Improvements in Apparatus for Separating and Concentrating Ores and other Materials in the Pulverized or Granular State.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Aug., 1875
Complete Specification Left, 2nd May, 1896-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1896
Improvements in Apparatus for Separating and Concentrating Ores
and other Materials in the Pulverized or Granular State.
I, ALFRED SHEDLOCK, of 79 Orient Avenue, Jersey City, State of New Jersey,
United States of America, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for separating the different
parts or particles of material and concentrating ores in the granular or pulverized
state.
The improved apparatus is organized to cause the mixture of materials or ore to
be separated or concentrated to fall in suitable quantities intermittently through a
column of resisting medium in a quiescent condition, and then cause the particles
of the different materials, or parts of the material of each amount fed, as they
separate into horizontal strata during their passage through the resisting medium
(by reason of their different densities or the resistance offered to them by the
medium through which they fall), to be horizontally divided and the corresponding
parts of each amount fed segregated.
In carrying out this process of separating or concentrating mixtures of material
or ores, the best results will be bad by first sizing or grading the materials into
batches having their particles of approximately uniform size and treating each
batch separately, and the perfection of separation or degree of concentration will
be determined by the properties of the medium through which they fall and the
distance the materials are allowed to fall, before the division of the horizontal
strata takes place, and this with the intervals of time between the successive feeding
operations can be regulated and controlled according to the conditions and
properties of the materials and the further treatment the separated particles are to
be submitted to.
When a liquid is used as the medium through which the materials are allowed
to fall, it is found advantageous to moisten the material before or when fed, thus
preventing the particles adhering together and causing them to start simultaneously
on their downward passage through the fluid.
The invention also contemplates adding to the gravity separating apparatus
devices producing magnetic fields of force when one of the constituents of the
mixed materials has magnetic properties, said fields of force being arranged so as
to cause said magnetic particles to be diverted laterally from the vertical path
of the descending materials, and deposited or collected in a side chamber or
passage.
The apparatus consists of a vessel having a vertical passage and two or more
chambers cominunicating with the passage at its lower end, a gate or valve at the
junctume of the passage and chambers constructed to guide or discharge the
different parts or particles of the materials into the different chambers, a hopper.
and a discharging or feeding device located at the upper end of the vertical passage
aid adapted to discharge suitable quantities intermittently into the resisting
medium contained in the vessel, and mechanical driving devices such as carns and
connecting rods arranged to automatically operate the valve or gate and feeding
device in unison, and at suitable intervals.
In a machine to handle large quantities of materials, it is preferred to combine

page_text: a number of vertical passages and connecting chambers in one vessel, connect all of
the valves together and operate them and the feeding devices from the one driving
and actuating mechanism, and also to provide elevating devices to discharge the
different separated materials from the vessel.
When it is desired to apply magnetic fields to this separating apparatus, side
openings will be made in the walls of the vertical passages, opening into side
chambers or passages, and sources of magnetic fields arranged opposite said
opening outside of the vessel so as to attract iron etc. through said side openings
without interfering with the gravity separating parts of the apparatus.
Dated this 2nd day of August 1895.
ALFRED SHEDLOCK.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Apparatus for Separating and Concentrating Ores
and other Materials in the Pulverized or Granular State.
I, ALFRED SHEDLOCK, of 79 Orient Avenue, Jersey City, Hudson County,
State of New Jersey, U.S.A., Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My improved apparatus is designed for the separation and concentration of
materials in a broken, granular, or pulverized condition, and the principle upon
which the operation of the machine proceeds is generally that when such bioken,
granulated, or pulverized material is permitted to fall by gravity through a
resisting medium, which may be a fluid-as, for instance, air-or a liquid-as, for
instance water-the particles of the material descending through the resisting
medium will separate or form in horizontal strata according to their densities or
the resisting action upon them of the medium through which they fall;
and my invention contemplates the segregation of such horizontal strata as may be
desired.
