Abstract: Systems and methods for separating materials and recovery of valuable copper from shredded end-of-life vehicles and appliances are disclosed. Shredded matter, or ASR, is sent through a series of sorters before reaching a system that separates out copper bits. The system utilizes a pair of conveyor belts; one for de-watering and removing most of the plastic and glass particles and a second below the first for separating the copper bits. The second conveyor belt has a belt with a particular tooth pattern and material softness, and is set at a slight uphill incline angle. Water is delivered from the top down the slope and the belt successfully transports mostly just copper up and over a top edge to a collection bin. A cascading series of pairs of conveyors may be used to ensure nearly complete recovery of the copper.

Abstract: An optical type granule sorting machine is provided which allows a sensitivity setting to be easily performed by effectively utilizing RGB three-dimensional color space information similar to information obtained via human eyes and which enables signal processing to be substantially simplified.

Abstract: There is provided a microparticle sorting method, including a procedure of collecting a microparticle in a fluid that flows through a main channel in an area that is formed in a manner that a vertical cross-section increases in a flow direction of the fluid at a branch channel which is in communication with the main channel by generating a negative pressure in the branch channel.

Abstract: An ejector system for a color sorter, eliminates particulate matter by air by detection of the particulate matter falling from an end of a transfer device at a predetermined position, and has a nozzle part in which a plurality of air flow paths that communicate with a plurality of nozzle holes are formed. A manifold part is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic valves that communicate with an air space communicating with a compressed air source and in which a plurality of air flow paths for supplying compressed air to the corresponding air flow paths in the nozzle part by the operation of the respective electromagnetic valves are formed. The nozzle part and the manifold part are separably integrated while open surfaces of the air flow paths in the nozzle part and open surfaces of the air flow paths in the manifold part are brought into contact with each other.

Abstract: A method of removing dust from granular polysilicon includes introducing a stream of granular polysilicon, dispersing the longitudinal stream of granular polysilicon by redirecting the stream into a radially outward flow having a circular pattern, and introducing a counter flow of gas in an opposite direction to that of the longitudinal stream of granular polysilicon to contact the radially outward flow to separate the dust from the granular polysilicon.

Abstract: Method of separation of loose mixture in fluid medium consists in the gravity feed of particles, aerodynamic monotonically increasing effect on them at acute angle to the vertical line by the cascade of slot jets and the outlet of separated fractions into separate collectors. Before aerodynamic effect on loose mixture particles each jet is transferred to developed turbulence mode by their vertical expansion jets until jets are merged with each other with faulty or close to it form of jet formation and the appearance of at least two circulation zones different in size in each inter-jet space of all contiguous jets. The device for separation contains the bunker with vibrating chute mounted underneath the jet generator, the flat nozzles located one under another at acute angle to the vertical line, the height of cross sections of which, step and angle of installation increase top-down. The generator is connected with the source of air supply under pressure, and is covered by the side walls, and grade collectors.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic chip including a channel through which a liquid containing micro-particles flows, and a gas jetting section configured to jet a gas toward the micro-particle-containing liquid ejected from the channel is provided.

