Patent ID: 6332543
Filing Date: 2001-12-25
Classification: A24B,A24C

Abstract:
Apparatus for converting a continuously supplied multiple-layer first flow of a particulate material containing randomly intermixed useful and foreign particles into a second flow which, during advancement of particulate material in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path, includes a number of layers less than the number of layers in said multiple-layer first flow, comprising:at least one transporting unit having means for advancing the first flow at a first speed along a first portion of said path;a plurality of successive conveyors adjacent successive second portions of said path and arranged to repeatedly accelerate the first flow along the respective second portions of said path with attendant reduction of the number of layers in the flow on said conveyors, said conveyors including a first conveyor arranged to receive particles of the first flow from said advancing means and a last conveyor; andmeans for segregating foreign particles from useful particles not later than downstream of said last conveyor.