Patent ID: 7347331

Claim:
A method for use in separation of objects from a feed mixture, wherein the feed mixture comprises the objects and fines, the method comprising: moving at least a portion of an endless belt up an incline between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position is elevated with respect to the first position, wherein the incline is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines, wherein the endless belt comprises: an endless base section having a predetermined length, first and second sidewalls extending from the endless base section, wherein the endless base section and the first and second sidewalls define a channel, and a plurality of obstruction elements, wherein each obstruction element comprises at least one surface portion that extends between a first position and a second position of the endless base section such that the at least one surface portion impedes a flow of the fines down the incline when feed mixture is provided in the channel and as the portion of the endless belt is moved up the incline, wherein the at least one surface portion is non-orthogonal relative to the length of the endless base section, and further wherein each obstruction element has a thickness that is 50 percent or less than a maximum cross-section dimension of the objects of the feed mixture; receiving the feed mixture within the channel, wherein the objects of the feed mixture flow downward toward the first position and the fines move upward toward the second position as the at least a portion of the endless belt is moved up the incline.