Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Plural – diverse separating operations – Including sorting of special items or sorting by methods or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-29
2001-06-26
Walsh, Donald P. (Department: 3653)
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Plural, diverse separating operations
Including sorting of special items or sorting by methods or...
C209S044100, C209S012100, C209S509000, C198S629000, C198S639000, C198S688100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250472
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to paper handling. Select embodiments of the invention are particularly well-suited for use in the waste paper recycling industry.
Environmental campaigns and recycling in many offices have generated a supply of recyclable waste paper. However, waste paper sorting is still currently performed almost entirely by manual sorting. This is time consuming and expensive. Thus, heretofore it has generally been more economical to use raw paper material than sort and process recyclable waste paper.
Numerous automated waste separation techniques are known. However these systems are designed for recovery of non-ferrous metals, aerospace alloys, municipal waste, mixed recyclables and plastic containers. Paper sorting presents unique problems not overcome by prior art separation techniques.
The unique problems encountered when attempting to sort waste paper is due to the relatively light weight and flexible nature of pieces of paper. These characteristics make it difficult to supply paper to a sorting sensor. Even when waste paper has been supplied to a sensor, it has not been supplied at a sufficient feed rate, e. g. pieces per hour (PPH), to be cost effective. Prior art sensors operate on the basis of an eddy current created by the waste stream as it passes through the sensor, diffusion of light transmission through the waste e. g. transparent glass, and the like. These techniques are inapplicable to sorting waste paper because the paper has no metallic components and the paper is opaque to light. Thus, not only must an effective paper sorting sensor be designed, an effective paper handling system must be designed to supply waste paper in sufficient feed rates to the effective paper sorting sensor. Prior art paper handling techniques have been unsatisfactory in overcoming these obstacles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to paper handling and sorting methods and devices.
One embodiment of the present invention is for a paper handling system for handling paper fed to the system. The system includes a paper input adapted to receive paper and the system includes a product output. Operably positioned between the paper input and the product output is an acceleration means for distributing and accelerating the paper.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a paper handler adapted for use with a sorting machine which includes a sensor for sorting paper. The handler includes a paper input for receiving the paper and a product output positioned downstream of the paper input. The handler also includes a feed accelerator having an acceleration conveyor operably positioned to feed the paper through the sensor.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a paper sorting machine comprising a paper input and a spreader positioned to receive paper from the paper input. An inclined feed section is downstream of the spreader. The inclined feed section includes a first and a second inclined conveyor. The second inclined conveyor is downstream of the first inclined conveyor. A feed accelerator is operably positioned to receive paper from the second inclined conveyor. The feed accelerator includes an accelerator conveyor having a sensor end. A sensor is operably positioned to sense paper passing over the accelerator conveyor sensor end. An ejector is positioned downstream of the sensor. A product conveyor is downstream of the ejector and a product output is downstream of the product conveyor.
Accordingly, the present invention includes methods of handling paper which include distributing clumps of paper into operably thin layers of paper. Preferably the methods include accelerating the paper as the paper is transported downstream. In some embodiments this is accomplished by progressively increasing the speed at which the paper is transported downstream until the paper is passed through a sensor, or other operative component sensing or performing an operation on the paper.
Accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide means and methods for achieving a cost effective recycled machine grade paper fraction from a paper waste stream.
Another object of the present invention is to provide means for achieving automated sortation on a cost effective basis.
Another object of the present invention is to provide means for achieving improved consistency and repeatability in the quality of recycled waste paper.
Another object is to reduce labor requirements for sorting waste paper.
Another object of the present invention is to provide means and methods to accelerate and spread paper to operably thin layers to achieve an effective sort.
A further object of the present invention is to perform the sort at high speeds.
An object of the present invention is to incorporate automated sortation into a paper handling system to achieve consistent grades of premium paper from waste paper.
Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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pa
Gaddis Paul G.
Grubbs Michael R.
Kenny Garry R.
Advanced Sorting Technologies LLC
Beauchaine Mark J.
Waddey & Patterson Lucian Wayne Beavers
Walsh Donald P.
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