Apparatus and method of separating medium-sized materials from garbage for collection

Abstract

An apparatus and method of separating medium-sized materials such as trash, bottles, floated articles, and submerged articles from garbage for collection by means of wind and water is disclosed. Moreover, an initial cleaning of garbage and a dilution of toxic materials contained therein are performed while disposing garbage, thereby significantly reducing a possibility of contracting diseases by or poisoning cleaning employees.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A method of garbage separation comprising the steps of: 
 1) separating the garbage by blowing for obtaining a first group of garbage and a second group of garbage, the second group heavier than the first group;    2) allowing the second group of garbage to fall onto a conveyor and causing the first group of garbage to enter a duct;    3) moving the conveyor for transporting the second group of garbage to a first collecting area; and    4) causing the first group of garbage in the duct to move to a separate second collecting area by blowing.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first group of garbage includes first materials lighter than water and second materials heavier than water, said method further comprising the steps of: 
 5) mixing the first group of garbage at the second collecting area with water, causing the first materials in the first group of garbage to float and allowing the second materials to sink; and    6) separating the first materials from the second materials by channeling the floating garbage to a different area.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the garbage may contain empty containers, said method further comprising the step of: 
 mixing the garbage with water prior to step 1 so as to cause the empty containers to become part of the second group of garbage.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the garbage mixed with water contains materials smaller than a predetermined size, said method further comprising the step of: 
 moving the garbage mixed with water over a screen of the predetermined size so as to allow the smaller materials to pass through the screen prior to step 1.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the garbage further contain a third group of garbage heavier than the second group, and wherein the blowing at step 1 is carried out at a first location and the conveyor in step 2 is spaced from the first location forming a gap therebetween, said method further comprising the step of: 
 allowing the third group of garbage to fall through the gap to a separate area for collection.