Apparatus for the preparation of carrier particles

Abstract: An apparatus for treating magnetisable particles (3), such as electrophotographic carrier particles, which comprises in operative relationship a rotatable container (1), a rotating means (9), a moving transporting means (5) in contact with the container means and the rotating means, and magnets (7) attached to the transporting means (5). In operation of the apparatus the particles are successively attracted towards the magnets, lifted, and released within the container.

Description: This invention relates to an apparatus for treating magnetisable particles, and is particularly, although not exclusively, useful in the preparation of carrier particles for an electrophotographic developer. Carrier particles for use in the development of electrostatic latent images, and processes for the preparation thereof are described in many patents including, for example, US-A-4,233,387, in which coated carrier particles are obtained by mixing carrier core particles and thermoplastic resin particles. The resulting mixture is then dry blended until the thermoplastic resin particles adhere to the carrier core by mechanical impaction, and/or electrostatic attraction. Thereafter, the mixture is heated, enabling the thermoplastic resin particles to melt and fuse on the carrier core. Dry coating carrier processes are also illustrated in US-A- 4,937,166 and 4,935,326. Subsequent to the aforementioned dry coating, the carrier particles can be introduced into a kiln for the primary purpose of ensuring the permanent fusing and fixing of the polymer coatings to the carrier core. US-A- 4,223,085 discloses nickel carrier particles wherein a furnace, such as a rotary kiln, may be employed to heat treat the carrier, which carrier may be agitated, see for example column 5, lines 22 to 38; US-A-4,478,925 discloses the preparation of magnetic carrier particles by agitating a dry mixture of carrier particles and resin particles in a magnetic field, followed by heating of the aforementioned mixture, reference the Abstract; in a preferred process embodiment, see column 4, of the '925 patent there is described an apparatus with a housing or container in which are mounted one or more cylindrical roller members which rotate coaxially about a set of stationary magnets arranged within the roller member, referred to as a sleeve or shell; a supply of developer is placed within the housing and is attracted magnetically to the surface of the rotating roller with agitation of the mixture of carrier particles and toner particles occurring as the rollers rotate about the magnets in the housing; and US-A-4,283,438, discloses a method for encapsulating magnetic particles by enclosure within oil drops, mixing in an aqueous solution and dispersing the oil drops with the enclosed particles by application of an alternating magnetic field. The aforementioned kiln processes, especially at high polymer coating weights, for example of 3 percent, result in some instances in the disadvantages of bead sticking, sluggishness, and carrier particles with poor flow. Poor flow of carrier can be caused by bead sticking, and can result in nonuniform temperature profiles when heating the carrier core and carrier polymer or polymers, and the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for treating magnetisable particles, and particularly for coating electrophotographic carrier particles, in which these disadvantages are overcome. According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for treating magnetisable particles as claimed in the accompanying claims. In one embodiment of the present invention, coated carrier particles are supplied to a known kiln by magnets attached to, for example, a continuous transporting means positioned external to the kiln, which magnets attract, subsequently release, and agitate the carrier mixture in the kiln permitting, for example, the avoidance or minimization of agglomeration thereby enabling better flow characteristics for carrier particles. Alternatively, the magnetic means may include a plurality of electromagnets carried by the kiln and each arranged to be energised and de-energised as it passes predetermined positions. With present carrier devices and processes, there can be formed an undesirable mass. More specifically, with many present carrier processes and devices the carrier can be subject to problems of bead sticking, undesirable adhesion of carrier beads to a kiln wall within which they are contained, caused by the melting of polymer carrier coatings, sluggishness and poor flow causing loss of particle size control, product nonuniformity, and in some instances total process termination. The aforementioned and other problems are avoided or minimized with the devices and processes of the present invention. The carrier particles prepared with the devices and processes of the present invention can be comprised of a core with a coating comprised of a mixture of polymers enabling insulating particles with relatively constant conductivity parameters, and also wherein the triboelectric charge on the carrier can vary significantly depending on the coatings selected. Developer compositions comprised of the aforementioned carrier particles and toner particles are useful in electrostatographic or electrophotographic imaging systems, especially xerographic imaging and printing processes. Additionally, developer compositions