Abstract: A grain images obtained by CCD line sensors are processed by binarization processing to obtain contour images of grains and images of colored portions in the grains. The images are displayed on a monitor screen of an operating panel 30. The contour images and the images of the colored portions are displayed in a superposed state. Box frames generated by a highlight display circuit in control means 12 are simultaneously displayed by being superposed on the contour images having defective portions, thus producing a highlight display of defective grains. The defective grains include a grain having a light colored portion and a grain having a dark colored portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: A small item pneumatic diverter for high speed diversion of articles, such as fruit, from a moving conveyor in a product handling system. The pneumatic diverter is particularly suited for diversion of small, relatively fragile articles after they have been optically scanned for size, weight, quality or other characteristics. The diverter has a nozzle connected to an electrical solenoid controlled air valve that is connected to a source of compressed air and a computer for controlling the release of air to the nozzle. The nozzle has a plurality of small discharge ports at one end for discharging air towards an article on the moving conveyor. In one configuration, the nozzle discharges air across the top of a small article to provide lift and against the article to off-load it from the conveyor. A delay mechanism is utilized to selective discharge an article after it has been scanned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for singling out tablets for a rotary tablet-compressing press the rotor of which has associated therewith a nozzle which, via a line and a controllable valve disposed in the line, is adapted to be connected to a pressure source in order to route a tablet into a rejects duct wherein the control signals for the valve are produced by a control device, characterized in that the line, between the orifice of the nozzle and the valve, has disposed a pressure sensor which delivers a sensor signal if the valve is opened or a predetermined minimum pressure prevails in the line and a logic evaluation circuit is provided into which the sensor signal and the control signal are input and that an error signal is produced in the evaluation circuit, which signal is evaluated by the control device if the time relation of the control signals and the sensor signals deviates from a predetermined relation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for measuring and classifying resistors (2), in which in a measuring station (3) the resistance value of the resistor (2) supplied by a feed and transport device (12) of the measuring station (3) is measured. The measured resistance value is transmitted to an evaluation unit (40) of a control device (20). The resistor (2) is delivered sorted according to predetermined measurement ranges into an output device (25) arranged after the measuring station (3). The resistor (2) is heated to a predefined nominal temperature by a temperature regulating device (7), in particular by a medium (9). After reaching this nominal temperature the resistor (2) is contacted in the medium (9). Afterwards the measurement of the resistor (2) is carried out.

Abstract: An object, such as a pistachio nut, is sorted based on a given trait. The sorting process commences by bouncing the object off a body so that the object emits a sound. The sound emitted by the object is converted to an electrical signal which is analyzed to determine electrical characteristics that indicate the trait of the object. For example, the electrical signal can be integrated and a signal gradient produced to discriminate among signals from different classes of objects.

Abstract: A product handling apparatus, components of a product handling apparatus, a method of handling products and a software program for controlling a product handling apparatus. The apparatus includes an induct area, in which products are inducted or fed, either automatically or manually, into the product handling apparatus, an identification area, in which the product configuration, the product type and the product title are identified, a labeling area, in which product labels are printed, applied to each product and verified, and a product sorting area, in which the products are sorted into the individual customer order product collection locations for packaging and shipment to the customer. In the product sorting area, products are diverted by air knife diverter mechanisms, and stackable products are stacked in stacker assemblies. An “endless” main conveyor assembly conveys products from the induct area, through the product handling apparatus, to the product sorting area.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sorting waste paper pieces of different grades and conditions. The method includes moving a plurality of waste paper pieces in a conveying direction on at least one sorting belt, each waste paper piece having a surface, irradiating at least one area of the surface with radiation, registering the radiation reflected from the surface, and sorting the waste paper on the basis of the reflected radiation, wherein waste paper pieces of at least one type are separated from waste paper pieces of at least one other type.

Abstract: An electronic parts conveying apparatus reduces damage to electronic parts (e.g., chip-type electronic parts) and stabilizes the positions of the electronic parts during a conveying operation. The conveying apparatus has a conveying table having, on its entire outer-peripheral section, concave storage slots formed with identical pitches that store the electronic parts in series. The conveying table also has air holes, each of which passes through a respective concave storage slot. One end of the air hole terminates in an opening disposed on an inner-circumferential side surface of the concave storage slot. The other end of the air hole communicates through a selector valve with a negative air pressure source, which generates negative air pressure suction applied to suction the electronic part into the concave storage slot. The hole is also connected with a positive air pressure source, which generates air pressure to eject the electronic part from the concave storage slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for singling out tablets for a rotary tablet-compressing press the rotor of which has associated therewith a nozzle which, via a line and a controllable valve disposed in the line, is adapted to be connected to a pressure source in order to route a tablet into a rejects duct wherein the control signals for the valve are produced by a control device, characterized in that the line, between the orifice of the nozzle and the valve, has disposed a pressure sensor which delivers a sensor signal if the valve is opened or a predetermined minimum pressure prevails in the line and a logic evaluation circuit is provided into which the sensor signal and the control signal are input and that an error signal is produced in the evaluation circuit, which signal is evaluated by the control device if the time relation of the control signals and the sensor signals deviates from a predetermined relation.

