Apparatus for washing archaeological samples
A multi-tank apparatus with a closed circuit system addresses the limitations of existing devices by enabling efficient separation and compact transport of archaeological soil samples, reducing water consumption and environmental impact.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- UNIVERSITY OF MURCIA
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing archaeological soil washing devices face issues such as inability to retain sludge, require specialized assembly, are not suitable for indoor use, difficult to transport, and have environmental impacts.
A multi-tank apparatus with a closed circuit system, including a first main tank with a filter, a receiving bag, and multiple adjacent tanks connected by conduits, allowing for water purification and selective sludge removal, enabling efficient compaction, indoor use, and reduced environmental impact.
The apparatus achieves efficient separation of settling and flotation fractions, reduces water consumption, and allows for compact transport and use at archaeological sites, while maintaining sample washing capacity.
Smart Images
Figure ES2025070694_21052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] DESCRIPTION
[0002] APPARATUS FOR WASHING ARCHAEOLOGICAL SAMPLES FIELD OF INVENTION
[0003] The present invention belongs to the technical field of devices for washing archaeological soil samples, in particular those that receive a sample in containers with water to separate the organic and inorganic archaeological remains from the surrounding sediment.
[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The use of rudimentary and experimental soil washing centers or “flotation machines” in the social sciences and humanities was first published in the international journal of the Society for American Archaeology. These techniques involved flotation using water and other chemical compounds to separate food remains, both plant and animal, from soil processed in archaeological contexts. Struever (1968) and later Minnis and Leblan (1976) described a closed-circuit system with two tanks that formed the flotation machine itself, and a third tank to purify the water before reinjecting it into the first tank.Thus, in the 1970s, the efficiency and technique necessary for the recovery of botanical and faunal remains were already demonstrated, materials indispensable for explaining the relationship between society and the environment throughout the millennia and the historical processes that participated in the domestication of animals and plants.
[0006] Since then, there have been numerous developments in the design and operation of these systems, but a number of problems have been identified: inability to retain sludge, need for specialized assembly, impossibility of indoor use, impossibility of efficient compaction and storage, difficulty of transport in small load vehicles, and environmental impact.
[0007] The present invention offers a new design for this type of device, which solves the aforementioned technical problems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention solves the previous limitations of the prior art, by means of a suitable device according to claim 1.
[0009] Thus, the present invention relates in a first aspect to an apparatus for washing archaeological soil samples, comprising
[0010] a first main tank suitable for receiving the sample, comprising a filter and a discharge area;
[0011] a receiving bag comprising a bag inlet located in the discharge area of the first main tank and a bag body;
[0012] a second main tank located adjacent to the first tank, so that the bag body is inside the second tank;
[0013] a third main reservoir located adjacent to the second main reservoir; at least one first conduit comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the first conduit is located within the second main reservoir and the outlet of the first conduit is located within the third main reservoir, the first conduit being configured to permit the principle of communicating vessels between the second and third main reservoirs; and
[0014] a first pumping element configured to take a fluid from a last main reservoir and inject it into the first main reservoir, wherein the last main reservoir is either the third main reservoir or another main reservoir downstream of the third main reservoir located in fluid communication with the third main reservoir.
[0015] Thanks to the establishment of a closed circuit between the last main tank and the first main tank, the water is purified and the sludge can be selectively removed without wasting all the water contained in the system.
[0016] The device of the present invention allows the separation of the settling fraction from the flotation fraction, by means of the filter included in the first main tank: when the sample is poured into the first main tank, the filter retains the settling fraction, while the flotation fraction is discharged through the discharge zone.
[0017] Clearly, the number of main tanks can be increased: the last tank could be the third, fourth, fifth, and so on. The present invention defines an apparatus with at least three tanks: a first main tank where the sample is placed, a second tank, and a third tank through which the washing water circulates. Therefore, in a particular case where there are only three tanks, the last tank will be the third. However, the invention provides for the possibility of more main tanks (as defined in particular embodiments); although three are sufficient, there is nothing preventing the existence of more. In that case, the first pumping element will be connected to the last of these (which could be the fourth, fifth, or so on) to pump the fluid back to the first main tank, creating a closed circuit.The second and third tanks (or fourth or fifth, if there are any) will allow the various impurities to settle, which can then be removed without affecting the amount of water in the circuit. This results in significant water savings during the sample washing process. Obviously, the more containers the system has, the greater the water consumption for the closed circuit, but also the greater the sample washing capacity.