comprised of substantially insulating carrier particles prepared in accordance with the process and devices of the present invention can be useful in imaging methods wherein relatively constant conductivity parameters are desired. Furthermore, in the aforementioned imaging processes the triboelectric charge on the carrier particles can be preselected depending on the polymer composition applied to the carrier core. The carrier particles produced by the apparatus of the invention may have insulating characteristics, and may comprise a core with a coating thereover generated from a mixture of polymers. The triboelectric charging values of the carrier particles are from between about -10 microcoulombs to about -70 microcoulombs per gram at the same coating weight. These and other features of the present invention can be accomplished by providing processes and apparatuses for the preparation of carrier particles, wherein the carrier particles can be comprised of a core with a coating thereover comprised of a mixture of polymers. More specifically, the carrier particles can be prepared, or obtained by introducing low density porous magnetic, or magnetically attractable metal core carrier particles with from, for example, between about 0.05 percent and about 3 percent by weight, based on the weight of the coated carrier particles, of a mixture of polymers in a suitable container like a kiln, such as a known rotary kiln, like Harper Model NOV7078-RT-18, 7 inches (178mm), available from Harper Electric Furnace Company of Lancaster, New York, which kiln is in contact with a transporting means with magnets attached thereto, whereby, for example, carrier particles are attracted to the magnets at one position in the kiln, and released, or returned to the kiln carrier mixture at a second different position in the kiln. In this manner the carrier particles are heated, agitated, separated, and cooled in a controlled manner to enable the advantages mentioned herein, including avoiding or minimizing the formation of undesirable carrier agglomerates, and the like as illustrated herein, for example. The carrier particles with polymeric coatings thereon are usually provided to the kiln from an entry tube attached to a furnace wherein the carrier core particles and polymers are heated to a temperature, for example, of between from about 93°C to about 288°C for a period of from about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes enabling the polymers to melt and fuse to the carrier core particles. An apparatus for treating magnetisable particles in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment. In Figure 1 there is illustrated an apparatus of the present invention comprised of a container means 1, such as a rotary kiln; a mixture 3 comprised of coated carrier particles; a moving transporting means 5, such as a transporting belt; magnets 7 attached to the transporting means; roller means 9; power means, such as a motor 11, and power means, such as a motor 14, and a connection means 10, such as a wire. In operation in an embodiment, a portion of the magnetic carrier mixture is attracted to the magnets at the 6 o'clock position, and released at about the 12 o'oclock position as shown. The transporting means speed can vary, however typically it is from between about 0.3 to about 30m.min⁻¹, and preferably from about 1.8 to about 18 m.min⁻¹. Various effective kiln and roller speeds can be selected, such as for example from about 1 to about 30, and preferably from about 2 to about 10 revolutions per minute (RPM) for the kiln, and from about 0.5 to about 50 and preferably from about 3 to about 30 RPM for the roller means. Magnet strength depends on a number of factors; generally, however, this strength is from about 10 to about 40 mega oersteds, and preferably from about 25 to about 35. Also, the number of magnets depend, for example, on the size of the kiln, and the like; generally, however, a sufficient number of magnets is selected, for example from about 15 to about 50 in ten rows that will enable carrier lifts of from about 3 to about 270 lifts per minute for a 7 inch (178mm) kiln, such as that of Figure 1. A "Lift" in the embodiments refers to a single pass by one magnet through the powder bed of coated carrier particles contained at the bottom (6 o'clock position) of the kiln, reference Figures 1 and 2, followed by raising the powder from the bed by magnetic attraction, and subsequently transporting the powder along the inner tube wall of the kiln to the top thereof, the 12 o'clock position, where the magnetic force is removed and the resulting powder is allowed to drop by gravitational force into the kiln at the 6 o'clock position. A seven inch (178mm) diameter kiln operates with a variety of effective lifts, for example from about 10 to about 20 lifts per minute. With each lift an effective amount of the carrier powder mixture is transported, for example from about 5 to about 15 percent of the total present. In Figure 2 there is illustrated an apparatus of the present invention comprised of similar components as mentioned in Figure 1 with the primary exception that there are selected electromagnets attached to the kiln wall. More specifically, in Figure 2 there is illustrated a kiln means 15, electromagnets 17, and carrier particles 19 comprised of carrier cores coated with a polymer mixture. As the kiln rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the magnets