Apparatus and method for sorting post-consumer articles according to PVC content
US5419438A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 24, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 30, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/62
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, a sorting apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveyor belt for carrying a stream randomly-arranged articles, at least some of which are post-consumer plastic articles made of PVC and others of which are made of PET. The conveyor belt carries the articles to an irradiation area where they are irradiated with ultraviolet light that induces the post-consumer articles of PVC to emit phosphorescent light that persists after the irradiation ends. The conveyor belt then carries the articles to an inspection zone that is isolated from the ultraviolet light. A video camera is positioned to receive phosphorescent light emitted from post-consumer articles made of PVC. Other articles commonly in the stream of post-consumer plastic articles (e.g., PET) do not emit phosphorescent light and are, therefore, distinguishable from the PVC articles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.