Method and apparatus for detecting recyclable items concealed within solid waste
US5979240A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S209/93
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device for detecting the presence of items made of recyclable materials randomly located and arranged within randomly arranged solid waste having random characteristics. A transmitter produces acoustic energy of at least one predetermined wavelength in a desired direction. The acoustic energy causes the items made of recyclable material present within the randomly arranged solid waste to resonate and thereby produce resonated acoustic energy. A receiver receives the resonated acoustic energy. The receiver generates a signal based upon the resonated acoustic energy. A processor connected at least to the receiver receives the signal from the receiver for analyzing the resonated acoustic energy, for calculating the signal based upon the resonated acoustic energy, and comparing the calculated signature to known signatures of items made of recyclable materials. An indicator indicates when the calculated signature substantially corresponds to at least a selected one of the known signatures, thereby indicating the presence of items made of recyclable materials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.