are turned on by passing current through the field coil at the 6 o'clock position as shown, and turned off at the 12 o'clock position by disconnecting the current. In operation, in an embodiment about 25 percent of the bed contents comprised of a mixture of carrier cores, such as iron powder and polymer coatings, is lifted. The rotation speed of the kiln can be, for example, from about 1 to about 30 revolutions per minute with the strength of each magnet being from, for example, about 15 to about 20 mega oresteds. There is illustrated herein an apparatus of the present invention wherein there is provided to the container of Figure 1 a mixture comprised of carrier particles with a fused coating thereon comprised of a mixture of, for example, two polymers, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (KYNAR®) and polymethyl methacrylate, reference US-A- 4,937,166 and 4,935,326. Embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus for obtaining carrier particles which comprises in operative relationship a container means, a roller means, a moving transporting means in contact with the container means and the roller means, and a magnet means attached to the transporting means, whereby a portion of the carrier particles are lifted by the magnets, cooled while traveling on the transporting means, and released, or returned to the container when the magnets strength is reduced or eliminated, usually at the 12'oclock position; an apparatus for agitating and cooling carrier particles which comprises in operative relationship a container means, a rotating means, a moving transporting means in contact with the container means and the rotating means, and a series of magnets attached to the transporting means, whereby the magnets attract and retain carrier components present in the container means, followed by release of the carrier components into the container means; and a process for the preparation of carrier particles which comprises adding to the apparatus of Figure 1, a mixture comprised of carrier particles coated with a polymer, or coated with a mixture of polymers, and rendering operative the apparatus as illustrated herein. Examples of containers include known kilns with, for example, a diameter of from about 76 to about 914 mm, which kilns are available, for example, from Harper Electric Furnace Company of New York. Examples of known transporting means include, for example, belts comprised of rubber, plastic, nonmagnetic metal alloys, such as stainless steel, TEFLON®, reinforced VITON® and the like. The transporting means can move at various effective speeds; generally this speed, however, is from between about 1.5 to about 30m.min⁻¹, and preferably from about 1.8 to about 18 m.min⁻¹. Magnets that can be selected are known and include, for example, magnetites, and iron containing rare earth metals, such as neodymium, samarium, which may be combined with other elements such as cobalt, boron, and the like. Rotating or roller means include a number of known materials such as plastic, aluminum, ceramics, rubbers, and the like. This roller means is usually continuously driven at a speed of from about 3 to about 30 RPM by a motor means. Also, the container, such as the kiln, can be driven at a speed of from about 2 to about 20 RPM and wherein the aforementioned roller is disengaged. The carrier particles selected and obtained can be comprised in embodiments of a core with a coating thereover comprised of a mixture of a first dry polymer component and a second dry polymer component, which are not in close proximity in the triboelectric series. Therefore, the aforementioned carrier compositions can be comprised of known core materials including iron, steel, and the like with a dry polymer coating mixture thereover. Subsequently, developer compositions can be generated by admixing the aforementioned carrier particles with a toner composition comprised of resin particles and pigment particles. Various suitable known solid core carrier materials can be selected. Characteristic core properties of importance include those that will enable the carrier to be attracted to the magnets, the toner particles to acquire a positive charge or a negative charge, and carrier cores that will permit desirable flow properties in the developer reservoir present in a xerographic imaging apparatus. Also of value with regard to the carrier core properties are, for example, suitable magnetic characteristics that will permit magnetic brush formation in mag brush development processes; and also wherein the carrier cores possess desirable mechanical aging characteristics. Examples of carrier cores that can be selected include iron, steel, ferrites, magnetites, nickel, and mixtures thereof. Preferred carrier cores include ferrites, and sponge iron, or steel grit with an average particle size diameter of from between about 30 microns to about 200 microns. Illustrative examples of polymer coatings selected for the carrier particles include, for example, a single known polymer, or those that are not in close proximity in the triboelectric series. Specific examples of polymers, or mixtures that can be selected are KYNAR®; polyvinylidene fluoride with polyethylene; polymethyl methacrylate and copolyethylenevinylacetate; copolyvinylidene fluoride tetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene; polymethyl methacrylate and copolyethylene vinylacetate; and polymethyl methacrylate and