Patent ID: 8109383
Filing Date: 2012-02-07
Classification: B65G,H01F

Abstract:
1. An assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal articles, said assembly comprising: (a) a magnet having a north pole, a south pole, and a north/south polar axis, the magnet being segmented along the polar axis, a first segment among the magnet's polar axis segments comprising a magnet mounting plate, and a plurality of second segments among the magnet's polar axis segments comprising sub-magnets, each sub-magnet overlying or underlying the magnet mounting plate, and each sub-magnet having a north pole and a polar axis, each sub-magnet's polar axis having an alignment substantially parallel to the magnet's polar axis, the magnet further having a rotation axis, the north/south polar axis intersecting the rotation axis, and the magnet's north and south poles forming an annular belt supporting surface; (b) a third segment among the magnet's polar axis segments, the third segment comprising a sheath extending annularly about the magnet's first and second polar axis segments, the sheath having a radially outer surface, and the magnet's annular belt supporting surface comprising the sheath's radially outer surface; (c) a conveyor belt extending over the annular belt supporting surface; and (d) rotating means connected operatively to the magnet, the rotating means being adapted for rotating the magnet about the rotation axis, the sheath comprises comprising a non-paramagnetic material.