Sorting Items By Size Patents (Class 209/659)
  • Publication number: 20150122708
    Abstract: A system for sorting merchandise tags. The system includes a housing configured to receive a first portion of the merchandise tag and a second portion of the merchandise tag, the first portion and the second portion configured to attach to one another. The system also includes a separator configured to separate the first portion and the second portion based on one or more physical characteristics of the first portion and the second portion. The system further includes a rotating mechanism, where the rotating mechanism allows the user to control the separator. The system additionally includes a container for receiving the smaller portion which falls through the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Corey Gonnella, Steven Ko
  • Patent number: 9022221
    Abstract: A gold dry washer comprised of a stand assembly and a trough assembly. The trough assembly is angled from an upper end with a hopper for raw soil to a lower end where denser gold is collected. Along the declining path of the trough are a series of graduating apertures that successively isolate the denser materials in the soil and allow waste to fall overboard. The stand assembly includes a motor or other gentle agitation means to encourage the dry soil to move with the aid of gravity towards the lower end of the trough where the heavier gold may be collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: John D. Echols
  • Patent number: 9006302
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a plurality of glass bubbles having an average true density of up to about 0.55 grams per cubic centimeter and a size distribution including a median size in a range from about 15 micrometers to 40 micrometers. A hydrostatic pressure at which ten percent by volume of the plurality of glass bubbles collapses is at least about 100 megapascals. In some embodiments, the plurality of glass bubbles is a graded fraction preparable by classifying a second plurality of glass bubbles, wherein the second plurality of glass bubbles has a higher percentage of glass bubbles with a size of up to ten micrometers than the first plurality of glass bubbles. Composites including the plurality of glass bubbles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen E. Amos, Robert W. Hunter, Ronald J. Israelson, Towako Takeishi, Mark J. Williams, Takujiro Yamabe
  • Patent number: 8985341
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for grading products and forming predetermined mixes of graded products. Graders sort products into different grades. The graded products are formed into batches of known quantity. Each batch is designated for deposit in a bin specified to have a certain mixture of graded products. A conveyor conveys the batches to the designated bin. The quantity of each batch is determined by count or weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve
  • Publication number: 20150080630
    Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods for the recycling of lithium ion batteries or the like. The system methods include comminution and destruction of used batteries, controlling the explosive reaction of the battery components during processing, and processing the materials into a suitable form for sampling and recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis J. Dunagan, Teague C. Ostrander
  • Patent number: 8968788
    Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, a method for producing granules from a powder, characterized in that a low compaction force is applied to the powder to produce a compacted mass comprising a mixture of fine particles and granules and separating fine particles from the granules by entraining the fine particles in a gas stream. Also provided are apparatus for use in the process and tablets formed by compression of the resultant granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Atacama Labs Oy
    Inventors: Giovanni Politi, Erkki Heilakka
  • Patent number: 8915376
    Abstract: A mobile collapsible screen and cone crusher combination where the screen is pivoted forward and downward for transport and a rubber hopper is coupled to the fines conveyor so as to permit a hinged connection and a sliding connection between the flexible hopper and the fines conveyor. A plurality of flexible matter edge plates are used at the rear of the flexible hopper to facilitate proper compression and expansion of the flexible hopper. A selectable maintenance catch is used to allow the screen to be elevated to an intermediate height for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Terex USA, LLC
    Inventor: Dan L. Garland
  • Patent number: 8863960
