Device to selectively sort flexible objects from a mixed solid waste stream
AssigneeCP Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorNicholas Davis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for sorting heterogeneous materials into homogeneous output is disclosed. The system comprises a conveyor, at least one sensor, an ejection means, a multi-axis arm for accurately positioning the ejection means (and optionally, rotating the ejection means), and a processor that controls the actuation of the multi-axis arm and the actuation of the ejection means based upon sensor input acquired when the stream of heterogenous materials passes into an inspection region located underneath the sensor on the conveyor surface.
Claims9
A pneumatic sorter (5) for sorting a target material (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4) from a stream of mixed materials (35), the sorter (5) comprising:
- a conveyor (10) with a top surface (11) for transporting the mixed material (35);
- a sensor (15) comprising an inspection region (16) that includes a portion of the top surface (11);
- a sort bin (25) adjacent to the top surface (11);
- a multi-axis arm (20) adjacent to the conveyor (10) and downstream from the sensor (15), the multi-axis arm (20) comprising a tool end (22) that can move over the top surface (11);
- a nozzle assembly (30) at the tool end (22), the nozzle assembly (30) comprising at least one nozzle (30.1);
- an electro-mechanical valve (60.1) pneumatically connected to a pressurized air source (63) and to the at least one nozzle (30.1), and constructed to turn on and off the pressurized air to the at least one nozzle (30.1);
- and
- a processor (70) connected to the sensor (15), the multi-axis arm (20) and the electro-mechanical valve (60.1), the processor (70) is programmed to:
- a. determine the location of the target material (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4);
- b. calculate an ejection path (40.1, 40.2, 40.3, 40.4) from the target material (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4) to the sort bin (25);
- c. position the multi-axis arm (20) such that the nozzle assembly (30) is adjacent to the target material (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4) and between a potentially blocking object on the top surface (11) and the target material (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4) based on the ejection path (40.1, 40.2, 40.3, 40.4);
- and
- d. actuate the electro-mechanical valve (60.1) to release pressurized air from the at least one nozzle (30.1) to propel the target material (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4) along the ejection path (40.1, 40.2, 40.3, 40.4) while the target material (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4) remains on the top surface (11) of the conveyor (10) without capturing the target material (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.