Abstract: From one aspect the invention is a method of classifying waste materials comprising arranging two sieve screens, each having an inlet end and an outlet end, one above the other to define a space there between, arranging the upper screen, to be of coarser mesh size than the lower screen, supplying waste material to be classified to the inlet end of the upper screen, vibrating the screens, and blowing air between the screens from the inlet end and towards the outlet end whereby the waste material being blown away from the outlet ends of the screens, and large heavy material falling under gravity from the outlet end of the upper screen, and separately collecting the separated waste material fractions. From another aspect the invention is an apparatus for carrying out the method described above.

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 sorting device in which a nozzle (31) having a flat tip portion (31a) for blowing air to a predetermined article X transported by a pair of transport belts (23, 23) is covered with a nozzle cover (32) whose forward-oriented and rearward-oriented end portions in the direction of air blowing are open and whose forward opening (32a) is located forward of the tip portion (31a) of the nozzle (31). Then, by covering above the transport belts (23, 23) with an upper cover (8), as well as providing a sorting cover (33) whose upper forward and lower rear end portions are open at a position opposed to the nozzle cover (32) with these transport belts (23, 23) provided therebetween, a continuous air path from the nozzle cover (32) to the sorting cover(33) is formed.

Abstract: Capacitor characteristics measurement apparatus and packing apparatus includes a turntable (1) intermittently driven at a constant pitch to supply capacitors (C) from a parts feeder (8) to a holder section (2) of the turntable (1) in a one-by-one manner. A capacitance measurement section (4) and an IR prediction section (5) are provided to determine whether each capacitor is acceptable or defective in quality based on the measured values obtainable from these sections (4, 5). The IR prediction section (5) applies a DC voltage to a capacitor while predicting the current value at termination of chargeup by use of its initial current value in the charge region of an insulation polarization component thereof upon application of the voltage thereto.

Abstract: An electronic parts conveying apparatus reduces damage to electronic parts (e.g., chip-type electronic parts) and stabilizes the positions of the electronic parts during a conveying operation. The conveying apparatus has a conveying table having, on its entire outer-peripheral section, concave storage slots formed with identical pitches that store the electronic parts in series. The conveying table also has air holes, each of which passes through a respective concave storage slot. One end of the air hole terminates in an opening disposed on an inner-circumferential side surface of the concave storage slot. The other end of the air hole communicates through a selector valve with a negative air pressure source, which generates negative air pressure suction applied to suction the electronic part into the concave storage slot. The hole is also connected with a positive air pressure source, which generates air pressure to eject the electronic part from the concave storage slot.

Abstract: A separation device which has at least one blower device and at least one deflector device can be used to separate large fragments of semiconductor material from small fragments of semiconductor material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sorting apparatuses and sorting methods. According to one aspect of the present invention, a sorting apparatus includes an intake section configured to receive plural articles to be sorted; an exhaust section located downstream of the intake section; and an air manifold adjacent the intake section and positioned to emit an air stream in a generally downstream direction and wherein the articles move in a given direction of movement, and the emitted air stream sorts at least some articles from remaining articles and directs the at least some articles in the downstream direction from the intake section to the exhaust section.

Abstract: A high-speed handler for receiving a heap of randomly oriented parallel piped-shaped ceramic components, each component of the type having at least one set of metal terminations located on opposite edges thereof, presenting them in individual seats in controlled orientation for electrical parametric testing, and sorting them according to their test results, including a rotating feed wheel, mounted on a central shaft and defined by an outer rim concentric with the axis of the central shaft, the wheel inclined to the horizontal and including an upper surface on which to receive a heap of randomly oriented ceramic components, a plurality of radially-pointing, spaced-apart bosses extending upward and outward on the upper wheel surface terminating at component-sized cavities formed in the wheel adjacent the outer rim and arranged to receive therein a single ceramic component in specific orientation, a rotating carrier plate mounted planar to and spaced-apart from the feed wheel having an upwardly extending circula

