Abstract: A deveining device efficiently removes veins from shrimp while preserving the meat of the shrimp in both appearance and quantity. The deveining device comprises a channel having a blade extending along a section of the channel for cutting the back of the shrimp as it rolls through the channel to expose a vein. A downstream vein remover severs the exposed vein from the shrimp body. Nozzles spray fluid into the channel to propel the shrimp through the channel.

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.

Abstract: A method for separating mixtures of solid materials includes incorporating a ferromagnetic particulate material into a mixture of solid materials and, after the incorporating step, separating the mixture of solid materials into at least two groups based on the magnetic and frictional properties of the different components of the mixture of solid materials. The ferromagnetic particulate material can differentially incorporate into or adhere to different components of the mixture of solid materials. The different components of the mixture have different frictional properties and, after the incorporating step, the different components have different magnetic properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating elastomeric materials from mixed material streams. A separator includes a bank of parallel rollers extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end. The bank of parallel rollers having a predefined inclination with the first end elevated higher than the second end. Mixed material streams are fed onto a top surface of the high end of the inclined parallel rollers. A material having less friction and elasticity slides down the inclined roller bank top surface are collected into a collection bin positioned adjacent the second, lower end of the roller bank. Other materials having a higher friction coefficient grip the rollers more and are lifted out of the valley due to friction migrating perpendicular to the rotating rollers and are collected in a collection bin positioned adjacent one side of the roller bank parallel to the longitudinal roller axis.

Abstract: A method is specified for sorting flat mail items, which allows sorting according to delivery order to be carried out swiftly and reliably. With the method a first sorting pass is carried out in a first segment with at least N storage modules of a sorting device and a second sorting pass is then carried out in a second segment with at least N storage modules of the sorting device. The overflow items, which are assigned to a storage module that has been closed because it is full, are deposited into one of the other storage modules in the first sorting pass and are included in the sorting process of the second sorting pass.

Abstract: A method of separating particulate material of differing size or density including the steps of: tumbling the particulate material to produce continuous or discrete avalanches (19) in the surface of the particulate material to move particles of smaller size (14) or higher density (22) towards the centre of the particulate material and particles of larger size (16) or lower density (24) radially outward from the centre of the particulate material; and extracting particles at selected radial locations (8, 10). A device for separating particulate material of differing size or density is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a unit for automatic recycling apparatuses for containers, e.g. cans and bottles made of glass, plastic, or metal. Said unit comprises a conveying device with a conveyor belt for advancing the containers in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof, and rotating rollers that are provided with a surface area and can be moved from a neutral position into an identifying position in which said rotating rollers disengage the container from the conveying device and make the container rotate. According to the invention, the rollers are embodied as hollow elements and are provided with a breakthrough in the longitudinal direction. At least one conveying device is disposed in the rollers, respectively, while the conveyor belt is arranged in the area of the breakthrough. The rotating rollers and the conveying device are mounted separately, the surface area of the rollers overlapping the conveyor belt of the conveying device when the rotating rollers are rotated.

Abstract: A trommel cleaning apparatus is supported by at least one carrier guide, which allows for movement of the cleaning apparatus from a first position to a second position in order to adjust a cleaning contact force between at least one cleaning element of the cleaning apparatus and the trommel. A driver assembly may be provided to move the cleaning apparatus between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A multifunctional apparatus for use in agricultural applications includes a stationary section including a primary chassis having a plurality of leg members attached thereto. The stationary section further includes a reservoir connected to the chassis and supported above a ground surface and a power-operable air compressor secured to the reservoir. The apparatus further includes a movable section including a secondary chassis and a cage attached thereto. The secondary chassis includes a hinge and a bracket secured thereto. The cage includes a lid member removably attachable thereto and an access door pivotally connected thereto. The apparatus further includes a power mechanism for rotating the movable section and a mechanism for mixing the products disposed within the movable section. The mixing and power mechanisms are independently rotatable during operating conditions.

Abstract: A launcher (17, 50, 60) and an associated process for compressible materials (42) includes a frame (22), at least one upper roller (1), at least one lower roller (2) located below the at least one upper roller (1) within the frame (22), a transport mechanism (9) for transporting feed material between the at least one upper roller (1) and the at least one lower roller (2) and a rotational mechanism that is operatively connected to the at least one upper roller (1) and the at least one lower roller (2).

