Device for separating mixtures of valuable substances

• US 6,394,280 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2001
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Benno Gassner, Benno Gassner Jr
• Original Assignee: Benno Gassner, Benno Gassner Jr
• Inventors: Gassner, Benno, Gassner, Benno Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mansen, Michael R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Joseph C
• Application Number:
  US09/762,500
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 209/615,616,644,903,932,917
• US Class Current: 209/616
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 13/003 Separation of articles by differences in their geometrical form or by difference in their physical properties, e.g. elasticity, compressibility, hardness
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 13/05 using material mover cooperating with retainer, deflector or discharger B07B13/065 - B07B13/075 take precedence
• 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

Abstract

A device for removing flat materials from a mixture of valuable substances comprises a conveyor (1) on which the substance mixture is conveyed, and an extractor for extracting flat materials from the substance mixture in an extraction zone. The extractor comprises extracting prongs (4) which are provided on a revolving transporter (3) which is deflected at least at two points of deflection, with the materials which have been picked up being discharged in a discharge zone.

Claims

1. An assembly for removing flat materials from a mixture of substances, said assembly comprising:

a) a movable incoming conveyor on which the substance mixture is initially conveyed;

b) a movable extractor assembly which is operative to extract flat materials from the substance mixture on said incoming conveyor, said extractor assembly comprising;

i) a movable endless belt;

ii) sets of spaced-apart tooth-like prongs which are mounted on said endless belt in a predetermined spaced apart relationship along said endless belt; and

iii) at least a pair of cylindrical deflectors on which said endless belt is journaled, said deflectors including a larger diameter deflector which is disposed in close enough proximity with said incoming conveyor so as to allow said prongs to sweep over said incoming conveyor, and a smaller diameter deflector which is disposed distal of said incoming conveyor, said deflectors being operable to move said endless belt and said prongs in a direction which is counter to the direction of movement of said incoming conveyor and in a direction which is skewed angularly upwardly relative to the direction of movement of said incoming conveyor;

c) first means for applying air pressure to the substance mixture being conveyed on said incoming conveyor, said first means for applying air pressure being disposed adjacent to said larger diameter deflector, said first means for applying air pressure being operative to pneumatically separate flat materials from the mixture of substances on said incoming conveyor and deposit the flat materials on said extractor assembly endless belt whereby said prongs can carry the separated flat materials toward said smaller diameter deflector, said smaller diameter deflector being operative, by reason of its size to temporarily separate said prongs as said endless belt passes over said smaller diameter deflector;

d) a flat material discharge assembly disposed proximal to said smaller diameter deflector, said discharge assembly being operative to receive flat materials which are dislodged from said endless belt;

e) second means for applying air pressure to said endless belt, said second means for applying air pressure being disposed proximal to said smaller diameter deflector, said second means for applying air pressure being operative to dislodge flat materials from said endless belt and prongs and to direct the dislodged flat materials toward said discharge assembly; and

f) a movable outgoing conveyor disposed below said smaller diameter deflector whereby materials on said endless belt which are not deflected toward said discharge assembly will fall onto said outgoing conveyor.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said outgoing conveyor is disposed adjacent to said incoming conveyor so that materials in the substance mixture which are not deposited on said endless belt will be deposited on said outgoing conveyor.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said incoming conveyor and said outgoing conveyor are the same conveyor.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said prongs are pivotally mounted on said endless belt.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the positions of said prongs on said endless belt can be moved both lengthwise and transversely on said endless belt.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second means for applying air pressure are operative to produce pulsating air streams.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein root portions of said prongs are provided with coverings having a larger diameter than said prongs so as to prevent flat materials impaled on said prongs from reaching said root portions of said prongs.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said discharge assembly includes a vacuum source for drawing dislodged flat materials into said discharge assembly.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said discharge assembly includes a discharge conveyor for transporting flat materials away from said moving endless belt.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said discharge conveyor is movable in essentially the same direction as the direction of movement of said endless belt.

11. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said discharge conveyor is movable in a direction which is counter to the direction of movement of said incoming conveyor.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second means for applying air pressure are adjustable in a blowing direction.

13. The assembly of claim 1 further including a baffle plate between said endless belt and said discharge assembly for deflecting dislodged flat materials toward said discharge assembly.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said baffle plate is pivotably adjustable relative to said discharge assembly.

15. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a stripper which is mounted above said incoming conveyor and which is operative to remove non-flat objects from said prongs in the event that such non-flat objects are engaged by said prongs.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said stripper is pivotable away from outer ends of said prongs to avoid jamming of said prongs and said endless belt.