My invention further contemplates that regulated quantities of the material
shall be allowed to fall through a quiescent column of the resisting medium, and
that the corresponding strata of successive charges shall be respectively segregated
and collected in a receptacle, the organization of apparatus being such that the
operation may proceed continuously, the means for segregation and collection being
operated in proper unison with intermittently-operating feeding devices. Where
the material contains two elements-as, for instance a precious metal and the waste
or gangue of the ore that carries it-it will only be necessary to segregate and
collect the strata containing the precious metal, and the gangue may be collected
or allowed to pass into another receptacle, from whence it may be discharged from
the machine. Where, however the material contains three or more constituents or
materials that will respectively separate into divided strata, I may segregate and
collect the corie-ponding strata of successive charges into their proper respective
receptacles.
I have found by practical demonstration that it is highly desirable that the
successive charges of material that are allowed to fall by gravity through the
resisting medium should be relatively small in order that the different particles
may freely separate in the resisting medium and fall therein without obstructing
each other. Further, this is desirable because by so feeding small charges the
column of resisting medium through which they fall may be relatively short.

page_text: I have also found that the width or thickness of the column of resisting medium
through which the material falls should desirably be narrow in order that the .
segregating devices or means for effecting the collection of the corresponding
strata of successive charges may have a small distance through which to operate,
and it is therefore highly desirable that the column of resisting medium shall have
a length in a horizontal plane relatively great as compared with its width in the
same plane, and in fact that such horizontal length should be considerable, and in
fact as long as may he found feasible in the practical operation of my improved
organization, for it will be apparent that the devices for effecting the segregation
and collection of the different strata in their respective receptacles may be readily
made of considerable length, but will only have to be operated through a relatively
short distance vz., through a distance equal to or less than the thickness or width
of the column of the resisting medium.
I have practically demonstrated that with such an organization employing a
column of resisting medium relatively narrow and long in horizontal plane I. can
handle large quantities of ore and yet feed relatively small quantities per unit of
superficial area of the surface of the column of resisting medium. It will now be
apparent that with an apparatus so organized and operating I may employ a number
of columns of resisting medium arranged side by side and each having feeding
devices and devices for segregating the horizontal strata or effecting their collection
in their respective receptacles and to operate all the feeding devices and the
segregating devices, respectively, in proper unison to, by their conjoint and timely
action, effect the desired end.
The perfection or degree of separation into horizontal strata during the fall of
the material through the resisting medium and the consequent perfection of
segregation or concentration will be determined by the distance the material is
allowed to fall through the resisting medium-that is to say, by the height of the
column of resisting medium and by the action of the medium upon the particles of
the material and this can be regulated to the desired extent according to the
special requirements in any given case and may in a measure be determined by the
fact whether or not the parts so segregated and concentrated are to be submitted
to a further similar operation. I have found in practice however, that in many
grades of ores bearing precious metals that by feeding relatively small quantities
of the material at a time, so that the particles have a free and unobstructed fall, a
relatively short column of resisting medium may be employed. Thus I have in
practice effected the concentration of a gold bearing ore to approximately one-
thntieth of its bulk and have collected practically all of the precious metal in the
concentrate by employing a column of resisting medium, such as water, about eight
inches in height. I prefer to prepare the ore for treatment in my improved
organization of apparatus by grouping the divided granular or pulverized material
into batches, each having its particles approximately of uniform size and treating
each batch separately in an apparatus adjusted for that particular batch of particular
material. I have found in practice also that it is highly desirable when the
resisting medium through which the divided material is allowed to fall is a liquid
to wet or moisten the material with such liquid before delivering it into the column
of resisting medium, as by so doing the different particles of the material will
freely separate from each other in the resisting medium and will start on their
downward passage substantially simultaneously.
My invention also comprehends an organization in which, where material
containing magnetic elements is treated, the magnetic particles shall by the
influence of a magnetic field be diverted from the descending material at a point
above that where the segregation of the strata is effected.
My invention consists, therefore, in certain organizations of apparatus designed
to fulfil the requirements hereinbefore specified which organizations are hereinafter
set forth and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 shows a simple organization of apparatus illustrative of my invention.

