US2238155A

US2238155A - Apparatus for separating metals and alloys

Info

Publication number: US2238155A
Authority: US
Inventors: William B Cohen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-01-31
Filing date: 1940-01-31
Publication date: 1941-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 1958-04-15

Description

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pl'l l5, 1941.

APPARATUS FOR s Filed Jan. 3l, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l d WWI-EME@ w 1M m INVENTOR.

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prl M39 IM.. W. B. coHEm APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING METALS AND ALLOYS f s Filed Jan. 3l, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q N 5% INVENTOR. WML/AM B. COHEN ATTORNEYS.

AWN I5, i941.`

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING METALS AND ALLOYS Filed Jan`` 3l, 1940 W. E. COHEN 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS.

iented APL 15 1941 UNITED STATES 4PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING METALS AND ALLOYS William B. Cohen, Elizabeth, N. J.

Application January 31, 1940, Serial No. 316,437!

8 Claims. (Cl. 266-33) This invention relates Ito an apparatus `for reclaiming metals and, more particularly, lto an apparatus for separating metals or alloys of a low melting point from metals cr alloys of a com paratively high melting point.

Formerly, in apparatus for reclaiming metals, the metalswere not subjected to heat until they had entered thefurnace. 'I'he metals, therefore, had -to travel a great distance in the furnace at a slow rate before the one having the lower meltine point reached a molten state. The mechanism for dislodging .the molten metal or alloy from :the non-molten metal or alloy in such apparatus was complex and had a mild reciprocatinc, slow agitating or sliding action, itI being necessary that the material be passed slowly thereby `'through the furnace, so that the metal having a low melting point would have sufficient time to .become molten and dislodged from the metal having a high melting point.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for separating metals or alloys of a low melting point from those having a high melting point, in which the metal is heated before entering the furnace by the same source of heat as is used for heating the furnace, the metal or alloy of low melting point rea-ching the interior to pass through the furnace at a comparatively bien rate of speed. t

.d still further object of this invention is to provide a metal separating apparatus in which the heat is generated above the shaker trays on which .the metal travels so that the heat is concentrated where needed, which results in a savinc of time in bringing the furnace up-to the proper temperature and also in a saving of fuel because only the upper part of the furnace is heated.

ianother object of the -present invention is to provide 'a furnace in which .the shaker trays may be easily and quickly changed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for separating metals or alloys having a vcomparatively low melting point, which apparatus is simple and economical to construct and which occupies av comparatively small area.-

Other objects of the'invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

The above and other objects of the presen-t invention may be realized by providing a frame supported upon legis,` the upper section being covered by a hood lined with refractory cement. In the upper portion of the discharge end of the apparatus isv mounted a combustion chamber which is supplied with suitable burners. At the opposite or feeding end of the apparatus, also in the upper portion and substantially in alignment with the combustion chamber, is a feed bor. having a vertically adjustable perforated .gate through which heat penetrates into the feed box. The feed box is pivotally mounted at its outer end, the inner end extending into the furnace and engaging the upper end of a shaker tray which slopes toward the discharge end of the furnace. other shaker tray, slopingtoward the discharge end of the furnace, is also provided. The trays are mounted in cascade relation to one another, so as to provide a drop between them. The trays rest on polygonal-shaped cams on drive shafts extending transversely of the furnace which are driven through. a suitable drive. The combustion chamber and burners are located above the bottom surface of both trays, so

that the heat is directed over the top surface of them. The bottom portion of .the furnace is the following detailed description whenV taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example a preferred embodiment of the invention. U

lin the drawinns:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus of this l invention, the furnace chamber being partly brolren away;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line t-t of Figure i.

Figure 3 ls an end view in elevation of the feed end of the apparatus, talren on the line 3 3 of Figure 2;.

figure 4 is a detail view of the same arrangement on the drive shaft taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1; and 4 Figure 5 is a detail view of the yoke on the underside of the shaking trays taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The apparatus of this invention comprises a substantilly semi-cylindrical hood I0, preferably of sheet steel II', which is lined with a refractory cement I2. The hood I forms a furnace chamber I8, closed at both ends, the bottom side of which is open. The hood I0 is mounted on a rectangular-shaped frame having parallel side members I3 and nI4 connected by parallel end .members I5 and I6, the rectangular frame being in turn supported by legs I1.