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for managing (e.g. sorting, orienting, arranging, and stacking, etc.) one or more utensils; the utensils having a first and second end that define a longitudinal axis. The utensil sorting apparatus comprises of a plurality of arms to which a mechanism for locating a utensil, one or mechanisms for identifying a utensil, a device for orienting a utensil, and a device for grasping a utensil are attached. The grasping mechanism is used to transport a utensil to various steps used in a sorting process with a final step being to place the utensil in a designated bin, or compartment. The utensils placed in a compartment are oriented such that the first end of each utensil is at the same end of a wall of the compartment. The apparatus can also be used to arrange and stack utensils in preparation for secondary operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Greg Chaganos
  • Patent number: 8852523
    Abstract: A mass transfer system including a housing and a three-dimensional ordered open-cellular micro-truss material within the housing for a mass transfer application. Here, the three-dimensional ordered open-cellular micro-truss material includes a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction, a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction, and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. The first, second, and third ordered truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material. In one embodiment, the continuous material is a metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher S. Roper
  • Patent number: 8807054
    Abstract: The invention is related to a system (1) for converting fuel material comprising: a first reactor (2) in which a fuel material reacts with an oxide material for producing reaction products including fuel particles, ash and oxide particles, a second reactor (3) for oxidizing the oxide particles produced in the first reactor (2), a carbon separator (4) that receives fuel particles, ash and oxide particles produced in the first reactor (2) and suitable for separating the oxide particles and ash from the fuel particles, the carbon separator (4) comprising an outlet path (4c) for the oxide particles and ash exhaust, characterized in that said outlet path (4c) of the carbon separator (4) is connected to an ash separator (10) for separating the ash from the oxide particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Corinne Beal, Laurent Maghdissian, Michel Vandycke
  • Publication number: 20140216992
    Abstract: An ultrasonic microfluidic system includes a separation channel for conveying a sample fluid containing small particles and large particles, flowing substantially parallel, adjacent to a recovery fluid, with which it is in contact. An acoustic transducer produces an ultrasound standing wave, that generates a pressure field having at least one node of minimum, pressure amplitude. An acoustic extension structure is located proximate to said separation channel for positioning said acoustic node off center in said acoustic area and concentrating the large particles in said recovery fluid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Klint A. Rose, Karl A. Fisher, Douglas A. Wajda, Raymond P. Mariella, JR., Christopher Bailey, Dietrich Dehlinger, Maxim Shusteff, Byoungsok Jung, Kevin D. Ness
  • Publication number: 20140197080
    Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sorting screws includes a first restricting piece, a second restricting piece, and a diversion block. A first pathway is defined between the first restricting piece and the second restricting piece. A second pathway is defined between the first restricting piece and the diversion block. A fourth pathway is defined between the second restricting piece and the diversion block. The first blocking piece is located in the second pathway adjacent to the first pathway. The first blocking piece blocks a long screw to prevent the long screw from sliding from the first pathway to the second pathway and guides the long screw to slide from the first pathway to the fourth pathway. The first blocking piece lets a short screw slide from the first pathway to the second pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD
    Inventors: CHIH-HAO YANG, XIANG-KUN ZENG, CHENG HAO, RUN LONG
  • Publication number: 20140121438
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an airflow particle sorter, comprising: a top-sealed sorter main body, a discharge port, an outtake tube and at least one directing-intake port; the inner space of the sorter main body, from the above to the bottom, includes, a straight tube zone and a cone zone, the conical bottom of the cone zone is connected to the straight tube zone; the discharge port is located at the bottom of the cone zone; the directing-intake port is installed in the upper part of the straight tube zone in a tangential direction of the straight tube zone, and is communicated with the inner space of the sorter main body; the outtake tube is hermetically inserted into the top of the sorter main body, and extends downwardly to the lower part of the straight tube zone, and the outtake tube has a sealed bottom end; the lower part of the outtake tube is installed with at least one directing-outtake port, which communicates the outtake tube with the inner space of the sorter main body, the directing-outtake
