Method of Magnetic Separation

1. A splitter means for use in conjunction with a magnetic separator means for separating and collecting particulate matter fractions of a raw sample according to relative magnetic susceptibilities of each said fraction so collected, said splitter means comprising;

a. at least one elongated end member, said elongated end member adapted to collect strongly diamagnetic particles contained in said raw sample, thereby preventing said particles from being thrown free of said magnetic separator means as a result of magnetic forces acting upon said particles and thereby enabling separation of said particles from said raw sample and further enabling collection of said particles, said elongated end member further including a drop chute defined by an inner wall and an outer wall spaced therefrom, said inner wall extending only partially the length of said elongated end member such that the outer wall is partially exposed near the top of said elongated end member, thereby permitting said strongly diamagnetic particles to access said drop chute by being thrown over said inner wall and towards said outer wall by said magnetic separator means and dropping down said drop chute for collection;

b. at least one splitter chamber arranged adjacent said elongated end member, said splitter chamber including two spaced-apart side walls facing one another and having an open top for receiving one of said fractions of said sample, each said elongated end member and each said splitter chamber having a bottom opening, each said bottom opening accessing a collection means positioned in communication with each said opening, each said splitter chamber further including an inclined surface positioned between said spaced-apart side walls, said inclined surface being inclined downwardly toward said bottom opening, thereby permitting each said fraction being collected by said splitter chamber to run down said inclined surface through said bottom opening and into said collection means positioned beneath said splitter chamber.

2. The splitter means of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said splitter chambers are positioned between an opposing pair of said elongated end members.

3. The splitter means of claim 1 wherein the inclined surface of each said splitter chamber faces in the opposite direction relative to the inclined surface of each splitter chamber adjacent thereto.

4. The splitter means of claim 1 wherein said spaced-apart side means are separated by a distance of about three times the maximum particle size of particulate matter being collected by said splitter chamber.

5. The magnetic separator means of claim 1, said magnetic separator means including a pair of poles, and said splitter is positioned between said poles, said magnetic separator means further including a feeder means for feeding said raw sample to said magnetic separator means, said magnetic separator means further including a receiver means, said receiver means receiving said raw material from said feeder means and directing said raw sample to a region between said poles in collimated fashion.

6. The magnetic separator means of claim 5 wherein said feeder means is a vibratory feeder.

7. The magnetic separator means of claim 5 wherein said receiver means is conically shaped and includes a tubular extension adapted for producing said collimated flow of raw sample.

8. The magnetic separator means of claim 7 wherein said receiver is adjustably positionable along said region between said poles.

9. The magnetic separator means of claim 5 wherein said receiver means is positioned so that said collimated raw sample is directed into said region between said poles at a location in said region corresponding to a maximum magnetic force in said region.