Patent ID: 7690513
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: B03B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for processing aggregate material into gravel, the apparatus comprising: an elongate enclosure having a first and a second end; a water source that provides water into the elongate enclosure; a aggregate material supply assembly that provides aggregate material to be processed into the elongate enclosure at a first end and wherein the elongate enclosure defines an exit adjacent the second end of the enclosure where the gravel that has been processed is removed from the elongate enclosure; a first and a second shaft each having a circumference and an axis wherein the first and second shafts are mounted so as to be rotatable within the elongate enclosure, wherein the first and second shafts include a plurality of paddles mounted thereon wherein the first and second shafts are located so as to define a central zone wherein the paddles engage the aggregate material in the central zone during rotation of the shafts so as to urge the aggregate material from the first end to the second end of the elongate enclosure and so as to dislodge the gravel from the aggregate material and wherein the plurality of paddles are assembled into a plurality of groups of paddles along the axis of the shafts and wherein the plurality of groups of paddles includes aligned groups of paddles wherein the paddles within the group are aligned about the circumference of the shafts and offset groups of paddles wherein the paddles within the group are offset from each adjacent paddle about the circumference of the shafts within the group and wherein the aligned groups are and offset groups are positioned along the axis of on the shaft so that at least one interface zone is created within the elongate enclosure where the aggregate material and water are subject to increased turbulence.