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicants: RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM PROCESSING, SINOPEC, CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun LONG, Zhihong TIAN, Shuandi HOU, Bingtian ZHU, Xuefeng WU, Jiushun ZHANG, Anguo MAO, Zhemin ZHANG, Lufeng LV, Jinlong HE, Xuefeng LI, Yalin LIU
  • Patent number: 8708153
    Abstract: A grape processing apparatus and method is described and which includes a screen, a cleated conveyor belt with a bottom flight and which is spaced from the screen, and a source of bunches of grapes which have associated stems, and which are fed into a predetermined space between the bottom flight of the cleated conveyor belt and the screen, and wherein the bunches of grapes move along the screen in a rolling and tumbling motion to separate the individual grapes from the associated stems, and wherein the individual grapes are collected thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Key Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Hufford, Tracy McGowen, Quentin Kemph
  • Patent number: 8708158
    Abstract: A material Separator with a hopper, a rigid helically shaped tubular pipe structure, an inlet port, a large particle outlet port and a small particle outlet port. The helically shaped tubular pipe structure connected to the underside of the hopper. The helical pipe structure has an internal false bottom. The false bottom is perforated so that particles that are larger than the perforations flow down the upper portion of the helical tubular pipe structure and material particles that are smaller than the perforations drop through the perforations and flow down the lower portion of the helical tubular pipe structure. The larger material particles exit the large particle outlet and the smaller material particles exit the small particle outlet. A preferred embodiment includes the helical tubular pipe structure is constructed of a plurality of curved pipe members, each having flanges at each end so that one the flanged curved pipe member can be bolted to the adjoining flanged curved pipe member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20140069850
    Abstract: Microspheres are sorted by resonant light pressure effects. An evanescent optical field is generated when light is confined within the interior of an optical element such as a surface waveguide, a tapered microfiber, or a prism. Microspheres brought within vicinity of the surface are subjected to forces that result from a coupling of the evanescent field to whispering gallery modes (WGM) in the microspheres. Alternatively, a focused laser beam is directed close to the edge of the microspheres to exert resonant optical forces on microspheres. Optical forces are resonantly enhanced when light frequencies match WGM frequencies in the microspheres. Those microspheres for which resonance is obtained are more affected by the evanescent field than microspheres for which resonance does not occur. Greater forces are applied to resonating microspheres, which are separated from a heterogeneous mixture according to size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventor: Vasily N. Astratov
  • Publication number: 20140054202
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing waste incineration ashes (A), in particular domestic waste incineration ashes (HMVA), in which the ashes are classified into a plurality of fractions of different grain size distributions in a processing plant (11) separated from the actual waste incineration process. The ashes (A) are classified exclusively using a wet classification process in the processing plant (11), only wet classification processes that are gentle to the grains being used, and the wet classification process is performed in such a way that all of the ashes (A) are classified into at least one fine fraction (I) loaded with harmful substances and at least one coarse fraction (II, III) that contains only a small amount of harmful substances or no harmful substances at all.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Friedrich-Wilhelm Evers, Alexandra Beckmann
  • Publication number: 20140034556
    Abstract: An particle separation microstructure comprising a body and a flow channel extending through the body, having an inlet and an outlet for receiving a flow of particles therethrough. The flow channel comprises opposing first and second walls disposed in a spaced-apart relationship and at least one protrusion extending from the first wall into the flow channel and extending along a length of the flow channel. At least a portion of one of the first and second walls is reversibly actuatable between a first and a second position and the first and second walls are substantially parallel in the second position. In the first position the flow channel is open for receiving the flow of particles and in the second position the at least one protrusion abuts the second wall and the flow channel is constricted for restricting the flow of particles and separating particles from the flow of particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
    Inventors: Hongshen Ma, Thomas Gerhardt, William James Beattie
  • Publication number: 20140008274
