Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for separation of non-adult insects, such as pupae or larvae, according to sexual dimorphisms or developmental stages that can affect their size.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for isolating an insect pupa from an aqueous solution including a plurality of insect pupae. An isolation device may include a primary channel through which the aqueous solution and insect pupae travel, an outlet, and a secondary channel that intersects the primary channel. The secondary channel may transport a fluid to add it to the primary channel between an inlet and the outlet. When the sealable outlet is closed, an insect pupa located downstream of the intersection of the primary and secondary channels remains stationary while any insect pupae upstream of the intersection are pushed towards the inlet. The systems and methods described herein may also provide for identifying and sorting insect pupae.

Abstract: A battery aligning device includes an inlet through which a first cylindrical battery is input, an outlet from which the first cylindrical battery is discharged, regulating plates constituting a slit in a path from the inlet to the outlet, and a support member which supports one end portion and the other end portion of each of the regulating plates, in the regulating plates, a length from the one end portion to the other end portion is longer than a length of the first cylindrical battery, an X-Z cross-section has a non-linear shape, in an interval between the one regulating plate and the other regulating plate, a facing interval between surfaces is larger than a diameter of the first cylindrical battery, and when a line segment having the same length as that of the first cylindrical battery is in contact with the regulating plate at two points on the X-Z cross-section, a distance between the line segment and the regulating plate is arranged at an interval smaller than the diameter of the first cylindrical ba

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.

Abstract: The Popcorn Pal is a round molded plastic disk formed like a grate, to be used to separate popcorn kernels from cooked popcorn. Item is to be placed in the bottom of a bowl (standard size from 9 inch or larger) popped corn is placed in the bowl and kernels fall to the bottom of the bowl through the plastic grate, separating them from the popped corn.

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.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to obstacle array devices (also known as bump array devices) for separating populations of particles by size. Improvements over previous obstacle array devices are realized by causing the fluid velocity profile across gaps between obstacles to be asymmetrical with respect to the plane that bisects the gap and is parallel to the direction of bulk fluid flow. Such asymmetry can be achieved by selecting the shape(s) of the obstacles bounding the gap such that the portions of the obstacles upstream from, downstream from or bridging the narrowest portion of the gap are asymmetrical with respect to that plane. Improvements are also realized by using obstacles that have sharp edges bounding the gaps. Other improvements are realized by selecting obstacle shapes such that the critical particle dimensions defined by the gaps in two different fluid flow directions differ.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting ammunition casings and adapted to be mounted on a vibrating base. The apparatus includes an input hopper adapted to receive ammunition casings and a sorting track in communication with the input hopper where the sorting tracks has a graduated opening the bottom of the track such that the diameter of the graduated opening increases as the opening extends away from the hopper. The apparatus further includes sorting compartments arranged under the sorting track. Vibration moves the casings from the input hopper to the sorting track, and as the casings move along the sorting track, smaller diameter casings fall through a first opening portion into a first sorting compartment, and larger diameter casings move along the sorting track past the first opening portion and subsequently fall though a second opening portion into a second sorting compartment thereby separating the ammunition into different calibers.

Abstract: A streamer trap assembly for collecting streamers from a flow of polymer pellets includes a housing comprising an inlet, an outlet, and an opening bounded by a sealing surface; and a streamer trap positioned in the housing through the opening. The streamer trap comprises a screen sized to collect the streamers at the screen and to allow the polymer pellets to pass through the screen, a guide positioned to guide the flow of polymer pellets from the inlet to the screen and from the screen to the outlet, and a cover adapted to engage the sealing surface and cover the opening.

Abstract: A screen repair apparatus is disclosed for temporarily repairing holes or worn screen elements of screens used in gyratory or vibratory screening machines in the coal mining and rock quarrying industries. The apparatus is comprised of a flat plate which covers the damaged area of screen on the screen's top, a number of duplex jaws which are used to clamp the apparatus to the lower surface of the screen elements, and a clamping means, including an attachment rod which draws together the plate and duplex jaws on either side of the screen elements, thereby clamping the two to the screen. The screen repair apparatus also is comprised of a set of cauls, which are disposed between the clamping means and the upper surface of the plate and which distribute the force exerted by the clamping means across the face of the upper surface of the plate.

Abstract: A hopper used in conjunction with a deep fryer basket to remove small pieces of the food item, breading or ice crystals from the basket before it is placed in a deep fryer for cooking. Removing the small particles of food prevents them from falling into the shortening and accumulating in the deep fryer. The shortening in the deep fryer will last longer and not discolor when the food items being cooked are totally removed from the shortening after cooking and do not leave behind small pieces of food, breading or water. The hopper when used over a bucket will collect all the small food items, which would otherwise fall into the shortening. The bucket when full can be emptied or replaces with another bucket. The hopper has a lid to engage the bucket and prevent spills or food escaping from the bucket.