[0018] The first conduit allows for the principle of communicating vessels between the second and third main reservoirs, enabling the fluid to be transferred smoothly between them and helping to reduce the amount of impurities that pass from one main reservoir to the next. This principle operates such that the inlet of the first conduit is located within the first main reservoir, and the outlet of the first conduit is located within the second main reservoir.
[0019] In addition to floating soil samples in the first main container, the system can also perform soil washing by immersion in any main container other than the first and last, as well as sieving with water using a sieve column or washing archaeological materials. It is therefore a system capable of carrying out various tasks in the field of archaeological recovery. This is especially relevant considering that this type of equipment is used directly at archaeological sites, where the availability of transport and water may be limited.
[0020] In private projects
[0021] The first main tank and the second main tank define a driving line comprising the center of mass of the first main tank and the center of mass of the second main tank; and
[0022] The last main tank has no point in common with the flow path. By forcing a turn (usually 90°) in the direction of the flow as the tank passes from one main tank to the next, the amount of impurities transferred between tanks is reduced. This prevents impurities from being carried along by the flow in the direction of travel, thus reducing the number of impurities transferred.
[0023] In particular embodiments, the first main tank, the second main tank, and the third main tank comprise a drain hole and a plug covering the drain hole.
[0024] In this way, once the water in the circuit needs to be renewed, the tanks can be emptied easily and conveniently.
[0025] In particular embodiments, the apparatus additionally comprises
[0026] one secondary storage tank for each primary storage tank; and
[0027] a final container,
[0028] where
[0029] Each secondary tank is arranged to receive the discharge from the corresponding main tank;
[0030] Each secondary tank has non-watertight side walls; and
[0031] The final container is arranged to receive the contents that come out through the side walls of the secondary tanks.
[0032] Thus, when the main tanks are emptied, the water can fall into the secondary tank, which has non-watertight side walls through which the water can filter and fall, once filtered, into the final container.
[0033] In particular embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a second pumping element configured to take a fluid from the final container and pump it into the last main reservoir.
[0034] In this way, the water in the final container, once filtered by the secondary tanks, can return to the last main tank (and from there be pumped to the first main tank) for further reuse. In specific embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one elevator arranged to raise the height of the secondary tanks relative to the final container.
[0035] In this way, the usable capacity of the final container is increased.
[0036] In particular embodiments, the capacity of the final tank is greater than the sum of the capacities of the main and secondary tanks.
[0037] This ensures that the final container can handle the water volume of the entire system without any problems.
[0038] In particular embodiments, each pair of main tank and its corresponding secondary tank comprises service coupling means configured to maintain the main tank in a stable position with respect to its corresponding secondary tank, wherein the drain hole of the main tank is above the average level of its corresponding secondary tank.
[0039] In particular embodiments, each pair of main tank and its corresponding secondary tank comprises collection coupling means configured to hold the main tank in a stable position with respect to its corresponding secondary tank, wherein the drain hole of the main tank is below the average level of its corresponding secondary tank.
[0040] In particular embodiments, a line joining the centers of the first main tank and the second main tank forms an angle between 45° and 135°, more specifically between 80° and 100°, with a line joining the centers of the second main tank and the third main tank.
[0041] In particular embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a fourth main tank and at least one second conduit comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the second conduit is located within the third main tank and the outlet of the conduit is located within the fourth main tank, such that the fourth main tank is the last main tank. In particular embodiments, the fourth main tank comprises a drain hole and a plug covering the drain hole.
[0042] In particular embodiments, a line joining the centers of mass of the second main tank and the third main tank forms an angle between 45° and 135°, more specifically between 80° and 100°, with a line joining the centers of the third main tank and the fourth main tank.
[0043] All terms and embodiments described anywhere in this document are equally applicable to all aspects of the invention. It should be noted that, as used in the description and claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include their plurals unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the term "comprises" or "comprising," as used herein, also describes "consists of" or "consisting of" in accordance with generally accepted patent practice.
[0044] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0045] The following is a brief description of each of the figures used to complement the description of the invention that follows, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:
[0046] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for washing archaeological samples according to the invention.
[0047] Figure 2 shows a plan view of the apparatus in Figure 1.
[0048] Figure 3 shows an example of the embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in its folding mode.
