Soil Sediment and Pay Dirt Separation Device

Abstract

An improved separation device having a frustoconical funnel and collection chamber. The collection chamber is removably attached to the frustoconical funnel. Preferably, the frustoconical funnel has a tapered section and a wide-mouthed section. The wide-mouthed section extends below the mouth of the funnel to a tapering point. The inner surface of the frustoconical funnel utilizes a combination of bars and posts extending from the inner surface of the funnel section. The posts can be a variety of sizes, shapes, and numbers. The bars can extend across the diameter of the filter section or alternatively to form one or more chords of the filter section. Preferably the collection chamber has a clear wall and/or floor to allow a user to view material within the collection chamber.

Claims

1. A handheld separation device comprising: a frustoconical funnel, wherein said frustoconical funnel comprising a wide opening at a top of said funnel, a tapered body progressively constricting to a narrow opening at a bottom of said funnel, wherein said frustoconical funnel defining a sediment suspension chamber; a collection chamber removably attached to said narrow opening at said base of said funnel; a plurality of agitation structures positioned within the tapered body and extending from an inner surface of said frustoconical funnel into said sediment suspension chamber.

2. The separation device of claim 1 wherein said agitation structures comprise at least one rod extending across said sediment suspension chamber.

3. The separation device of claim 2 wherein rod is positioned across said narrow opening.

4. The separation device of claim 2 wherein said rod is positioned on a diameter of said wide opening.

5. The separation device of claim 2 wherein said rod is positioned across said wide opening.

6. The separation device of claim 5 wherein said rod is positioned across a diameter of said wide opening.

7. The separation device of claim 1 wherein said agitation structures comprise a series of posts extending from said inner surface of said frustoconical funnel.

8. The separation device of claim 7 wherein said agitation structures are positioned on opposing sides of said inner surface of said frustoconical funnel.

9. The separation device of claim 1 wherein said collection chamber is threadingly attached to said narrow opening of said frustoconical funnel.

10. The separation device of claim 1 wherein said collection chamber comprises a clear wall and/or floor.

11. The separation device of claim 1 wherein said collection chamber is cylindrical.

12. A method of separating a heavy metal from soil, said method comprising: the step of providing a handheld separating device, the separating device comprising a frustoconical funnel, wherein said frustoconical funnel comprising a wide opening at a top of said funnel, a tapered body progressively constricting to a narrow opening at a bottom of said funnel, wherein said frustoconical funnel defining a sediment suspension chamber; a collection chamber removably attached to said narrow opening at said base of said funnel, wherein said collection chamber comprising a clear wall and/or floor for viewing material within said collection chamber; a plurality of agitation structures positioned within the tapered body and extending from an inner surface of said frustoconical funnel into said sediment suspension chamber; the step of placing soil sediment into the frustoconical funnel; the step of rotating and agitating said separating device to agitate the soil sediment to cause heavy materials to fall under gravity into said collection chamber; the step of observing material in said collection chamber after said step of rotating and agitating said separation device to determine if a sought after material is located in said collection chamber; the step of discarding the soil sediment remaining in said frustoconical funnel after rotating and agitating said separating device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of an improved separation device.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a first top view of the improved separation device of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a second top view of the improved separation device of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the improved separation device of FIGS. 1-3 showing the collection chamber de-coupled from the frustoconical funnel.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of an improved separation device having a smaller collection chamber.

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates the funnel section detached from an embodiment of a collection chamber.

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates the improved collection device in use.

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates the improved collection device in use showing positioning of material being separated in the improved collection device.

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates the final step of utilizing the improved collection device in discarding waste material leaving heavy metal, such as gold, in the collection chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an improved separation device. The improved separation device 2 has a frustoconical funnel 4 and a collection chamber 6. The collection chamber preferably utilizes a clear material, such as glass or a plastic, on the side(s) and/or bottom of the collection chamber to allow the user to visually inspect the collection chamber without removing the collection chamber from the frustoconical funnel and without having to empty the pay dirt from the frustoconical funnel. In the depicted embodiment the collection chamber is cylindrical, although alternate geometric shapes can be utilized.

[0024] The frustoconical filter in the depicted embodiment has a wide-open mouth 10 and upper section 8. Material such as pay dirt is placed in the device through the mouth of the funnel. The upper section transitions 10 to the frustoconical section 12 that serves to direct the heavy metal (such as gold) to the collection chamber. The frustoconical section has wide upper portion 14 that tapers to a narrow connector 16. The narrow mouth and connecter are configured for releasable connection to the collection chamber 6.

[0025] The collection chamber has at least one wall that is formed of a clear material. Preferably both the wall and the floor 9 of the collection chamber form a clear material. The collection chamber has a connector 11 that is configured for connection to the connector 16 of the narrow mouth of the frustoconical funnel.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a top view looking into the wide mouth 10 of the collection device. The inner body of the funnel section utilizes a series of agitation posts and bars extending through the body of the funnel. FIG. 2 illustrates opposing posts 24, 26 positioned on the inner surface 22 of the frustoconical portion of the separation device. A bar 21 extends across the diameter of the wide mouth of the funnel.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates the top view of FIG. 2 with the filtration device rotated ninety degrees. The ninety-degree rotation provides the view of a second bar 30 positioned across the diameter of the narrow mouth 28 of the frustoconical filter.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates the collection chamber 6 detached from the connecter of the frustoconical cone. The depicted connecter 16 has a male threaded section 32. The collection chamber 6 has a connecter portion 31 configured for threaded engagement with the male threads 32 of the cone connector. The female threads 34 connect the collection chamber to the connector of the frustoconical cone. While a threaded connection is shown, alternate connections are envisioned, including but not limited to a clamping attachment, pressure locking snaps, or snap on. Finger grips 40 are positioned around the connector 31 to provide for ease of rotation around the chamber. In the depicted embodiment the walls 7 of the collection chamber is made of a clear material as is the floor 38. FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the separation device in which a smaller collection chamber 42 is utilized. The smaller collection chamber has a clear wall 44 and a clear floor 46 in the depicted embodiment.

[0029] FIGS. 7-9 illustrate the improved separation device in use. In use, materials such as pay dirt is positioned within the frustoconical cone. When sufficient material is positioned in the device, a user holds the device in the user's hands and rotates the device back and forth along arrows 52, 54. The user preferably positions their hands at positions 56, 58. The agitation of the separation device coupled with the internal bars and posts causes agitation of the material inside. Due to gravity, coupled with the ongoing agitation, the heavier metals sink to the bottom of the separation device along the walls of the funnel. The heavier metals sink to and settle at the bottom of the collection chamber. FIG. 8 illustrates the separation of the material in process with the waste, dirt and soil sediment being suspended 72 in the water or liquid. The heavy metal 70 has sunk to the bottom of the filtration chamber. Heavier material, such as sand, are suspended above the heavy metals at the bottom of the collection chamber. The collection chamber is made of a clear material, such that a user can monitor the collection of heavy metals, such as gold, in the collection chamber. FIG. 9 illustrates the discarding 88 of waste material leaving heavy metal, such as gold, in the collection chamber.

[0030] While in the depicted embodiment four posts are utilized, fewer or additional posts on the inner surface of the frustoconical funnel can be utilized. These posts can vary in positioning and can be positioned on the surface of the tapering frustoconical funnel section or in the wide mouth lip section. Similarly, additional bars can be utilized that extend across the diameter or alternatively, such as a chord, the funnel section.\

[0031] While certain preferred embodiments are shown in the figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.