Mobile assay facility and method of using same to procure and assay precious metals
First Claim
1. A mobile facility, comprising:
- a vehicle suitable for containing tools and equipment required to weigh, melt, assay, and calculate a market value for precious metals in said vehicle, said vehicle being adapted to allow a seller of precious metals to observe melting and assaying that occurs in said vehicle;
wherein said vehicle comprises a cab portion (112) containing a seat;
wherein said vehicle comprises a compartment (110);
wherein said vehicle comprises a door (136) allowing a person to enter said compartment (110);
wherein said vehicle comprises a secure partition (138) between said compartment (110) and said cab portion (112);
an induction furnace (146) disposed in said compartment (110);
wherein said induction furnace (146) is adapted to melt said precious metals to produce an ingot;
wherein said induction furnace (146) is cooled by a two stage cooling system (150) including a chiller and coolant tank (148);
a scale (132) disposed in said compartment (110);
wherein said scale (132) is adapted to determine weight of said ingot;
an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) alloy analyzer (130) disposed in said compartment (110),wherein said X-ray fluorescence (XRF) alloy analyzer is adapted to provide an XRF assay of said ingot;
a computer adapted to record said weight of said ingot, said XRF assay of said ingot, and a current market value for a unit of a precious metal;
wherein said computer is adapted to perform at least a calculation of the market value of said precious metal in said ingot based upon said weight of said ingot, said XRF assay of said ingot, and said market value of said unit of said precious metal; and
a display adapted to display said market value of said precious metal in said ingot, as calculated by said computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self contained, mobile assay facility built in a modified armored truck is completely equipped to smelt and assay precious metals, particularly gold and silver. An induction furnace melts the metal that is then poured into an ingot. The ingot is weighed and analyzed using an XRF alloy analyzer and the percentage of gold and/or other metals recorded. The value of the gold at current market prices is calculated and the assay and the value of the ingot is printed and given to the seller. The seller may opt to receive the ingot and pay the assayer an assay fee. Alternately, the seller may ask to be paid cash or by wire transfer that may be initiated and confirmed from within the mobile assay facility. The ingots may be safely stored or shipped directly from the mobile facility to a wholesaler for further processing.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A mobile facility, comprising:
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a vehicle suitable for containing tools and equipment required to weigh, melt, assay, and calculate a market value for precious metals in said vehicle, said vehicle being adapted to allow a seller of precious metals to observe melting and assaying that occurs in said vehicle; wherein said vehicle comprises a cab portion (112) containing a seat; wherein said vehicle comprises a compartment (110); wherein said vehicle comprises a door (136) allowing a person to enter said compartment (110); wherein said vehicle comprises a secure partition (138) between said compartment (110) and said cab portion (112); an induction furnace (146) disposed in said compartment (110); wherein said induction furnace (146) is adapted to melt said precious metals to produce an ingot; wherein said induction furnace (146) is cooled by a two stage cooling system (150) including a chiller and coolant tank (148); a scale (132) disposed in said compartment (110); wherein said scale (132) is adapted to determine weight of said ingot; an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) alloy analyzer (130) disposed in said compartment (110), wherein said X-ray fluorescence (XRF) alloy analyzer is adapted to provide an XRF assay of said ingot; a computer adapted to record said weight of said ingot, said XRF assay of said ingot, and a current market value for a unit of a precious metal; wherein said computer is adapted to perform at least a calculation of the market value of said precious metal in said ingot based upon said weight of said ingot, said XRF assay of said ingot, and said market value of said unit of said precious metal; and a display adapted to display said market value of said precious metal in said ingot, as calculated by said computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A mobile facility, comprising:
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a vehicle suitable for containing tools and equipment required to weigh, melt, assay, and calculate a market value for precious metals in said vehicle, said vehicle being adapted to allow a seller of precious metals to observe melting and assaying that occurs in said vehicle; wherein said vehicle comprises a compartment (110); wherein said vehicle comprises a door (136) allowing a person to enter said compartment (110); an induction furnace (146) disposed in said compartment (110); wherein said induction furnace (146) is adapted to melt said precious metals to produce an ingot; wherein said induction furnace (146) is cooled by a two stage cooling system (150) including a chiller and coolant tank (148); a scale (132) disposed in said compartment (110); wherein said scale (132) is adapted to determine weight of said ingot; an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) alloy analyzer (130) disposed in said compartment (110), wherein said X-ray fluorescence (XRF) alloy analyzer is adapted to provide an XRF assay of said ingot; a computer adapted to record said weight of said ingot, said XRF assay of said ingot, and a current market value for a unit of a precious metal; wherein said computer is adapted to perform at least a calculation of the market value of said precious metal in said ingot based upon said weight of said ingot, said XRF assay of said ingot, and said market value of said unit of said precious metal; and a display adapted to display said market value of said precious metal in said ingot, as calculated by said computer.
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Specification