Sorting Disc for a Disc Screen Sorter
AssigneeLANXESS Solutions US Inc.
InventorsMatthew Burdzy, Thomas H. Peter, Matthew Sennett, Ian Laskowitz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The durability of sorting discs used on disc screens, e.g., star discs comprising a body and a plurality of fingers extending radially from the body, may be improved by increasing the deflection of the fingers. Provided are methods for improving the durability of sorting discs, and sorting discs with improved durability.
Claims20
An elastomeric sorting disc for use with a sorting apparatus, said disc comprising
- a disc body configured in a generally circular or generally ovoid shape defining a radial perimeter at an outer edge of the body from which a body diameter is measured,
- a plurality of fingers integrally formed as appendages joined to the body at said perimeter, each finger extending outwardly from the radial perimeter to an outer edge, wherein the outer edges of the fingers of the disc define a circle from which an outer diameter is measurable;
- wherein said body has a centrally positioned axial opening therethrough of a size and shape capable to fit onto a shaft of said apparatus,
- wherein said body optionally has a slit formed through the wall of the body from the perimeter of the body to the axial opening, and
- wherein the fingers are capable of a deflection of greater than 5 degrees at a force of 50 lbf (222 Newtons), preferably greater than 10 degrees at a force of 50 lbf (222 Newtons), particularly preferred greater than 16 degrees at a force of 50 lbf (222 Newtons).
A method for improving the durability of an elastomeric sorting disc for a disc sorting apparatus, the disc comprising a disc body and a plurality of fingers extending radially from the body, and the method comprising, in comparison with fingers of conventional discs, increasing deflection of the fingers, or at least portions of the fingers, by at least one of making the fingers, thinner, longer, or both thinner and longer than the fingers of conventional discs, and forming at least the fingers with an elastomer comprising properties leading to increased deflection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.