Abstract: An oscillator apparatus for sorting out pieces of lumber for separating smaller scraps of wood from larger usable pieces of wood. The oscillator apparatus for sorting out pieces of lumber includes a base assembly including leg members and elongate side members interconnecting pairs of leg members; and also includes a table assembly being movably mounted upon the base assembly; and further includes an oscillator assembly being mounted to the base assembly for oscillating the table assembly.

Abstract: A tool designed for separating manure, loose hay and wet bedding from the stall of an animal. The tool comprises a rectangular frame supporting a plurality of spaced parallel rods. The rods extend downwardly at an angle from a wall of the stall such that the lower ends of the rods or the portion of the grate supporting the rods extend into a receiver such as a muck bucket or wheel barrow. When refuse is tossed from a floor of the stall onto the grate, then manure, loose hay and soiled or wet bedding will flow down the grate into the receiver, while reusable bedding will pass through the spaces between the rods for later reuse. The frame is provided with side members which converge at their lower ends to funnel refuse into the container.

Abstract: In a table tennis ball-sorting device, a plurality of rails are disposed side by side in substantially a horizontal direction along the side of at least one playing surface of a table tennis table at intervals that are capable of having passed therethrough only deformed balls, and a plurality of rails are disposed side by side in substantially a horizontal direction along the rear part of the playing surface at intervals that are capable of having passed therethrough only deformed balls. The former rails are disposed to be inclined towards downstream, while the downstream side thereof is overlapped on the upstream part of the latter rails so that balls can be transferred. A table tennis apparatus using the table tennis ball-sorting device is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a film processor, filmstrips are contained in their specific cartridge shells with their film leaders attached to a leader plate, and are fed into processing baths with the leader plate in the lead, while being pulled out from the cartridge shells. After the filmstrips are separated from the cartridge shells, the cartridge shells drop on a chute and slide down on the chute. Smaller cartridge shells sift through a sifting slit formed through the chute along the sliding direction, while larger cartridge shells slide down to a lower end of the chute. A lateral guide plate extends under the sifting slit, to guide smaller cartridge shells having sifted through the sifting slit in the lateral direction of the sifting chute toward a cartridge recovery box. Larger cartridge shells drop from the lower end of the chute down to a second cartridge recovery box.

Abstract: A padding machine (10, 100) is disclosed which is capable of separating materials in a spoils bank beside a trench into coarser materials, which are redeposited in the spoils bank behind the machine, and finer materials which are conveyed to the trench for padding the pipeline. The machine includes a conveyor with a conveyor chain which moves around the perimeter of the machine. Material caught by the scraper blade (28) is conveyed by the conveyor chain along a belly pan (70) and thereafter over a plurality of grizzly bars (72). Coarser material which will not pass through the grizzly bars is conveyed by the conveyor chain (56) to the rearward end of the machine and dumped off the rearward end of the machine back to the ground. The finer materials passing through the grizzly bars are again separated by a vibrator unit (76, 104).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a device for separating deformed balls from normal spherical balls prior to washing as is common in the ball pen industry. The device comprises an L-shaped tunnel which defines a slot on its lower surface. The slot feeds into a receptacle positioned below the tunnel. Balls enter under the force of vacuum pressure through an intake opening, striking a first bi-angled deflector plate. Deformed balls will fall through the slot into the receptacle in most cases. However, to increase the likelihood of such an eventuality, the balls then strike a second deflector plate and are sent down the second leg of the L-shaped tunnel. The second leg also defines a slot. By striking the second deflector plate, the ball is reoriented and the likelihood of passing through the slot is increased. Thus, normal balls are left and pass from the L-shaped tunnel out through an output opening and on for conventional washing.

Abstract: An apparatus for the grading of fish into various size categories, utilizing a series of panels with progressively smaller spaces between grading bars on the panels. The panels are attached to a panel box that may be raised or lowered within a holding vat. Water constantly flows through the holding vat, up through the panel box, and out over a spillway at the top front of the holding vat. By raising the panel box, the largest fish are forced out of the holding vat and down the spillway by the grading bars on the panels inside the panel box. Smaller fish swim through the grading bars on the panels with wider spaces between grading bars, and are not forced out of the holding vat until a lower panel with narrower spaces between grading bars is raised to the edge of the spillway. The constant flow of water up and toward the spillway causes the fish to instinctively swim downward and align themselves parallel to the grading bars and keeps the fish oxygenated during the grading process.

