A self-cleaning apparatus for sorting a mixture of materials is disclosed that comprises a material sorter and a gantry positioning system elevated above the material sorter. The gantry positioning system includes a longitudinal travel rail with a longitudinal travel rail carriage, a traverse travel rail connected to the longitudinal travel rail carriage running perpendicular to the longitudinal travel rail, with a traverse travel rail carriage, and a vertical travel rail connected to the vertical travel rail carriage running perpendicular to the traverse travel rail. A cutter and optionally, a picker, are connected to the vertical travel rail. The gantry positioning system can move the cutter and picker various directions to dislodge and remove material that may have accumulated on the sorter. Instead of a gantry positioning system, the apparatus may have a multi-axis arm.

A sieving method for separating insect pupae is described. The method may include causing an actuation system of a sieving apparatus to cycle between a first elevation and a second elevation to cyclically submerge a sieve surface of a sieving device in a liquid held within a basin so as to separate a population of insect pupae present in the sieving device with respect to size. The method may also include causing actuation of one or more valves to drain the liquid from the basin in order to retrieve a first part of the population of insect pupae.

A sieving method for separating insect pupae is described. The method may include causing an actuation system of a sieving apparatus to cycle between a first elevation and a second elevation to cyclically submerge a sieve surface of a sieving device in a liquid held within a basin so as to separate a population of insect pupae present in the sieving device with respect to size. The method may also include causing actuation of one or more valves to drain the liquid from the basin in order to retrieve a first part of the population of insect pupae.

A food processing apparatus includes a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and movable relative to the compartment between a first position, for food processing, and a second position, to facilitate cleaning, a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, the auger being operable to advance food product within the compartment from the inlet end of the pressure vessel toward the outlet end, and a transfer mechanism including a conduit in communication with the compartment, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge and operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move food product through the conduit.

A food processing apparatus includes a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and movable relative to the compartment between a first position, for food processing, and a second position, to facilitate cleaning, a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, the auger being operable to advance food product within the compartment from the inlet end of the pressure vessel toward the outlet end, and a transfer mechanism including a conduit in communication with the compartment, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge and operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move food product through the conduit.

Vibratory classifier apparatus are provided, e.g., for classification of materials such as wet or dry aggregate materials. In some embodiments, a drive system of the vibratory classifier apparatus includes a housing that can optionally be modified to allow access to a belt or other components of the drive system.

Vibratory classifier apparatus are provided, e.g., for classification of materials such as wet or dry aggregate materials. In some embodiments, a drive system of the vibratory classifier apparatus includes a housing that can optionally be modified to allow access to a belt or other components of the drive system.

A sieving apparatus for separating insect pupa is described. In an example, the sieving apparatus includes a sieving device attached to an actuation system. The sieving device includes a set of openings sized to correspond to a cross-sectional cephalothorax width of a representative pupa of a population of insect pupae to be separated. The actuation system is configured to move the sieving device in a manner that causes smaller insect pupae to pass through the set of openings. Larger insect pupae remain within the sieving device. Such movement can include moving the sieving device with respect to a liquid held in a basin of the sieving apparatus.

A sieving apparatus for separating insect pupa is described. In an example, the sieving apparatus includes a sieving device attached to an actuation system. The sieving device includes a set of openings sized to correspond to a cross-sectional cephalothorax width of a representative pupa of a population of insect pupae to be separated. The actuation system is configured to move the sieving device in a manner that causes smaller insect pupae to pass through the set of openings. Larger insect pupae remain within the sieving device. Such movement can include moving the sieving device with respect to a liquid held in a basin of the sieving apparatus.

An apparatus for removing sand from a well fluid includes a pressure vessel having an inlet and an outlet. The well fluid flows into the pressure vessel through the inlet and flows out of the pressure vessel through the outlet. A screen is positioned at least partially within the pressure vessel and configured to remove the sand from the well fluid. At least a portion of the sand that is removed from the well fluid at least partially obstructs one or more openings in the screen. A cleaning assembly is positioned at least partially between the pressure vessel and the screen and configured to remove the sand that is obstructing the one or more openings in the screen during a screen-cleaning operation.