    Abstract: A conveyor system and methods for conveying and unstacking flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes an inclined conveyor belt delivering packages to a tilted conveyor belt that conveys flat packages along its length while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side edge to initially cull flat packages from a bulk flow of packages. Retention means, such as a high-friction outer conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the outer conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt, holds flat packages on the tilted conveyor belt. The inclined conveyor belt has stop elements spaced apart along the belt's length and is advanced in stop-and-go fashion to help unstack piggy-backed packages as they are conveyed up the incline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Fourney, Stephen G. Wargo
  • Patent number: 8534466
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for managing (e.g. sorting, orienting, arranging, and stacking, etc.) one or more utensils; the utensils having a first and second end that define a longitudinal axis. The utensil sorting apparatus comprises of a plurality of arms to which a mechanism for locating a utensil, one or mechanisms for identifying a utensil, a device for orienting a utensil, and a device for grasping a utensil are attached. The grasping mechanism is used to transport a utensil to various steps used in a sorting process with a final step being to place the utensil in a designated bin, or compartment. The utensils placed in a compartment are oriented such that the first end of each utensil is at the same end of a wall of the compartment. The apparatus can also be used to arrange and stack utensils in preparation for secondary operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Greg Chaganos
  • Publication number: 20130233776
    Abstract: A separation-apparatus for separating from a particle-stream at least a first fraction with particles of a first group of dimensions, and a second fraction with particles of a second group of dimensions, comprising an infeed-device (2, 10) for the particle-stream, a rotatable drum (5) having at its circumference plates (6, 6), each plate having a radially extending hitting surface for the particles, at least a first receiving area (12) proximal to the drum for receipt therein of particles of the first fraction, and at least a second receiving area (11) distant from the drum for receipt therein of particles of the second fraction, wherein a conveyor (17) in the second receiving area (12) moves during use at a speed of at least 2 m/s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: INASHCO R&D B. V.
    Inventors: Simon Peter Maria Berkhout, Peter Carlo Rem
  • Publication number: 20130165542
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a plurality of glass bubbles having an average true density of up to about 0.55 grams per cubic centimeter and a size distribution including a median size in a range from about 15 micrometers to 40 micrometers. A hydrostatic pressure at which ten percent by volume of the plurality of glass bubbles collapses is at least about 100 megapascals. In some embodiments, the plurality of glass bubbles is a graded fraction preparable by classifying a second plurality of glass bubbles, wherein the second plurality of glass bubbles has a higher percentage of glass bubbles with a size of up to ten micrometers than the first plurality of glass bubbles. Composites including the plurality of glass bubbles are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen E. Amos, Robert W. Hunter, Ronald J. Israelson, Towako Takeishi, Mark J. Williams, Takujiro Yamabe
  • Patent number: 8457361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the filling of a capsule with a medicament, a corresponding filing method and the corresponding devices. According to the monitoring method, after at least part of the capsule is filled with a given filling mass of given closed shape of medicament, in a first step, at least the filling mass located in the part of the capsule after filling is recorded with a digital image, in a second step, the shape of the filling mass located in the part of the capsule is determined from the digital image and, in a third step, the shape analysed to give an analysis of the filling in comparison with given shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Julius, Peter Stoeckel
  • Publication number: 20130105365
    Abstract: A process for purifying plastic from a waste stream can include separating a waste stream into two or more mixtures of flakes with each mixture containing one or more plastic types and performing an automated sorting process on the first mixture to increase the weight percentage of a plastic family in the first mixture. The separation process can include at least one process selected from the group consisting of density separation, electrostatic sorting, froth flotation, and density differential alteration. Prior to the automated sorting process, the first mixture can include at least 80% by weight of one or more plastics from the plastic family.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: MBA POLYMERS, INC.
