Apparatus for handling magnetically attractive material

Claim 2

Apparatus for handling material by magnetic attraction comprising: an elongated tubular member of non-magnetic material; a magnet slidably received in said tubular member for movement along the length thereof between a starting position and a dwell position, said magnet being operable to attract articles of magnetically responsive material externally of said tubular member; means for selectively moving said magnet in said tubular member in opposite directions between said starting and dwell positions; a barrier engaging said tubular member between said starting and dwell positions for preventing articles and material attracted by said magnet from moving past the position of said barrier as the magnet moves to the dwell position; said magnet being in the form of a piston in generally fluid-tight relationship with the inner surface of said tubular member; and said means comprising a fluid system connected with said tubular member and selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions through said tubular member.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fluid system includes a reservoir, a pump for delivering fluid from said reservoir, and a valve for controlling the direction of flow of fluid from said pump through said tubular member.

Claim 4

Apparatus for handling material by magnetic attraction comprising: a plurality of spaced, parallel tubes of nonmagnetic material; a magnet supported in each of said tubes for reciprocable movement along the length thereof; means for moving said magnets simultaneously in a selected direction through the respective tubes; and a transverse manifold at each end of said tubes securing said tubes together in spaced, parallel relationship, said magnets defining pistons in said tubes and said means comprising a fluid flow system connected with said manifolds selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions in said tubes to cause corresponding movement of said magnets.

Claim 5

Apparatus for handling material by magnetic attraction comprising: a plurality of spaced, parallel tubes of nonmagnetic material; a magnet supported in each of said tubes for reciprocable movement along the length thereof; means for moving said magnets simultaneously in a selected direction through the respective tubes; and a transverse manifold at each end of said tubes securing said tubes together in spaced, parallel relationship, said magnets defining pistons in said tubes and said means comprising a fluid flow system connected with said manifolds selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions in said tubes to cause corresponding movement of said magnets.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including a barrier between said manifolds for stopping movement of articles or material attracted by said magnets as the magnets move between said manifolds.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said barrier comprises a sheet member having a plurality of apertures each closely receiving one of said tubes to thereby block passage of any material attracted by said magnets as said magnets pass said barrier.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further including a collection chute of nonmagnetic material having its inlet end disposed adjacent said tubes and barrier to receive material released from the magnetic field of said magnets as the magnets move past said barrier.

Claim 9

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further including a roller of magnetic material mounted between each adjacent pair of tubes near said barrier for collecting material released from the magnetic field of the magnets in said tube as said magnets move past said barrier, and means for removing material from the surface of said rollers and conducting such material away from said tubes.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said last named means comprises a collection chute of nonmagnetic material having a plurality of slots each closely receiving one of said rollers to wipe material from the surface thereof.

Claim 11

Apparatus for separating magnetically attractive particles from nonmagnetic material comprising: a container for a mixture of magnetically attractive material and nonmagnetic material; a pair of spaced parallel manifolds of nonmagnetic material; a plurality of spaced, parallel tubes of nonmagnetic material extending between said manifolds, each end of each tube being in fluid communication with one of said manifolds; a magnetic piston in each of said tubes; a fluid flow system connected with said manifolds selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions through said tubes to cause movement of said magnetic pistons in the same direction in said tubes; one of said manifolds being located in said container and the other of said manifolds being located outside said container; and a nonmagnetic barrier mounted on said tubes outside said container, said barrier being engageable by magnetically attractive material carried from said container by the magnetic attraction of said pistons as said pistons move from said one manifold toward said other manifold to release such material from the magnetic field of said pistons as the pistons move past said barrier toward said other manifold.

Claim 12

Apparatus for separating magnetically attractive particles from nonmagnetic material comprising: a container for a mixture of magnetically attractive material and nonmagnetic material; a pair of spaced parallel manifolds of nonmagnetic material; a plurality of spaced, parallel tubes of nonmagnetic material extending between said manifolds, each end of each tube being in fluid communication with one of said manifolds; a magnetic piston in each of said tubes; a fluid flow system connected with said manifolds selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions through said tubes to cause movement of said magnetic pistons in the same direction in said tubes; one of said manifolds being located in said container and the other of said manifolds being located outside said container; and a nonmagnetic barrier mounted on said tubes outside said container, said barrier being engageable by magnetically attractive material carried from said container by the magnetic attraction of said pistons as said pistons move from said one manifold toward said other manifold to release such material from the magnetic field of said pistons as the pistons move past said barrier toward said other manifold.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 further including a container for magnetically attractive material located to receive material falling from said barrier.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 further including a shaft mounted on said tubes and extending transversely with respect to said tubes; a plurality of rollers of magnetic material mounted on said shaft and spaced from each other such that each of said tubes is received between an adjacent pair of rollers, said shaft and rollers being located outside said container on the side of said barrier opposite said other manifold to receive material falling from said barrier; and means for removing material from said rollers and conducting such material away from said rollers.

