System and method for separating recycled debris
First Claim
1. A system for classifying recycled debris comprising light material and heavy material, said system comprising:
- a hopper for receiving such debris, said hopper having a generally upwardly-directed inlet and a generally downwardly-directed outlet;
a conveyor having a generally upwardly-directed substantially planar surface urged against said hopper outlet;
a plurality of substantially rigid members mounted on said conveyor and extending into said hopper for carrying heavy material therefrom; and
a chain screen disposed over the conveyor for preventing the conveyor from carrying light material from the hopper by the conveyor.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for classifying recycled debris comprising ferrous materials, fines, non-ferrous light material and non-ferrous heavy material. The classification system is made of a hopper having an inlet, including a spillway opening defining a lowermost portion of the hopper inlet, and an outlet formed along a lower portion of the hopper and contained in a plane at an angle of about 50 degrees from horizontal. A conveyor covering the outlet includes substantially rigid cleats extending into the hopper for agitating the debris and for transporting heavy material, such as glass bottles, out of the hopper outlet. Agitation of the debris causes the heavy material to drift to the lower portion of the hopper and the light material to rise to the top portion and flow over the spillway. A second conveyor positioned beneath the spillway catches the light material and carries it to another location.
72 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for classifying recycled debris comprising light material and heavy material, said system comprising:
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a hopper for receiving such debris, said hopper having a generally upwardly-directed inlet and a generally downwardly-directed outlet; a conveyor having a generally upwardly-directed substantially planar surface urged against said hopper outlet; a plurality of substantially rigid members mounted on said conveyor and extending into said hopper for carrying heavy material therefrom; and a chain screen disposed over the conveyor for preventing the conveyor from carrying light material from the hopper by the conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
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6. A system according to 1 wherein rigid members range in height from about 1/2 inch to 2.0 inches.
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10. A system for classifying recycled debris comprising a mixture of fines, non-ferrous light material and non-ferrous heavy material, the system comprising:
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means for screening the fines from said debris; an air-filled hopper having an inlet for receiving said debris after the fines are screened therefrom; a spillway defining a lowermost portion of said inlet; and a discharge conveyor having two ends, a first end positioned beneath the hopper in communication with the interior thereof and a second end extending generally upwardly from said first end. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for classifying recycled debris, including heavier and lighter debris, comprising the steps of:
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depositing the recycled debris in an air-filled hopper having a top fraction and a bottom fraction; moving the lighter debris from the bottom fraction to the top fraction responsive to mechanical agitation of the recycled debris; drawing a stream of heavier debris from the bottom fraction; and drawing a stream of lighter debris from the top fraction. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for classifying recycled debris comprising light material and heavy material, said system comprising:
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an air-filled container for receiving such debris, said container having a generally upwardly-directed inlet; a conveyor disposed inside said container having a lower end in communication with the heavy material and with at least a portion of the light material and an upper end extending above the top of the container; and a plurality of substantially rigid members mounted on said conveyor for carrying heavy material therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A system for classifying recycled debris comprising light material and heavy material, said system comprising:
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a hopper for receiving such debris, said hopper having a generally upwardly-directed inlet and a generally downwardly-directed outlet; a conveyor having a generally upwardly-directed substantially planar surface urged against said hopper outlet; a plurality of substantially rigid members mounted on said conveyor and extending into said hopper for carrying heavy material therefrom; and means disposed over the conveyor for preventing the conveyor from carrying light material from the hopper by the conveyor.
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Specification