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for removing clear avian eggs from a moving egg flat without contacting the removed eggs and without contaminating the eggs remaining within the egg flat. Clear eggs are identified by passing an egg flat between respective pairs of light sources and light detectors and detecting the amount of light that passes through each egg. Clear eggs are then ejected from the moving egg flat into a stationary receptacle located above the moving egg flat by applying a first stream of air to the lower end of the clear egg. A second stream of air may also be applied to the egg after the egg has been lifted from the egg flat by the first stream of air. This second stream of air is applied to the egg along a direction substantially transverse to the first stream of air. A third stream of air may be utilized to dislodge an egg from a stuck condition prior to being ejected from the egg flat.

Abstract: A granular material sorting apparatus comprises a transfer device for causing material grains to fall down, optical detector units mounted along the falling-down locus of the material grains, an injection nozzle device for injecting air to the material grains, and a control unit for controlling operation of the injection nozzle device in response to detection by the optical detector unit. The optical detector units and the control unit optically detect and discriminate colored grains different in color from good material grains and foreign matters in similar color to the good material grains or transparent, which are mixed in the material grains, and activate the injection nozzle device in a predetermined period of time after the detection to remove the detected bad grains. The control unit sets different injection times and different injection delay times depending whether the bad grains are colored grains or foreign matters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contacting a gas and a liquid such as may be utilized in removing sulfur from gas streams, using a liquid redox process, are provided, which prevent or avoid buildup of elemental sulfur in the process equipment by introducing the hydrogen sulfide contaminated gas through a plurality of gas inlets tangentially distributed within the inner wall of the reaction vessel containing a liquid redox scrubbing solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for separating materials having different size densities is described. The apparatus includes a trough (12), a dispersing and conveying screw means (40) and a fluid distribution manifold (26). The trough has upper and lower portions (12F and 12G) with the lower portion forming a pool area. The dispersing and conveying screw means has a conveying portion (46) and a dispersing portion (50). The conveying portion has flights (48) which move the first material (152) up the trough. The dispersing portion has paddles (52) which disperse the mixture (150) and convey the first material to the conveying portion. The fluid distribution manifold supplies both water and air to the inside (12I) of the trough through fluid orifices (28). In operation, the mixture is fed into the trough directly over the fluid orifices and the dispersing portion of the dispersing and conveying screw means. As the mixture enters the trough, the mixture is dispersed and forms an aqueous suspension with the water.

Abstract: Device for separating a mixture of objects of flat dimension and objects of spatial dimension with a conveying device comprising at least one conveying carrier. The conveying device comprises two boundaries to which tangents proceeding in the conveying direction may be joined, and a feeding device for feeding a stream of objects to be separated to the conveying device substantially in one layer. In order to allow a reliable separation of foils and bodies of spatial dimension, it is provided that the conveying carrier is penetrable by air or that gaps for the passing through of air are provided between the conveying carriers. A surface tangent to the upper side of the conveying carrier(s) defines a line of intersection with a plane standing rectangularly to the conveying direction, which line forms an angle with the horizontal.

Abstract: A bend detector for detecting a bend in headed rod members such as nails, screws, bolts, rivets and terminals. A guide plate, a base plate and a beam are mounted on a base which is being vibrated. Thus, a nail set in the bend detector is vibrated and rolls on the inclined edge of the guide plate and the base plate, which extends parallel to the edge of the guide plate. An air blower is provided under the head of the nail to lift it up from the edge of the guide plate by blowing air. If the nail is straight, it can roll smoothly on the edge of the guide plate and the base plate without its head disengaging from the edge of the guide plate even though it is lifted up from the edge of the guide plate by the air blower. If the nail is bent, its head will jump up until its shank abuts the beam when the crest of the bent portion faces downward while the nail is rolling. Its head will thus disengage from the edge of the guide plate, so that the nail will drop into the gap between the guide plate and the base plate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for separating a flow of golf balls into a first set of golf balls which meet predetermined specifications and a second set of golf balls which do not meet specifications. The apparatus includes a first elongated cylinder having a central axis positioned at an angle with respect to the horizontal. The elongated cylinder has an open lower end, an open upper end and an interior diameter to allow for the rolling of golf balls of the first set to move therethrough and out of the lower end. A large aperture is formed in an upper surface of the elongated cylinder at a central extent thereof. The interior surface of the elongated cylinder is of an increased diameter between central extent thereof and the upper end thereof. A supplemental small aperture is formed in the upper surface of the elongated cylinder offset from the uppermost extent thereof. The supplemental small aperture is formed at an angle with regard to the axis of the elongated cylinder.

