Abstract:
A seashell collecting and crushing apparatus includes a collection device having a hollow body and an inlet for introducing seashells into the hollow body. A fan assembly is operable to provide a suction airstream for drawing seashells into the hollow body. A crusher is positioned to receive seashells from an outlet of the collection device and pulverize the seashells received from the collection device into a fine particulate matter releasable through an outlet of the crusher. The fan assembly and the crusher are driven by a common driving arrangement. A method includes using the apparatus for removing seashells from the beach using the suction airstream to introduce seashells through the inlet into the hollow body, separating the seashells entering the hollow body from the suction airstream, pulverizing the seashells into a fine particulate matter using the crusher and exhausting the fine particulate matter through the outlet of the crusher.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional application of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/038,867, filed on Feb. 28, 2008, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,269, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING AND CRUSHING SEASHELLS ON A BEACH 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the conversion of a coarse particulate into a fine particulate. More particularly, the present invention pertains to the collecting and crushing of seashells on a beach into fine particulate matter or sand that can be returned to the beach or hauled away to be used for other purposes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Since 1988, when zebra mussels were officially detected in North America, their shells have been washing up in increasing numbers on the shores and beaches of the Great Lakes, most of the large navigable rivers in the eastern United States, and in many inland lakes in the Great Lakes region. Once on shore, the mussel shells have caused deterioration of the previous natural beauty and aesthetic appeal of the beaches and have created other concern because the shells are very sharp, cutting and abrasive to bare-foot humans, animals and watercraft hulls. The shells are accumulating to depths of several feet in some cases, completely changing the landscape of otherwise desirable beaches. The accumulated shells create an eye sore and stagnant water trapped in the shells can produce an offensive odor. Over the course of many years, these seashells will bleach in the sun, be crushed by wave action and turn eventually into a light-colored sand. However, because of their offensive nature, it is becoming necessary to take immediate action and haul away these seashells to remote dumping sites which causes an undesirable expense. The heavy equipment typically used can further damage the beach by creating ruts and additional environmental concerns during the removal process. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide an easy, environmentally friendly and economical removal and/or conversion of the seashells to a desirable fine particulate matter or sand in an expedited manner, thus restoring and, in some cases, enhancing the aesthetic value and function of the natural and original beach. It is further desirable to provide a mechanical intervention for accelerating the natural conversion of seashells accumulating on beaches. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a broad object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for converting coarse particulate into fine particulate matter. 
     It is one object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for on-site beach processing of seashells into a fine particulate matter or sand. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide for the restoration of natural and aesthetic beauty of beaches, eliminating the undesired abrasive, and sharp cutting nature of the seashells to people, pets and watercraft, and removing the need to haul away the seashells to a remote dumping site or landfill. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple, yet compact construction and use of a seashell collecting and crushing apparatus for the general public. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for enabling joint collecting and crushing of seashells utilizing a common driving arrangement. 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for converting a coarse particulate into fine particulate matter. The apparatus includes a collection device provided with the hollow body and an inlet for introducing a coarse particulate into the hollow body. An infeed device, such as a device that creates a source of suction, is positioned relative to the collection device to transport an infeed supply of the coarse particulate into the collection device. In one embodiment, the suction device is operable to provide a suction airstream for drawing the coarse particulate into the hollow body of the collection device through the inlet. A crusher is provided with an inlet for receiving the coarse particulate from the collection device. The crusher is operable to pulverize the coarse particulate into fine particulate matter releasable through an outlet. 
     The apparatus includes a separator positioned in the collection device to separate the coarse particulate entering the collection device from the suction airstream such that the coarse particulate is directed towards the crusher. Preferably, the coarse particulate is separated from the airstream using cyclonic separation. A spray nozzle is optionally provided for applying moisture to the coarse particulate introduced through the inlet to prevent large clouds of dust during processing. The spray device is also operable to clean the interior of the apparatus. The suction device and the crusher are rotatably driven by a common driving arrangement. The common driving arrangement preferably includes a single drive motor. 
     In a specific implementation of the invention, the apparatus is a seashell collecting and crushing apparatus that includes a collection device having a hollow body and an inlet for introducing seashells into the hollow body. A fan assembly is mounted in communication with the inlet and is operable to provide a suction airstream for drawing seashells into the hollow body. A crusher is positioned to receive seashells from an outlet of the collection device. The crusher is operable to pulverize the seashells received from the collection device into fine particulate matter releasable through an outlet of the crusher. The fan assembly and the crusher are driven by a common driving arrangement. 