page_text: Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of an organized machine adapted
to operate in accordance with and to produce the results contemplated by my
invention; Fig. 3 a plan view of the same;
Fig. 4, a detached view showing the upper end of one of the passages containing
the resisting medium and one of the spouts of the feeding-hopper iepresented in
its lower position.
Fig. 5 is a detached view illustrating the manner in which I employ a magnetic
field of force in connection with the other features of my invention and
Fig. 6 represents a modification in the valve mechanism or gate mechanism by
which I effect the segregation or collection of corresponding strata of the material
being treated.
In Fig. 1 I have shown detached and in a simple form an organization illustrative
of my invention. This figure shows a box or vessel having a vertical passage or
channel a, comparatively narrow, as shown, but of any desired width from front to
back. Its length or depth will be determined by the separating medium used
therein and the grade or condition of the material to be treated. The lower part
of the vessel is divided into two compartments b and c, providel with cylindrically
formed gates and c, adapted to be moved so as to extend from their respective
sides of the channel a to the upper edge of the dividing partition of the chambers
or compartments b and c. At the upper end of the channel is shown a feeding
device & consisting of a hopper hinged to the top of the vessel and having a grating
or sieve d' in the discharging-spout.
Now when a granulated or pulverized material or a mixture of materials is
dropped down the channel a in suitable amount, which may be done if it be
contained in the hopper d by suddenly jarring the hopper, the heavier particles of
the material or those parts of it least resisted by the medium in the vessel will fall
faster than the other particles and the material will form into strata or layers
more or less defined, according to the depth of the channel. When the lower layer
has passed beyond the gate con its passage into the chamber b, the gate b¹ will be
closed and the gate c¹ opened, and the remainder of the material will then pass by
the gate and enter the chamber c. Thus one operation will be completed, and
the gates and cl being set in the positions they occupy in the drawings another
quantity of material will be fed into the channel and its particles separated in like
manner, and so on. If the material be an ore or metallic sand, the metallic particles
will be deposited in the chamber and the lighter particles deposited in the
chamber c, from which chambers they may be reinoved by means of openings in
the sides of the chambers.
The distance through which the material is allowed to fall before the division of
the strata takes place will determine the perfection of separation or degree of
concentration. This distance may be sufficient to allow practically all of the
metallic particles to be separated from the other particles of the material, and if
air be the medium contained in the vessel then this distance of fall will be much
greater than if water or other liquid be used. It will be seen that by this simple
apparatus various divisions of the material or mixture of materials may be made
by a proper manipulation of the apparatus-as, for instance, the largest or heaviest
particles of the lowest stratum and the smallest or lightest particles of the upper
stratum may be deposited in one of the chambers and the medium particles of the
middle stratum deposited in the other chamber.
It is found desirable to have the particles of the material surrounded with the
medium through which they are to fall before being dropped theicin, and this may
be done by causing the discharge-spout of the hopper d to enter the surface of the
liquid when a liquid is used, when the hopper is suddenly depressed to jar a
quantity of the material from it through the grating d', the said grating then
taking up some of the liquid and so causing the material in the lower part of the
hopper to be soaked therewith.
Any form of feeding device may be used; but the one shown is found to answer
well, the mesh of the grating or sieve d', being somewhat larger than the size of

page_text: the particles of the material, allowing them to fall freely when the hopper is jarred,
but retaining them when the hopper is at rest.
A preferred form of apparatus adapted for practical use is shown at Figs. 2
and 3. In these the box or vessel e is by the vertical partition e¹ e' divided at its
upper part into a number of separating channels or passages ff, of which there
may be any desired number in one apparatus. At the lower ends of these channels
or passages ff are located the valves or gates, which in this case are of a
construction different from those shown in Fig. 1. These gates g g are cylindrical
and have bearings in the sides of the vessel e and are each formed with pockets or
openings g' g, which respectively constitute the lower ends of the passages when
the valves are set in their two positions. Below the valves 99 are placed the
channel chutesh, each intermediately arranged between two adjacent passages/f,
and inclined downwardly toward one side of the box e, at which side are
openings h¹¹ for the material deposited therein to be discharged into a chamber i
at this side of the box e. The bottom of this chamber, as well as the bottom of
the main box is inclined toward one end of the apparatus, at which end are
placed, respectively, elevators ; and j¹ for removing the separated parts of the
material from the apparatus. These elevators may be arranged to extend under
the whole of the separating devices, so that the materials will fall directly
thereon.