polyvinylidene fluoride. Other related polymer mixtures not specifically mentioned herein can be selected providing the features of the present invention are achieved, including, for example, polystyrene and tetrafluoroethylene; polyethylene and tetrafluoroethylene; polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride; polyvinyl acetate and tetrafluoroethylene; polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl chloride; polyvinyl acetate and polystyrene; and polyvinyl acetate and polymethyl methacrylate. Illustrative examples of toner resins selected for the developer compositions include polyamides, epoxies, polyurethanes, diolefins, vinyl resins and polymeric esterification products of a dicarboxylic acid and a diol comprising a diphenol, styrene methacrylates, styrene acrylates, and styrene butadienes. Generally, from about 1 part to about 5 parts by weight of toner particles are mixed with from about 100 to about 300 parts by weight of the carrier particles. Numerous well known suitable pigments or dyes can be selected as the colorant for the toner particles including, for example, carbon black, such as REGAL 330®, nigrosine dye, lamp black, iron oxides, magnetites like MAPICO BLACK®, and mixtures thereof. The pigment, which is preferably carbon black, should be present in a sufficient amount to render the toner composition highly colored. Thus, the pigment particles can be present in amounts of from about 2 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the toner composition, however, lesser or greater amounts of pigment particles may be selected. When the pigment particles are comprised of magnetites, which are a mixture of iron oxides (FeO·Fe₂O₃) including those commercially available as MAPICO BLACK®, they are present in the toner composition in an amount of from about 10 percent by weight to about 70 percent by weight, and preferably in an amount of from about 20 percent by weight to about 50 percent by weight. The resin particles are present in a sufficient, but effective amount, thus when 10 percent by weight of pigment or colorant, such as carbon black, is contained therein, about 90 percent by weight of resin material is selected. Generally, however, providing the features of the present invention are achieved, the toner composition is comprised of from about 85 percent to about 97 percent by weight of toner resin particles, and from about 3 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight of pigment particles such as carbon black. Also, there can be selected as pigments or colorants, magenta, cyan and/or yellow particles, as well as mixtures thereof. For further enhancing the positive charging characteristics of the toner compositions described herein, and as optional components there can be incorporated therein or thereon in embodiments, charge enhancing additives inclusive of alkyl pyridinium halides, reference US-A- 4,298,672; organic sulfate or sulfonate compositions, reference US-A- 4,338,390; distearyl dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; and other similar known charge enhancing additives. These additives are usually incorporated into the toner in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20, and preferably from about 1 to about 5 weight percent. With further reference to the process for generating the carrier particles illustrated herein, there is initially obtained, usually from commercial sources, the uncoated carrier core and the polymer powder mixture coating. The individual components for the coating are available, for example, from Pennwalt as KYNAR 301F®, Allied Chemical as POLYMIST B6®, and other sources. Generally, these polymers are blended in various proportions as mentioned herein as, for example, in a ratio of 1:1, 0.1 to 0.9, and 0.5 to 0.5. The blending can be accomplished by numerous known methods including, for example, a twin shell mixing apparatus. Thereafter, the carrier core polymer blend is incorporated into a mixing apparatus, about 1 percent by weight of the powder to the core by weight in an embodiment and mixing is affected for a sufficient period of time until the polymer blend is uniformly distributed over the carrier core, and mechanically or electrostatically attached thereto. Subsequently, the resulting coated carrier particles are metered into a rotating tube furnace, which is maintained at a sufficient temperature to cause melting and fusing of the polymer blend to the carrier core. The following examples are being supplied to further define the present invention, it being noted that these examples are intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the present invention. Parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated. In these Examples there was selected the kiln as shown in the Figures, and more specifically the kiln was obtained from Harper Electric Furnance Company, Model NOV7078-RT-18; 20 magnets, (25mm by 25mm by 19mm thick) in 10 rows, 2 magnets to each row on a 76mm heat resistant continuous transporting rubber belt. The belt was about 254mm wide and mounted onto the cooling section of the rotating kiln tube at a rotation speed of 6 RPM with a transporting speed of 1.1m.min⁻¹ providing about 12 lifts per minute with about 15 percent of the polymer powder mixture being lifted with each lift. The temperature of the kiln bed was 262°C. The material exiting the kiln was at a temperature of about 45°C. No agglomerates of carrier powder