials can automatically detach themselves. The sieving device is especially suited for sieving pyrolysis residual material.

Abstract: The sorting system comprises a sorting line with ejection stations successively arranged along the line. There is a conveying system guided along the sorting line and having a sorting device successively arranged as well. Each sorting device has a conveyor belt drivable transversely to the sorting line for receiving a parceled article chargeable in a loading station, and for the controlled ejection of the article in an ejection station. The drive of the conveyor belts of the sorting devices takes place purely by mechanical driving means. First driving means are arranged in the region of each ejection station, and are selectively engageable with second driving means of a sorting device. The first driving means cooperates with the second driving means when the respective sorting device passes the first driving means. The first and the second driving means are preferably cooperate by friction grip.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting individual pieces includes a plurality of conveying elements which are guided along a closed track and are coupled to each other to form an endless conveying chain. The conveying elements have an at least approximately horizontal support plane configured to place the individual items thereon. For feeding the conveying elements, they travel along the track past at least one feeding station and they travel past several target stations for emptying the conveying elements. Each target station is provided with a sweeping or deflecting device which travels alongside of the conveying elements and pushes the individual piece from the conveying elements.

Abstract: A sortation and sequencing system for sorting a plurality of different items into discrete orders and putting the items into a predetermined sequence within each discrete order or group of orders. The system includes an induction station for accepting items in random succession, and a sensor at the induction station for sensing an identifying characteristic unique to each item and for generating tracking signals uniquely corresponding to the items for tracking the items through the system. A controller receives the tracking signals and generates sort command and sequence command signals which are in part responsive to the tracking signals. A sorter receives the items from the induction station and directs individual items to selected ones of a plurality of sort locations, each sort location corresponding to an individual order or group of orders, in response to sort command signals from the controller.

Abstract: A sortation system for separating products such as returned cigarette packs. A conveyor system moves the products in a predetermined orientation and minimum spacing past a bar code reader. A turnstile device contains a plurality of diverting bars which are selectively rotatable across the conveyor path in either direction to eject selected products either to the right or left as desired. A processor controls the turnstile device based upon bar code information to separate selected products and to allow the remaining products to remain on the conveyor.

Abstract: A unique envelope handling and sorting system is attained for efficiently and reliably separating envelopes which fail to meet pre-selected criteria from envelopes meeting these criteria by providing an envelope sensing section having at least one gauging member which comprises a plurality of separate and independent roller assemblies, each of which are securely mounted to an elongated shaft which moves arcuately in response to the thickness measuring movement of the gauging member. In the preferred embodiment, the envelope handling and sorting system of this invention also incorporates means for measuring the length of each envelope and for removing all envelopes that fail to meet the preselected length requirements. In addition, the preferred system incorporates means for effectively dividing the envelope into a plurality of separate zones and enabling the user to select any desired zone for use and evaluation of the envelope thickness measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for feeding products, in particular packets of cigarettes (3) comprising a feeder (5) for feeding a succession of packets (2), a first conveyor (9) driven with intermittent motion and provided with seats (1) for receiving respective packets (2) from the feeder (5), and a receiver (3) for receiving the packets (2) from the first conveyor (9) in succession. The apparatus (2) also comprises a second conveyor (19) driven with intermittent motion and provided with seats (18) for containing respective packets (2), the path of travel of the seats (18) of the second conveyor (19) intersecting the path of travel of the seats (10) of the first conveyor (9) at a station (17) for the discarding and replacement of defective packets (2). During each of its stages of movement the second conveyor (19) is able to remove a defective packet (2) from a seat (10) of the first conveyor (9), and to introduce a sound packet (2) into the same seat (10).

Abstract: A document sorter/stacker apparatus includes a plurality of slotted disk assemblies respectively associated with bins or pockets in which high-speed transported documents are to be sorted and stacked. Each of the disk assemblies is selectively rotated to position its document capture slot either into or out of the transport path documents, thereby to enable either the routing of the document through that particular pocket or its passage to another pocket. When the leading end of a document is captured within the slot, the slotted disk assembly is rotated to feed the document into the corresponding pocket. The rim of the slotted disk assembly is in contact with a document transport belt and with an endless belt driven by the slotted disk assembly to urge the document into the pocket. After the document has been fed into the pocket, the endless belt urges the tail end of the document away from the slotted disk assembly and toward a backing plate where the documents are accumulated in a stacked configuration.

Abstract: The apparatus (1) for sorting out packaged items identified as defective, especially bottles (2), by diverting same from a first horizontal conveyor belt (4) to a second conveyor belt (8) traveling beside the first belt in synchronism in parallel thereto, is characterized by a diverter (5) which is controlled in a timed fashion by an identification station (3) for defective bottles and imparts to the bottle a kinetic impulse transversely to the belt traveling direction (a). The diverter (5) comprises a motor drivable shaft (9) with a spiral coil segment (10) ascending in the belt traveling direction (a).