A hopper k, supported on the top of the vessel e by means of the bell-crank
levers kk, is provided with a spout for each of the vertical passages ff, in the
lower ends of which spouts are held the gratings k³ ³. The two bell-crank
levers k¹ k¹ are joined together by the rods k³ ³ thus causing them to work in
nnison and the hopper to move in a practically vertical path when operated.
It has been found that when the lower ends of the spouts of the hopper leave
the liquid after a feeding operation has taken place glubules of liquid are taken up,
which are liable to subsequently fall and carry with them some of the material
from the gratings into the liquid at a time when the upper part of the liquid
columns should be free from material. To correct this, a drip-guard k is provided,
consisting of a plate pivoted by its up-turned ends to each of the spouts of the
hopper and arranged to hang under the spout when the hopper is raised, as shown
in Fig. 2. These dip-guards are controlled by the rods k³, which have pins
extending into slotted projections from the sides of the drip-guards in such manner
that when the hopper falls the dip-guards are moved so as to be at the sides of
the spouts, as shown at Fig. 4, thus leaving the ends of the spouts clear and
causing any of the material that may be on the diip-guards to fall into the liquid
at the same time the spouts deposit their charges of material.
A shaft l, rotating in bearings at one end of the vessel e, is provided with a
cone-pulley, and carries a cam-disk m which has a notch m¹ in its periphery, into
which the rod falls when a feeding operation is to take place, the upper end of
said 1od being connected to one of the bell-crank levels, as shown, and its lower
end on a roller thereon resting normally on the periphery of the cam-disk.
1od is adjustable as to its length, by which adjustment the height the hopper is
raised may be set. The distance the hopper is allowed to fall is determined by the
stops ko ko
This
Ou the side of the cam-disk m is adjustably secured the two cam-plates m² m²,
which control the movement of the gates gg through the medium of the rod m*,
horizontally placed with a roller on its end arranged to be acted upon by the
cam-plates m m³, and the pairs of segmental gears 93 9³, secured to the ends of
the shafts of the valves y 9, each alternate gear being connected by a pin or pivot
to the rod m².
The operation is as follows: The shaft being rotated at a uniform rate of
speed and at such a speed that each operation will be performed in the least time
necessary therefor, which will be governed by the depth of the passages ff, and
the grade of the materials being separated, and the cam-plates m² m³ being set to
actuate the valves at the right times, the hopper k is suddenly dropped and agaiu

page_text: +
quickly raised, thereby causing given suitable amounts of the material to be
deposited in the fluid in the passages ff, which material falling through the fluid
the heavier particles or those least resisted in their descent by the fluid will fall on
to the uppermost pockets g g of the valves or gates g g, said valves then being by
the cam-plate m³ quickly turned, so as to deposit the material thereon into the
channeled chutes hh, and the other pockets or sides 92 g of valves brought
uppermost to receive the gangue or other material which when the valves are
tui ned back in the position shown by the cam-plate m³ is deposited into the bottom
part of the vessel e and removed therefrom by the elevator j. The material from
the chutes h h enters the chamber i and is removed therefrom by the elevator j.
The two elevators are carried by one shaft and rotated by the belt from the
shalt l.
An attachment for removing the particles of the material having magnetic
properties (shown at Fig. 5) consists of magnets n n, arranged at the sides of the
vertical passage of a separator having a dividing or separating gate of the character
before described. These magnets are arranged to laterally attract such magnetic
rticles through the openings n¹ n¹ into the passages or chambers o o, leaving the
balance of the material to be separated in the manner before described when it is
desired to do so.