comprised of iron powder and the polymer coating or coatings formed, and this material product could be passed easily through a 150 micron screen. EXAMPLE I There were prepared carrier particles by coating 68,040 grams of a Toniolo atomized steel core, 120 microns in diameter, with 680 grams of a polyvinylidene fluoride, available as KYNAR 301F®, 1 percent coating weight, by mixing these components for 60 minutes in a Munson MX-1 Minimixer, rotating at 27.5 RPM. There resulted uniformly distributed and electrostatically attached, as determined by visual observation, on the carrier core the polyvinylidene fluoride. Thereafter, the resulting carrier particles were metered into a rotating tube furnace at a rate of 105 grams/minute. This furnace was maintained at a temperature of 262°C thereby causing the polymer to melt and fuse to the core. The carrier mixture resulting was then provided to the operating kiln of Figure 1, and processed as indicated herein, and wherein the transporting speed was 1.1 m.min⁻¹ providing about 12 lifts per minute with about 15 percent of the polymer powder mixture being lifted with each lift. The temperature of the kiln bed was 262°C. The material exiting the kiln was at a temperature of about 45°C. No agglomerates of carrier powder comprised of iron powder and the polymer coating or coatings formed, and this material product could be passed easily through a 150 micron screen. A developer composition was then prepared by mixing 97.5 grams of the above prepared carrier particles with 2.5 grams of a toner composition comprised of 92 percent by weight of a styrene n-butylmethacrylate copolymer resin, 58 percent by weight of styrene, 42 percent by weight of n-butylmethacrylate, 6 percent by weight of carbon black, and 2 percent by weight of the charge additive cetyl pyridinium chloride. Thereafter, the triboelectric charge on the carrier particles was determined by the known Faraday Cage process, and there was measured on the carrier a charge of -68.3 microcoulombs per gram. Further, the conductivity of the carrier as determined by forming a 2.5mm long magnetic brush of the carrier particles, and measuring the conductivity by imposing a 10 volt potential across the brush, was 10⁻¹⁵ mho-cm⁻¹. In all the working Examples, the triboelectric charging values and the conductivity numbers were obtained in accordance with the aforementioned procedure. EXAMPLE II The procedure of Example I was repeated with the exception that 102.0 grams, 0.15 percent coating weight, of polyvinyl fluoride was used. There resulted on the carrier particles a triboelectric charge thereon of -33.7 microcoulombs per gram. Also, the carrier particles had a conductivity of 10⁻⁹ mho-cm⁻¹. EXAMPLE III A developer composition of the present invention is prepared by repeating the procedure of Example I with the exception that there is selected as the carrier coating 680 grams of a polymer blend at a 1.0 percent coating weight of a polymer mixture, ratio 1:9 of polyvinylidene fluoride, KYNAR 301F®, and polyethylene, available as POLYMIST B6® from Allied Chemical. There can result on the carrier particles a triboelectric charge of -17.6 microcoulombs per gram. Also, the carrier particles can possess a conductivity of 10⁻¹⁵ mho-cm⁻¹. EXAMPLE IV A developer composition is prepared by repeating the procedure of Example III with the exception that there is selected as the carrier coating a polymer mixture, ratio 9:1, of polyvinylidene fluoride, KYNAR 301F®, and polyethylene, available as POLYMIST B6®. About 680 grams of the polymer blend, that is a 1.0 percent coating weight, is selected. There can result on the carrier particles a triboelectric charge of -63 microcoulombs per gram, and the insulating carrier particles can possess a conductivity of 10⁻¹⁵ mho-cm⁻¹. EXAMPLE V A developer composition is prepared by repeating the procedure of Example III with the exception that there is selected as the carrier coating a blend, ratio 3:2, of a polymer mixture of polyvinylidene fluoride, KYNAR 301F®, and high density 10.962 grams/milliliters of polyethylene MICROTHENE FA520®, available from USI Chemical Company. About 340 grams of the polymer blend, that is a 0.5 percent coating weight, is added. There can result on the carrier particles a triboelectric charge of -29.8 microcoulombs per gram. Also, the resulting carrier particles can possess a conductivity of 10⁻¹⁴ mho-cm⁻¹. EXAMPLE VI A developer composition is prepared by repeating the procedure of Example III with the exception that there is selected as the carrier coating a blend, ratio 7:3, of a polymer mixture of copolyvinylidene fluoride tetrafluoroethylene, available from Pennwalt as KYNAR 7201®, and a high density, 0.962 gram per milliliter, of polyethylene available as MICROTHENE FA520® from USI Chemicals Company. About 272 grams of the polymer blend, that is a 0.4 percent coating weight, is added. There can result on the carrier particles a triboelectric charge of -47.6 microcoulombs per gram. Also, the resulting carrier particles can possess a conductivity of 10⁻¹⁴ mho-cm⁻¹. EXAMPLE VII A developer composition is prepared by repeating the procedure of Example VI with the exception that there is selected as the carrier coating a blend, ratio 7:3, of a polymer mixture of copolyvinylidene fluoride tetrafluoroethylene, available from Pennwalt as KYNAR 7201®, and a low density, 0.924 gram per milliliter, polyethylene available from USI