Abstract: An apparatus for separating larger foreign bodies from a granular feed including a conveyor for moving a mixture of the larger foreign bodies and the granular feed, is provided. The apparatus comprises a wheel having an axis of rotation, a circumference and a plurality of outwardly extending resilient fingers, preferably projecting at a trailing angle from the circumference. The wheel is mounted so that its plane forms an angle with respect to the direction of travel of the conveyor. The wheel is positioned so that the conveyed mixture contacts and pushes the fingers causing the wheel to rotate and the fingers to rake the larger foreign bodies from the mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device by which a defective product is removed from a path through which products are continually fed. The device has a feeder feeding products, a sensor detecting defective products, and a remover taking the defective products from the path. The sensor outputs a signal denoting a defect in either the trailing half of a first product or the leading half of an adjacent second product. The remover has a function for obtaining the number which is a quotient obtained by dividing the distance between the sensor and the remover by the length of a normal product. The remover takes out the defective and the adjacent product when the number of products passing the remover is equal to the quotient obtained by the above calculation.

Abstract: Transport apparatus is disclosed for moving a stream of objects along a substantially continuous path between a source and a collection station and past a viewing station. A stream of successive, spatially separated objects is moved into end-to-end abutment to form successive stacks of objects. Each stack is spiraled past the viewing station with minimal vibration to expose the complete surface of each object to inspection. Subsequently each stack is rearranged into spatially separated objects which are rapidly sorted by diverting those objects from the continuous path which do not conform to predetermined criteria upon inspection. The transport apparatus achieves high throughput without compromising the accuracy of the inspection process.

Abstract: An automated inspection station comprises a pair of rotating rollers for supporting a collected group of pellets. A pusher drops in behind the group to urge the entire group forward. The rotating rollers cause the entire group of pellets to spin in unison as the pellets pass through an optical inspection station. The optical inspection station comprises a light source, diverging and collimating lenses to illuminate each rotating pellet in turn. Signals are generated by at least two arrays of photodiodes in response to light reflected from the surface of the pellets. Circuitry normalizes the signals of the respective diodes for variations unrelated to pellet surface features. The signals are analyzed to ascertain conformance of each pellet to length, cylindricality diameter and surface reflectivity requirements. A pellet sorter diverts unacceptable pellets from the path, while the acceptable pellets are transported to a collection station.

Abstract: An improvement is presented in an apparatus for processing soil for planting wherein a separator are provided for initially separating rocks and other large objects from soil prior to crushing thereof, the separator comprising a plurality of respectively upwardly and downwardly directed pins which cooperate in the removal of said rocks and other large objects from the soil. Also provided is a vertical rotatable power driven shaft centrally located in said apparatus wherein a plurality of radially extending arms are fixed thereto and are rotatable with the shaft. Some of said separating pins are fixed to the arms and some cooperating separating pins are fixed to a disc plate also mounted about said power driven shaft. A rotating plurality of discs crush said soil to reduce large particles and destroy weed seeds, insects, and larvae.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in an industrial operation wherein objects moving along a main path from an upstream to a downstream location are diverted to a second path for checking. The apparatus comprises an ejecting wheel for sorting objects which shall have been checked defective for some reason and preventing movement of those objects from returning to the main path.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mechanism for moving unfinished books along a raceway and for selectively moving defective books from the raceway onto a second, powered conveyor. The raceway has an inclined surface, and the reject mechanism moves defective books up the inclined surface onto the powered conveyor. The reject mechanism includes a divert conveyor with a chain in continuous motion synchronized with the movement of the books on the raceway. When it is desired to move a book from the raceway onto the powered conveyor a selected pair of pins mounted on the divert conveyor chain are extended to engage an edge of the book and move it up the inclined surface and onto the divert conveyor.

Abstract: A mechanism that is suitable for incorporation in an apparatus for handling articles in a closely-spaced array to remove malformed pieces from those properly formed. The invention is especially useful in systems for treating dough pieces, particularly those used in preparing fried chip foods, to remove malformed pieces such as masa lumps. The mechanism can include a rotatable wheel having a plurality of radial blades extending from a central axis for selectively ejecting the malformed articles from a surface on which both the malformed and normally-shaped articles are interpositioned in the array and are conveyed past and below the outermost extremity of the blades. The ejected articles can be collected for recycling or disposal while the remaining acceptably-formed articles are retained for other treatment or use.

Abstract: A conveyor transports fish along a path past a fish sex detector. A rotating fish-engaging member is mounted downstream of the detector above the path. According to the sex of a fish as detected by the detector, the rotating fish-engaging member is either shifted downward to kick the fish off the conveyor or held away from the conveyor out of engagement with the fish so that it continues to be transported downstream by the conveyor.

Abstract: A mechanism that is suitable for incorporation in an apparatus for handling articles in a closely-spaced array to remove malformed pieces from those properly formed. The invention is especially useful in systems for treating dough pieces, particularly those used in preparing fried chip foods, to remove malformed pieces such as masa lumps. The mechanism can include a rotatable wheel having a plurality of radial blades extending from a central axis for selectively ejecting the malformed articles from a surface on which both the malformed and normally-shaped articles are interpositioned in the array and are conveyed past and below the outermost extremity of the blades. The ejected articles can be collected for recycling or disposal while the remaining acceptably-formed articles are retained for other treatment or use.

Abstract: The machine calibrates round, oblong or spherical objects and in particular fruit and vegetables. It comprises a series of spaced-apart rollers which define cavities for receiving the objects. In these cavities, the objects rotate and place their equatorial plane in a vertical position. Calibrating rollers, oriented in a longitudinal direction or slightly inclined relative to the axis of the conveyor and at heights from the latter which decrease in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor, discharge the objects and cause them to drop through a minimum height onto a discharging conveyor placed thereunder.