The discharge end of the chamber I8 is designated by the reference numeral I9, and the feed end of the chamber is designated by the numeral 20.

In the discharge end I9 of the chamber I8 is a combustion chamber 2l in communication with the chamber I8'through an opening 22. The opening 22 is located in the upper portion of the hood I0.

Suitable burners

23 and 24, which may be designed to burn gas, oil or any other suitthe upper portion of the feed end of the chamber I8 and is opposite to the combustion chamber 2 I, .the bottom of said opening being in substantial alignment with the bottom of the opening 22, so that the heat from the combustion chamber will be directed toward the opening 26.

Cooperating with .the opening 26 is a feed box 21 having sides 28 and 29, and a back 30. The front of the feed box comprises a vertically sliding gate 3| which is guided in its vertical movement in grooves on the opposite sides 28 andv 29. The gate 3l has perforations 32 therein in order that heat from the combustion chamber 2l will enter the feed box. 'I'he gate 3| is adjustable vertically, so that the opening betwee; the bottom of the gate and the bottom of the feed box may be varied in accordance with thefdifferent size pieces of metal which are lto pass therethrough and to regulate the rate of feed of the metal into the chamber I8. The

bottom 33 of the feed box 21 is inclined from front to rear, the said bottom having an extension 34 extending through the opening 26 into the chamber I8, so that the metal in the feed box will travel down an incline into the chamber I8.

The feed box 21 is pivotally mounted at the vback thereof to a support 35 projecting rearwardly from the end 20 by means of lugs 36 and 31 on the underside of said feed box. 'I'he lugs 36 and 31 movably engage a cross rod 38 which is mounted on the support 35.' The cross rod 38 may be raised nr lowered to change the angularity ofthe bottom of the feed-box by placing the opposite ends of the rod in recesses 39 in the Walls of support 35 on opposite sides of the feed-box, corresponding recesses 39 being in alignment with one another.

The extension 34 of the bottom 33 rests upon an angle bar 40 and the back 4 I, to which the bar 40 1s connected, of a rectangular shaped shaker tray 42. The tray 42 has opposite parallel sides 43 and 44 and a screen-mesh or perforated-plate bottom 45. The front end of the tray is open. The bottom of the shaker tray 42 is inclined from front to rear so that pieces of metal entering from the feed-box 21 will .travel down an incline toward the discharge end of the chamber I8.

The back of the tray 42 rests upon

polygonalshaped cams

46 and 41 on opposite ends of a drive shaft 48 that extends transversely of the chamber I8. The

cams

46 and 41 engage reenforcing plates 49 and. 49a, respectively, fastened to the underside of the opposite sides 43 and 44.

The

cams

46 and 41 are preferably square but may be rectangular or any other polygonal shape, so that upon rotation of the shaft 48 the edges formed by the meeting of adjacent sides of the cam will raise the tray 42 vertically and also impart a longitudinal movement to the tray.

On the drive shaft 48, adjacent the sides 43 and 44 of the tray 42, are

discs

50 and 50a which prevent lateral movement of the tray.

The opposite ends of the drive shaft 48 are mounted in bearings 5I and 52 resting on

pedestals

53 and 54, respectively. The shaft 48 may be raised or lowered, so that the angularity of the bottom of the tray 42 may be increased or decreased by placing shims between the bearing and the pedestal or removing shims as the condition may require.

A sprocket 55 is fastened to the drive shaft 48, which sprocket is driven by a chain 56 engaging a sprocket 51 on another drive shaft 59 which extends transversely of the chamber I8 adjacent the forward end of the tray 42 in a horizontal plane lower than that of the horizontal plane of the shaft 48.

'I'he drive shaft 59 has polygonal-shaped cams 60 and 6I on which the forward -end of the opposite sides 43 and 44 of the tray 42 rest. A movement similar to that imparted to the tray 42 by rotation of the

cams

46 and 41 also is imparted by the cams 60 and 6I.

Opposite` ends of the drive shaft 59 are mounted in bearings 63 and 64 on

pedestals

65 and 66, respectively.

Discs

61 and 68 are mounted on the shaft 59 adjacent the outer surface of the sides 43 and 44 to prevent ateral movement of the tray.

