Patent ID: 6394280
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: B07B

Abstract:
An assembly for removing flat materials from a mixture of substances, said assembly comprising:a) a movable incoming conveyor on which the substance mixture is initially conveyed; b) a movable extractor assembly which is operative to extract flat materials from the substance mixture on said incoming conveyor, said extractor assembly comprising: i) a movable endless belt; ii) sets of spaced-apart tooth-like prongs which are mounted on said endless belt in a predetermined spaced apart relationship along said endless belt; and iii) at least a pair of cylindrical deflectors on which said endless belt is journaled, said deflectors including a larger diameter deflector which is disposed in close enough proximity with said incoming conveyor so as to allow said prongs to sweep over said incoming conveyor, and a smaller diameter deflector which is disposed distal of said incoming conveyor, said deflectors being operable to move said endless belt and said prongs in a direction which is counter to the direction of movement of said incoming conveyor and in a direction which is skewed angularly upwardly relative to the direction of movement of said incoming conveyor; c) first means for applying air pressure to the substance mixture being conveyed on said incoming conveyor, said first means for applying air pressure being disposed adjacent to said larger diameter deflector, said first means for applying air pressure being operative to pneumatically separate flat materials from the mixture of substances on said incoming conveyor and deposit the flat materials on said extractor assembly endless belt whereby said prongs can carry the separated flat materials toward said smaller diameter deflector, said smaller diameter deflector being operative, by reason of its size to temporarily separate said prongs as said endless belt passes over said smaller diameter deflector; d) a flat material discharge assembly disposed proximal to said smaller diameter deflector, said discharge assembly being operative to receive flat materials which are dislodged from said endless belt; e) second means for applying air pressure to said endless belt, said second means for applying air pressure being disposed proximal to said smaller diameter deflector, said second means for applying air pressure being operative to dislodge flat materials from said endless belt and prongs and to direct the dislodged flat materials toward said discharge assembly; and f) a movable outgoing conveyor disposed below said smaller diameter deflector whereby materials on said endless belt which are not deflected toward said discharge assembly will fall onto said outgoing conveyor.