System and method for separating recycled debris

A system for classifying recycled debris comprising a mixture of fines, non-ferrous light material and non-ferrous heavy material, the system comprising:

• means for screening the fines from said debris;
• an air-filled hopper having an inlet for receiving said debris after the fines are screened therefrom;
• a spillway defining a lowermost portion of said inlet;
• and
• a discharge conveyor having two ends, a first end positioned beneath the hopper in communication with the interior thereof and a second end extending generally upwardly from said first end.

A method for classifying recycled debris, including heavier and lighter debris, comprising the steps of:

• depositing the recycled debris in an air-filled hopper having a top fraction and a bottom fraction;
• moving the lighter debris from the bottom fraction to the top fraction responsive to mechanical agitation of the recycled debris;
• drawing a stream of heavier debris from the bottom fraction;
• and
• drawing a stream of lighter debris from the top fraction.

A system for classifying recycled debris comprising light material and heavy material, said system comprising:

• an air-filled container for receiving such debris, said container having a generally upwardly-directed inlet;
• a conveyor disposed inside said container having a lower end in communication with the heavy material and with at least a portion of the light material and an upper end extending above the top of the container;
• and
• a plurality of substantially rigid members mounted on said conveyor for carrying heavy material therefrom.

A system for classifying recycled debris comprising light material and heavy material, said system comprising:

• a hopper for receiving such debris, said hopper having a generally upwardly-directed inlet and a generally downwardly-directed outlet;
• a conveyor having a generally upwardly-directed substantially planar surface urged against said hopper outlet;
• a plurality of substantially rigid members mounted on said conveyor and extending into said hopper for carrying heavy material therefrom;
• and
• means disposed over the conveyor for preventing the conveyor from carrying light material from the hopper by the conveyor.