Computer-controlled system and method for sorting plastic items

A computer-controlled system for sorting a plurality of plastic items, comprising:

• (a) first means for identifying the predominant color of each of the plastic items;
• (b) second means for identifying the predominant composition of each of the plastic items;
• and
• (c) third means for discharging each of the plastic items to one of a plurality of collection vessels based on the predominant color of the plastic item as identified by said first means and the predominant composition of the plastic item as identified by said second means, wherein said third means comprises:
• (1) a discharge conveyor
• (2) a process control computer,
• (3) a plurality of distribution gates, each of said plurality of distribution gates leading to one of said plurality of collection vessels,
• (4) means, including a solenoid positioned at each of said plurality of distribution gates and coupled to and actuated by said process control computer, for opening and closing each of said plurality of distribution gates,
• (5) an air blast unit positioned substantially across from each of said distribution gates and coupled to and actuated by said process control computer to thereby "blow off" a plastic item that is positioned adjacent to one of said distribution gates, and
• (6) a photoeye, positioned at the entrance of said discharge conveyer, and coupled to said process control computer to output a signal to said process control computer, to inform said process control computer that one of the plastic items has entered the discharge conveyor.

A computer-controlled system for sorting a plurality of plastic items, comprising;

• (a) first means for identifying the predominant color of each of the plastic items;
• (b) second means for identifying the predominant composition of each of the plastic items, wherein said second means comprises an inspection conveyor having a first belt and a second belt spaced from said first belt;
• and
• (c) third means for discharging each of the plastic items to one of a plurality of collection vessels based on the predominant color of the plastic item as identified by said first means and the predominant composition of the plastic item as identified by said second means.

A computer-controlled system for sorting a plurality of plastic items, comprising:

• (a) first means for identifying the predominant color of each of the plastic items;
• (b) second means for identifying the predominant composition of each of the plastic items;
• (c) third means for discharging each of the plastic items to one of a plurality of collection vessels based on the predominant color of the plastic item as identified by said first means and the predominant composition of the plastic item as identified by said second means;
• and
• (d) a separation, singulation, and orientation (SSO) sub-system for separating, singulating and orientating the plastic items, said SSO sub-system comprising at least one vibrator bed having a fin, a first conveyor and a second conveyor, said fin being adapted such that acceptable plastic items are passed onto said first conveyor and the unacceptable plastic items are passed onto said second conveyor.

A computer-controlled method for sorting plastic items, comprising the steps of:

• (a) identifying the color of the plastic items by
• (1) taking a video picture of the plastic item,
• (2) identifying the color of the plastic item based on the video picture;
• (3) determining the edges of the plastic item,
• (4) dividing plastic item image into grid elements,
• (5) identifying the predominant color of each grid,
• (6) filtering out undesired grid elements, and
• (7) identifying the predominant color of plastic item based on the unfiltered grid elements;
• (b) identifying the composition of the plastic items;
• and
• (c) discharging the plastic items to one of a plurality of collection vessels based on the plastic item's color as identified by said identifying step and composition as identified by said composition identifying step.

A computer-controlled method for sorting plastic items, which method comprises the steps of:

• (a) identifying the color of the plastic items;
• (b) identifying the composition of the plastic items;
• and
• (c) discharging the plastic items to one of a plurality of collection vessels based on the plastic item's color as identified by the said identifying step and composition as identified by said composition identifying step, said discharging step comprising the further steps of
• (1) storing the plastic item's color and composition as identified by said color identifying step and said composition identifying step,
• (2) sensing when a plastic item has entered the discharge conveyor,
• (3) retrieving the stored color and composition information of the sensed plastic item, and
• (4) assigning a count rate to said sensed plastic item based on the stored color and composition information.

A computer-controlled system for sorting a plurality of plastic items, which system comprises:

• (a) first means for identifying the predominant color of each of the plastic items;
• (b) second means for identifying the predominant composition of each of the plastic items, said second means including an infra-red (IR) device and a composition determination computer, said IR device being adapted to scan each of the plastic items at least one time to produce an interferogram of the plastic item, said IR device being further configured to output a signal indicative of said interferogram of the plastic item to said composition determination computer, said composition determination computer being configured to identify the composition of the plastic item based upon said signal and to determine if any of said interferograms are irrelevant to the identification of the predominant composition of the plastic item;
• and
• (c) third means for discharging each of the plastic items to one of a plurality of collection vessels based on the predominant color of the plastic item as identified by said first means and the predominant composition of the plastic item as identified by said second means.