    Inventor: MBA Polymers, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130092609
    Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing recyclable material recovery from automobile shredder residue (4). Embodiments include separation of automobile shredder residue with a sorting system (5) such as an air sorting system, a non-ferrous automobile shredder residue air sorter, an air-locked automobile shredder residue sorting system, a non-magnetic magnetic sorter, a substantially isotropic quantization sorting system, an air-locked Z-box air classifier, low susceptance microparticle separator, a magnetic fuzz separator, a wind tunnel system, or the like perhaps with substantially horizontal laminar air flow (7) and can be used with or without out other traditional automobile shredder residue sorting systems (16) or (15) perhaps creating additional recyclable quantities and even better separated results such as with zorba and zurik and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Dean Andersen Trust
    Inventor: Dean R. Andersen
  • Patent number: 8397919
    Abstract: An improved system and method for separating combustible organic particles from noncombustible inorganic particles in coal, in preparation for combustion. The coal is size-reduced and size-graded to small pieces which are then supplied to input ends of water-immersed descending slides having ultrasonic transducers for vibratory separation of inorganic and organic particles. The slides have different longitudinal lengths with angles of declination configured to achieve time-differential exposure to the ultrasonic vibratory energy, with smaller coal pieces being subjected to shorter time ultrasonic vibratory exposure. In one preferred form, longitudinally spaced turbidity sensors along the slide provide signals used to control selected ultrasonic transducers upon substantially complete cleaning of the coal pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce H. Kittrick, Douglas C. McHaney
  • Publication number: 20130062445
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for accelerating food product in order to cause the product to be stretched aligning the fibers of the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: James B. Wolff
  • Publication number: 20130043170
    Abstract: An ultrasonic microfluidic system includes a separation channel for conveying a sample fluid containing small particles and large particles, flowing substantially parallel, adjacent to a recovery fluid, with which it is in contact. An acoustic transducer produces an ultrasound standing wave, that generates a pressure field having at least one node of minimum pressure amplitude. An acoustic extension structure is located proximate to said separation channel for positioning said acoustic node off center in said acoustic area and concentrating the large particles in said recovery fluid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Klint A. Rose, Karl A. Fisher, Douglas A. Wajda, Raymond P. Mariella, JR., Christopher Bailey, Dietrich Dehlinger, Maxim Shusteff, Byoungsok Jung, Kevin D. Ness
  • Patent number: 8261917
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method stand up and process articles of different dimensions, in particular flat mail items. A conveying device transports articles to an up-ending apparatus. The up-ending apparatus transports the articles further and, in the process, up-ends the articles such that the up-ended articles stand on an edge. Up-ended articles are transported to a separating apparatus. The separating apparatus separates flat articles such that a stream of upright, spaced-apart articles leaves the separating apparatus. Up-ended and separated articles are transported to a format-separating device. The format-separating device divides the articles as a function of the dimensions thereof into article classes such that all of the articles of a set of articles belong to the same format class. All of the articles of a set of articles are transported as a stream of upright and spaced-apart articles to an appropriate processing device. The processing device processes the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Enenkel, Holger Schererz, Armin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8215489
    Abstract: The present application provides apparatuses and methods for the size-selective fractionation of ligand-capped nanoparticles that utilizes the tunable thermophysical properties of gas-expanded liquids. The nanoparticle size separation processes are based on the controlled reduction of the solvent strength of an organic phase nanoparticle dispersion through increases in concentration of the antisolvent gas, such as CO2, via pressurization. The method of nanomaterial separation contains preparing a vessel having a solvent and dispersed nanoparticles, pressurizing the chamber with a gaseous antisolvent, and causing a first amount of the nanoparticles to precipitate, transporting the solution to a second vessel, pressurizing the second vessel with the gaseous antisolvent and causing further nanoparticles to separate from the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Christopher B. Roberts, Steven R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 8202496
