Patent ID: 8051988

Claim:
A grain conveying apparatus for conveying and separating elements of a grain mixture of at least a first minimum size and a second maximum size smaller than the first minimum size, comprising: a fixed structure having a length and defining an upper passage containing a first conveyance device which is not substantially connected to an inner surface of the fixed structure, the first conveyance device configured and operable for conveying the grain mixture in a first direction within the upper passage over a lower region of the upper passage including a plurality of apertures formed only through the lower region and extending the substantial length of the upper passage, the plurality of apertures of a first predetermined extent in at least one direction smaller than the first minimum size of large elements of the grain mixture and larger than the second maximum size of small elements of the grain mixture, such that substantially all of the large elements of the grain mixture of at least the first minimum size will be conveyed across the plurality of apertures and substantially all of the small elements of the grain mixture of the second maximum size will pass through the plurality of apertures; and structure defining a lower passage disposed in communication with the upper passage through the plurality of apertures and containing a second conveyance device configured and operable for conveying the small elements of the grain mixture that have passed through the plurality of apertures into the lower passage in a second direction away from the plurality of apertures.