Abstract: A unit for sampling and quality controlling tobacco items, in particular cigarettes, wherein a sample item, fed by a first conveyor along a first given path, is transferred automatically by a selectively operated spoon-shaped diverter along a second path to a second conveyor tangent to the first path. The sample item is fed to a support in which it is supported in facing relation to an optical control device. The sample item is inspected in the support and the optical control device emits signals as a function of the surface characteristics of the sample item.

Abstract: A waste chute for a multistory building is made up of modules stacked one upon the other. Each module has a vertical section of waste chute enclosed within a fire safe room. The chute sections are arranged to nest together to form a continuous chute when the modules are positioned on one another. Each room is provided with a door providing access to the room. The chute section is provided with a self closing access door. An alternative embodiment of the invention provided a module for more than one story. The multistory module has a room for each story. By integrating the chute section with the chute room in a prefabricated module, the construction of a building is facilitated. The costs and complications of having multiple trades working on the chute system are avoided. The invention may be practiced with a system for collecting different types of trash in different receptacles beneath the chute. Prewired controls in the module at each chute access door select the receptacle beneath the chute.

Abstract: Improvements in the existing procedures and materials for conduct of high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) are disclosed. Superior superparamagnetic particles, optionally coated with a polysaccharide or other, usually organic, materials can be prepared in uniform compositions with homogeneous magnetizations. The coating can conveniently be conjugated to a specific binding moiety complementary to a biological material whose purification or separation is desired. In addition, plastic coated matrices which form superior magnetic gradient-intensifying supports are disclosed, along with improved methods and apparatus to conduct HGMS.

Abstract: An uncasing and sorting machine for refillable plastic bottles includes a first conveyor arrangement having an inlet section, an intermediate section, and an outlet section, the intermediate section being positioned within a water bath. Crates of sortable bottles are carried by the first conveyor through the described sections such that lightweight plastic bottles are allowed to float within the water bath. To assist in the upward lift of the lightweight bottles in the water bath, a secondary propulsion force of air or water is provided beneath the bottles. Those bottles which are lifted due to their combined buoyancy and the secondary propulsion force, are transported to a separate facility via a secondary conveyor of either mechanical or air type.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding tablets in an aligned and uniformly oriented sequence onto a tablet measuring device, including a movable turntable having a deflector for guiding the tablets to a circumferential edge, a guide member and plow assembly respectively aligned in parallel and spaced apart relationship, the guide member having longitudinally-spaced air jets and the plow assembly having respective edge surfaces for slidably guiding tablets to a uniform orientation, and including a gate for removing particles and broken tablets from the channel to prevent them from being conveyed onto the measuring system.

Abstract: An automated gemstone sorting apparatus and method that handles, tests, and sorts a batch of irradiated topaz, or similar gemstones, in an efficient manner in accordance with residual radiation levels. The sorting apparatus and methods of the invention include a system of three parallel conveyors, i.e., input, accept and reject conveyors, as well as a vibrator bowl for automatically loading the gemstones in an orderly fashion onto the input conveyor. A multiplicity of isolated testing chambers is located to the side of the conveyor systems, each having a radiation detector and appropriate radiation measuring apparatus. Each of the isolated testing chambers has a single robot station associated therewith for manipulating the gemstones into and out of its respective testing chamber. Each robot station includes a pneumatic "puffer", responsive to a sensing device for directing a puff of air at a specified point on the input conveyor belt when a gemstone is sensed at the specified point.

