Method and apparatus for sorting plastic items
US5344026A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S209/939
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of sorting plastic items by measuring the effect an item has on light directed at a stream of items from a light source, then selectively removing items from the stream based on a comparison of the light measured and the light emitted from the detector is provided. The invention also includes an apparatus for separating plastic items which comprises a light source, a detector for measuring the effect an individual item has on light emitted from the detector, and sortation means for selectively removing items from the stream based on a comparison of the light emitted by the light source and that measured at the detector. A method for separating single plastic bottles from engaged interlocked bottle clusters comprising directing an air jet at an item sufficiently forceful to displace a single bottle to a collection means but insufficiently forceful to displace an interlocked bottle cluster is also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.