Importance

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Abstract

A magnetic separator includes a housing defining a product flow path through which material may pass. The separator also includes a drawer and a plurality of non-magnetic tubes operatively connected to the drawer and within which are supported a corresponding plurality of magnets. The drawer is movable between a first position wherein the plurality of magnets are positioned within the product flow path and a second position wherein the plurality of magnets are withdrawn from the flow path. A stripper plate is disposed between the housing and the drawer. The stripper plate has a plurality of apertures corresponding to and in close conforming contact with the plurality of non-magnetic tubes and through which the plurality of tubes pass as the drawer is moved between its first and second positions. The stripper plate is movable from a first position adjacent to the housing when the drawer is in its first position and the magnets are disposed within the product flow path to a second position spaced a predetermined distance from the housing as the drawer is moved to its second position and the plurality of tubes are withdrawn from the product flow path. The plurality of apertures on the stripper plate serve to strip material which has been attracted to the plurality of magnets and disposed on the tubes. The magnetic separator further includes an actuator including a movable rack which is operatively coupled to the drawer and a sprocket gear. The sprocket gear is rotatably driven to provide rectilinear movement of the rack such that the drawer may be selectively moved between its first and second positions. Furthermore, the magnetic separator includes a stripper plate actuator which assists in moving the stripper plate from its first position adjacent to the housing to its second position spaced from the housing. Finally, the magnetic separator also includes a latch mechanism which acts to automatically bias the stripper plate toward the housing into its first position such that the stripper plate is in sealing engagement with the housing when the drawer is moved to its first position and the magnets are positioned within the product flow path.

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First Claim