Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-13
2002-05-14
Bell, Bruce F. (Department: 1741)
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
C204S211000, C204S22400M, C204S230500, C204S267000, C204S269000, C204S278500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06387227
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a metal plate electrolyzation apparatus for electrolyzing, such as anodizing, a metal plate, and to an electrode for electrolyzing a metal plate.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 5
shows an example of a conventional metal plate electrolyzation apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication (JP-B) No. 62-3240.
FIG. 5
partially shows an anodic oxidation apparatus
110
for a belt-like aluminum plate.
In this anodic oxidation apparatus
110
, an electrode
116
placed in an electrolyte
114
in an electrolytic bath
112
is connected to a cathode
118
of a power supply via a bus bar
120
. Further, the electrode
116
is coupled to an electrode
122
which is positioned in parallel with the electrode
116
by an electrically conductive member
124
. When an aluminum plate
126
is continuously run between the electrodes
116
and
122
, anodic oxide coatings are formed on front and back surfaces of the aluminum plate
126
(so-called double side treatment).
Generally, in the metal plate electrolyzation apparatus of this type, the electrodes
116
and
122
need to be replaced after a treatment because they are worn and have deteriorated.
Since the electrodes
116
and
122
are formed integrally and are not separable in this anodic oxidation apparatus
110
, the entire unit must be replaced. However, since there are generally many unillustrated structures provided within the electrolytic bath
112
in addition to the aluminum plate
126
, the aluminum plate
126
and these other structures hinder replacement, and significant labor is required and costs are incurred in replacing the electrodes.
A metal plate electrolyzation apparatus of this type may be used to electrolyze only one surface of the aluminum plate
126
(so-called single side treatment). In this case, placement of an insulation sheet or an insulation plate between the unelectrolyzed surface of the aluminum plate
126
and the electrode is required, and this operation is troublesome. Further, placement or removal of the insulation member is required each time there is switching between a double side treatment and a single side treatment.
Furthermore, since the electrodes
116
and
122
are coupled by the conductive member
124
and an electric current flows to the electrode at the untreated side even in the case of a single side treatment, the flow of the electric current is more than required, resulting in low energy efficiency.
In addition, even when the above described insulation member is included, the electrode at the untreated side also essentially acts as an electrode, and an oxide coating is formed on the untreated surface of the aluminum plate
126
in the vicinity of width-direction ends thereof. As a result, the aluminum plate
126
after treatment has portions having locally increased plate thickness. When the aluminum plate
126
having these thicker portions is wound in a roll, the vicinity of the width-direction ends of the aluminum plate
126
protrude more than the other portions as the aluminum plate is being wound, forming so-called protruding edge portions. Deformation is caused at these portions, and the quality of the products may deteriorate.
Further, in a single side treatment, the degree of wear of the electrode at the untreated side is greater than that of the electrode at the untreated side. Although there is a difference between the degrees of wear of the electrodes, the entire unit including the electrode which is not worn must be replaced since the electrodes
116
and
122
are not separable. This causes waste as well as increase in production costs for electrodes.
In view of the above described facts, a task of the present invention is to obtain a metal plate electrolyzation apparatus which facilitates replacement of electrodes and allows it to be carried out at a low cost, and to obtain an electrode for electrolyzing a metal plate which is utilized in this metal plate electrolyzation apparatus. Other tasks of the present invention are to obtain a metal plate electrolyzation apparatus which facilitates switching between a single side treatment and a double side treatment, does not cause waste of electrodes nor deterioration of the quality of products in a single side treatment and has high energy efficiency, and to obtain an electrode for electrolyzing a metal plate which is utilized in this metal plate electrolyzation apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above described tasks, a first aspect of an electrode device relating to the present invention is a device for use in electrolyzing a metal sheet conveyed through an electrolyte along a path of travel having opposite sides, the device including: (a) a first electrode plate disposed substantially parallel to, and facing one side of the path of travel; (b) a second electrode plate disposed substantially parallel to, and facing the opposite side of the path of travel; and (c) a switching element positionable at a location electrically insulating the electrode plates from one another, and at another location for electrically connecting the electrode plates to one another.
Another aspect of an electrode device relating to the present invention is a device for use in electrolyzing a metal sheet conveyed through an electrolyte along a path of travel having opposite sides, the device including: (a) a first electrode plate disposed substantially parallel to, and facing one side of the path of travel; (b) a second electrode plate disposed substantially parallel to, and facing the opposite side of the path of travel; and (c) a fastener detachably connecting the electrodes to one another.
An aspect of an electrolyzation apparatus relating to the present invention is an apparatus for electrolyzation of a metal sheet using an electrolyte, the apparatus including: (a) a container for containing electrolyte; (b) a conveyor operable for transporting a metal sheet for electrolyzation through the container along a path of travel through electrolyte in the container, the path of travel having opposite sides; (c) a first electrode disposed substantially parallel to, and facing, one side of the path of travel; (d) a second electrode disposed substantially parallel to, and facing, the opposite side of the path of travel; (e) a switching element positionable at a location electrically insulating the electrode plates from one another, and at another location for electrically connecting the electrode plates to one another; and (f) a power source for electrically energizing the electrode plates.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4390407 (1983-06-01), Mori et al.
patent: 4502933 (1985-03-01), Mori et al.
patent: 5181997 (1993-01-01), Kaneko et al.
patent: 5851373 (1998-12-01), Kubota et al.
patent: 62-3240 (1987-01-01), None
Patent Abstracts of Japan 57057896 A Jan. 23, 1987.
Hamanaka Tatsuya
Nonaka Hiromitsu
Bell Bruce F.
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Sughrue & Mion, PLLC
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