Abstract: The methods and apparatus separate fines from crushed rock and stone. A motorized conveyor belt system is activated that includes a conveyor belt moving in an upward direction. A spray system is activated to spray a fluid on an underneath surface of the conveyor belt. The mixture of rock and fines are directed to the conveyor belt. The rock tumbles or rolls down the conveyor belt and is collected at a first end of the conveyor belt. The fines stick or adhere to the conveyor belt, and the fines are scraped off of the conveyor belt at or near the second end of the conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a conveyor belt system, including a moving belt, a motor to move the belt, the belt including a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is elevated relative to the first end. The apparatus includes a spray system, including a source of fluid, a sprayer in fluidic communication with the source of the fluid, and the sprayer positioned to spray a surface of the belt with the fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are used to separate fines from objects of a feed mixture being processed (e.g., iron bearing pellets, chips and dust). For example, at least a portion of an endless belt defining a channel is movable up an incline relative to horizontal (e.g., an incline that is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects, but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines being removed). Further, obstruction elements may be used on the endless belt to impede the flow of the fines down the incline.

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: Apparatus, methods and systems are used to separate fines from objects of a feed mixture being processed (e.g., iron bearing pellets, chips and dust). For example, at least a portion of an endless belt defining a channel is movable up an incline relative to horizontal (e.g., an incline that is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects, but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines being removed). Further, obstruction elements may be used on the endless belt to impede the flow of the fines down the incline.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are used to separate fines from objects of a feed mixture being processed (e.g., iron bearing pellets, chips and dust). For example, at least a portion of an endless belt defining a channel is movable up an incline relative to horizontal (e.g., an incline that is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects, but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines being removed). Further, obstruction elements may be used on the endless belt to impede the flow of the fines down the incline.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are used to separate fines from objects of a feed mixture being processed (e.g., iron bearing pellets, chips and dust). For example, at least a portion of an endless belt defining a channel is movable up an incline relative to horizontal (e.g., an incline that is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects, but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines being removed). Further, obstruction elements may be used on the endless belt to impede the flow of the fines down the incline.

Abstract: A foodstuff seed sorting endless belt conveyor apparatus for sorting out premium quality seeds from a seed mixture having both premium and inferior grade seeds on the basis of seed physical characteristics develops an orbital motion that is superimposed upon the normal longitudinal motion of the apparatus endless belt to thereby increase sorting selectivity, efficiency, and rates of product throughput.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sorting used batteries, comprising an intake station, an outlet station and a pre-sorting station disposed between the intake station and the outlet station, which pre-sorting station connects to a first re-sorting station and a second re-sorting station. The two re-sorting stations are arranged for manual examination and removal of undesirable batteries and further objects, as well as for manual sorting of batteries and other objects that land in the re-sorting stations during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of separating solid waste materials, in the form of dried particles of substantially uniform size, into constituent materials on the basis of density, with primary stage processing utilizing one or more fluidized bed and cyclonic separator assemblies to separate materials on the basis of density, is provided by the invention. Secondary stage processing utilizing combinations of vibratory conveyors and melt separation assemblies, is also provided. As the waste materials move through the separator assemblies the initial stream is further refined into a plurality of streams of increasingly specific densities as a result of air flow separation of lighter particles from heavier particles in each assembly. Further refined separation may be achieved through the use of vibratory conveyors and melt separation.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting paper materials includes a separating mechanism for thinning the paper materials and a sensing mechanism for classifying the paper material according to type. The separating mechanism includes a plurality conveyor belts operating at successively higher speeds, whereby passing materials from one conveyor belt to another conveyor belt results in spreading the paper material. The sensing mechanism includes a mechanical striking device to strike the paper material, a microphone to detect the sound caused by the striking device and an evaluation unit to determine the type of paper material on the basis of the sound.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for processing domestic garbage wherein the garbage is debagged and placed on a series of vibrating conveyors which are tilted with respect to the horizontal in a direction substantially normal to the direction of conveyor operation whereby the garbage is separated according to the density/hardness of the material. The apparatus can include various accessory devices including electro magnets, vacuum devices and blowing devices to assist in the separation of the material.

