A sorting device for tablets for separating out multiple tablets has a plurality of stations including a feed station, a sorting station and an ejection station, and a tablet transporter which moves to the individual stations in a direction of rotation. The tablet transporter includes a row of tablet receivers for single tablets and a doublet receiver for multiple tablets which have been separated out. The doublet receiver is laterally next to the tablet receivers. An individual tablet receiver is laterally separated from the doublet receiver via a side wall. In the sorting station is a sorting tine which can be moved to and fro over a travel range in a lateral direction extending transversely to the direction of rotation such that the sorting tine passes over the region of a tablet receiver, the adjacent doublet receiver and the side wall located between them.

A sorting device for tablets for separating out multiple tablets has a plurality of stations including a feed station, a sorting station and an ejection station, and a tablet transporter which moves to the individual stations in a direction of rotation. The tablet transporter includes a row of tablet receivers for single tablets and a doublet receiver for multiple tablets which have been separated out. The doublet receiver is laterally next to the tablet receivers. An individual tablet receiver is laterally separated from the doublet receiver via a side wall. In the sorting station is a sorting tine which can be moved to and fro over a travel range in a lateral direction extending transversely to the direction of rotation such that the sorting tine passes over the region of a tablet receiver, the adjacent doublet receiver and the side wall located between them.

A method of shape sorting abrasive particles involves disposing initial crushed abrasive particles with agitation against the surface of a tool, the surface defining a plurality of shaped cavities having an average aspect ratio of at least 1.2, thereby causing a first portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles to become retained within at least some of the shaped cavities, and causing a second portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles to remain as loose particles on the surface. Substantially all of the shaped cavities contain at most one abrasive particle. The second portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles is separated from the tool. The first portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles is then separated from the tool and isolated as loose sorted crushed abrasive particles. The average aspect ratio of the loose sorted crushed abrasive particles is greater than that of the initial crushed abrasive particles.

A method of shape sorting abrasive particles involves disposing initial crushed abrasive particles with agitation against the surface of a tool, the surface defining a plurality of shaped cavities having an average aspect ratio of at least 1.2, thereby causing a first portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles to become retained within at least some of the shaped cavities, and causing a second portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles to remain as loose particles on the surface. Substantially all of the shaped cavities contain at most one abrasive particle. The second portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles is separated from the tool. The first portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles is then separated from the tool and isolated as loose sorted crushed abrasive particles. The average aspect ratio of the loose sorted crushed abrasive particles is greater than that of the initial crushed abrasive particles.

Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.

A drum (100) for sorting objects is provided. The drum has a cylindrical shape, and said drum (100) comprises a cylindrical body (101), with an inner and an outer envelope surface. A plurality of pockets (104) are arranged on the inner envelope surface of the cylindrical body (101), and said pockets (104) are provided with openings (105) opening up into the outer envelope surface. At least one groove (106) is arranged on the outer envelope surface, said groove (105) interconnecting at least two openings (105). A machine (1000) comprising such a drum (100) and a method for manufacturing such drum (100) are also provided.

A drum (100) for sorting objects is provided. The drum has a cylindrical shape, and said drum (100) comprises a cylindrical body (101), with an inner and an outer envelope surface. A plurality of pockets (104) are arranged on the inner envelope surface of the cylindrical body (101), and said pockets (104) are provided with openings (105) opening up into the outer envelope surface. At least one groove (106) is arranged on the outer envelope surface, said groove (105) interconnecting at least two openings (105). A machine (1000) comprising such a drum (100) and a method for manufacturing such drum (100) are also provided.

A method of shape sorting abrasive particles involves disposing initial crushed abrasive particles with agitation against the surface of a tool, the surface defining a plurality of shaped cavities having an average aspect ratio of at least 1.2, thereby causing a first portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles to become retained within at least some of the shaped cavities, and causing a second portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles to remain as loose particles on the surface. Substantially all of the shaped cavities contain at most one abrasive particle. The second portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles is separated from the tool. The first portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles is then separated from the tool and isolated as loose sorted crushed abrasive particles. The average aspect ratio of the loose sorted crushed abrasive particles is greater than that of the initial crushed abrasive particles.

A method of shape sorting abrasive particles involves disposing initial crushed abrasive particles with agitation against the surface of a tool, the surface defining a plurality of shaped cavities having an average aspect ratio of at least 1.2, thereby causing a first portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles to become retained within at least some of the shaped cavities, and causing a second portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles to remain as loose particles on the surface. Substantially all of the shaped cavities contain at most one abrasive particle. The second portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles is separated from the tool. The first portion of the initial crushed abrasive particles is then separated from the tool and isolated as loose sorted crushed abrasive particles. The average aspect ratio of the loose sorted crushed abrasive particles is greater than that of the initial crushed abrasive particles.

Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.