Michael R Grubbs

US Patent:

6374998, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Apr 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/302707

Inventors:

Michael R. Grubbs - Nashville TN
Garry R. Kenny - College Grove TN

Assignee:

Advanced Sorting Technologies LLC - Nashville TN

International Classification:

B65G 1500

US Classification:

1988362

Abstract:

A paper handling system includes an acceleration conveyor having an acceleration belt operating at an acceleration speed. The system includes a pinning structure operably positioned to pin paper to the acceleration belt. The pinning structure is a rotary feeder which includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending radially from a roller into engagement with the acceleration belt. The speed of the acceleration belt is sufficiently high to create a suction phenomena such that when paper is pinned to the acceleration belt with the rotary feeder, the paper will be accelerated to a paper speed substantially equal to the acceleration speed. The system also includes a blower system operative to facilitate carrying the paper off of the acceleration belt across a transition gap between the acceleration belt and a product belt.

US Patent:

6543619, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

Mar 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/812421

Inventors:

Arthur G. Doak - Nashville TN
Paul Gaddis - Seattle WA
Michael Grubbs - Nashville TN

Assignee:

Advanced Sorting Technologies, LLC - Nashville TN

International Classification:

B07B 400

US Classification:

209137

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for reducing the circling upward movement of a product such as waste paper entrained in a carrier stream. The invention includes a product rake placed within a discharge chute to capture and direct product within the product flow. A further aspect of the invention includes a relief valve integrated into the discharge chute to alleviate pressure in the discharge chute and allow excess air to be relieved from the discharge chute to control the product flow.

US Patent:

6891119, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Jan 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/055131

Inventors:

Michael R. Grubbs - Nashville TN, US
Garry R. Kenny - College Grove TN, US

Assignee:

Advanced Sorting Technologies, LLC - Nashville TN

International Classification:

B07C005/00

US Classification:

209587, 209639

Abstract:

A paper handling system includes an acceleration conveyor having an acceleration belt operating at an acceleration speed. The system includes a pinning structure operably positioned to pin paper to the acceleration belt. The pinning structure is a rotary feeder which includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending radially from a roller into engagement with the acceleration belt. The speed of the acceleration belt is sufficiently high to create a suction phenomena such that when paper is pinned to the acceleration belt with the rotary feeder, the paper will be accelerated to a paper speed substantially equal to the acceleration speed. The system also includes a blower system operative to facilitate carrying the paper off of the acceleration belt across a transition gap between the acceleration belt and a product belt.

US Patent:

20040245156, Dec 9, 2004

Filed:

Jun 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/457077

Inventors:

Paul Gaddis - Seattle WA, US
Scott Anderson - Smyrna TN, US
Arthur Doak - Nashville TN, US
Michael Grubbs - Nashville TN, US

International Classification:

B03B005/54
B03B005/52
B03B005/68
B03B005/58
B03B005/56
B03B005/70

US Classification:

209/446000

Abstract:

A sorting system for sheeted material is presented, the sorting system including a path for travel of the sheeted material; an entrainment gas source for providing a first flow of gas in a direction substantially the same as the path for travel of the sheeted material; a plurality of receiving bins for receiving the sheeted material; a directional gas source associated with at least one of the plurality of receiving bins for providing a flow of gas directed to maintain the sheeted material entrained in the first flow of gas; a sorter associated with at least one of the plurality of receiving bins for directing selected ones of the sheeted material into such receiving bin.

US Patent:

6250472, Jun 26, 2001

Filed:

Apr 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/301992

Inventors:

Michael R. Grubbs - Nashville TN
Garry R. Kenny - College Grove TN
Paul G. Gaddis - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Advanced Sorting Technologies, LLC - Nashville TN

International Classification:

B07C 500

US Classification:

209 442

Abstract:

The present invention includes devices and methods for handling and sorting paper. Devices for accelerating and spreading paper from a paper input to a sensor are disclosed. Operably thin layers of paper are passed through a sensor at cost effective feed rates. One embodiment of the invention includes a spreader positioned to receive paper from the input and an inclined feed section downstream of the spreader. The inclined feed section includes first and second inclined conveyors to further accelerate and spread the paper. A feed accelerator is operably positioned to receive paper from the second inclined conveyor. The feed accelerator further accelerates and separates the paper. The feed accelerator feeds the paper to the sensor which is operably connected to an ejector downstream of the sensor. Targeted paper is ejected from the paper stream and product paper continues downstream to a product conveyor.

US Patent:

62866559, Sep 11, 2001

Filed:

Apr 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/302706

Inventors:

Michael R. Grubbs - Nashville TN
Garry R. Kenny - College Grove TN

Assignee:

Advanced Sorting Technologies, LLC - Nashville TN

International Classification:

B65G 4731

US Classification:

1984622

Abstract:

A paper handling system includes first and second inclined conveyors. The first inclined conveyor operates at a first speed and has an output end. The second inclined conveyor operates at a second speed and is operably positioned to receive paper output from the first inclined conveyor. The second speed is greater than the first speed. The inclined conveyors are preferably inclined at an angle in the range from 15. degree. to 35. degree. By transporting the paper up the inclined conveyors, upper layers of paper are allowed to slide down over lower layers of paper thereby creating a thinner stream of paper.

US Patent:

51976781, Mar 30, 1993

Filed:

Jul 18, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/732062

Inventors:

George Trezek - Danville CA
Martin Stanczyk - Tuscaloosa AL
Michael R. Grubbs - Hayward CA

Assignee:

WTE Corporation - Bedford MA

International Classification:

B02C 1912

US Classification:

241 21

Abstract:

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for recycling foamed polystyrene from municipal solid waste and more particularly, from fast food restaurant waste. A steady stream of waste is delivered to a flail mill for reducing particle size, a rotary trommel for eliminating undersized waste and a rotary air classifier for removing "heavy" waste from the stream. At this point, the waste stream comprises mostly paper and foamed polystyrene. The paper and foamed polystyrene are delivered to a water pulper which fiberizes the paper so that it can then be separated from the foamed polystyrene by passing it through a screen of selected mesh size to allow the water and paper pulp to pass through while retaining the foamed polystyrene.