Abstract: A bench-top pill counter accurately and automatically counts a wide variety of shapes and sizes of pharmaceutical pills and capsules, having a variety of coatings. A rotating bowl, periodically shaken during rotation, is combined with a fixed, flared spiral guide ramp causing pills to distribute individually on an annular ledge in the bowl. The pills are dispensed from the bowl onto a sloped slide and counted at the bottom of the slide by an optical counter. The micro-computer determines an optimum speed and shake algorithm for the bowl, based on the characteristics such as the size and shape of the pills, so that the pills distribute individually and only one pill at a time passes the counter.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating mixed particles divides the material to be sorted into constituent fractions comprising non-ferromagnetic particles of different electrical conductance. The particles are fed onto a conveyor, e.g. a conveyor belt that linearly moves the particles in a given direction. A rotating magnetic system is arranged below and/or above the conveyor belt. The rotary direction of the magnetic system is chosen so that the direction of movement of the surface of the magnetic system and the direction of movement of the surface of the conveyor belt are different. The fractions of non-ferromagnetic particles that are electrically charged to varying degrees are thereby divided between a plurality of collecting containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating cans or bottles from plastic bags and plastic bag parts, including a frame and a perforated drum operably rotatably attached to the frame. The drum has a circular cross section. A divider member is disposed in the interior of the drum with edges of the divider member being in close proximity to the inside of the drum. A vacuum device is connected to one side of the divider creating a lower pressure section of the drum whereby cans or bottles and plastic bags falling onto the rotating drum causes the plastic bags to attach to the exterior of the drum on the lower pressure section thereof. This allows the plastic bags to be released on the other side of the drum from the pull of the lower pressure as the drum is rotated, by having a low pressure and high pressure side of the drum.

Abstract: A hollow rotating drum 1 is provided in an oblique manner and is rotated by two pairs of rollers 3a, 3b. A size classification unit 2 is provided in the vicinity of a center of the rotating drum in a lengthwise direction of the drum, and water is added from a water addition unit 4. An object to be moisturized is supplied from an opening on an upper portion of the rotating drum in a supplying direction 5 of the object. Then, the object is moved spirally within the rotating drum to be moisturized. An object, i.e., a moisture-processed substance having a size equal to or smaller than the predetermined size is classified by the size classification unit to be continuously discharged in a direction 6 of movements of the moisture-processed substance. Also, an object, i.e., residue having a larger size than the predetermined size, is continuously discharged from an opening on an underside of the rotating drum in a direction 7 of movements of the residue.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating mixed particles divides the material to be sorted into constituent fractions comprising non-ferromagnetic particles of different electrical conductance. The particles are fed onto a conveyor, e.g. a conveyor belt which linearly moves the particles in a given direction. A rotating magnetic system is arranged below and/or above the conveyor belt. The rotary direction of the magnetic system is chosen so that the direction of movement of the surface of the magnetic system and the direction of movement of the surface of the conveyor belt are different. The fractions of non-ferromagnetic particles which are electrically charged to varying degrees, are thereby divided between a plurality of collecting containers.

Abstract: A sorting system wherein particulate material is dispersed by centrifugal force in a layer on an inner surface of a rotating drum, and particles which possess at least one predetermined characteristic are removed from the layer.

Abstract: A counterflow aggregate recovery apparatus for separating and retrieving material. The recovery apparatus includes a rotatable drum in which a cylindrical screen is suspended. The material to be processed is introduced into the cylindrical screen. The screen permits the passage of material smaller than the openings defined by the screen. The material which passes through the cylindrical screen is received within an annular volume defined between the cylindrical screen and the drum wall. A first material conveyor moves the material received within the annular volume such that the material is discharged from the second end of the drum. A second material conveyor moves the material retained by the cylindrical screen to the first end of the drum and discharges the material from the first end.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating of different plastic products, which plastic products are comminuted, purified, and dried in a conventional way. The dry particles are fed to a heated, movable support base. Plastic particles, having a lower softening point, adhere to the support base, and particles having, a higher softening point, flow freely over the particles adhering to the moving support base and can be separated. After separation of these particles, the adhering particles are scraped from the steel belt.

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

Abstract: The present invention is addressed to an apparatus and method for carrying out the effective separation or classification of MSW into fractions with improved efficiency. This improved efficiency is achieved inter alia through the use of various separation devices designed to segregate fractions of MSW based on their ultimate usages or physical properties. Through the utilization of devices optimized to categorize by the physical properties of various fractions, a large percentage of the sortation process can be achieved without the use of human sorters.