Dispensing – Movably mounted supply container – Vibratory
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-24
2001-05-01
Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Movably mounted supply container
Vibratory
C222S199000, C222S330000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223953
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to powder conveying systems. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a powder feeding and metering apparatus for use in delivering powdered resin to a powdered resin spray nozzle. The invention finds particularly advantageous application in processes for applying powdered resin to fasteners.
A variety of vibratory powder feed systems have been known in the art for many years. Such feeding systems, dating back to the 1950s and 1960s, have included both rotationally vibrated bowls and linearly vibrated channels or troughs.
In the field of threaded fasteners, a need exists for feed systems useful for the application of powdered resins onto the fasteners. These resins, once applied, may serve any of several functions, including locking, sealing, lubrication or masking. Oftentimes the same feed apparatus will therefore be used with different resin powders, each having its own particle size distribution, specific gravity, coefficient of friction and perhaps other properties that affect its flow characteristics. Moreover, the same feed apparatus may be used with many different fastener sizes thereby requiring substantially different powder flow rates. Still further, the apparatus may be used with different spray assemblies, using one, two, three or even four spray nozzles.
As a result a need exists for a simple, efficient vibratory feed apparatus that offers great versatility while still accurately feeding and metering the powdered resin for spray application to threaded fasteners.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a vibratory powder feeding and metering apparatus that achieves the above-mentioned requirements. Generally, the apparatus of the present invention includes a housing defining a powder reservoir, a powder storage hopper having an outlet disposed to deliver powdered resin to the reservoir, a powder distribution block having one or more generally vertical fill tubes, a plurality of discharge ports extending from the reservoir to the fill tubes in the distribution block, and a vibration device to which the housing is mounted. Typically, the fill tubes are in communication with individual spray nozzles for transmission of the powdered resin. The housing also carries an adjustable barrier which serves as a dam to control or meter the flow of powdered resin into the discharge ports.
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Arslanouk Mahmoud
DiMaio Anthony
Deal David
Kaufman Joseph A.
Niro Scavone Haller & Niro
Nylok Fastener Corp.
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