Refuse sorting apparatus

A sorting installation for separating a first type of articles from a second type of articles fed mixed to the sorting installation;

• the first type of articles being relatively light and substantially two-dimensional and the second type of articles being relatively heavy and substantially three-dimensional;
• comprising
• (a) a belt conveyor including a travelling conveyor belt having an article-supporting surface receiving the first and second type of articles in a generally mixed state;
• said article-supporting surface having a length dimension and a width dimension perpendicular to said length dimension;
• said article-supporting surface being arranged for travel parallel to said length dimension and being inclined to the horizontal in a direction parallel to said width dimension for causing primarily said second type of articles to move by gravity downwardly on said article-supporting surface transversely to said length dimension and laterally off said article-supporting surface;
• said article-supporting surface sloping upwardly in said length dimension as viewed in a direction of said travel;
• wherein said article-supporting surface having a lower bordering edge extending parallel to said length dimension and being traversed by the articles of the second type upon their leaving said article-supporting surface;
• (b) vibratory means operatively connected to said belt conveyor for imparting a vibration to said article-supporting surface to enhance movement by gravity of said second type of articles on said article-supporting surface;
• (c) a catch curtain suspended above said article-supporting surface and arranged to deflect articles of the first type, moving by gravity on said article-supporting surface, for eventual entrainment by said conveyor belt and to allow articles of the second type to pass through for continuing their movement by gravity on said article-supporting surface;
• said catch curtain being oriented at an oblique angle to the travelling direction of said conveyor belt and extending effectively uninterruptedly substantially along the entire length dimension of said article-supporting surface;
• and
• an additional conveyor adjoining said bordering edge and extending therealong for receiving articles of the second type from said article-supporting surface.