Claim 15

Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said last named means comprises a chute having a slot for receiving each of said rollers with the edges of the slots being disposed in close, wiping relationship with the respective rollers to wipe material from the surface thereof upon rotation of the roller.

Claim 16

Apparatus for handling material by magnetic attraction comprising: an elongated tubular member of nonmagnetic material; a magnet slidably received in said tubular member for movement along the length thereof between a starting position and a dwell position, said magnet being operable to attract articles of magnetically responsive material externally of said tubular member; means for selectively moving said magnet in said tubular member in opposite directions between said starting and dwell positions; a barrier engaging said tubular member between said starting and dwell positions for preventing articles and material attracted by said magnet from moving past the position of said barrier as the magnet moves to the dwell position; said magnet being in the form of a piston in generally fluid tight relationship with the inner surface of said tubular member; said means comprising a fluid system connected with said tubular member and selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions through said tubular member; a powered roller of magnetic material mounted on said tubular member on the opposite side of said barrier member from said dwell position; and a collection tray of nonmagnetic material having a slot therein for receiving saiD roller and wiping magnetically attractive particles from the surfaces of said roller.

Claim 17

Apparatus for handling material by magnetic attraction comprising: an elongated tubular member of nonmagnetic material; a magnet slidably received in said tubular member for movement along the length thereof between a starting position and a dwell position, said magnet being operable to attract articles of magnetically responsive material externally of said tubular member; means for selectively moving said magnet in said tubular member in opposite directions between said starting and dwell positions; a barrier engaging said tubular member between said starting and dwell positions for preventing articles and material attracted by said magnet from moving past the position of said barrier as the magnet moves to the dwell position; said magnet being in the form of a piston in generally fluid tight relationship with the inner surface of said tubular member; said means comprising a fluid system connected with said tubular member and selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions through said tubular member; a powered roller of magnetic material mounted on said tubular member on the opposite side of said barrier member from said dwell position; and a collection tray of nonmagnetic material having a slot therein for receiving saiD roller and wiping magnetically attractive particles from the surfaces of said roller.

Claim 18

Apparatus for handling material by magnetic attraction comprising: an elongated tubular member of nonmagnetic material; a magnet slidably received in said tubular member for movement along the length thereof between a starting position and a dwell position, said magnet being operable to attract articles of magnetically responsive material externally of said tubular member; means for selectively moving said magnet in said tubular member in opposite directions between said starting and dwell positions; a barrier engaging said tubular member between said starting and dwell positions for preventing articles and material attracted by said magnet from moving past the position of said barrier as the magnet moves to the dwell position; said magnet being in the form of a piston in generally fluid tight relationship with the inner surface of said tubular member; said means comprising a fluid system connected with said tubular member and selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions through said tubular member; and a magnetically attractive carrier supported externally on said tubular member for movement therealong in response to movement of said magnet.

Claim 19

Apparatus for handling material by magnetic attraction comprising: an elongated tubular member of nonmagnetic material; a magnet slidably received in said tubular member for movement along the length thereof between a starting position and a dwell position, said magnet being operable to attract articles of magnetically responsive material externally of said tubular member; means for selectively moving said magnet in said tubular member in opposite directions between said starting and dwell positions; a barrier engaging said tubular member between said starting and dwell positions for preventing articles and material attracted by said magnet from moving past the position of said barrier as the magnet moves to the dwell position; said magnet being in the form of a piston in generally fluid tight relationship with the inner surface of said tubular member; said means comprising a fluid system connected with said tubular member and selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions through said tubular member; and a magnetically attractive carrier supported externally on said tubular member for movement therealong in response to movement of said magnet.

Claim 20

Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said carrier comprises a sleeve member concentrically receiving said tubular member, and a plurality of balls supporting said sleeve on said tubular member.

Claim 21

Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said sleeve member and balls are of nonmagnetic material, and including magnetically attractive members mounted on each end of said sleeve member.

Claim 22

Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said carrier includes a bed portion supported for movement along said tubular member, and a magnet carried by said bed portion for causing movement of said bed portion in response to movement of the magnet in said tubular member.