[0049] Numerical references for the figures
[0050] In order to aid a better understanding of the technical characteristics of the invention, the aforementioned figures are accompanied by a series of numerical references where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following is represented:
[0051]
[0052] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0053] The detailed description of the present invention that follows refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention can be implemented. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement the present invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different from each other, but are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Accordingly, the detailed description that follows is not intended to be taken in a restrictive sense, and the scope of the present invention, if properly described, is limited only by the appended claims, in addition to all scopes equivalent to those claimed by the appended claims. In the drawings, the reference numbers refer to the same or similar functions in various respects.The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0054] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus 10 for washing archaeological samples according to the invention.
[0055] This apparatus comprises a series of main tanks 1, 2, 3, 4 and a series of secondary tanks, 11, 12, 13, 14, together with a final container 17.
[0056] The first main tank 1 is the one prepared to receive an archaeological sample. To do this, the tank is filled with water and the sample (which contains soil and mud along with any archaeological objects) is poured into the tank.
[0057] The first main tank comprises a filter 15, so that the fine sand is precipitated at the bottom of the main tank, and the elements that are larger than the filter screen remain above said filter 15.
[0058] The tank has a discharge zone 16 in which a receiving bag 5 is located. The receiving bag 5 has an inlet connected to the discharge zone 16, so that the water containing the floating elements of the sample enters the receiving bag 5.
[0059] The body of the receiving bag 5, whose purpose is to receive the flotation fraction from the discharge area of the first main tank, is located inside the second main tank 2, which is adjacent to the first main tank. Specifically, the first main tank 1 and the second main tank 2 have a substantially parallelepiped shape, such that an edge of the upper face of the first main tank 1 is in contact with an edge of the upper face of the second main tank 2. As water overflows the first main tank 1, it enters the second main tank 2, resulting in reception by both entrainment and immersion within the second main tank 2.
[0060] The third main tank 3 is also parallelepiped-shaped and is located adjacent to the second main tank 2. In this case, the reason is to facilitate smooth connection by means of a first conduit 6, which is placed to make smooth communication by means of the principle of communicating vessels: when the first conduit 6 is full of water, it connects the second and third main tanks so that they are at the same water level, and the water is transferred smoothly from one main tank to the next.
[0061] This principle is also followed between the third tank and a fourth main tank 4, which is also adjacent to the third main tank 3. A second conduit 9 is responsible for making the same fluid connection as the first conduit 6, but in this case between the third main tank 3 and the fourth main tank 4.
[0062] In this case, it can be seen that there are two first conduits (6) and two second conduits (9). The number of conduits can be chosen based on the water velocity required to carry out the process and ensure proper communication between a second and third main tank and a third and fourth main tank.
[0063] A first pumping element 7 is responsible for pumping the water from this fourth main tank back to the first main tank 1, closing the closed circuit.
[0064] As shown in Figure 1, where each main tank is mounted on its corresponding secondary tank, there are service coupling means 19 that allow the main tank to be held in a stable position relative to its corresponding secondary tank, ensuring that the drain hole of the main tank is above the average level of its corresponding secondary tank. These means are typically tabs or molded features on the secondary tanks that allow the corresponding primary tank to rest securely. In this way, when the main tank is emptied (as explained in Figure 2), the secondary tank can receive the empty tank without flooding the main tank.
[0065] This figure also shows the presence of elevators 18, which are arranged below the secondary tanks 11, 12, 13, 14 to raise the height of the secondary tanks 11, 12, 13, 14 with respect to the final container 17.
[0066] Figure 2 shows a plan view of the apparatus in Figure 1.
[0067] This figure shows how the angle formed by the line joining the centers of the first main tank 1 and the second main tank 2 is perpendicular to the line joining the centers of the second main tank 2 and the third main tank 3, which is in turn perpendicular to the line joining the centers of the third main tank 3 and the fourth main tank 4. This arrangement allows the water that reaches the fourth main tank (and is returned to the first tank) to arrive much more purified, minimizing the need to add water for washing.
[0068] This figure also shows how the main tanks 1, 2, 3, 4 comprise a hole located at their bottom, which is covered with a flat silicone plug 8.
[0069] This drain hole allows the selective emptying of water contained in one of the main tanks into the secondary tank located below it, as explained in Figure 1.
[0070] Each secondary tank 11, 12, 13, 14 has non-watertight side walls, so the water they receive from the corresponding main tank flows into the final container 17 after being filtered by microfilters installed in the non-watertight walls. In this way, the water that reaches the final container 17 has been properly filtered and can be pumped back to the first main tank 1 by means of a second pump 21.