Mounted onthe underside of the tray 42 at the forward end thereof adjacent' the shaft 69 are

yokes

69 and 10. These yokes fit loosely about the shaft 59. as shown more particularly in Figo ure 5 of the drawings, which allows a longitudinal movement of the tray 42 and also limits the extent of this movement.

Elongated openings 1I and 12 are cut in the side of the hood I0 in order to facilitate the mounting of the

shafts

59 and 48, respectively.

The drive shaft 59 has fastened thereon .a sprocket 13 which is driven by means of a chain 14 which cooperates with a sprocket 15 mounted on a drive shaft 16.

The shaft 15 is in a horizontal plane lower to that of the drive shaft 59 and is mounted forward of the shaft 59. The opposite 'ends of the shaft 16 rest in

bearings

11 and 18 mounted on pedestals 19 and 80. The shaft may be raised or lowered by placing shims under the bearings.

Cams 8i and 82, similar to the cams 56 and 41 and 60 and 6I, are mounted on the shaft 16 and are adapted to bear against the underside of opposite sides 83 and 84respectively, of a rectangular shaped shaker tray 85. The underside of the sides adjacent the cams may be reinforced by wearing plates.

The tray 85 is positioned below the tray 42, the rearward end 86 thereof extending under the forward end of the tray 42, the forward end thereof extending through the discharge opening 25. The bottom 61 is in the form of a wire mesh or perforated plate and extends slightly beyond the sides of the tray 85 at the forward end. The forward end of the shaker tray 85 1s open.

The bottom 81 is inclined at an angle from the front thereof, at the discharge end of the chamber it, toward the rear 86 of the tray. The trays di." and t5, therefore, bear a cascade relationship to one another.

The metal pieces from the feed box 21 will travel down an incline dropping from the extension tt onto the tray 42 and dropping from the tray tf to the tray 85.

Yokes tt and 90 are fastened to the underside of the tray 85 adjacent the shaft 16 and fit loosely over said shaft, which allows a slight longitudinal movement and at the same time limits the extent of this movement.

The drive shaft 16 has another sprocket thereon designated by the reference numeral t l, which is driven by means of a chain @t engaging a sprocket tt on a drive shaft 94 which extends transversely of the chamber I8 at the forward end of the tray t5, the shaft 94 being in a horiaontal plane lower than the horizontal plane of the shaft llt.

Ilihe shaft tt restsin bearings t and @t on pedestals lll and fit, respectively. Polygonalshaped cams til and it@ bear against reinforcing plates iti and ttf, respectively, on the underside of the sides tt and tt of the tray t5.

Discs itt and itt mounted on the shaft tt at the outer surface of the sides Bt and tdi, and discs itt and Hit mounted on the shaft 'it likewise on the outer surface of the sides tt and tt, respectively, prevent lateral movement of the tray titi.

Mounted on the shaft et is another sprocket itl which is connected by a chain itt to a 15 which revolves the sprocket 13 on the shaft 59 through the connecting chain 14, which turns the sprocket 51 also mounted on the shaft 59. The revolving of the sprocket 51 drives the shaft 48 by means of the chain 56 which is connected to the sprocket 55 on the shaft 48.

Upon rotation of the shaft 94, the edges formed by the adjoining surfaces on4 the cams 99 and |90 raise the forward end of the tray 85 vertically,

'the same Vbeing dropped vertically when the at surface of the cam engages the reinforcing plate on the underside of the opposite sides B3 and 84 of the trays.V A slight longitudinal movement is imparted to the tray 85 as the edges formed by the joining of the surfaces of the cams engage the reinforcing plates during the rotation of the shaft sprocket yitt' on a motor M which serves as a source of power to drive the various drive shafts llt, it, tt and ttl. A stack llt is located at the feedend of hood it and communicates with the chamber it.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Heat is introduced into the chamber it from the combustion chamber fivthrough the opening fil, the chamber fl being in the upper part of the discharge end of the chamber la. The heat is directed toward the opening 2t in the upper portion of the feed or intake end fil of the chamber ifi where it enters the feed box 2l through the perforated gate 3i. It will be noted that the heat is above the shaker `trays t5-and di.

The combustion gases travel through the furnace and leave the chamber It by the stack ill! which is located at the feed end ofthe chamber.

