Attachment for use with linear shaker type conveyor

An attachment for a shaker conveyor for sorting a material having various sizes, the attachment comprising:

• a passageway defined on top of the shaker conveyor, the passageway bordered on opposite sides by a pair of walls;
• a first grate disposed in the passageway, the first grate having a first plurality of parallel bars disposed in spaced apart relation, the first plurality of parallel bars having a first diameter, the first plurality of parallel bars defining a first gap configured for sorting the material, the first grate disposed above a first compartment leading to a first outlet;
• and,
• a second grate disposed in the passageway, the second grate having a second plurality of parallel bars disposed in spaced apart relation, the second plurality of parallel bars having a second diameter, the second plurality of parallel bars defining a second gap configured for sorting the material, the second gap being larger than the first gap, the second grate disposed above a second compartment separate from the first compartment and leading to a second outlet;
• a third grate disposed in the passageway, the third grate having a third plurality of parallel bars disposed in spaced apart relation, the third plurality of parallel bars having a third diameter, the third plurality of parallel bars defining a third gap configured for sorting the material, the third gap being larger than the second gap, the third grate disposed above a third compartment separate from the first and second compartments and leading to a third outlet.

A method for sorting a material having various sizes, the method comprising:

• providing a shaker conveyor with rocker arms that cause a reciprocating motion for an attachment disposed on top of the shaker conveyor;
• providing the attachment with a passageway bordered on opposite sides by a pair of walls;
• providing a first grate disposed in the passageway, the first grate having a first plurality of parallel bars disposed in spaced apart relation, the first plurality of parallel bars having a first diameter, the first plurality of parallel bars defining a first gap configured for sorting the material, the first grate disposed above a first compartment leading to a first outlet;
• and,
• providing a second grate disposed in the passageway, the second grate having a second plurality of parallel bars disposed in spaced apart relation, the second plurality of parallel bars having a second diameter, the second plurality of parallel bars defining a second gap configured for sorting the material, the second gap being larger than the first gap, the second grate disposed above a second compartment separate from the first compartment and leading to a second outlet;
• and,
• placing the material in the passageway and activating the shaker conveyor such that the materials is conveyed along the pathway from a first end to a second end and across the first and second grate.