Patent ID: 8016115

Claim:
A waste separation apparatus comprising: a vortex initiator for creating an airflow; and a vortex generator for forming a vortex from the airflow and for directing the airflow from the vortex initiator towards a plurality of waste items to be separated, so that a pressure difference in the airflow causes waste items of up to a predetermined density to be lifted and thrown clear of waste items of greater than the predetermined density, and so that none of the waste items are sucked into the vortex generator ( 20 ), wherein the vortex generator ( 20 ) comprises a drum ( 22 ) comprising an open end ( 25 ) for forming a vortex from the airflow directed to the waste to be separated, and wherein the drum comprises a cylindrically-shaped chamber to direct the airflow from the vortex initiator to form the vortex.