630,046. Separating solid materials. MOSS, F. and BEECHAMS PILLS, Ltd. Aug, 13, 1947, No. 22459,[class 117] Small non-spherical objects are separated from spherical objects e.g. in the manufacture of pills, by causing all the objects to. roll down several successively lower sloping surfaces 3, 10, a, b and c, so arranged and relatively disposed as to offer greater impedance to the non-spherical objects, the spherical and non-spherical objects being collected in separate receptacles at the bottom of the final slope. As shown, surfaces 3 and 10 slope in opposite directions and surfaces a, b and c are arranged in step formation with the salient edges 12, 13 of the steps inclined to the pormal of the slope and preferably also inclined to each other. After leading the final slope c of the series, the spherical objects pass across a gap 15 at the terminal edge 11a into a collecting through 14 while non-spherical objects fall through the gap 15. Means such as a nut and screw arrangement 17, 19 may be provided for adjusting the width of the gap. 15 to provide for varying terminal speeds of the objects due to atmospheric conditions. The delivery speed of the articles from the hopper 1 down the slope 3 may be controlled by a rotary brush 4.
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