    Abstract: A molecule is separated from a liquid sample containing said molecule and at least one additional molecule having a larger hydrodynamic diameter than the hydrodynamic diameter of the molecule to be separated, by means of a separation device comprising a substrate, at least one circulation channel arranged in said substrate, and at least one nanotube associated with said molecule to be separated and formed on a free surface of the substrate. Separation is achieved by means of the internal channel of a nanotube, such as a carbon nanotube, presenting an effective diameter chosen in predetermined and controlled manner. The effective diameter of the internal channel is chosen such as to be larger than the hydrodynamic diameter of the molecule to be separated and smaller than the hydrodynamic diameter of the additional molecules of larger hydrodynamic diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Coiffic, Frédéric-Xavier Gaillard, Pierre Puget
  • Publication number: 20120145608
    Abstract: A mobile collapsible screen and cone crusher combination where the screen is pivoted forward and downward for transport and a rubber hopper is coupled to the fines conveyor so as to permit a hinged connection and a sliding connection between the flexible hopper and the fines conveyor. A plurality of flexible matter edge plates are used at the rear of the flexible hopper to facilitate proper compression and expansion of the flexible hopper. A selectable maintenance catch is used to allow the screen to be elevated to an intermediate height for maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: TEREX USA, LLC
    Inventor: DAN L. GARLAND
  • Publication number: 20120144900
    Abstract: A method is described for separating and processing liquid-borne particles within an aliquot thereof following injection into a field flow fractionator. Said fractionation method may be employed also to capture, for subsequent segregation, specific predefined classes of such particles. The unique fractionation method disclosed contains means to control the applied transverse flow at each designated location along the length of said channel. In one embodiment of the method a separate compartment lies below each distinct location and corresponding membrane supporting permeable frit segment of the fractionator, providing the individual means to control the localized flow through the membrane section thereabove. Employment of a corresponding concentric compartment implementation achieves the same type of compartmentalized cross flow when applied to a hollow fiber fractionation means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WYATT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Philip J. Wyatt
  • Publication number: 20120138515
    Abstract: A processing system for processing raw slurry material comprising a barrel member defining a feed portion, a processing chamber, and an outlet opening, at least one pre-processing member, and at least one pre-processing opening formed in the barrel member adjacent to a first portion of the pre-processing member. As the barrel member rotates, the at least one pre-processing member transports at least a portion of the raw slurry material such that at least some of the heavy particulate material in the raw slurry material is transported to the outlet opening, at least some of the liquid material in the raw slurry material is allowed to flow back towards the feed portion, and at least some of the liquid material and at least some of the light particulate material is allowed to flow through the at least one pre-processing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: DARITECH, INC.
    Inventor: David DeWaard
  • Patent number: 8172090
    Abstract: A system and method of sorting documents utilizing an algorithm or routine that alternates an order of documents with smallest sheet count documents followed by largest sheet count documents in order to optimizes a document throughput of an inserter based on a maximum speed that documents can be collated and accumulated and an algorithm or routine for optimizing the document throughput of a dual sheet cutter by grouping even sheet count documents together on evenly paired sheet boundaries within a mailing group of printed documents, with or without the use of dynamic motion control of the inserter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: DST Output West, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Preston, Marc Fagan
  • Patent number: 8123040
    Abstract: The invention is a device for characterizing the particle size distribution of powders, comprising a supply member, a discharge member, a weighing member, a continuous vibration member, a screening member and, optionally, a control member, said device being characterized in that the screening member is a member that rotates about a horizontal axis and has at least four positions corresponding to two screens of different mesh size, one release space and one anti-shock plate. Another subject of the invention is the use of such a device for characterization of the particle size distribution of powders and especially their in-line characterization, that is to say characterization during their manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Omya S.A.S.