When the metal having the lower melting point in the forward part of the feed box fl reaches a moltenstate, the mechanism for operating the shaker trays ils-set in motion by starting the motor Ill/f. The motor M, through the sprocket itil on the drive shaft thereof, drives the sprocket itl by means of the connecting chain Hit. This ro-v tates the shaft @if which, in turn, revolves the sprocket ttthereon, drivingv the sprocket ti on the shaft lt by means of the connecting chain tt. Rotation of the shaft 16 turns the sprocket A like action takes place simultaneously at the rearward end of the tray where the cams 3l and 32 impart the same movement to the rearward end of said tray as the cams 69 and lull impart to the forward end thereof. l The yokes 89 and 90 attached to the bottom of the tray 65, adjacent the shaft 16. are loosely mounted thereover and limit the longitudinal movement imparted to the tray by the engagement of the edges of the cams on the shafts 9d and 16 with the bottom of the tray.

lin this manner, a vertical as well as longitudinal movement is given the shaker tray 85. .fr vigorous high-speed, up and down jumping action is imparted to the tray t5, since, for example, if4 square cams are used, the tray t5 will raise and drop four times to each revolution of the shafts llt and 1t. The shafts tt and 15 would normally revolve at revolutions per minute, the tray t5 thereby receiving 600 vigorous, up ,and down movements per minute. lf'he number of times the tray will be raised and dropped per revolution of the shaft may be varied in accord.- ance with the shape of the cams. The intensity of the bump may be regulated also by varying the size of the cams.

A movement similar to -that imparted to the shaker tray t5 is also imparted to the shaker tray dt. Rotation of the shaft tit will turn the cams .tt and ti. The engagement of the edges formed by adjoining surfaces of the cams with the bottom of the tray if will raise the forward end of said tray, the same being dropped to engage the surface of the cam. The rearward end of the tray-,tf is likewise simultaneously given an :up and down, vertical movement by rotation of the cams t6 and t1 on the shaft fit.

Up and down movement of the tray if imparts a vibrating movement to the feed box 2li, since the extension it of the bottom of the feed box at the front thereof rests upon the angle bar ad on the end of the tray tf and the rearward end of the feed box is pivotedfto the rod.

lThe `vibrating movement of the feed box 2l will cause the metal to move down the inclined bottom 'thereof over the extension tid and onto the bottom t5 of the tray tf. Since the heat from. the burner penetrates into the feed box across the extension ttl, the metalhaving the lower melting point is already molten by the time it travels down the feed boit extension and enters the furnace. 'f'he same reaches the shaker tray' tom 45 onto the floor below the chamber I8 or into a receptacle placed on said fioor.

The use of an open bottom to said chamber allows the molten metal to fiow freely from the screen, there being no passages between the screen and the floor which may become clogged with foreign substances.

The movement imparted to the shaker tray 42 by the cams on the

shafts

48 and 59 will cause the non-molten metal to move toward the dischargeend of the chamber I8 down the inclined bottom of the tray 42. From the tray 42, the metal will drop onto the shaker tray 85 where the metal'will be again vigorously agitated. Any molten metal which has adhered to the non-molten pieces will be loosened by this agitation and will drop through the wire mesh or perforated bottom 8'I of the tray, the molten metal dropping onto the floor or into a receptacle under the chamber I8. The non-molten metal will pass down the inclined bottom of the tray 85, due -to the action of the cams on the shafts 84 and 16, and through the discharge opening 25, from which it will be discharged from the chamber I8.

It will be noted that, at all times while the metal is. passing through the chamber I8, the heat from the combustion chamber 2I is'applied thereto from the top of the furnace, so that the metal of a low melting point will be maintained in a molten state while it passes through the furnace, in order that the metal of a low melting point may be separated from the metal of a high melting point by the action of the

shaker trays

42 and 85. Heat being applied to the upper side of the trays will also allow the molten metal to cool as it drops from the trays to the floor or container thereon.

It will also be noted that it is possible with the construction of the furnace of this invention to readily remove the

trays

42 and 85 from the chamber I8, since the same may be easily lifted from the drive shafts and removed through the open bottom of the chamber. These trays, therefore, may be easily removed and new ones or ones having a different size wire mesh bottom be substituted therefor.

