Patent ID: 7828153

Claim:
An apparatus for receiving and sorting recyclable materials, said apparatus comprising: a hollow header box having an inlet door and defining a temporary holding area therein; a distribution mechanism operatively connected to the header box; a plurality of enclosed routing ducts attached to and extending outwardly from the distribution mechanism, wherein each of said routing ducts defines an exclusive pathway for receiving material from said temporary holding area; a plurality of storage receptacles, with each of said storage receptacles disposed above ground and with a respective storage receptacle disposed proximate an end portion of each of said enclosed routing ducts, and a control panel comprising a plurality of selection buttons operatively connected to the header box for allowing a user to selectively indicate a material type corresponding to a recyclable item placed in the header box; wherein each of said routing ducts of the apparatus comprises a plurality of interchangeable modular components, whereby the apparatus is configured to be adjustably adaptable to different applications; and wherein the interchangeable modular components comprise a plurality of interconnectable sections, each of said interconnectable sections comprising at least one plate portion having a substantially straight peripheral edge and at least one hinge structure attached to said plate portion, wherein said hinge structure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart cylindrical tube sections attached to said peripheral edge.