Vibratory object-sorting apparatus

An object-sorting apparatus comprising:

• a vibration base comprising a vibration element, a foundation configured to rest on a surface in the environment, and a vibration platform positioned above the foundation, wherein the vibration element is mounted on the vibration platform, wherein the vibration platform comprises:
• a plurality of platform members arranged horizontally and coupled together;
• and
• coupling stubs that extend vertically downward from one or more of the platform members, wherein the springs each extend from a first end to a second end, and the first end of each of the springs is coupled to a corresponding one of the coupling stubs;
• a plurality of stages stackable on the vibration base, wherein at least one of the stages comprises:
• walls defining a central opening;
• and
• a sorting floor that cooperates with the walls to form a receptacle, the sorting floor comprising a plurality of apertures defined in and extending through the sorting floor and into flow communication through the central opening with a next lower one of the plurality of stages, wherein the apertures of the at least one stage are sized to receive therethrough objects having a size smaller than a target size associated with the at least one stage;
• and
• a plurality of springs coupling the vibration platform to the foundation.

A method of assembling an object-sorting apparatus, the method comprising:

• selecting a first sorting floor from among a plurality of sorting floors, wherein each of the sorting floors comprises a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, wherein a minor dimension of the apertures of the first sorting floor is different from the minor dimension of the apertures of others of the sorting floors, and wherein the selection is based on the minor dimension of the apertures of the first sorting floor being sized to capture a target object, and wherein the apertures are sized to receive therethrough objects having a size smaller than a target size of the target object associated with the first sorting floor;
• inserting the first sorting floor from above walls of a first stage into a position resting on a lip extending inwardly from a bottom edge of the walls, the lip defining a central opening extending therethrough, wherein the inserted sorting floor cooperates with the walls to form a receptacle;
• stacking a second stage atop a vibration base, the vibration base including a vibration element, a foundation configured to rest on a surface in the environment, and a vibration platform positioned above the foundation, wherein the vibration element is mounted on the vibration platform;
• stacking the first stage atop the second stage, wherein the plurality of apertures of the inserted first sorting floor are in flow communication through the central opening with the second stage;
• and
• a plurality of springs coupling the vibration platform to the foundation.