Patent ID: 7677396
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: B07B,D21B

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a material separation system, comprising: receiving a mixed material stream that has both a first group of materials including different types of more rigid or semi-rigid products and a second group of materials including different types of products that are more malleable or flexible than the first group of materials, wherein the first group of materials includes different combinations of generally stiffer containers, boxes, and other miscellaneous contaminants, and the second group of material includes different combinations of generally more flexible office paper, newsprint, magazines, journals, and junk mail; moving the mixed material stream over a vacuum member; generating a negative air flow through holes in the vacuum member while the mixed material stream moves over the vacuum member; and using the negative air flow to pull the second group of materials down against the vacuum member and through a space formed between the vacuum member and a shaft while the first group of materials that include the rigid or semi-rigid products continue to move over the space formed between the vacuum member and the shaft substantially separating the first group of materials from the second group of materials.