Seal assembly

In a moving matrix magnetic separator in which a multicompartment matrix moves through at least one processing station having an inlet and an outlet for fluid to be processed and a stationary surface proximate each inlet and outlet and spaced from the matrix, a sealing assembly including at least one set of seals sealing the edges of each compartment with at least one of the associated surfaces, comprising:

• a resilient, transverse seal at the front and rear edges of each said compartment arranged transversely of the direction of relative motion between the surface and compartment, each said transverse seal extending a distance beyond the compartment greater than the distance between the surface and the compartment for enabling each said transverse seal to be bent rearwardly relative to the direction of motion and firmly, sealingly engage said surface;
• and
• a resilient, longitudinal seal at each side edge of each said compartment arranged generally longitudinally to the direction of relative motion between the surface and compartment, each said longitudinal seal extending a distance beyond the compartment greater than the distance between the surface and compartment for enabling each said longitudinal seal to be bent inwardly of said compartment and firmly, sealingly engage said surface and being constructed and arranged to sealingly engage opposite ends of said transverse seals when bent inwardly.

In a moving matrix magnetic separator in which a multi-compartment matrix moves through at least one processing station, a compartment sealing assembly comprising:

• a matrix device with spaced apart front and rear transverse edges and spaced apart side longitudinal edges defining said compartment;
• a resilient, transverse seal at the front and rear edges of each said device arranged transversely of the direction of relative motion between the surface of said processing station and said device, each said transverse seal extending a distance beyond the device greater than the distance between the said surface and the device and constructed and arranged to be bent rearwardly from a direction of motion to firmly, sealingly engage said surface;
• and
• a resilient, longitudinal seal at each side edge of each said device arranged generally longitudinally to the direction of relative motion between said surface and device, each said longitudinal seal extending a distance beyond the device greater than the distance between said surface and device for enabling each said longitudinal seal to be bent inwardly of said device and firmly, sealingly engage said surface, and being constructed and arranged to sealingly engage opposite ends of said transverse seals when bent inwardly.