It is apparent that the specific illustrations shown and described have been given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and that the structure above described is subject to a wide variation and modification without departing .from the scope or intention of the invention, all

of which variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for separating a metal or alloy having a low melting point from' one having a higher melting point comprising a furnace cham- .ber having a discharge end with an opening in the lower portion thereof and lan intake end opposite said discharge end with an 'openingin the upper portion thereof, a heating source in the upper portion of the discharge end of said chamber/metal feeding means on the intake end of said chamber substantially in alignment with said heating source and communicating with said intake opening, said' metal feeding means being adapted to receive heat from said heating source to melt said metal or alloy therein having a low melting point before it enters said furnace chamber,` a plurality of sh-aker trays each having a foraminous bottom lopng downwardly from said intake opening to said discharge opening, and a vibrating mechanism adapted to act simultaneously on each of said shaker trays adjacent both ends thereof to impart a vigorous vertical up and down movement simultaneously to both ends rto jar said trays and separate the molten metal from the non-molten metal and induce lateral progression of the non-molten metal through the furnace chamber.

2. Apparatus for separating a metal or alloy having a low melting point from one having a higher melting point comprising a furnace cham- -ber formed by a hood open at the bottom, a discharge end closing one end of said hood with an opening in the lower portion thereof, an intake end closing the opposite end of said hood with an opening in the upper portion thereof, a heating source in the upper portion of the discharge end of said chamber, metal feeding means on the intake end of said chamber substantially in alignment with said heating source and communicating with said intake opening, said metal feeding means being adapted to receive heat from said heating source to melt said metal or alloy therein having a low melting point before it enters said furnace chamber said metal feeding means comprising a container for metal to be fed to said furnacevchamber having a bottom sloping toward the discharge endof said furnace, the container being mounted for reciprocal movement in relationV to said chamber, a plurality of shaker trays each having a foraminous bottom sloping downwardly from said intake opening -to said discharge opening, and a vibrating mechanism adapted to act simultaneously on each of said shaker trays adjacent both ends thereof to impart a vigorous vertical up and down movement simultaneously to both ends to jar said trays and separate the molten metal from the non-molten metal and induce lateral progression of the nonmolten metal through the furnace chamber.

3. Apparatus for separating a metal or alloy having a low melting point from one having a higher melting point comprising a furnace chamber formed by a hood open at the bottom, a discharge end closing one end of said hood with an opening in the lower portion thereof, an intake end closing the opposite end of said hood with an opening in the upper portion thereof, a heating source in the upper portion of the discharge end of said chamber, metal feeding means comprising a container for metal to Abe fed to said furnace chamber having a bottom sloping toward the discharge end of said furnace, the container being mounted for reciprocal movement in relation to said chamber, means at the forward end of said container to govern the rate of flow of the metal into the furnace said flow governing means also being adapted to admit heat into said container from said heating source to melt said metal orv alloy therein having a low melting point before it enters said furnace. chamber, a plurality of shaker trays each having a foraminous bottom sloping downwardly from said intake opening to said discharge opening, connecting means connecting said metal container with the shaker tray adjacent said intake opening, and a vibrating mechanism adapted to act simultaneously on each' of said shaker trays adjacent both ends thereof to impart a vigorous vertical'up and down movefi. Apparatus for separating a metal, or alloy having a low melting point from one having a higher melting point comprising a furnace chamber` formed by a hood open at the bottom, a discharge end closing one end of said hood with an opening in the lower portion thereof,an intake end closing the opposite end of said hood with an opening in the upper portion thereof, a heating source in the upper portion of the discharge end of said chamber, metal feeding means on the intake end of said chamber substantially in alignment with said heating source and communicating with said intake opening, said metal feeding means being adapted to receive heat from said heating source to melt said metal or alloy therein having a low melting point before itenters said furnace chamber, a plurality of shaker trays -each having a foramnous bottom sloping downwardly from said intake opening to said discharge opening, a vibrating mechanism for said shaker trays comprising a plurality of cam shafts extending transversely of said furnace chamber adjacent the opposite end of each of said trays, polygonal-shaped cams on said shafts, said shaker trays resting upon said cams, means on said trays to limit longitudinal movement thereof, driving means to rotate said cam shafts thereby imparting simultaneously at both ends of said trays a vigorous vertical reciprocating movement t-o separate the molten metal from the nonmolten metal and induce lateral progression of the non-molten metal through the furnace chamber.

