Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Processes – Including mixing or combining with air – gas or steam
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-31
2001-11-13
Scherbel, David A. (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Processes
Including mixing or combining with air, gas or steam
C239S304000, C239S311000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315214
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention concerns a powder paint system that includes an arrangement permitting quick color change and that minimizes paint lost when making the color change.
Colored powder paint must be completely purged from a paint line and spray gun, particularly when changing from a dark color to a light color, so that residue paint from the previous color does not discolor the next color. A problem is that this leads to slow cycle times, wasted labor, and process inefficiencies. Also, existing purge methods lead to considerable waste in the form of purged material that must be landfilled, which could be very expensive, particularly if the landfilled materials are potential pollutants to the environment.
Some manufacturers have chosen to use a different paint line and spray gun for each color. However, this requires a large capital expenditure for equipment. Further, the equipment takes up space and each station requires constant maintenance and upkeep, whether or not it is used.
Another problem is that the particles of the powder paint will degrade if kept in a fluidized state ready for use over long periods of time. Powder paints must be fluidized (i.e., suspended in air or a gaseous carrier), so that a uniform and steady flow of particles of powder paint can be picked up and carried to a part upon demand. Degradation occurs because collisions between particles affect the particle surfaces and also cause the particles to become smaller in size. Where a high voltage charge is used to assist in depositing the powder paint onto a part, the degraded powder materials have a reduced ability to pick up or hold a high voltage charge.
Therefore, an apparatus and method solving the aforementioned problems and having the aforementioned advantages is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a method of applying powder paint includes steps of supplying a plurality of supply tanks adapted to supply fluidized powder paint to a painting area including at least a first tank and a second tank, fluidizing the powder paint at a dispensing fluidized condition in the first tank while dispensing powder paint from the first tank, and maintaining fluidization of powder paint in the second tank at a standby fluidized condition which is lower than a dispensing fluidizing condition in the first tank while the powder paint is being dispensed from the first tank.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method comprises steps of providing a supply tank, providing a control device operably connected to the supply tank, fluidizing the powder paint in the tank at a low standby fluidized condition when the supply tank is not in use, and fluidizing the powder paint in the tank at a higher operating fluidized condition when the supply tank is selected for use.
These and other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill upon reading the following description and claims together with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Fingleton Patrick J.
Jager Eugene C.
Meyer Robert W.
Hwu Davis
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
Scherbel David A.
Steelcase Development Corporation
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