Sorting optically different solid masses
AssigneeWellman, Inc.
InventorsHubert J. Booth, Paul H. Steagall, III, Michael W. Wright
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Masses of differently optically transmissive materials, such as plastic bottles of different composition or color, are separated using the different transmissivity to separate masses in a moving stream.
Claims32
Apparatus for separating plastic masses with differing optical transmissive properties comprising:
- conveyor means for presenting continuously moving masses;
- means for transmitting light through said moving masses;
- and
- means responsive to light transmitted through said moving masses to remove predetermined ones thereof, said light responsive means comprising a line scan camera;
- said conveyor means being positioned for continuously presenting said moving masses to said light transmitting means and said light responsive means for transmittal of light therethrough.
The method of separating masses of different optical transmissivities comprising:
- forming a mixture of said masses into a continuously moving stream;.
- passing light through said moving masses of said stream;
- sensing said light transmitted through said moving masses with a line scan camera;
- and
- selectively removing from said stream responsive to the transmission sensed a predetermined portion of said moving masses.
An apparatus for separating plastic masses with differing optical transmissive properties comprising:
- conveyor means for presenting continuously moving masses;
- means for transmitting light through said moving masses;
- a line scan camera responsive to said light transmitting means for detecting the quantity of light transmitted through said moving masses;
- and
- ejector means operably coupled with said line scan camera for removing predetermined ones of said moving masses.
The method of separating masses of different optical transmissivities comprising:
- forming a mixture of said masses into a plurality of continuously moving streams;
- passing light through said moving masses of said plurality of streams;
- sensing said light transmitted through said moving masses of said plurality of streams with a line scan camera;
- and
- selectively removing from said plurality of streams responsive to the transmission sensed a predetermined portion of said moving masses.
An apparatus for separating plastic masses with differing optical transmissive properties comprising:
- conveyor means for presenting a plurality of streams of continuously moving masses;
- means for transmitting light through each of said plurality of streams of moving masses;
- a line scan camera responsive to said light transmitting means for detecting the quantity of light transmitted through said moving masses of said plurality of streams;
- and
- ejector means operably coupled with said line scan camera for removing predetermined ones of said moving masses from said plurality of streams.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.