The modified form of the apparatus, Fig. 6, is adapted to separate the material
into three grades or lots, and shows one vertical channel or passage and three
receiving-chambers, the central one p being in me with the central passage, and
the others p³ arranged at the sides. The gate g, located at the juncture of the
passage and chambers, has two flat vanes or blades q¹ q' formed to constitute a
continuation of the sides of the passage and the central chamber p, when the valve
or gate is set in the position shown, to open communication between the passage a
and said chamber. When the valve or gate g is set in either of the two other
positions indicated by the dotted lines, communication is opened, respectively,
between the passage and the side chambers. It will be readily seen that by a
proper manipulation of this valve three different strata of the material falling
through the passage a may be separated and the corresponding strata of several
operations segi egated. It will be seen that with this apparatus or its equivalent
the separation of the mixtures of materials and the concentration of ores may be
carried out to any extent, and different combinations or segregations of the
different horizontal strata of the material will readily suggest themselves when the
treatment of any particular mixture of materials calls for different segregations
than those described. Thus it will be seen that by the employment of valve
mechanism or gate mechanism located at the base of the column of resisting
medium I am enabled to segregate or effect the collection in their proper
receptacles of corresponding horizontal strata of successive charges of material
that are allowed to fall through the column of the resisting medium, and that such
valve mechanism or gate mechanism may vary in general structure or in detail.
Thus, as shown in Fig. 1, the horizontal strata of the heaviest material of a charge
is allowed to fall directly into the chamber b, after which the entrance to such
chamber is closed by the valve or gate 1, and the entrance to the chamber c is
opened by the movement of the valve c', and the gangue or lighter particles or
material then fall into the chamber c. A substantially similar operation occurs in
the organization illustrated in Fig. 6, except that there are two segregations or
concentrations of borizontal strata from the gangue or refuse. In Figs. 2 and 5
the valve mechanism or gate mechanism is of somewhat different structure--that is
to say, the lower strata (i.e. the heavier material first arriving at the valve or gate)
is received into a receptacle formed in the cylindrical valve or gate. Then when
the gate is operated such heavy or concentrated material is by the rotation of the
valve delivered to the chute or chamber h, another surface or pocket of the
cylindrical gate or valve presented to the bottom of the column of resisting
medium to receive the gangue, and the gangue thus received is, when the gate or
valve is restored to the normal position, delivered into the general receptacle

page_text: formed by the box e. However, in either event, the material forming the
corresponding horizontal strata of successive charges of material arrives at the
bottom of the column of resisting medium and is collected in the proper
receptacle.
From what has been said the desirability or value will now be apparent of my
improved organization, in which the columns of resisting medium are relatively
long horizontally as compared with their width or thickness.
It is obvious that the gate mechanism or valve mechanism, such as 9 9 or c¹ b³
org g', may be of any desired or suitable length and yet have a relatively short
distance to travel to effect the desired segregation or concentration of the strata at
the base of the column of resisting medium. Thus while I only feed at each
operation a relatively small quantity of material per square inch of the superficial
area of the top of the column of resisting medium, such column having considerable
length horizontally, the amount of material fed at each charge is relatively large
and the amount treated per day is considerable, as each operation occupies but a
few seconds of time. I have shown in Fig. 2 six passages in which the columns of
resisting medium are contained, but it is obvious that there might be many more.
It will be obvious that if each passage containing the column of resisting medium
is substantially square or cylindrical in horizontil section such a multiplication of
feeding devices, valve or gate mechanism and operating mechanism would be
required as to render the machine relatively complex and correspondingly difficult
to operate with uniform results and keep in repair, aside of course, from the initial
expense of manufacture. I consider, therefore, that the employment of colu nus
of resisting medium relatively long horizontally as compared with their thickness
in connection with means for intermittently feeding properly-regulated charges of
material at the top of the column and means for segregating or effecting the
collection of corresponding strata of successive charges in their respective chambers
or receptacles at the base of the columns a material and important feature of my
invention.