Chemicals Company as FN510®. About 476 grams of the polymer blend, that is a 0.7 percent coating weight, is added. There can result on the carrier particles a triboelectric charge of -42 microcoulombs per gram. Also, the resulting carrier particles can possess a conductivity of 10⁻¹⁵ mho-cm⁻¹. EXAMPLE VIII A developer composition is prepared by repeating the procedure of Example IV with the exception that there is selected as the carrier coating a blend, ratio 7:3, of a polymer mixture of KYNAr 7201®, and a copolyethylene vinylacetate, available from USI Chemical Company as FE532®. About 476 grams of the polymer blend, that is a 0.7 percent coating weight, is added. There can result on the carrier particles a triboelectric charge of -33.7 microcoulombs per gram. Also, the resulting carrier particles can possess a conductivity of 10⁻¹⁵ mho-cm⁻¹. EXAMPLE IX A developer composition was prepared by repeating the procedure of Example VIII with the exception that there was selected as the carrier coating a blend, ratio of 2:3, of a polymer mixture of a polyvinylidene fluoride available from Pennwalt as KYNAR 301F®, and a polymethyl methacrylate available from Fuji Xerox. About 476 grams of the polymer blend, that is a 0.7 percent coating weight, was added. There resulted on the carrier particles a triboelectric charge of -29.5 microcoulombs per gram. Also, the resulting carrier particles had a conductivity of 10⁻¹⁵ mho-cm⁻¹. With further reference to the above Examples, the actual conductivity values were obtained as indicated herein. Specifically, these values were generated by the formation of a magnetic brush with the prepared carrier particles. The brush was present within a one electrode cell comprised of a magnet as one electrode and a nonmagnetic steel surface as the opposite electrode. A gap of 2.54mm was maintained between the two electrodes and a 10 volt bias was applied in this gap. The resulting current through the brush was recorded and the conductivity was calculated based on the measured current and geometry. More specifically, the conductivity in mho-cm⁻¹ is the product of the current, and the thickness of the brush, about 0.254 centimeter divided by the product of the applied voltage and the effective electrode area. With insulating developers, there are usually obtained images of high copy quality with respect to both lines and halftones, however, solid areas are of substantially lower quality. In contrast, with conductive developers there are achieved enhanced solid areas with low line resolution and inferior halftones. With respect to the measured triboelectric numbers in microcoulombs per gram, they can be determined by placing the developer materials in an 8 ounce glass jar with 2.75 percent by weight toner concentration, placed on a Red Devil Paint Shaker and agitated for 10 minutes. Subsequently, the jar was removed and samples from the jar were placed in a known tribo Faraday Cage apparatus. The blow off tribo of the carrier particles was then measured. With the apparatus as described in the working Examples, there was enabled a number of advantages as illustrated herein, such as effective mixing of the carrier components, minimal or no undesirable carrier bead sticking, increased powder flow and thus improved carrier coating, a more rapid and a controlled cooling of the carrier components, minimization or avoidance of kiln tube clogging, and the like.

Claims: Apparatus for treating magnetisable particles (3) comprising a cylindrical rotary kiln (1) for the particles and means for causing rotational movement of the kiln about a generally horizontal axis, characterised by magnetic means (7) associated with the kiln, the magnetic means including a roller (9) spaced apart from the kiln, an endless belt (5) passing around the kiln (1) and the roller (9), and a plurality of magnets (7) carried by the belt, the magnets being arranged to successively attract, lift, and release particles during the rotational movement, whereby the particles are successively attracted, lifted and released within the kiln. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the roller (9) is spaced from the kiln (1) in a substantially horizontal direction, and the direction of rotation of the endless belt is such as to cause the magnets to approach the kiln around the lowermost portion thereof and to leave the kiln around its uppermost portion. Apparatus for treating magnetisable particles (3) comprising a cylindrical rotary kiln (1) for the particles and means for causing rotational movement of the kiln about a generally horizontal axis, characterised by magnetic means (7) associated with the kiln, the magnetic means including a plurality of electromagnets (17) carried by the kiln (15) and each arranged to be energised and de-energised as it passes predetermined positions, thereby to successively attract, lift, and release particles during the rotational movement, whereby the particles are successively attracted, lifted and released within the kiln. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the electromagnets (17) are energised as they pass around the lowermost position of their path of movement and de-energised as they pass around their uppermost position.

Inventors: BUDNY THOMAS J, CREATURA JOHN A, BUDNY, THOMAS J., CREATURA, JOHN A.
Applicants: XEROX CORP, XEROX CORPORATION
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B01F13
IPC codes: H01F7, B01F13, G03G9