Abstract: A screening panel molded in one piece in plastics material has a plurality of surface members 11 running generally in the direction `A` and supported on transverse members 12. The surface members 11 define a substantially raised surface having a plurality of slots or gaps 13 of substantially constant dimension through which material to be screened will pass if it is below the screen size defined by the gaps 13. The surface members 11 project a significant distance above the transverse members 12 in order to provide a surface having substantially uninterrupted slots 13. The structure and material are designed to increase flexibility of the panel which assists in keeping the panel clear without any significant degradation of the sizing capability of the screen.

Abstract: A separating apparatus is disclosed for separating debris from materials. The apparatus includes a container which defines an opening for the flow therethrough of the materials. A frame is disposed adjacent to the opening. The frame has a first side which is pivotally connected to the container about a pivotal axis. A second side of the frame is disposed remote from the first side. A separating device is pivotally secured to the frame about a further pivotal axis. The separating device extends across the opening between the first and second side of the frame when in a first disposition thereof. An actuator co-operates with the separating device for permitting movement of the separating device to a second disposition thereof away from the frame and the opening.

Abstract: A classifying grate has corrugated bars with respective stubs eccentrically journaled in bearing blocks in bearing chambers of the longitudinal supports on either side of the grate bars. The bearing blocks have play Sr in the feed direction of the breaker product, and the bars can move with axial play relative to the blocks. The play and eccentric mountings of the grate bars ensures that there will be no jamming of the product in the gaps between the bars and consequent damage to the bear stubs and blocks.

Abstract: A stationary scalper removes coarse trash, from feed material entering a roll mill grinder, by diverting the trash across an adjustable inclined grate to a trash discharge chute. The grate is fitted with parallel grate bars extending in the direction of inclination for easy trash transport. A flow director spreads the feed material over the full length of the grate below the feed inlet and an adjustable rigid door defines a gap above the grate which controls the flow rate of trash toward the discharge chute. By controlling flow rate, the efficiency of trash separation may be maximized for a given production rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for grading crayfish is provided, comprising a tank having a bottom and sides forming a cavity which will hold water; and a grate assembly having multiple, vertically separated tiers to form spaces between adjacent tiers of sufficient size to accommodate a pre-determined amount of crayfish of pre-determined size. Each tier comprises multiple, horizontally separated round bars, the spacing between the bars in each succeeding lower tier being less than the spacing in the upper tiers. A process for grading crayfish of multiple sizes is also provided, comprising the steps of loading crayfish onto a top tier of a grate assembly of the type described above positioned in a water-filled tank, lifting the grate assembly from the tank after a period sufficient in time to allow all crayfish to seek the lowest level tier achievable in accordance with their size, and removing all crayfish located between one set of adjacent tiers separately from crayfish located between any other set of adjacent tiers.

Abstract: An apparatus for recycling waste materials includes a first conveyor for conveying a combination of waste material including magnetic responsive metals, magnetic non-responsive metals, glass materials in both large and small particles, and plastics. A magnetic separator is positioned to receive the waste materials from the first conveyor and is capable of removing the magnetic responsive metals. A vibrating shaker screen then receives the waste materials and by virtue of its vibration causes the smaller broken glass to pass through spaces in the screen. Next, an air sorter including a large blower receives the waste materials and blows a stream of air across the waste materials so as to blow the lighter metals, such as aluminum and the plastics away from the remaining large glass materials, such as bottles. The glass bottles are carried away on a second conveyor, and the aluminum and plastics are carried away on a third conveyor.

Abstract: A lower blow box of a device for heat tempering glass sheets in horizontal position exhibits a series of nozzle plates which are placed at a distance (A) from one another. Between nozzle plates there are obliquely placed sheet-metal chutes, U-shaped in cross section, which laterally convey out the broken glass pieces arising in the breaking of the glass sheet during tempering. The sheet-metal chutes are vibrated with a vibrator.

Abstract: A screen or grid adapted to be placed in close proximity to the receiving end of a trash receptacle housed within an enclosure which permits smaller dimensioned trash to pass through openings in the screen or grid but will prevent larger dimensioned reusable objects, such as food carrying trays, from being mistakenly or inadvertently disposed in the trash receptacle.

Abstract: A separator for separating different sized components from a material and which is particularly useful for separating rocks, branches and other debris from soil to form topsoil. The separator has a cylindrical screen formed from a plurality of circular bars which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. A shaft is coaxially rotatably mounted to the screen and includes a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from it. Material having components of different sizes is fed into one end of the screen and the shaft is rotatably driven. In doing so, the blades crush the material, force the smaller components of the material through the space between adjacent bars, and simultaneously transport the material, together with its larger components, toward the other end of the screen.