I have now described in general terms the mode of operation and purpose of my
invention, and I have described and illustrated apparatus embodying my invention
and which I have found by practical demonstration to be suitable and well adapted
to the purpose. It is obvious, however, that skilled mechanicians, and particularly
those familiar with the art to which my invention relates, nay modify the con-
struction which I have illustrated without departing from the principle or essential
characteristics thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In an apparatus for separating materials in the granular or pulverized state,
the combination of a vessel having a vertical passage or channel and chambers
communicating therewith, gate or valve mechanism located at a suitable distance
below the top of the channel for effecting the collection of the different horizontal
strata or parts of the material into the different chambers, and an intermittently
acting feeding device at the upper part of the vertical channel for dropping the
material therein intermittently in determined quantities.
2. In an apparatus for separating materials in the granular or pulverized state,
the combination of a vessel having a vertical passage or channel and chambers
communicating therewith, gate or valve mechanism located at a suitable distance
below the top of the channel for effecting the collection of the different horizontal
strata or parts of the material into the different chambers, and an intermittently-
acting feeding device at the upper part of the vertical channel for dropping the
material therein intermittently in determined quantities and means for operating
the gate or valve mechanism and the feeding device in unison.
3. In an apparatus for separating materials in a granular or pulverized state, the
combination of a vessel having a vertical passage or channel, and chambers

page_text: communicating therewith, gate or valve mechanism located at a suitable distance
below the top of the channel for effecting the collection of the different horizontal
strata er parts of the material into the different chambers, a feeding device at the
upper part of the vertical channel for dropping the material therein, a guard device
adapted to come beneath the feed device after each actuation thereof, and means
for operating the feed device, its guard and the gate or valve mechanism in
unison.
4. In an apparatus for separating materials in a granular or pulverized state, the
combination of a vessel having a vertical passage or channel, a quiescent column of
liquid resisting medium contained therein, chambers communicating therewith, also
filled with said liquid, gate or valve mechanism located at suitable distance below
the top of the channel for effecting the collection of the horizontal strata or parts
of the material into the different chambers, an intermittently acting feeding device
at the upper part of the vertical channel for dropping the material therein
intermittently in determined quantities, and gate or valve mechanism and the feed
devices respectively for operating them in proper time or unison.
5. In an apparatus for separating materials in a granular or pulverized state, the
combination of a vessel having a vertical passage or channel, a quiescent column of
liquid-resisting medium contained therein, chambers communicating therewith, gate
or valve mechanism located at a suitable distance below the top of the channel for
effecting the collection of the different horizontal strata or parts of the material into
the different chambers, an intermittently-actuated feeding device at the upper part
of the vertical channel, adapted to be brought into contact with the surface of the
liquid column at each actuation thereof, a drip-guard adapted to come under the
bottom of the feed device after each actuation thereof, and means for operating
the feed device, its drip-guard, and the gate or valve mechanism in unison."
6. In an apparatus for separating materials in a granular or pulverized state, the
combination of a vessel having a vertical passage or channel relatively long as
compared with its width in horizontal section, an intermittently-actuated feeding
device at the upper part of the vertical channel, for intermittently feeding the
material simultaneously approximately throughout the length of the channel, means
located at a suitable distance below the top of the channel and intermittently
operating for effecting the segregation or collection of the respective horizontal
strata of succeeding charges of material, and mechanism for operating such
segregating or collecting means and the feeding device in unison.
7. In an apparatus for separating materials in a granular or pulverized state, the
combination of a vessel having a vertical passage or channel relatively long as
compared with its width in horizontal section, a quiescent column of liquid-
resisting medium in said passage, chambers communicating with the passage by
correspondingly elongated openings, such chambers and openings being filled with
the liquid resisting medium, elongated gate or valve mechanism located at such
openings, a relatively long and narrow feed device at the upper part of the vertical
channel, means for operating in unison the gate or valve mechanism and the feed
device, and an elongated drip-guard.