     The hollow body of the collection device includes an upper cylindrical portion, an intermediate conical portion and a lower cylindrical portion defining a feed tube into the crusher. The inlet for the collection device extends from the upper cylindrical portion of the body. The inlet for the collection device includes an elongated hose having a free end provided with a removable restrictor grid. The inlet for the collection device includes a spray nozzle adapted to be connected to a source of liquid for wetting seashells introduced through the inlet. 
     The common driving arrangement includes a drive shaft extending through the hollow body of a collection device and having one end drivingly connected to a single drive motor. The drive shaft rotates a feeding device, such as an auger, for directing seashells from the collection device into the crusher. A fan wheel is fixed to the drive shaft for rotation in a fan housing of the fan assembly. A pulverizing wheel is fixed to the drive shaft for rotation in a crusher housing of the crusher. 
     The crusher includes a crusher housing having a flat upper wall, a cylindrical side wall and a downwardly sloping bottom wall provided with the outlet. The cylindrical side wall has an inner surface provided with a series of spaced apart projections. The pulverizing wheel has an outer periphery spaced from the projections, and a plurality of spaced apart upstanding blades. The crusher includes a flapper having a counterweight for normally holding the outlet closed, thereby preventing an alternate suction path, until the weight of the fine particulate matter in the crusher overcomes the counterweight to open the outlet. 
     The invention further contemplates a method for processing seashells disposed on a beach. The method includes the steps of (a) providing an integrated apparatus having a collection device provided with an inlet, a driven suction device for providing a suction airstream, and a driven crusher having an outlet; (b) removing seashells from the beach using the suction device to introduce seashells through the inlet into the collection device; (c) separating the seashells entering the collection device from the suction airstream such that the seashells are directed towards the crusher; (d) pulverizing the seashells into fine particulate matter using the crusher; and (e) exhausting the fine particulate matter through the outlet. 
     The method includes the step of wetting the seashells introduced through the inlet, and the step of providing a common driving arrangement for the suction device and the crusher. 
     Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated in carrying out the invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a seashell collecting and crushing apparatus according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cut away view of the seashell collecting and crushing apparatus taken on line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged, detail view taken on line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the seashell collecting and crushing apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the seashell crushing and collecting apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken on line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged detail view taken on line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged, cut away perspective view of a crushing portion of the seashell collecting and crushing apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  generally shows an apparatus for converting a coarse particulate into a fine particulate. In the preferred application, the coarse particulate is seashells, although other particulates such as small stones or other items are contemplated. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is directed to a seashell collecting and crushing apparatus  10  which is particularly useful in receiving seashells accumulated on a beach, and pulverizing the seashells into a fine particulate matter. In a preferred application, the apparatus can convert zebra, quagga and other mussel seashells that wash up on a beach into a desirable sand that can be redeposited on the beach for restoration thereof, or hauled away and used for other purposes. Even if the fine particulate matter is not put to use as sand on a beach, the pulverized shells will be more efficient to transport and will take up much less space in a landfill. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , the seashell collecting and crushing apparatus is generally comprised of a collection device  12 , a fan assembly  14 , and a crusher  16  which are collectively bolstered by a framework  18 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the collection device  12  is a cyclonic separator, which is a hollow collector and separator structure with a circular lid  20 , an upper portion  22 , an intermediate conical portion  24 , and a lower portion  26  defining a feed tube that opens into the crusher  16 . A cylindrical inlet tube  28  extends perpendicularly through the center of lid  20 , and includes an upper segment  30  that projects above lid  20  and a lower segment  32  that depends below lid  20 . An inlet  34  for admitting seashells into the hollow body of the collection device  12  projects tangentially outward from the upper portion  22 , and includes an elongated flexible suction hose  36 . A free end of the suction hose  36  is supplied with a removable restrictor grid  38  which is sized according to the type of shells to be input to the apparatus  10 . The suction hose  36  could be handheld and moved by an operator or could be attached to a machine that could be moved around the beach to collect the seashells. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the top of inlet  34  is provided with a controllable spray nozzle  40  having a spray nozzle orifice  42  which depends into the inlet  34 . The spray nozzle  40  has a threaded end  43  to which a separate hose and water supply can be connected to wet or moisten seashells introduced into the inlet  34  for a purpose to be described hereafter. 
     The fan assembly  14  serves as a suction device to automatically draw shells and air into the body of the collection device  12 . The fan assembly  14  is mounted above the body of the collection device  12  and includes a fan housing  44  and a fan wheel  46  having a number of fan blades  48  depending therefrom. The bottom of fan housing  44  is fixed to the upper segment  30  of inlet tube  28  that forms a fan inlet. The fan wheel  46  is fixed to an upper portion of an elongated drive shaft  50  that extends through the body of the collection device  12  and passes through the inlet tube  28 . A top end of the drive shaft  50  is drivingly connected to a drive motor  52  (such as driven by a gasoline engine or an electric motor) that is secured on a circular motor mounting plate  54  which is spaced slightly above the fan housing  44 . 
