Patent ID: 9651461
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: B08B,E21B,G01N

Claim:
1. A method of washing rock samples for subsequent studying and derivation of geological information from the rock samples, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of discrete rock samples for deriving the geological information; providing a plurality of sequentially arranged and equi-spaced discrete washers each of which is spaced from a respective washing position and configured to direct a washing flow of water towards said washing position; providing a plurality of sequentially arranged and equi-spaced discrete dryers each of which comprises a heater arranged to direct heat towards a respective drying position; automatically conveying said samples, in succession, relative to said washers in a step-wise manner so that each sample moves through said washing positions for sequential washing by each said washer, wherein each said sample remains stationary, relative to each said washer, in each said respective washing position for an equal and predetermined washing period during which the sample is washed by said respective washing flow of water; and subsequently drying each said sample by automatically conveying said samples, in succession, relative to said dryers in a step-wise manner so that each sample moves through said drying positions for sequential drying by each said dryer, wherein each sample remains stationary, relative to each said dryer, in each respective drying position for an equal and predetermined drying period, each said predetermined drying period being equal in length to each said predetermined washing period; wherein each sample is moved by an index distance between successive said washing periods and is moved by said index distance between successive said drying periods, each said index distance being equal to the distance by which said washers are equi-spaced apart and equal to the distance by which said dryers are equi-spaced apart.