Glass cullet separator and method of using same
US5350118A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 2, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S239/21
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A glass cullet separator utilizes a multi-element optical sensor to detect when an opaque particle in a group primarily composed of transparent particles moving along a plane passes a first line lying in that plane, and the particular location of the particle along the first line. A signal from the optical sensor is fed to a microprocessor. After a delay equal to the time it takes for a particle to pass between the first line and a second line, which is parallel to and separated from the first line, the microprocessor causes a valve to open and emit a jet of high velocity air from a nozzle aimed toward the plane along the second line. The jet of air blows the opaque particle out of the plane where it is captured and separated from the remainder of the particles. A plurality of nozzles are located in a manifold which extends across the extent of the second line. The manifold also supports the valves and fluid conduits that interconnect the valves and the nozzles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.