Gas separation – Combined or convertible
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-24
2001-07-24
Smith, Duane S. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation
Combined or convertible
C055SDIG001, C055SDIG007, C118S326000, C454S050000, C454S053000, C454S063000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264711
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the collection of overspray in a barrier free environment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices to capture overspray are known in the art. Large enclosed tent-like containment devices completely endose the object to be sprayed to comply with state and federal regulations concerning air pollution. The instant invention is a non-enclosed device which would obviate the use of such containment devices and comply with existing state and federal regulations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus for the capture of liquids, sanding dust, welding metallic particulates, powders, atomized overspray, blast media particles, odors, explosive fumes and any other errant particles generated during a spraying process without employing an enclosure is disclosed. During the application of atomizable liquids, powders, paints, coatings, chemical solvents and the like, using spray technology such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,740 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,345, some overspray occurs. Such spraying is often done on a manlift, a vertically ascending bucket, especially in shipyard and larger industrial applications. Other mechanisms which can convey a platform vertically, such as a scissor platform, may be employed with this invention. The overspray capture mechanism is located intermediate the manlift and the object (ship, aircraft, building, hangar, bridge) being sprayed. The overspray capture mechanism comprises a centrally supported suction duct. The centrally supported suction duct exerts a negative pressure. Surrounding the centrally supported suction duct is a flexible barrier comprised of any well known flexible material. The flexible barrier is fixed to a first support which runs horizontally and is secured centrally to the manlift. This first support has a right side and a left side, both sides extending beyond the horizontal length of the manlift. The flexible barrier is further secured to a second support which parallels the first support, and may be of equal or greater length, and also includes a right side and a left side. At the terminus of the both the right side and the left side of both the first and second supports is provided a right controlled arm member and left controlled arm member. The arm members may be hydraulically controlled. By manipulating these two arms, the cloth and ancillary area surrounding proximal the manlift is adapted to assume one of many different configurations. By employing the arms and the above mentioned spray devices, and by the negative pressure of the suction duct the overspray is routed to the centrally supported suction duct which would be connected to a filtration system intermediate a vacuum source. In this fashion, the errant particles would be channeled into a filtered area and no physical enclosure is required. In this embodiment, the second arm may be adapted to conform to the contour of the object being sprayed.
Another embodiment of the current invention includes another unenclosed area for the capture of overspray and errant particles caused during the spraying of an object which includes a platform. This platform is also both vertically and horizontally movable. The platform is designed to hold the worker and is attached to a first elongated element, said first elongated element having a right side and a left side. Affixed to the first elongated element is a duct supporting surface.
The duct supporting surface has a front side, a back side, a right side and a left side. The duct supporting surface back side is affixed centrally and perpendicularly from the first elongated element. The duct supporting surface includes a suction duct affixed thereto, from which a suction tube would be attached. The device will include a second elongated element, the second elongated element having a right side and a left side, where the left side is pivotally connected to said duct supporting surface front right side. The device will further Include a third elongated element, the third elongated element also having a right side and a left side, where the right side is pivotally connected to said duct supporting surface front left side. Attached atop the elongated elements is a flexible horizontal element or flexible barrier. A first hydraulic arm is located on the right side between the first elongated element and the second elongated element and a second hydraulic arm is located on the left side between the first elongated element and the third elongated element. By actuation of the hydraulic elements, the second and third elongated members may conform to the contour of whatever object is being sprayed.
This permits a worker on the platform to spray a material which generates overspray on an object, where the overspray is drawn into said suction duct due to the action of the vacuum and any other errant particles are captured on said horizontal flexible surface.
It has been found that by employing certain spray gun technologies, that overspray and errant particles can be directed downward. Such devices include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,740 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,345, both issued to William C. Smith. By using the above spray guns with the non-enclosure device discussed above, one can literally direct the overspray into the vacuum duct giving us a very powerful and useful tool. It is to also be noted that the instant invention may be employed with any spray gun, and that by increasing the vacuum, one may control the overspray more completely.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an unenclosed area to capture overspray.
It is another object of the invention to provide an unenclosed area to capture overspray, which has advantages when certain sprayers are employed.
It is another object of the invention to provide an unenclosed area to capture overspray which includes an elongated member which will conform to the contour of the object being sprayed.
It is another object of the invention to provide an unenclosed area to capture overspray which may be utilized in the spraying of ships, aircraft, structures, bridges and the like.
It is still another object of the invention to provide an unenclosed area to capture overspray which keeps partides off of the worker, thus minimizing the possibilities for inhalation.
It is another object of the invention to provide an unenclosed area to capture overspray which may be used with existing manlift equipment.
With the above and other objects in view, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claimed subject matter, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
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Airless Overspray Control, The Diverter, Advertisement, no date.
JPCL, Aug. 1999, pp. 57, Indian Valley Industries Envirotarps.
Containment Covers, Armorlon, Advertisement.
Hamill Jr. Tom
Smith Duane S.
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