8. In an apparatus for separating materials in a granular or pulverized state, the
combination of a vessel having a vertical passage, relatively long and narrow as
compared with its width in horizontal section, a quiescent column of liquid-resisting
medium occupying such passage, chambers communicating with the passage by
openings correspondingly elongated, and filled with the liquid-resisting medium,
means for intermittently feeding into the top of the column charges of material
simultaneously approximately throughout the horizontal length of the liquid
column, correspondingly elongated gate or valve mechanism for effecting the
collection of the corresponding strata of successive charges of material in their
respective chambers, and means for effecting the intermittent feed and actuation of
the gate or valve mechanism in unison.
9. In an apparatus for separating materials in a granular or pulverized state, the
combination of a vessel baving a vertical passage, a quiescent column of liquid-

page_text: resisting medium contained therein, a chamber communicating with the base of the
column and filled with the liquid, means for intermittently feeding to the top of the
column relatively small regulated quantities of material, gate or valve mechanism
also located at the base of the column for effecting the collection of the heavier.
particles of successive feeds or charges that first arrive at the base of the column in
a suitable receptacle separate from the gangue or lighter particles that arrive at the
base of the column later, and means for operating the feed devices and the gate or
valve mechanism intermittently in proper time or unison.
10. In an apparatus for separating materials in a granular or pulverized state,
the combination of a vessel having a series of vertical passages, a quiescent column
of liquid-resisting medium contained in each passage, a chamber connected with the
base of each column of resisting medium and filled with the liquid, means for
intermittently feeding regulated relatively small quantities of material into the top
of each colump, gate or valve mechanism located at the base of each column for.
effecting the collection in the respective chambers of the heavier particles of each
feed or charge first to arrive at the base of the column separate from the gangue or
lighter particles that arrive later at the base of the column, and means for operating
the several feed devices, and the several gate or valve mechanisms, simultaneously.
and intermittently in proper time or unison.
11. In an apparatus for separating materials, in a granular or, pulverized state,
the combination of a vessel having a vertical passage, an intermittently-acting
feeding device for intermittently feeding material at the top of the passage in
determined quantities, gate or valve mechanism located at a suitable distance below
the top of the passage for effecting the collection or segregation of the corresponding
horizontal strata of succeeding charges of material, means for creating a magnetic
field within such passage above the point of segregation, whereby magnetic particles
contained in the material are diverted into a separate passage or chamber, and,
means for effecting the intermittent feed and segregation in proper time or
unison.
12. In an apparatus for separating materials in, the granular or pulverized state,
the combination of a vessel having a vertical passage or channel and chambers
communicating with the lower part thereof, a cylindrical gate or valve having
pockets or openings arranged to open communication between the vertical passage
and the different chambers, when the valve or gate is set in different positions, and
a feeding device at the upper end of the passage adapted to intermittently drop
suitable quantities of the materials therein, and means for operating the valve or
gate and the feeding device in unison.
I
13. In an apparatus for separating materials in the granular or pulverized state,
the combination of a vessel having a vertical passage or channel and chambers
scommunicating with the lower part thereof, a feeding device having a grated spout
at its lower end, means, for intermittently jarring..or imparting sudden vertical
movements thereto, and a gate or, valve, at the juncture of the vertical passage and.
the receiving chambers of the vessel.
14. In an apparatus for separating materials in, the granulated or pulverized.
state, the combination of a vessel having a vertical passage or channel and chambers
communicating with the lower part,thereof, a feeding device having a grated spout,
at its lower end, means for intermittently jarring or imparting sudden vertical
movements thereto, and a drip-guard constructed, and operated to extend
immediately beneath the spout of the feeding device, when it is in, its upper
position and to be at the side, thereof, when, it is in its lower position.
15. In an apparatus for separating materials in the granulated or pulverized.
state, the combination of a vessel baving a vertical passage or channel and chambers,
communicating with the lower part thereof, a feeding device having a grated, spout
at its lower end, means for intermittently jarring or imparting sudden, vertical
movements thereto, a drip-guard constructed and operated to extend immediately.
beneath the spout of the feeding device when it is, in its upper position and to be at
B

page_text: the side thereof when it is in its lower position, and a gate or valve at the juncture
of the vertical passage and the receiving chambers.