[0071] To allow this operation, the capacity of the final tank 17 is greater than the sum of the capacities of the main tanks 1, 2, 3, 4 and secondary tanks 11, 12, 13, 14.
[0072] Figure 3 shows an example of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in its collection mode.
[0073] The particular arrangement of the apparatus of the present invention allows it to be collected and transported in a very small volume, thanks to several characteristic features.
[0074] First, each pair of main tank and its corresponding secondary tank comprises collection coupling means 20 configured to hold the main tank in a stable position relative to its corresponding secondary tank, such that the drain hole of the main tank is below the average level of its corresponding secondary tank. In this case, as can be seen, by rotating each main tank 180° relative to the secondary tank, the molded shape of each tank is such that the tanks fit together and can be at least partially inserted into one another. This greatly reduces the final volume of the apparatus when collected.
[0075] Furthermore, the final container 17 is foldable and the lifts 18 are removable, allowing for a further reduction in volume.
Claims
CLAIMS 1.- Apparatus (10) for washing archaeological samples, comprising a first main tank (1) suitable for receiving the sample, comprising a filter (15) and a discharge zone (16); a receiving bag (5) comprising a bag inlet located in the discharge area (12) of the first main tank and a bag body; a second main tank (2) located adjacent to the first tank, so that the bag body is inside the second main tank (2); a third main reservoir (3) located adjacent to the second main reservoir (2); at least one first conduit (6) comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the first conduit is located within the second main reservoir (2) and the outlet of the first conduit is located within the third main reservoir (3), the first conduit (6) being configured to allow the principle of communicating vessels between the second main reservoir (2) and the third main reservoir (3); and a first pumping element (7) configured to take a fluid from a last main reservoir (4) and inject it into the first main reservoir (1), wherein the last main reservoir (4) is either the third main reservoir or another main reservoir downstream of the third main reservoir (3) located in fluid communication with the third main reservoir (3).
2. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, where the first main tank (1) and the second main tank (2) define a driving line comprising the center of mass of the first main tank (1) and the center of mass of the second main tank (2); and The last main tank (4) has no point in common with the driving straight.
3. Apparatus (10) according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first main tank (1), the second main tank (2) and the third main tank (3) comprise a drain hole and a plug (8) covering the drain hole.
4. Apparatus (10) according to claim 3, further comprising a secondary storage (11, 12, 13, 14) for each primary storage (1, 2, 3, 4); and a final container (17), where Each secondary tank (11, 12, 13, 14) is arranged to receive the discharge from the corresponding main tank (1, 2, 3, 4); Each secondary tank (11, 12, 13, 14) has non-watertight side walls; and The final container (17) is arranged to receive the contents that come out through the side walls of the secondary tanks (11, 12, 13, 14).
5. Apparatus (10) according to claim 4, further comprising a second pumping element (21) configured to take a fluid from the final container (17) and pump it into the last main reservoir (4).
6. Apparatus (10) according to any of claims 4 or 5 comprising at least one elevator (18) arranged to raise the height of the secondary tanks with respect to the final container.
7. Apparatus (10) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the capacity of the final tank is greater than the sum of the capacities of the main and secondary tanks.
8. Apparatus (10) according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein each pair of main tank and its corresponding secondary tank comprises service coupling means (19) configured to maintain the main tank in a stable position with respect to its corresponding secondary tank, wherein the drain hole of the main tank is above the average level of its corresponding secondary tank.
9. Apparatus (10) according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein each pair of main tank and its corresponding secondary tank comprises collection coupling means (20) configured to maintain the main tank in a stable position with respect to its corresponding secondary tank, wherein the drain hole of the main tank is below the average level of its corresponding secondary tank.
10. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a line joining the centers of the first main tank and the second main tank forms a angle between 45° and 135°, more specifically between 80° and 100°, with a line connecting the centers of the second main tank and the third main tank.
11. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a fourth main tank (4) and at least a second conduit (9) comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the second conduit (9) is located within the third main tank (3) and the outlet of the conduit is located within the fourth main tank (4), such that the fourth main tank (4) is the last main tank. 12.- Apparatus (10) according to claim 11, wherein the fourth main tank (4) comprises a drain hole and a plug (8) covering the drain hole.
13. Apparatus (10) according to any of claims 11 or 12, wherein a line joining the centers of mass of the second main tank and the third main tank forms an angle between 45° and 135°, more specifically between 80° and 100°, with a line joining the centers of the third main tank (3) and the fourth main tank (4).