5. Apparatus for separating a metal or alloy having a low melting point from one having a higher melting point comprising a furnacecharnber, a chute inclined from one end of said chamber to the opposite end, said chute having a foraminous bottom, a vibrating mechanism for said chute comprising a plurality of cam shafts extending transversely of saidV furnace chamber adjacent the opposite end of said chute, polygonal-shaped cams on said shafts, said chute resting on said cams, means on said chute to engage said cam shafts and limit longitudinal movement of the chute, driving means to rotate said cam shafts thereby imparting simultaneouslyat both ends of said chute a vigorous vertical reciprocating movement to separate molten metal from non-molten` metal and induce lateral progression of the non-molten metal through the furnace chamber.. I

6. Apparatus for separating a metal or alloy having a lov7 melting point from one having a higher melting point comprising a furnace chaine ber, a chute inclined from one end of said chamber tothe opposite end thereof, said chute comprising a plurality of shaker'trays each having a foraminous bottom therein, said trays being mounted in cascade and disposed in relation to one another so as to provide a drop between successive trays, a vibrating mechanism for said shaker trays comprising a plurality of cam shafts extending transversely of said furnace chamber adjacent the opposite ends of each of said trays, polygonal-shaped cams on said shafts, said shaker trays resting upon said cams, means on said trays to loosely engage an adjacent cam shaft and limit longitudinal movement nf the trays, driving means to rotate said cam shafts thereby impart ing simultaneously at both ends of each of said trays a vigorous vertical reciprocation to separate the molten metal from the non-molten metal and induce lateral progression of the non-molten metal through the furnace chamber.

7. Apparatus for separating a metal or alloy having a low melting point from one having a higher melting point comprising a furnacechamber, a chute inclined from one end of said chamber to the opposite end thereof, said chute comprising a plurality of shaker trays each having a foraminous bottom therein, said trays being mounted in cascade and disposed in relation to one another so as to provide a drop between successive trays, metal feeding means comprising a container for metal to be fed to said furnace chamber, one end being pivotally mounted outside of said chamber, a bottom on said container sloping from the outer end and entering said furnace chamber, said bottom resting upon the uppermost tray of said chute, a vibrating mechanism for said shaker trays comprising a plurality of cam shafts. extending transversely of said furnace chamber adjacent the opposite ends of each of said trays, polygonal-shaped cams on said shafts, the bottom of said shaker trays engaging said cams, the said trays being supported thereby, means on each of said trays loosely engaging a cam shaft adjacent thereto to iimit longitudinal movement of said tray, driving means to rotate said cam shafts thereby imparting simultaneously-at both ends-of each of said trays a vigorous vertical reciprocating movement to separate moltenmetal from non-l molten metal and also impart a vibrating movement to said metal container -thereby inducing lateral progression of the non-molten metal from the container through the furnace chamber. v

8. Apparatus for separating a metal or alloy having a low melting point from one having a higher melting point comprising a heating chamber open at the bottom, a discharge opening in the lower portion of one end of said chamber, an intake opening in the upper portion of the opposite end of said chamber, a heating source in the discharge end of said chamber, .a metal container in the opposite end thereof and adjacent said heating source said container being mounted for reciprocal movement in relation to said chamber, feed regulating and .heat admitting Y means at the forward end of said container, a

furnace chamber.

plurality of shaker trays each having a foraminous bottom sloping from said intake opening to .said discharge opening, said trays being mounted in cascade and disposed in relation to one another so as to provide a drop between the successive trays, connecting means connecting said metal container with one of said shaker trays so that said container is responsive to the vibration of said shaker trays, a vibrating mechanisin for said shaker trays comprising a plurality of cam shafts extending transversely of. said furnace chamber adjacent the opposite ends of each of said trays, polygonal shaped cams on said shafts, said. shaker trays resting on said cams, means on each of said trays engaging a cam shaft to linut longitudinal movement of said tray, driving meansV to `rotate said cam shafts and impart a vibrating movement simultaneously at both ends to said trays and to said container to separate molten metal from non-molten metai and induce a lateral progression of the nonmolten metal from the container through the WILLIAM B. COHEN.