Material handling apparatus
AssigneeMultisorb Technologies, Inc.
InventorsAnthony J. Arnone, Michael J. Helm, Jason L. Kerkeslager, David S. Payne, David J. Perry, Thomas H. Powers
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Abstract
A material handling apparatus for conveying an article having a ferromagnetic component includes a hopper, a discharge, and a magnet. The hopper has an inlet and outlet and defines a hopper volume for receiving a plurality of the articles to be conveyed. The discharge is spaced from and downstream of the hopper. The magnet is movable between an attracting position proximate the hopper and a discharge position proximate the discharge.
Claims27
A material handling apparatus for conveying an article comprising:
- a hopper having an inlet and an outlet and defining a hopper volume for receiving a plurality of oxygen reactive packets to be conveyed, each packet including a ferromagnetic component;
- a discharge spaced from and downstream of the holding area;
- and
- a magnet movable between an attracting position proximate the hopper and a discharge position proximate the discharge.
A method of conveying articles, each including a ferromagnetic component, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a hopper having an inlet and an outlet;
- placing a predetermined number of in the hopper;
- covering the inlet to substantially seal the hopper;
- removing substantially all oxygen from the hopper;
- providing a magnet in proximity to the outlet of the hopper;
- moving the magnet from an attracting position at which one of the articles in the hopper is attracted to the magnet to a discharge position spaced from the attracting position;
- and
- removing the articles from the magnet to a discharge at the discharge position.
An apparatus for conveying oxygen-scavenging packets containing a ferromagnetic material, the apparatus comprising:
- a container defining a hopper and a discharge, the container having an inlet in communication with the hopper and an outlet in communication with the discharge;
- a first access panel selectively sealing the inlet;
- a second access panel selectively sealing the outlet;
- a supply of oxygen scavenging articles, each containing a ferromagnetic material, inserted through the inlet and contained in the hopper;
- and a magnet disposed outside the container and actuatable between an attracting position proximate a wall of the container opposite the hopper and a discharge position proximate a wall of the container opposite the discharge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.