Abstract: A system uses a single chute in a multi-story building to collect into separate large receptacles different categories of wastes already separated by the tenant for recycling. A turntable carries a large receptacle for each category of waste. Control means on each floor enables a tenant to operate the turntable to position a selected receptacle beneath the turntable to receive a particular category of waste. A microprocessor controller and interlocks on the access doors prevent conflicts between floors.

Abstract: A flatware separating apparatus comprising a track having a top surface for receiving and delivering different items of flatware along a selected path; a mechanism for contacting selected items of the flatware at a selected point along the path of the track and pushing the selected items off the surface of the track and allowing other selected items of the flatware to remain on the surface; and a mechanism for further separating the selected items of flatware pushed off the surface of the track.

Abstract: A method for removing elongated contaminants of polymeric material from a contaminated stream containing pellets and the elongated contaminants, wherein the contaminated stream is passed through an enclosure containing a fixed support member having finger-like projections for snagging the elongated contaminants while allowing the pellets to pass through the enclosure.

Abstract: An impact separator has a V-shaped downwardly angled trough vibratorily mounted at its lower end and fixedly resiliently secured at its upper end which is fed at the upper portion with scallop and residual shell and a small amount of water while being vibratorily driven. The meat of the scallop descends downwardly and absorbs the impact of the vibrations while the shell portion is impacted by the walls of the V and eventually tumbles out over the top and descends to a trash tray positioned beneath the V-shaped trough. The scallop flesh travels the full length of the V-shaped trough to an exit hole for further processing including removal of the viscera. The trough is designed at its lower portion to permit a vibratory drive of between 0.100 inches and 0.300 inches. In one embodiment of the separator the vibrations are imparted orbitally.

Abstract: An apparatus and method utilizing pressurized air discharged through nozzles to segregate a mixture of elements having either different geometrical characteristics or different masses. The mixture is placed in a container having a conveyor track, and is forced to move along the track, across a primary nozzle which forms the mixture into a single layer. The mixture then moves across a blow-off nozzle which propels one set of elements off the track and out of the container while the other remains within the container. A two stage separation may be used to optimize efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting particles comprises a nozzle or the like for producing a stream of particles, such as cells, in a liquid flow. The particles are analyzed as they are flowing to detect different parameters thereof. A hollow inner tube and a concentrically arranged hollow outer tube are located downstream of the analyzing area. Gas bubbles are generated in the inner tube to prevent particles from flowing therein and to deflect particles into the annular space between the inner and outer tubes. Gas bubble generation is coordinated with the particle analysis to selectively deflect particles having the different parameters into the annular space, whereby the deflected particles are sorted for collection. A method of sorting particles, such as cells, substantially in accordance with the above-described apparatus is another aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: A gravity separator device for field use in separating material comprising spurious matter and harvested products employing airflow through a grid-like conveyor belt moving upward while inclined to the horizontal for reducing the friction between the conveyor belt and the lighter material causing the lighter material to move downward into a collecting receptacle while the heavier material is moved upward by the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Poultry necks severed from poultry bodies during production line processing are gravitationally conveyed across a load platform of a weighing device to detect and direct heavier necks along a separate path for subsequent reassembly with poultry bodies. The load platform in its unloaded position is coplanar with an inclined slide surface onto which the severed necks are dropped from the neck cutter. A weight limit above which the heavier necks are detected is established to control the proportion of heavier necks selected for reassembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for segregating and separately recovering fractions of a mixture of low density solids and high density solids, such as mixtures of clam shells and free detached clam meat. The mixture of solids is submerged in a laminar flowing stream of liquid which has a specific gravity about the same as that of the low density solids and such that the low density solids are substantially non-buoyant in the liquid. The bottom of the laminar flowing stream of liquid is defined in part by an upper foraminous conveyor surface which is moving in the same direction as the laminar flowing stream. The mixture of solids is flowed across a turbulent zone of rising air bubbles, and low density solids are removed from the top of the liquid and high density solids are removed from the bottom of the laminar flowing stream. Advantageous apparatus embodiments are provided for conducting the method.