    Inventor: Gil Largeaud
  • Patent number: 8074808
    Abstract: An automated device that separates out desired shells from a batch of mixed shells. The device allows an operator to gather all spent shells from a shooting range, for example, where many different caliber bullets have been fired, and have all the shells separated by size, or caliber. The preferred embodiment provides for includes a container with adjustable slots in four of the container's sides. An electric motor is also provided that is used to rotated the slotted container. The selected shells fall through the slots into a shell catcher. The sides can be removed and replaced, to adjust the slot size, or container sides with adjustable slots can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Tony A. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8033158
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of substances (particularly particulate substances) within mail pieces, specifically letters and other “flats” of mail. In particular, the systems and methods are for the detection of residues of Chemical or Biological Warfare Agents (CBWAs) which may be present within the mail pieces. The system is principally designed to be included as part of Dual Pass Rough Cull System (DPRCS) for the collection and detection of the residue when the contaminated mail piece first enters a mail facility and before it is intermingled with other mail pieces. The system also utilizes aerosol chambers using at least two arrays of pinch rollers to provide for decreased incremental changes on mail pieces and decrease the likelihood of mail piece damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Strohmeyer, William Blumfelder, John Tehan, Dennis Osterhorn, Joseph Matteoni, William J. Nelgner, Brian Lybarger, David Schenken, James Wagy
  • Publication number: 20110215036
    Abstract: A package-culling conveyor system and a method for culling flat packages from a bulk flow of flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes a tilted conveyor belt that conveys flat packages along its length while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side edge to initially cull flat packages from a bulk flow of packages. Retention means, such as a high-friction outer conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the outer conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt, holds flat packages on the tilted conveyor belt. The initially separated packages are more fully culled in a conveyor comprising a roller conveyor belt with package-supporting belt rollers rotated in a direction to push packages sidewise toward a culling element that extends along the length of the roller conveyor belt. Examples of culling elements include powered rollers and vertical walls forming side guards. The powered roller lifts the contact side of non-flat packages to free flat packages underneath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Fourney, Stephen G. Wargo, Eric M. Pressler, John M. Dunlop
  • Patent number: 7987993
    Abstract: A separator of solids for separating first and second solids, the diameter and density of the first solids being larger than the diameter and density of the second solids. A first substantially vertical internal baffle (2) forms a passage in the low portion of the separator and forms two compartments (1A, 1B) on the passage of the fluidized solids. The fluidization of each compartment is independently controlled by two fluidization gas inlets (3A, 3B) in order to obtain the desired velocity field for separating the first and second solids in the first compartment (1A) and discharging the second solids through a vent (8), as well as for transferring the first solids into the second compartment (1B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Jean-Xavier Morin, Corinne Beal, Silvestre Suraniti
  • Publication number: 20100326894
    Abstract: A method of making an abrasive particle distribution includes: sorting an initial lot of abrasive particles into a plurality of sublots including first and second sublots of the abrasive particles according to their average particle diameter and aspect ratio, and combining the first and second sublots. The initial lot conforms to an abrasives industry specified nominal grade. The first sublot has an average particle diameter and aspect ratio less than the second sublot. A sum of the first sublot and the second sublot contains fewer abrasive particles than the initial lot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Gary M. Palmgren, Brian D. Goers
  • Publication number: 20100326893
    Abstract: In a method, piece goods which differ from one another in at least one property are moved by at least one piece-good conveyor into depositing positions of at least one depositing-position conveyor, in order to form groups which are predefined with regard to this property. The at least one depositing-position conveyor transports these depositing positions parallel but in the opposite direction to the conveying direction of the at least one piece-good conveyor, at least in the region of the transfer of the piece goods into said depositing positions. The picker which is in each case last in the conveying direction of the at least one depositing-position conveyor completes the groups here. This method makes it possible to implement packaging strategies in a flexible and time-optimized manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Emil Hueppi, Roland Czuday
  • Publication number: 20100268011
    Abstract: A flexible process for the preparation and conditioning of sedimentary materials. The degree of decontamination of these dredged materials is enhanced by the use of chemical indicators. Based upon the level of contamination contained within this material the process is used to isolate the specific contamination and utilize a variable process to decontaminate these compounds. Not all of the compounds contained within the dredged sediment is treated the same way. The process is designed to isolate the composite of materials and treat each particle with a different process based upon its classification. Post treatment, this material may be combined and dewatered for a suitable use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: HARBOR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Behan, Mark T. Ungar
