Systems and methods for sorting recyclable items and other materials are provided. In one embodiment, a system for sorting objects comprises: at least one imaging sensor; a controller comprising a processor and memory storage, wherein the controller receives image data captured by the image sensor; and at least one pusher device coupled to the controller, wherein the at least one pusher device is configured to receive an actuation signal from the controller. The processor is configured to detect objects travelling on a conveyor device and recognize at least one target item traveling on a conveyor device by processing the image data and to determine an expected time when the at least one target item will be located within a diversion path of the pusher device. The controller selectively generates the actuation signal based on whether a sensed object detected in the image data comprise the at least one target item.

The present invention discloses an automated waste sorter (100) for sorting/segregating one or more categories of materials from a mixed waste stream. The automated waste sorter (100) includes a primary conveyor belt (110), an encoder (170), one or more sensors (131), a vision system (130) and an ejection means (150). The primary conveyor belt (110) moves the mixed waste stream at a predefined speed. The vision system (130) is trained to analyze the frame to identify, classify and locate one or more classified waste material using at least one of a plurality of identity parameters and/or a plurality of other parameters. The ejection means (150) includes one or more manifolds to eject the one or more classified waste material based on the one or more coordinates communicated by the vision system (130). A method to operate the automated waste sorter (100) is also disclosed.

Apparatuses and methods of operating the same are described. A method may include receiving a card from a first storage compartment. The method may include analyzing the card using a first sensor to obtain characteristic information of the card. The method may include identifying a group associated with the characteristic information. The method may include identifying a second storage compartment associated with the group. The method may include sorting the card to place the card into the second storage compartment.

Example aspects relate to at least one transportation vehicle for mobile sorting of shipments, the transportation vehicle comprising a loading area arranged on the transportation vehicle, at least one infeed conveyer foldable attached to the loading area for loading an incoming shipment onto the transportation vehicle, at least two outfeed conveyers foldable attached to the loading area for unloading an outgoing shipment from the transportation vehicle, a scanning device arranged on the loading area adjacent to the at least one infeed conveyer and configured to scan the incoming shipment for obtaining a scanning information, a main conveyer arranged on the loading area and configured to convey the incoming shipment past the scanning device towards a sorting device, and the sorting device configured to sort the scanned incoming shipment according to the scanning information towards one of the outfeed conveyers for unloading the incoming shipment as outgoing shipment.

A system for identifying particular items in a stream of items and for deflecting that type of item from the stream to a different destination. In one embodiment, an LC resonant circuit including an array of coils is transversely disposed across the path and resonates in response to passing metallic items, wherein metal detection signals having an amplitude and a phase are generated. A graphical user interface enables user input with respect to an x-y graph defining amplitude-phase delineations and an ejection zone for the type of metallic item. A controller determines, for each generated metal detection signal, whether a corresponding metallic item is the defined type of metallic item and further within the defined ejection zone, and causes one or more ejectors to controllably eject the corresponding metallic item from the stream to a second destination.

A system is provided for the identification and separation of heterogeneous material, the system comprising: a hyperspectral identification system for capturing spectra of material; a computer receiving and analyzing data from the hyperspectral identification system and selecting desired materials from the heterogeneous materials; and an ejection system, whereby the desired materials are ejected from the system.

A sorting device includes a transport unit, an identification unit, and a plurality of nozzles. Each of the plurality of nozzles has a valve that adjusts a flow amount of pulse air, a pulse air flow path that is connected to the valve, and a pulse air blowing port that is arranged at a tip end of the pulse air flow path. The pulse air flow path has at least one bent portion. An adjustment flow path is connected to the bent portion of the pulse air flow path. An adjustment member capable of increasing and decreasing a volume of the adjustment flow path is provided in the adjustment flow path.

Apparatuses and methods of operating the same are described. A method may include receiving a card from a first storage compartment. The method may include analyzing the card using a first sensor to obtain characteristic information of the card. The method may include identifying a group associated with the characteristic information. The method may include identifying a second storage compartment associated with the group. The method may include sorting the card to place the card into the second storage compartment.

The process for removing metal objects such as buttons, zippers and the like from fabric material to permit recovery of the fabric. The fabric is cut or chopped into strips and subsequently cut again to provide smaller pieces of fabric that may or may not contain a metal object secured thereto. The pieces of fabric are applied to a conveyor and exposed to a metal detector that triggers a plurality of pneumatic nozzles to direct a stream of high pressured air to the fabric pieces having metal attached thereto and deject those pieces from the conveyer while the fabric pieces without metal exit the conveyor having a different trajectory than the metal pieces and attached fabric material.

A method and a device for separation of at least one catalyst and/or adsorbent from a homogeneous mixture of catalysts and/or adsorbents containing one or more metal, semi-metal or non-metal contaminant(s) deposited thereon, making it possible to separate catalysts or adsorbents according to the presence or absence of contaminant and also according to the contaminant content, starting from a sorting threshold that corresponds to a content and that is defined by the operator.