received by the International Bureau on 05 February 2014 (05.02.2014)

Claims

1. A method for identifying material types of spatial objects, in particular plastic objects, the method comprising obtaining an acoustic signal from each identified object by deforming the objects mechanically, recording said acoustic signal and comparing it to an acoustic model being obtained on the basis of analysis of reference objects of multiple material types, characterized in that said method is enabling to thoroughly differentiate between various types of plastics preferably using statistical classification of acoustic signals.

2. The method of Claim 1 wherein the deforming step is carried out in such a manner that the objects are crushed.

3. The method of Claim 1 wherein the deforming step is carried out in such a manner that the objects are set in motion with a velocity of at least 5 mm/s in relation to a solid barrier (PR), which is located in the trajectory of the moving objects.

4. The method of Claim 3 wherein the objects are set in motion by gas, preferably compressed air.

5. The method of Claim 3 wherein the objects are set in motion by gravity.

7. The method of Claim 3 wherein the objects are set in motion by a stream of liquid.

8. The method of Claim 1 wherein the deformation step is carried out in such a manner that the objects are hit by a solid body moving at a velocity of at least 5 mm/s.

9. The method of Claim 8 wherein the body is set in motion by gas, preferably compressed air.

10. The method of Claim 8 wherein the body is set in motion by gravity.

12. The method of Claim 8 wherein the body is set in motion by a stream of liquid.

13. The method of Claim 1 wherein the deformation step is carried out in such a manner that the objects are hit by a stream of liquid or crushed solid body particles preferably by a stream of sand.

14. A device for identifying material types of spatial objects, in particular plastic objects, comprising a mechanical deformation system (F), at least one electro- acoustic transducer (1), an acoustic signal recording assembly (2) and a data processing unit (3) with installed acoustic model being obtained on the basis of analysis of reference objects of multiple material types, characterized in that said device comprises a deformation chamber (K) and said device is enabling to thoroughly differentiate between various types of plastics, preferably using statistical classification of acoustic signals.

15. The device of Claim 14 wherein the mechanical deformation system (F) comprises a crusher (CR).

16. The device of Claim 14 wherein the mechanical deformation system (F) comprises a means for setting the objects into motion (WZ) and a stiff barrier (PR).

17. The device of Claim 14 wherein the mechanical deformation system (F) comprises a solid body (CS) and a drive for setting the solid body in motion (WR).

18. The device of Claim 14 wherein the mechanical deformation system (F) comprises a nozzle supplying liquid or crushed solid body particles (D) preferably sand particles.

19. The device of Claims 14-18, further comprising an individual objects feeder (P), an emptying assembly (OP) for the deformation chamber (K), and a sorting device (SO).

22. The device of Claims 14-19 wherein the device is portable.