Patents Examined by David M. Bollinger
  • Patent number: 5788293
    Abstract: A separator for separating gold particles from ore including a rotatable pan, and frame for mounting the pan through a recessed hub cup assembly at an angle from horizontal. The pan includes a frusto-conical side wall. The pan inner surface also includes a riffle spiraling inwardly from the outer end of the side wall to create loops that spiral to the hub cup. The riffle and the pan inner surface form a slide track in which the gold particles move along the riffle to reach the hub cup. One of the improvements includes a plurality of agitator knobules that are positioned between the loops of the riffle. Another feature is an easily removable insert cup inside the hub cup for easy collection of gold. In use, ore is introduced into the pan during rotation. Particles are agitated by the knobules to separate the particles from the ore and aid the particles down the slide track, moving the particles inwardly along the riffle into the insert cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Leo M. Krenzler