     Although a suction device is shown in the illustrated embodiment as being the mechanism for drawing an infeed supply of the coarse particulate into the collection device, other types of infeed devices are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. As an example, the infeed device used to transport the infeed supply of the coarse particulate into the collection device through the inlet could be a series of brushes and a conveyor/auger assembly that receives the coarse particulate matter, such as the seashells, and directs the supply of seashells into the collection device. In such an embodiment, the coarse particulate matter will be transported by the infeed device into the collection device where the collection device can then feed the coarse particulate matter to the crusher. Various other types of infeed devices other than a suction device are contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The drive shaft  50  has a lower portion provided with a feeding device, such as an auger  56 , used to forcefully urge seashells drawn into the body of collection device  12  to the crusher  16 . Although an auger  56  formed as part of the driveshaft  50  is shown in the Figures, other feeding devices, such as an auger separate from but attached to the drive shaft, a series of blades or pins or a series of offset steps could be coupled to the drive shaft  50  to direct the shells into the crusher  16 . A bottom end of the drive shaft  50  is rotatably supported in the crusher  16 . 
     The crusher  16  acts to convert the coarse particulate, such as seashells, into a fine particulate matter for sand. As shown in the magnified views of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the crusher  16  includes a housing  58  having a flat upper wall  60  with a central hole  62 , a cylindrical side wall  64  and a downwardly sloping bottom wall  66  having a sand exhaust port or outlet  68 . The feed tube  26  of collection device  12  has a flange  70  that is attached to the flat upper wall  60  so that the feed tube  26  is in communication with the interior of the housing  58 . A lower end of the drive shaft  50  extends through the hole  62  into the housing  58 , and is joined to a pulverizing wheel  72  having a plurality of upstanding blades  74  fixed thereto. The pulverizing wheel  72  has an outer periphery  76  that is spaced apart by a gap  78  from several projections  80  provided on an upper, inner surface  82  of the side wall  64 . The bottom end of the drive shaft  50  is mounted for rotation via a bearing  84  pressed into a recess  85  of a support structure  86  that slopes upwardly from the lower end of the side wall  64 . The outlet  68  is closed by a flapper  88  that is pivotally attached by a pin  90  to the bottom wall  66 , and provided with a counterweight  92  such that the flapper  88  is normally held closed against the outlet  68 . Alternatively, the flapper  88  could be biased to a closed position by a spring or by the physical properties of the flapper itself, such as if the flapper were formed from a flexible plastic material. 
     At this point, it should be appreciated that the single drive motor  52 , best shown in  FIG. 2 , rotates the common axial drive shaft  50  which, in turn, propels the fan wheel  46 , the auger  56 , and the pulverizing wheel  72  so as to create a common driving arrangement. 
     The framework  18  is a support structure for the apparatus  10  that includes three elongated support members  94  best shown in  FIG. 4 . Each support member  94  has an upper end that is connected to a periphery of the motor mounting plate  54 , and a lower end that is joined to the crusher housing  58 . The support members  94  are spaced equally apart and are also joined to the upper cylindrical portion  22  of the collection device  12  and the fan housing  44 . Although the preferred embodiment is shown including the support members  94 , it should be understood that the seashell collecting and crushing apparatus  10  could be constructed without the framework  18 . In such an embodiment, individual components of the apparatus  10  could be directly connected to each other without use of the framework  18 . 
     In use, the seashell collecting and crushing apparatus  10  is preferably operated on a beach laden with seashells. Before start up, the suction hose  36  is placed adjacent to the seashells, and the counterbalanced flapper  88  is closed to prevent entry of air from the bottom wall  66  of crusher  16 . Once the drive motor  52  is energized, the fan wheel  46  is rotatably driven to create a suction airstream through inlet tube  28  which will draw seashells, air and other beach particles through the restrictor grid  38  and the suction hose  36  into the inlet  34 . Here, a mist or spray of water coming from the spray nozzle orifice  42  wets the incoming seashells and other small particles to prevent large amounts of dust from being created during the operation. Alternatively, the seashells could be moistened while still on the beach prior to being drawn into the suction hose  36  to reduce the amount of dust created during the crushing process. 
