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: Method and apparatus for imparting movement to one or more articles includes placing the one or more articles on a surface of a support member and imparting vibratory motion to the support member by vibrating actutators connected to the support member wherein the vibratory motion includes at least a rotational vibratory component about one or more axes out-of-alignment with the gravity vector to produce effective force fields on the surface.

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: An apparatus and method for collecting, sorting and storing samples from multiple batches of copper cathode is disclosed. Samples are collected at a sampling station and transferred to a collection container. The samples are then transferred to a sorting container by way of chutes forming a continuous path from the collection container to the sorting container. The sorting container is affixed on the top surface of an automated carousel having a plurality of sorting containers for sorting samples from multiple batches. Samples in the sorting containers are recovered into storage containers through an access door panel and a funnel placed beneath the access door.

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: Method and apparatus for separating granules of different sizes from a granular mixture, by combination of vertical size separation under vibration and horizontal flow. A horizontal base plate with an asymmetric saw-tooth upper profile is provided and a mixture of granules is fed onto the base plate. The base plate is then vertically vibrated, so as to separate the mixture into superimposed, partial layers of granules of different sizes, while horizontally advancing the same in opposite directions and separately collecting these layers.

Abstract: A facility for the selective separation of a stream of mixed bulk materials made up of objects of different densities and possibly different sizes comprising a sorting device having at least one conveyor belt on which the stream of mixed bulk materials to be selected is conveyed; and at least one nozzle by means of which compressed air can be blown transversely to the conveying direction and against the stream of mixed bulk materials lying on the conveyor belt, including at least one separating element and at least two collection containers, one of which is placed laterally approximately opposite the nozzle and the other of which is placed in the end region of the conveyor belt.

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 method for separating cells is presented. The method provides a flow through fractional cell sorting process that is based on the application of a magnetic force to cells having a range of magnetic labeling densities. Magnetically labeled cells are introduced into a flow channel. The cells are continuously fractionated into flow streams based on magnetic susceptibility by subjecting the cells in the flow channel to a magnetic field. The fractionated cells are recovered based on their response to the magnetic field. Methods employing dipole fractional sorters and quadrapole annular sorters are also presented.

Abstract: Device to retrieve and discharge short bars, which is associated with a counting and separation zone (16) of a bar feeder (12) upstream of a station for the formation of bundles of bars, the bars (11) being substantially butted at a first side of the device and being fed forwards in a direction perpendicular to their lengthwise extent, the bars (11) of a required length protruding at the second side of the device from their feeder (12), a retention device (19) to perform temporary retention being included in cooperation with the counting and separation zone (16) and with the second side of the device and defining an extraction station (15), which is equipped with a first plurality of separator/extractor rolls (27) within the bar feeder (12) and with a second plurality of extractor rolls (28) outside the bar feeder (12) and at the opposite side to the temporary retention device (19).

Abstract: This invention relates to a bead supporter for supporting a cathode assembly of an electron gun for a cathode-ray tube and fixing the assembly to a bead glass. This invention also relates to an apparatus for sorting and transporting the bead supporters in a properly oriented posture to an assembly line. The bead supporter includes a plurality of positioning projections formed on the lower side of its central portion, and cut-out portions formed in its upper edge portion opposite to the projections to permit the center of gravity of the supporter to vary depending upon its normal and reverse positions. The apparatus includes a feeding surface and a horizontal sorting surface for transferring the bead supporters. The width of the horizontal sorting surface is less than the width of the feeding surface such that each supporter having cut-out portions formed therein falls from the sorting surface when reversely positioned.

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: Fractionation apparatus (20) is disclosed which utilizes a rapidly rotating disk which receives a liquid suspension of particles to be separated onto its rotating face surface (35). When the film of liquid and particles on the rotating face surface (35) reaches the peripheral edge (38) of the face, particles having sufficient kinetic energy to overcome surface forces (e.g., above a certain size) are radially ejected while particles with less kinetic energy (e.g., smaller particles) and the liquid are carried over the edge onto the surface of a depending rim (39). The suspension of smaller particles and liquid is carried down the rim to the rim edge (40) at which point the smaller particles and liquid are disengaged. A separator wall (27) may be interposed between the two streams of particles emanating from the disk (24) to provide a physical separation of the larger and smaller particles once they have left the disk.