Claim 23

Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said bed portion is pivotal about an axis parallel to said tubular member.

Claim 24

Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 further including means for pivoting said bed portion to a dump position when the magnet in said tubular member has passed said barrier.

Claim 25

Apparatus for handling material by magnetic attraction comprising: a plurality of spaced, parallel tubes of nonmagnetic material; a magnet supported in each of said tubes for reciprocable movement along the length thereof; means for moving said magnets simultaneously in a selected direction through the respective tubes; a transverse manifold at each end of said tubes securing said tubes together in spaced, parallel relationship, said magnets defining pistons in said tubes and said means comprising a fluid flow system connected with said manifolds selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions in said tubes to cause corresponding movement of said magnets; and a plurality of rollers each mounted between an adjacent pair of said tubes, said rollers being spaced from each other along the length of said tubes and each being rotatable about an axis transverse to said tubes with its periphery projecting beyond said tubes for engaging sheet material attracted by said magnets.

Claim 26

Apparatus for handling material by magnetic attraction comprising: a plurality of spaced, parallel tubes of nonmagnetic material; a magnet supported in each of said tubes for reciprocable movement along the length thereof; means for moving said magnets simultaneously in a selected direction through the respective tubes; a transverse manifold at each end of said tubes securing said tubes together in spaced, parallel relationship, said magnets defining pistons in said tubes and said means comprising a fluid flow system connected with said manifolds selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions in said tubes to cause corresponding movement of said magnets; and a plurality of rollers each mounted between an adjacent pair of said tubes, said rollers being spaced from each other along the length of said tubes and each being rotatable about an axis transverse to said tubes with its periphery projecting beyond said tubes for engaging sheet material attracted by said magnets.

Claim 27

Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein at least one of said rollers is of magnetic material to inhibit transverse sliding of sheet material engaging said rollers.

Claim 28

Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 including a barrier member engageable by sheet material attracted to said tubes by said magnets to release such sheet material from the attraction of said magnets as said magnets pass said barrier during travel of said magnets through said tubes.

Claim 29

Apparatus for handling material by magnetic attraction comprising: a plurality of spaced, parallel tubes of nonmagnetic material; a magnet supported in each of said tubes for reciprocable movement along the length thereof; means for moving said magnets simultaneously in a selected direction through the respective tubes; a transvErse manifold at each end of said tubes securing said tubes together in spaced, parallel relationship, said magnets defining pistons in said tubes and said means comprising a fluid flow system connected with said manifolds selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions in said tubes to cause corresponding movement of said magnets; and magnetically attractive carrier means supported externally on said tubes for movement along the length thereof in response to movement of said magnets.

Claim 30

Apparatus for handling material by magnetic attraction comprising: a plurality of spaced, parallel tubes of nonmagnetic material; a magnet supported in each of said tubes for reciprocable movement along the length thereof; means for moving said magnets simultaneously in a selected direction through the respective tubes; a transvErse manifold at each end of said tubes securing said tubes together in spaced, parallel relationship, said magnets defining pistons in said tubes and said means comprising a fluid flow system connected with said manifolds selectively operable to cause fluid flow in opposite directions in said tubes to cause corresponding movement of said magnets; and magnetically attractive carrier means supported externally on said tubes for movement along the length thereof in response to movement of said magnets.

Claim 31

Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said carrier means comprises a carriage supported on said plurality of tubes for movement along the length thereof, and a plurality of magnetically attractive elements carried by said carriage to cause movement thereof in response to movement of said magnets within said tubes.

Claim 32

Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein said magnetically attractive elements each comprises an external magnet projecting from said carriage between adjacent pairs of said tubes.

Claim 33

Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 including a retainer projecting from said carriage and receiving one of the outer tubes of said plurality of tubes to prevent displacement of said carriage from said one tube but permit said carriage to pivot about said one tube.

Claim 34

Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 including a plurality of spaced, parallel shafts mounted on said carriage and extending transversely of said tubes, and a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on each of said shafts, each of said rollers engaging one of said tubes to movably support said carriage on said tubes.

Claim 35

Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein the polarity of said external magnets is reversed with respect to the polarity of the magnets in said tubes.

Claim 36

Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said carrier means comprises a plurality of sleeve members, each of which is concentrically mounted on one of said tubes, and anti-friction means carried by each of said sleeve members supporting the sleeve member on the respective tubes.

Claim 37

Apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein said anti-friction means comprises a plurality of ball members carried by each sleeve member.

Claim 38

Apparatus as claimed in claim 30 including magnetically attractive material mounted on each end of said sleeve members.