  • Publication number: 20100230329
    Abstract: An improved system and method for separating combustible organic particles from noncombustible inorganic particles in coal, in preparation for combustion. The coal is size-reduced and size-graded to small pieces which are then supplied to input ends of water-immersed descending slides having ultrasonic transducers for vibratory separation of inorganic and organic particles. The slides have different longitudinal lengths with angles of declination configured to achieve time-differential exposure to the ultrasonic vibratory energy, with smaller coal pieces being subjected to shorter time ultrasonic vibratory exposure. In one preferred form, longitudinally spaced turbidity sensors along the slide provide signals used to control selected ultrasonic transducers upon substantially complete cleaning of the coal pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce H. Kittrick, Douglas C. McHaney
  • Publication number: 20100226738
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring bulk solid biomass fuels from a hopper to an end-user storage bin. The system may comprise at least one intermediate bulk container (IBC) configured to contain a quantity of the fuel and a mobile transfer system for transferring the fuel from the IBC to an end-user storage container. The mobile transfer system may comprise a hopper configured to be coupled to the IBC and configured to receive the bulk solid biomass fuel from the IBC; a delivery hose configured to be coupled to the hopper and the end-user storage container, wherein the delivery hose is configured to receive the bulk solid biomass fuel from the intermediate bulk container; and a blower coupled to the delivery hose, the blower configured to transfer the bulk solid biomass fuel between the intermediate bulk container and the end-user storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: PELLETSALES.COM, LLC
    Inventors: Jon Strimling, Randell Drane, Mark MacLean, Dan Freihofer
  • Publication number: 20100223206
    Abstract: A method of providing particles configured for use in magnetic recording media includes providing a set of particles having a size distribution, and removing a fraction of the set of particles from the size distribution. The fraction is less than approximately 50% by volume and includes the most massive particles in the size distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Michael P. Sharrock
  • Publication number: 20100217432
    Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus includes a first module arranged along a sheet conveyance route from the upstream to the downstream thereof, and a second module arranged adjacent to the first module, wherein the first module including a take-out part to take out sheets one by one from a bundle of sheets fed into a supply part; a first conveyance route to convey the taken out sheets with the take-out part; a discriminating device to discriminate category of the sheets conveyed along the first conveyance route; and a first control part to transmit destination information and category information of the sheet discriminated by the discriminating device and to execute a conveyance control to the sheet residing along the first conveyance route, and wherein the second module including: a second conveyance route to convey further the sheets conveyed from the first module; a first stacking device to stack the sheet conveyed along the second conveyance route based on the destination information and category information rece
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kabushiki Toshiba
    Inventor: Takao Mori
  • Patent number: 7758292
    Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Robert D. Lundahl, William D. Finch, Robert Cutlip, Dwight Koogle, Mark Bankard
  • Patent number: 7735658
    Abstract: A classification apparatus including a magnetic stirrer composed of main body (1) and rotor (2) and, arranged on the main body of the magnetic stirrer, classification tube (3). The interior of the classification tube is provided with classification compartments (A-E) partitioned from each other by divider plates (5a-5b). The lowermost classification compartment (A) is furnished with gas emission conduit (7). In the classification compartment (A), the rotor (2) of the magnetic stirrer is arranged. From gas supply source (8), a high-pressure gas is fed into the gas emission conduit. By means of the gas emitted from the gas emission conduit, a vortex flow rising from the lowermost classification compartment sequentially toward higher classification compartments is generated in the classification tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignees: The Doshisha, Kyoto University, Fukujuen Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jusuke Hidaka, Shinzo Yoshikado, Yoshiyuki Shirakawa, Yoshiaki Ito, Kiyoshi Hayakawa, Yuuko Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20100108579
    Abstract: A screen frame assembly is provided for use with a screening machine. The screen frame assembly includes first and second generally planar screen frames and a coupling between the first and second screen frames that includes a tab in the first screen frame and a receiving slot in the second screen frame. The receiving slot is configured to receive the tab and includes a centering feature for laterally aligning the first and second screen frames relative to one another. The centering feature may include a pair of opposed inwardly angled edges of the receiving slot. The coupling may include an overlap region between the first and second screen frames that is engageable to thereby permit lifting of the second screen frame by a lifting force exerted upon the first screen frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Rotex Global. LLC
    Inventors: Brady P. Ballman, Gerald Barth, Brian Blazer, Anthony Boberschmidt, James Potter, Douglas Steinriede