Abstract: A liquid flow system which comprises means to screen long slender objects from a liquid flowing in a conduit. The screening means comprises a set of opposed, aligned, undulating surfaces, each having axes of curvature extending in at least two directions. In another embodiment there is a primary set of corrugated surfaces, with axes extending in a single direction transverse to the direction of fluid flow, and a secondary set of corrugated surfaces mounted on the primary set with axes transverse to the direction of fluid flow and transverse to the axes of the primary set. The undulating surfaces are preferably formed as primary corrugated plates with secondary corrugated plates transversely mounted on each primary corrugated plate. The primary corrugated plates can be moved apart to permit the removal of trapped debris.

Abstract: This invention provides means to screen long, slender objects from a flowing fluid, and more particularly provides means to clear jammed objects therefrom. The screening means comprises a set of opposed, aligned, undulating surfaces, preferably formed as corrugated plates, located within a conduit, that can be moved apart to permit the removal of trapped debris. The plates are so mounted as to be transversely movable relative to the conduit, and are each movable relative to the adjacent plates so as to permit increasing the separation between adjacent plates when the plates are moved to outside of the conduit. The liquid screening means of this invention can usefully be included in a suction type dredging device, between the inlet nozzle and the pump.

Abstract: Apparatus for analyzing a fish population. The apparatus includes an elevated tank which receives fish transferred from a pond. Fish travel from this tank and by gravity through a fish grader which separates the fish into different size ranges of fish. Displacement weighing tanks are included to enable the weight and number of fish in a selected size range to be determined.

Abstract: A device for cleaning or refining herbage or herbal substances which operates to separate out twigs, seeds or other roughage by an agitating and straining process. The device includes a cylindrical main body internally divided into a pair of chambers by a fixed strainer or wire screen with a pair of removable end caps enclosing the chambers at each end of the cylinder. A plurality of metallic balls, preferably four, are loosely confined within one of the chambers within which the herbage to be refined is introduced. Vigorous shaking of the device will cause refined herbage to pass from the chamber containing the balls, through the strainer or screen and into the other chamber where the refined herbage may be collected in one of the end caps.

Abstract: A hopper having a filling area and a supply area for cigarettes to be delivered, means to prevent cigarettes from dropping directly into the supply area from the filling area, and sliding channels supporting acceptable cigarettes as they move therethrough into the supply area, and permitting reject cigarettes and cigarette parts to drop out of the hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus for de-shelling hard-boiled eggs which comprises a feeding arrangement for feeding hard-boiled eggs to a position between two walls. The walls are reciprocated to bat the eggs to-and-fro between the walls to shatter the egg shells. The fragments of shell are washed away by a water spray, the de-shelled egg then being discharged. The walls may be parallel walls between which the eggs are passed on a conveyor or may be part of a continuous wall forming an oval container in which the eggs are de-shelled individually. In this case a plurality of said oval containers may be provided.

Abstract: A gin for use with leafy herbs separates the leaves from the stems, seeds, and other debris. A rotary bristle brush is rotatably mounted in the lower end of a hopper to transfer the leaves from the hopper into a collection compartment. The collection compartment is attached to the lower end of the hopper and supports a concave grate meshing with the brush. On rotation of the brush, the leaves are forced through the grate and the stems, seeds, and debris are retainingly enmeshed within the brush bristles.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and separating discrete articles such as railroad track material according to shape and size, including an oscillating conveyor, a plurality of spaced parallel bars extending longitudinally along a trough of a sorting end of the conveyor and having leading edges projecting beyond an edge of the trough so that a separating zone is defined, means positioned a spaced distance from the separating zone for receiving a first group of material from the top surface of the parallel bars, and means positioned beneath the separating zone for receiving a second group of smaller-sized material after it falls over the trough edge. The apparatus of the invention also preferably include a hopper, a feeder positioned adjacent the hopper whereby flow of material from the hopper to the oscillating conveyor is regulated, a belt conveyor for transporting the first group of material away from the first receiving means, and an elevating conveyor adjacent the belt conveyor.

Abstract: Worms are harvested by placing worm-containing bedding material from a breeding bin on a flat breaking board mounted within a wooden frame. The bedding material is pushed from the board onto an adjacent screen mounted within the frame at approximately the same level as the board. The screen is covered by the bedding material to a uniform depth while exposed from above to light. A worm-receiving tray with dark inner bottom surface is removably mounted in darkness within the frame below the screen. The frame is leg-supported at one end, while its screen-end rests on the top edge of a bin to be harvested. An upper layer of the bedding material is gradually skimmed from the screen into the bin, causing the worms to work their way deeper into the bedding material remaining on the screen. The skimming process is repeated until all worms have worked their way down through the bedding material to the screen. From there the larger worms crawl through the screen into the tray below.