# US 5,348,136 A · Singulation system for recyclable material

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,348,136 A
- Document ID: US5348136A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/082,270
- Filed: 1993-06-24
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1992-04-07
- Assignees: Magnetic Separation Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Garry R. Kenny; Hugh R. Rhys; Michael A. Skeen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348136A

## CPC

- B65G 47/1485: {using suction or magnetic forces}
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)

## Abstract

The present invention discloses a singulation system for recyclable materials which has a vacuum chamber having a slot down the middle. The vacuum chamber is substantially hollow such that air being pulled through one side of the vacuum chamber is pulled through the slot. Air is pulled through the vacuum chamber using a vacuum. A belt is rolled around the vacuum chamber, and the belt has hole arrays. The vacuum pulling air through the slot pulls air through the hole arrays, thereby allowing the belt to grab hold of and pull containers up the belt. Various outlet hoses can be provided from the vacuum to blow containers off the belt which are not firmly attached at the hole arrays, or to blow air against the diverter which then blows air across the belt, or to blow air through the hole arrays on the underside of the vacuum chamber to clear out holes which may be clogged from time to time.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for singulating containers varying in size comprising:
a. a vacuum chamber;
b. means for pulling air through said vacuum chamber comprising a vacuum and an inlet hose connecting said vacuum to said vacuum chamber;
c. a continuous belt passing across said vacuum chamber, said belt having a hole array arranged to engage on container; and
d. an outlet hose attached to said vacuum for blowing air across said belt.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 further comprising a diverter attached proximate to said second side of said vacuum chamber

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2 wherein said belt has a cutaway proximate to said diverter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 further comprising said vacuum chamber further comprising a diverter.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4 wherein said belt has a cutaway proximate to said diverter.

### Claim 6

A system for singulating recyclable materials comprising:
a. a vacuum chamber having a first face, a second face, a base, a first side, a second side, and a slot between said first face and said second face;
b. a vacuum;
c. an inlet hose connecting said vacuum to said vacuum chamber proximate to said first side of said vacuum chamber;
d. a roller placed proximate to each of the ends of said vacuum chamber;
e. a continuous belt placed around and moved by said rollers across said vacuum chamber such that said belt runs substantially parallel to said slots, said belt having a hole array aligned over said slot for engaging one container; and
f. an outlet hose connected to an air source for blowing air across said belt.

### Claim 7

A system for singulating recyclable materials comprising:
a. a vacuum chamber having a first face, a second face, a base, a first side, a second side, and a slot between said first face and said second face;
b. a vacuum:
c. an inlet hose connecting said vacuum to said vacuum chamber proximate to said first side of said vacuum chamber;
d. a roller placed proximate to each of the ends of said vacuum chamber;
e. a continuous belt placed around and moved by said rollers across said vacuum chamber such that said belt runs substantially parallel to said slot, said belt having a hole array aligned over said slot for engaging one container; and
f. an outlet hose attached to said vacuum for directing air across said belt.

### Claim 8

A system for singulating recyclable materials comprising:
a. a vacuum chamber having a first face, a second face, a base, a first side, a second side, and a slot between said first face and said second face;
b. a vacuum;
c. an inlet hose connecting said vacuum to said vacuum chamber proximate to said first side of said vacuum chamber;
d. a roller placed proximate to each of the ends of said vacuum chamber;
e. a continuous belt placed around and moved by said rollers across said vacuum chamber such that said belt runs substantially parallel to said slot, said belt having a hole array aligned over said slot for engaging one container;
f. a diverter attached proximate to said second side of said vacuum chamber; and
g. an outlet hose for directing air against said diverter and thus across said belt.

### Claim 9

A singulation system for recyclable materials comprising
a. a vacuum chamber having a first face, a second face, a base, a first side, a second side, and a slot between said first face and said second face;
b. a vacuum;
c. an inlet hose connecting said vacuum to said vacuum chamber proximate to said first side of said vacuum chamber;
d. a roller placed proximate to each of the ends of said vacuum chamber;
e. a continuous belt placed around and moved by said rollers across said vacuum chamber such that said belt runs substantially parallel to said slot, said belt having a hole array aligned over said slot;
f. an outlet hose attached to said vacuum for directing air across said belt;
g. a diverter attached proximate to said second side of said vacuum chamber;
h. an outlet hose for directing air against said diverter and thus across said belt; and
i. said belt has a cutaway proximate to said diverter.

### Claim 10

A system for singulating recyclable materials comprising:
a. a vacuum chamber having a first face, a second face, a base, a first side, a second side, and a slot between said first face and said second face;
b. a vacuum;
c. an inlet hose connecting said vacuum to said vacuum chamber proximate to said first side of said vacuum chamber;
d. a roller placed proximate to each of the ends of said vacuum chamber;
e. a continuous belt placed around and moved by said rollers across said vacuum chamber such that said belt runs substantially parallel to said slot, said belt having a hole array aligned over said slot for engaging one container; and
f. an outlet hose attached to said vacuum for directing air through said hole arrays of said belt proximate to said base.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The device of claim 6 further comprising an air nozzle for directing said containers off said belt.

### Claim 12 (depends on 6)

The device of claim 6 comprising an outlet hose attached to a pulsed air valve for directing air through said hole arrays of said belt proximate to said base.