A screening apparatus includes a vibrating screen assembly that includes a screen and a vibrating mechanism operable on the screen to cause vibration of the screen, the screen having a feed end and a discharge end. At least one shield member is positioned on the screen and is configured to cover part of the screen between the feed end of the screen and a position intermediate the feed and discharge ends of the screen, such that particulate material for screening by the screen can be fed on to the, or each, shield member, the, or each shield member being positioned on the screen so that a vibrational pattern of the screen is imparted to the shield member. An adjustment mechanism is operatively engaged with the, or each, shield member to adjust a position of a discharge end of the, or each, shield member relative to the discharge end of the screen.

A screening apparatus includes a vibrating screen assembly that includes a screen and a vibrating mechanism operable on the screen to cause vibration of the screen, the screen having a feed end and a discharge end. At least one shield member is positioned on the screen and is configured to cover part of the screen between the feed end of the screen and a position intermediate the feed and discharge ends of the screen, such that particulate material for screening by the screen can be fed on to the, or each, shield member, the, or each shield member being positioned on the screen so that a vibrational pattern of the screen is imparted to the shield member. An adjustment mechanism is operatively engaged with the, or each, shield member to adjust a position of a discharge end of the, or each, shield member relative to the discharge end of the screen.

A panning tool is described and comprises a sifting scoop comprising an elongated half sphere of proportional dimensions. The left side wall, right side wall, and back wall of the sifting scoop define a reservoir for collecting sediment and holding precious metals and gems separated from the sediment during and after panning. The floor extends forwardly from the back side and can comprise riffles, furrows, or be flat. The panning tool comprises a connection body. The connection body is affixed to an interior face of the sifting scoop. Methods of using the panning tool and manufacturing the sifting scoop are also described.

A panning tool is described and comprises a sifting scoop comprising an elongated half sphere of proportional dimensions. The left side wall, right side wall, and back wall of the sifting scoop define a reservoir for collecting sediment and holding precious metals and gems separated from the sediment during and after panning. The floor extends forwardly from the back side and can comprise riffles, furrows, or be flat. The panning tool comprises a connection body. The connection body is affixed to an interior face of the sifting scoop. Methods of using the panning tool and manufacturing the sifting scoop are also described.

A system and method for a vacuum driven separating device is disclosed.

An apparatus for producing pozzolanic material from consumer waste includes a glass separator unit to remove glass material from the waste and a size reduction unit downstream the glass separator unit. The glass separator unit includes a tubular outer member and an inner helical member extending inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular outer member and defining an open central bore. The tubular outer member and the open central bore define respective coaxial longitudinal axes that are disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal reference plane, with the inlet higher than the outlet. Non-glass/non-ceramic material is output through the open outlet end of tubular outer member utilizing a flow of water. The glass/ceramic material is output to the size reduction unit through the open inlet end of the tubular outer member utilizing the rotating inner helical member of the glass separator unit.

An apparatus for producing pozzolanic material from consumer waste includes a glass separator unit to remove glass material from the waste and a size reduction unit downstream the glass separator unit. The glass separator unit includes a tubular outer member and an inner helical member extending inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular outer member and defining an open central bore. The tubular outer member and the open central bore define respective coaxial longitudinal axes that are disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal reference plane, with the inlet higher than the outlet. Non-glass/non-ceramic material is output through the open outlet end of tubular outer member utilizing a flow of water. The glass/ceramic material is output to the size reduction unit through the open inlet end of the tubular outer member utilizing the rotating inner helical member of the glass separator unit.

An apparatus for producing pozzolanic material from consumer waste includes a glass separator unit to remove glass material from the waste and a size reduction unit downstream the glass separator unit. The glass separator unit includes a tubular outer member and an inner helical member extending inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular outer member and defining an open central bore. The tubular outer member and the open central bore define respective coaxial longitudinal axes that are disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal reference plane, with the inlet higher than the outlet. Non-glass/non-ceramic material is output through the open outlet end of tubular outer member utilizing a flow of water. The glass/ceramic material is output to the size reduction unit through the open inlet end of the tubular outer member utilizing the rotating inner helical member of the glass separator unit.

An apparatus for producing pozzolanic material from consumer waste includes a glass separator unit to remove glass material from the waste and a size reduction unit downstream the glass separator unit. The glass separator unit includes a tubular outer member and an inner helical member extending inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular outer member and defining an open central bore. The tubular outer member and the open central bore define respective coaxial longitudinal axes that are disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal reference plane, with the inlet higher than the outlet. Non-glass/non-ceramic material is output through the open outlet end of tubular outer member utilizing a flow of water. The glass/ceramic material is output to the size reduction unit through the open inlet end of the tubular outer member utilizing the rotating inner helical member of the glass separator unit.

A panning tool is described and comprises a sifting scoop comprising an elongated half sphere of proportional dimensions. The left side wall, right side wall, and back wall of the sifting scoop define a reservoir for collecting sediment and holding precious metals and gems separated from the sediment during and after panning. The floor extends forwardly from the back side and can comprise riffles, furrows, or be flat. The panning tool comprises a connection body. The connection body is affixed to an interior face of the sifting scoop. Methods of using the panning tool and manufacturing the sifting scoop are also described.