Abstract: A method is proposed for recovering valuable substances, particularly from construction site wastes and industrial trash as well as a system for implementing the method in which the essential sorters are disposed in a closed container which can be placed onto an elevated foundation. The foundation is formed by intersecting walls which simultaneously serve as partitions for various bunkers.

Abstract: A non-destructive, spoilage detection device has a conveyor with a top surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end, a second end, a container ingress area, a first container egress area and a second container egress area. The conveyor's top surface is inclined downwardly from the upper edge to the lower edge so that containers introduced onto the conveyor will roll from the upper edge towards the lower edge as they move toward the first end of the conveyor. Containers of non-spoiled liquid food product exit the conveyor at a first container egress area located along the lower edge of the conveyor, while containers of spoiled liquid food product exit the conveyor at a second container egress area located along the first end of the conveyor. There is also disclosed a method for utilizing the device of this invention for the non-destructive detection of spoilage of liquid food products in sealed containers.

Abstract: A sorting machine which serves for treatment of mixtures of refuse, especially household rubbish, trade waste, industrial waste, refuse from demolition, waste from building sites, and also waste from wood or the like. To achieve a drum-like motion, a mixture of useful material is supplied to a conveyor belt which is inclined transversely to the direction of transport, the conveyor belt having the shape of part of a cylindrical shell. For the production of a screen effect, the screen conveyor belt is provided with screen pockets on its surface, so that fine material falling into the screen pockets is transported in the longitudinal direction of the screen conveyor belt, and coarse material is transported in the transverse direction of the screen conveyor belt, and thereby they are separated.

Abstract: A sorting installation for separating a first type of articles (relatively light and substantially two-dimensional) from a second type of articles (relatively heavy and substantially three-dimensional), includes a travelling conveyor belt having an article-supporting surface receiving the first and second type of articles in a generally mixed state. The article-supporting surface is arranged for travel in its length dimension and is inclined to the horizontal in its width dimension for causing primarily the second type of articles to move by gravity downwardly and laterally off the article-supporting surface. The article-supporting surface slopes upwardly as viewed in a direction of travel. There is further provided a vibrator connected to the belt conveyor for enhancing movement by gravity of the second type of articles on the article-supporting surface.

Abstract: A harvesting device for separating round root crops, such as potatoes, from soil and other unwanted material. The crop and the soil in which it is growing is uplifted into the harvesting device by the forward movement of the device. The uplifted material is delivered into two conveyors, one positioned above the other and one running at a different speed from the other. The upper conveyor has a series of transverse members, such as fingers and flaps, which break up the uplifted material into discrete portions and these transverse members form with the lower conveyor a series of pockets so that each discrete portion of uplifted material lies in a pocket. The conveyors are inclined and this combined with the differential speed causes the material to be tumbled and the round root crops to roll free of unwanted material.

Abstract: A harvesting device for separating round root crops, such as potatoes, from soil and other unwanted material. The crop and the soil in which it is growing is uplifted into the harvesting device by the forward movement of the device. The uplifted material is delivered into two conveyors, one positioned above the other and one running at a different speed from the other. The upper conveyor has a series of transverse members, such as fingers and flaps, which break up the uplifted material into discrete portions and these transverse members form with the lower conveyor a series of pockets so that each discrete portion of uplifted material lies in a pocket. The conveyors are inclined and this combined with the differential speed causes the material to be tumbled and the round root crops to roll free of unwanted material.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for harvesting worms from their natural habitat. The apparatus includes a frame and an elongated screen movably coupled thereto. As the screen is vibrated the worms are separated from their bedding material which includes earth, peat moss, worm eggs and castings. The smaller worms, together with the worm eggs and castings, filter through a plurality of perforations in the screen, while the larger lumps of earth, together with the larger worms, are cascaded over the width of moving conveyor. The conveyor moves along an axis of motion which is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of motion defined by the elongated frame. Since the lumps of earth will continue to roll down the slope of the width of the conveyor, they will be separated from the worms which cling to the conveyor.

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