     The seashells and any particulate from the beach are forcefully drawn tangentially in a cyclonic manner into the cylindrical portion  22  of the body  12  where the shells are separated from the suction airstream by cyclonic separation. The seashells settle out of the air stream in the lower portion of the collection device  12  where they are fed into the crusher  16  by the auger  56  which moves the seashells through the feed tube  26  at a controlled rate. At the same time, the air drawn in through the inlet  34  is pulled up through the inlet tube  28  into the fan housing  44  where air is exhausted to the atmosphere. Although cyclonic separation is described as the preferred method of separating the shells from the air stream, other methods could be used while operating within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As the seashells drop from the feed tube  26  into the crusher  16 , they land on pulverizing wheel  72  which is being rotatably driven by the drive shaft  50 . The pulverizing wheel  72  has numerous blades  74  that accelerate the seashells radially outwardly away from the drive shaft  50 . The accelerated seashells are flung off the pulverizing wheel  72  at a high velocity and smash into the inner surface  82  of the cylindrical side wall  64  and the projections  80  thereon. Here, the seashells are pulverized and reduced to a fine particulate matter or sand by the violence of the impact. 
     Although cyclonic crushing is shown in the Figures and described above, other types of crushers are contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure. As an example, the crusher  16  could be a hammer mill, jaw crusher or other similar type of crushing device. 
     Once the seashells are pulverized, the newly created fine particulate matter or sand drops down through the gap  78  between the periphery  76  of the pulverizing wheel  72  and the inner surface  82  of the cylindrical side wall  64  to outer ends of downwardly sloped crusher bottom  66 . The speed of the pulverizing wheel  72  and the size of the gap  78  combine to determine the size of the fine particulate matter. The fine particulate matter or sand slides down the sloped crusher bottom  66  towards the exhaust port or outlet  68  where the weight of the sand eventually forces open the counterbalanced flapper  88  and the sand falls from the apparatus  10 . Upon being exhausted, the newly created sand can be returned directly to the beach, or can be collected in a receptacle for later redistribution or secondary processing such as further refinement. As the sand is exhausted, a portion of the air is admitted through the outlet  68  and moves upwardly through the crusher  16 , the feed tube  26 , the body of the collection device  12 , the inlet tube  34  and the fan housing  44  to be exhausted into the atmosphere. 
     The present invention thus provides an integrated apparatus and method for effectively converting and processing the accumulation of mussel and other seashells on existing beaches into a desirable fine particulate matter or sand, which can be returned to the beach or collected for subsequent distribution. The present invention further provides a suction airstream for removing seashells from the beach, collecting and separating the seashells and other related beach particles from the airstream by means of a cyclonic hopper-separator, enabling exhaust air to return to atmosphere, feeding the seashells and particulates to a cyclonic crusher at a controlled rate of feed, accelerating the seashells and related beach particles to a sufficiently high velocity, smashing the seashells and beach particles to a desired fine particulate matter or sand, and then exhausting the refined sand particles back to the beach. The present invention enables the above operating steps to take place by employing a common driving arrangement which enables a minimum number of parts and compact assembly for maximizing economic benefits. The shell collecting and crushing apparatus also eliminates the expense required to haul away uncrushed shells to a remote dumping site which saves space in landfills. 
     It should be understood that separating the seashells from the airstream is the preferred method of the invention. The reason for this is small rocks and other debris from the beach could be ingested by the apparatus  10  along with the shells and damage the fan wheel  46  and blades  48  or reduce efficiency. That said, the fan wheel  46  and blades  48  could be placed in line between the suction hose  36  and crusher  16  and accomplish much the same job, however, the fan would wear out at a faster pace and require more maintenance and cost. The apparatus  10  may be sized as desired depending on application. For example, a small apparatus may be mounted on a backpack, a larger apparatus mounted on wheels, and an even larger apparatus mounted on a vehicle such as truck, boat or barge. If mounted to a boat or barge, the sand and/or exhaust from the fan assembly  14  could be exhausted under water to minimize noise and dust. The suction hose  36  can have an appropriate length such that the apparatus  10  may remain on board a transport vehicle that is near, but not directly on the beach. Different and multiple driving arrangements other than motor  52  may be used and positioned other than on top of the apparatus  10 . The dust controlling spray nozzle  40  may take other forms of wetting devices, and may be used to wet the seashells either before, during or after the crushing operation. Further, the spray nozzle may be used to clean the inside of the apparatus. In an economy version, the suction fan assembly  14  may be eliminated and the seashells could be loaded manually into the body. 
     In yet another contemplated embodiment, the suction device could be designed to both create the suction airstream to draw the seashells from the beach and reduce the size of the seashells collected. In such an embodiment, the suction device could be designed with a crushing device, such as a contact plate or surface positioned such that the infeed supply of seashells drawn into the suction device would be directed at a high velocity against the contact plate or surface. The contact between the seashells and the contact plate would fracture the seashells and thus decrease the size of the shell particles. If the collision between the seashells and the contact plate is sufficiently violent, the size of the resulting particles may be small enough to return to the beach without further crushing. 
     Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.