Abstract: Processes by which a mixture of two or more discrete particulate materials, each of said materials having a different sliding coefficient of friction, can be separated using methods which take advantage of velocity differences generated by the application of a force to said mixture to create movement of said mixture over a surface as a function of its sliding coefficient of friction. Various apparatus to effect such processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting metal bars by length, has a conveyor on which the bars are arranged longitudinally and conveys the bars both longitudinally and laterally. The conveyor has driven rollers contacted by the bars. A pick-up device picks up and conveys laterally, with respect to the conveyor, ends of bars having a predetermined length, thus preventing the longitudinal movement of such bars while bars not of the predetermined length are conveyed longitudinally at least partly past the pick-up device by the conveyor. To avoid increase capacity of the apparatus, and avoid wear, the rollers are obliquely positioned rollers whose axis of rotation is at a non-zero angle to the lateral direction of the conveyor, these rollers being, over at least part of their axial lengths, circular cylindrical in shape.

Abstract: The device consists of two fluidized bed tables (2, 3) which can vibrate on their support, an can be inclined as desired, allowing a common airflow to pass through. Located over the top end of the upper fluidized bed (2) is an inlet (1) for the granular material, opposite which, at the bottom end, is an outlet (14) for the very light granular fraction. At the top end of the lower fluidized bed (3) are a stone outlet (13) and, at the lower end, an outlet (15) for the heavy granular fraction. In addition, a chute (19) is situated between the fluidized beds (2, 3). An intermediate floor (17), shorter in length than the fluidized bed (2, 3) allows the evacuation and if necessary the regulation of a mixed fraction.

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 rectangularly shaped separating element for a vibratory grain separator is made from a single metal plate, and has upright front and rear walls, and side walls, one of which side walls has therein a notch serving as hulled rice outlet, and the other of which has therein a notch servicing as an unhulled rice outlet. The plane, upper surface of the separating element has formed thereon a first plurality of spaced protuberances inclined obliquely to the front wall and the sidewall containing the rice outlet for moving the hulled rice toward the hulled rice outlet, and a second plurality of protuberances inclined obliquely to the front wall and the other side wall for moving the unhulled rice toward the unhulled rice outlet.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a rectangular separating plate having upright front and rear walls and unhulled and hulled rice outlets formed on opposite sides thereof, respectively. The plate is adjustably supported in a plane inclined to the horizontal and is reciprocated in a direction transversely of the front and rear walls. Substantially two thirds of the surface of the plate adjacent its front wall is formed with first inclined projections inclined toward the hulled rice outlet, and one third thereof adjacent its rear wall is formed with second inclined projections inclined toward the unhulled rice outlet. Reciprocation of the plate causes the first projections to guide hulled rice toward the front wall and ultimately to the hulled rice outlet, and the second projections guide unhulled rice toward the rear wall and ultimately to the unhulled rice outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for segregating articles, such as envelopes (14a, b, or c) bearing address labels (15) into separate groups, with all the articles in each group having the same unique mark (such as a zip-code-area mark). The apparatus includes a right angle conveyor (12) positioned perpendicular to a discharge conveyor (10), an article deflector plate (20), and two or more freely rotatable balls (38, 40) supported in contact with the right angle conveyor (12) and spaced laterally across the face thereof. At least one freely rotatable ball (38) is selectively removable from contact with the right angle conveyor (12) by a solenoid (18) acting through a beam (32) and a control arm (26). The solenoid (18) is activated by a signal from a detector (16) which detects a change in unique markings on address labels of articles just prior to their engagement with the selectively-removable, freely-rotatable ball and the right angle conveyor.

Abstract: Size separation is effected upon coal, ores, pellets of various sizes and other particulates by depositing the particulate material in an inclined rotating separator vessel having a flat bottom with a central orifice and peripheral sidewalls. As the separator vessel rotates the particulates are carried upwardly and churned by the movement of the vessel. The larger particulates accumulate upon the top of the body of particulates in the separator and eventually overflow over the lip of the vessel while the smaller particulates accumulate in the lower portion of the body of particulates and are then carried up by the movement of the vessel and pass out of the vessel through the central orifice.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting firm whole fruits and vegetables from those which are soft and broken by sliding or rolling the specimens to be sorted down an inclined plane to impart momentum and velocity and then dropping them on a rearwardly moving conveyer belt. The firm whole specimens will have achieved sufficient forward velocity on the inclined plane to overcome the rearward motion of the conveyer belt while the soft broken specimens will be carried rearwardly with the belt.