16. In an apparatus for separating materials in the granulated or pulverized
state, the combination of a vessel or box having its upper part divided into vertical
passages or channels by vertical partitions, and having collecting chutes arranged
intermediate the lower end of each pair of adjacent passages, valves or gates at the
junctures of the passages and the collecting chutes, means for actuating all of the
gates or valves together, and a feeding device having a discharging spout arranged
over each of the vertical passages, and means for intermittently actuating the
feeding device.
17. In an apparatus for separating materials in the granular or pulverized state,
the combination of a vessel or box having its upper part divided into vertical
passages or channels by vertical partitions and having collecting chutes arranged
intermediate the lower end of each pair of adjacent passages, valves or gates at the
junctures of the passages, valves or gates at the junctures of the passages and the
collecting chutes, means for actuating all of the gates or valves together, a feeding
device having a discharging spout arranged over each of the vertical passages,
means for intermittently actuating the feeding device, and a drip-guard constructed
and operated to extend under each of the spouts when they are in their upper
position and to be at the side thereof when they are in their lower position.
18. In an apparatus for separating materials in the granulated or pulverized
state, the combination of a vessel or box having its upper part divided into vertical
passages or channels by vertical partitions, and having collecting chutes arranged
intermediate the lower end of each pair of adjacent passages, valves or gates at the
junctures of the passages and the collecting chutes, means for actuating all of the
gates or valves together, a feeding device having a discharging spout arranged over
each of the vertical passages, and means for intermittently actuating the feeding
device, and a chamber at the side of the vessel with which all of the collecting
chutes communicate.
19. In an apparatus for separating materials in the granulated or pulverized
state, the combination of a vessel or box having its upper part divided into vertical
passages or channels by, vertical partitions, and having collecting chutes arranged
intermediate the lower end of each pair of adjacent passages, valves or gates at the
junctures of the passages and the collecting chutes, means for actuating all of the
gates or valves together, a feeding device having a discharging spout arranged over
each of the vertical passages, means for intermittently actuating the feeding device,
a chamber at the side of the vessel with which all of the collecting chutes
communicate, an elevator in this chamber and an elevator in the main part of
the vessel.
20. In an apparatus for separating materials in the granulated or pulverized
state, the combination of a vessel or box having its upper part divided into vertical
passages or channels by vertical partitions and having collecting chutes arranged
intermediate the lower end of each pair of adjacent passages, valves or gates at the
junctures of the passages and the collecting chutes, gears on the shafts of the gates
for connecting them together in pairs, and connected to one of the gears of each
pair, a shaft and cam thereon arranged to actuate the gates through the medium of
the rod.
21. In an apparatus for separating materials in the granulated or pulverized
state, the combination of a vessel or box having its upper part divided into vertical
passages or channels by vertical partitions, and having collecting chutes arranged
intermediate the lower end of each pair of adjacent passages, valves or gates at the
junctures of the passages and the collecting chutes, means for actuating all of the
gates or valves together, a feeding device having a discharging spout arranged over
each of the vertical passages and supported by connected bell-crank levers, a
cam-disk carried by a shaft and having a notch in its periphery, and an adjustable
rod connected to one of the bell-crank levers and controlled by the cam disk.

page_text: 22. In an apparatus for separating materials in the granulated or pulverized
state, the combination of a vessel or box having its upper part divided into vertical
passages or channels by vertical partitions and having collecting chutes arranged
intermediate the lower end of each pair of adjacent passages, valves or gates at the
junctures of the passages and the collecting chutes, a hopper located at the top of
the vessel having discharging spouts arranged over the vertical passages and
supported by connected bell-crank levers, a cam-disk carried by a shaft and having
a notch in its periphery, an adjustable rod connected to one of the bell-crank levers
and controlled by the cam-disk, cam-plates adjustably secured to the side of the
cam-disk, and a connection between the gates actuated by the cam-plates.
23. The method of and apparatus for concentrating and separating, substantially
as herein before set forth.
SA 1000
ALFRED SHEDLOCK.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.