Woodwaste processing system with contaminate separation

• US 5,915,565 A
• Filed: 07/21/1997
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fuel Harvesters Equipment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fuel Harvesters Equipment Incorporated
• Inventors: Clinton, L. Powell
• Primary Examiner(s): Bollinger, David H.
• Application Number:
  US08/898,047
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 209/138, 209/139.1, 209/142, 209/147
• US Class Current: 209/139.1
• CPC Class Codes: B03B 9/061 the refuse being industrial
• CPC Class Codes: B03B 9/065 the refuse being building rubble
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 9/00 Combinations of apparatus for screening or sifting or for separating solids from solids using gas currents; General arrangement of plant, e.g. flow sheets
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/58 Construction or demolition [C&D] waste
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/62 Plastics recycling; Rubber recycling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/935 Ambulant

Abstract

A system for processing wastewood. The system may be mounted on a towable chassis. The wastewood is received at one end of the system and metal contaminants are removed from the wastewood. The wastewood is then separated according to size wherein a first size of wastewood is further processed by the system and a second size is removed from the system for subsequent re-processing. Unwanted paper and plastic contaminants are removed from the wastewood, and the wastewood of the first size is subjected to a further separating step wherein it is again separated according to size into usable end products.

Claims

1. A method for processing wastewood, wherein the wastewood includes plastic or paper material intermixed therewith, comprising:

receiving the wastewood at an input of an apparatus;

removing plastic or paper material from the wastewood by lifting the plastic or paper material therefrom in a substantially vertical direction so it is suspended above the wastewood;

capturing the suspended plastic or paper material by vacuum action to transfer it to a collection means; and

transferring the wastewood to a location remote from the apparatus.

2. An apparatus for processing wastewood, the wastewood including plastic or paper intermixed therewith, comprising;

input means for receiving the wastewood;

conveyor means for transferring the wastewood away from said input means;

blower means disposed beneath said conveyor means for lifting plastic or paper mixed with the wastewood above said conveyor means; and

vacuum means disposed above said conveyor means for capturing the plastic or paper lifted from said conveyor means and for transferring it to a collection location.

3. An apparatus for processing wastewood, the wastewood including plastic or paper intermixed therewith, comprising:

input means for receiving the wastewood;

a conveyor means of pervious construction for transferring the wastewood and plastic or paper away from said input means;

blower means disposed beneath said conveyor means for lifting plastic or paper from said conveyor means; and

vacuum means including a hood means disposed above said conveyor means for capturing the plastic or paper lifted from said conveyor means and for transferring it to a collection location.

4. An apparatus for processing wastewood, the wastewood including plastic or paper intermixed therewith, comprising;

an input at which the wastewood is received;

a conveyor to transfer the wastewood away from said input;

a blower disposed beneath said conveyor to lift plastic or paper mixed with the wastewood above said conveyor; and

a vacuum disposed above said conveyor to capture the plastic or paper lifted from said conveyor and to transfer it to a collection location.

5. An apparatus for processing wastewood, the wastewood including plastic or paper intermixed therewith, comprising:

an input at which the wastewood is received;

a conveyor having a pervious construction and configured and arranged to transfer the wastewood and plastic or paper away from said input;

a blower disposed beneath said conveyor to lift plastic or paper from said conveyor; and

a vacuum source including a hood disposed above said conveyor to capture the plastic or paper lifted from said conveyor and transfer it to a collection location.