US3828729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrostatic fluidized bed
Assignee: ELECTROSTATIC EQUIP CORP
•
Filing: 1972-05-18
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1992-05-18
Abstract
Abstract Objects are coated in electrostatic fluidized or fluidic bed apparatus which includes a mechanical barrier effectively interposed between the cloud of charged particles and the travel path for objects conveyed therethrough. The barrier means includes an upstanding baffle having an edge portion configured to expose different vertical portions of the object as it is conveyed thereby. Generally, at the beginning of the travel path the lower portions of the objects will be masked by the baffle so as to promote deposition of the particles upon the upper surfaces initially. As it proceeds along the travel path, progressive exposure of the lower portions of the object will permit the complete and uniform coating thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 W Goodridge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:30
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05C; B05C19/00; B05C19/02; B05C19/025; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S118/00; Y10S118/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
In apparatus for electrostatically coating an object, the combination comprising: a. fluidized bed means including at least a first electrode for producing a cloud of electrostatically charged particles; b. means for conveying at least the portion of an object to be coated along a travel path, which travel path is laterally adjacent said fluidized bed means; and c. mechanical barrier means effectively interposed between said fluidized bed means and said travel path, and including at least a first upstanding baffle spaced laterally to one side of said travel path and extending along at least a portion thereof, said baffle having an elongated edge portion above said electrode of said fluidized bed across which particles may readily pass from said bed to said travel path, said conveyor means and baffle being so disposed relative to one another that said travel path traverses the imaginary, laterally-extending projection surface of said edge portion at a non-perpendicular angle thereto, so that particles from said bed may be charged effectively opposite to the object to effect electrostatic attraction therebetween and deposition thereon, so as to develop a coating along an axis that is angularly displaced from the axis of said travel path as progressively lower vertical portions of the object horizontally register with said edge portion and thereby become exposed behind said baffle during passage of the object thereby.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
In apparatus for electrostatically coating an object, the combination comprising: a. fluidized bed means including at least a first electrode for producing a cloud of electrostatically charged particles; b. means for conveying at least the portion of an object to be coated along a travel path, which travel path is laterally adjacent said fluidized bed means; and c. mechanical barrier means effectively interposed between said fluidized bed means and said travel path, and including at least a first upstanding baffle spaced laterally to one side of said travel path and extending along at least a portion thereof, said baffle having an elongated edge portion above said electrode of said fluidized bed across which particles may readily pass from said bed to said travel path, said conveyor means and baffle being so disposed relative to one another that said travel path traverses the imaginary, laterally-extending projection surface of said edge portion at a non-perpendicular angle thereto, so that particles from said bed may be charged effectively opposite to the object to effect electrostatic attraction therebetween and deposition thereon, so as to develop a coating along an axis that is angularly displaced from the axis of said travel path as progressively lower vertical portions of the object horizontally register with said edge portion and thereby become exposed behind said baffle during passage of the object thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said edge portion of said baffle is substantially rectilinear, and wherein said projection surface constitutes the laterally-extending plane thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said edge portion slopes downwardly in the forward direction of said travel path aNd wherein said travel path is substantially horizontal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said edge portion is substantially horizontal and wherein said travel path is disposed at an angle thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said edge portion has a complex configuration consisting of a plurality of rectilinear elements that are angularly disposed with respect to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said baffle has a free upper edge providing said edge portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said baffle has an elongated slot therein extending generally in the direction of said travel path and providing said edge portion thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said barrier means includes a second upstanding baffle configured similarly to said first baffle and spaced laterally therefrom to the opposite side of said travel path, said first and second baffles being generally transversely aligned with said travel path therebetween to permit simultaneous coating of two sides of the object conveyed therealong.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said travel path and baffles are substantially rectilinear and extend generally parallel to one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conveying means has means for mounting a multiplicity of elongated objects thereon for sequential passage along said travel path with the axes thereof vertically disposed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said mounting means of said conveying means is adapted to rotate each of the objects about a vertical axis during passage along said travel path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 10 additionally including means in electrical connection with said conveying means for maintaining it at ground potential, said mounting means being electrically conductive to permit grounding of the objects mounted thereby.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first electrode is substantially planar and is disposed generally horizontally in said fluidized bed means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluidized bed means includes at least a second electrode which is electrically independent of said first electrode to permit first and second zones of different voltage to be established therein, said first electrode extending along said travel path portion to provide said first zone and said second electrode extending along a second portion of said path outwardly of said first portion to provide said second zone thereat, said apparatus being substantially free from obstructions between said second electrode and said second portion of said travel path to facilitate the deposition of charged particles from said second zone upon a bottom portion of the object during passage thereover.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a system for electrostatically coating a multiplicity of objects transported sequentially along a predetermined path, an electrostatic fluidized bed unit comprising a substantially closed container having a passageway for transport therethrough of objects depending thereinto, and at least a first plenum chamber extending along one side of said passageway, said plenum changer having an inlet for pressurized air and an upwardly directed opening, said unit also including a porous plate and an electrode spanning said opening, and a baffle interposed between said plenum chamber and said passageway, said baffle having an elongated upper edge portion spaced above said electrode and being so disposed that said passageway traverses the imaginary, laterally-extending projection surface of said edge portion at a non-perpendicular angle thereto, so that a cloud of charged particles of a coating material may be generated above said porous plate and electrode of said plenum chamber, and said particles may readily be electrostatically attracted and deposited upon progressively lower vertical portions of objects charged effectively opposite thereto, as such portions horizontally register with said edge portion and are thereby exposed behind said baffle during passage along sAid passageway.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a system for electrostatically coating a multiplicity of objects transported sequentially along a predetermined path, an electrostatic fluidized bed unit comprising a substantially closed container having a passageway for transport therethrough of objects depending thereinto, and at least a first plenum chamber extending along one side of said passageway, said plenum changer having an inlet for pressurized air and an upwardly directed opening, said unit also including a porous plate and an electrode spanning said opening, and a baffle interposed between said plenum chamber and said passageway, said baffle having an elongated upper edge portion spaced above said electrode and being so disposed that said passageway traverses the imaginary, laterally-extending projection surface of said edge portion at a non-perpendicular angle thereto, so that a cloud of charged particles of a coating material may be generated above said porous plate and electrode of said plenum chamber, and said particles may readily be electrostatically attracted and deposited upon progressively lower vertical portions of objects charged effectively opposite thereto, as such portions horizontally register with said edge portion and are thereby exposed behind said baffle during passage along sAid passageway.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
107 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said container of said electrostatic fluidic unit has a second plenum chamber substantially identical to said first-mentioned plenum chamber and extending along the opposite side of said passageway therefrom, said unit additionally including a second porous plate and electrode spanning the opening of said second chamber, and also having a second barrier of substantially identical configuration to said first-mentioned barrier interposed between said second plenum chamber and said passageway, said unit thereby being adapted to simultaneously coat opposite sides of the objects passed along said passageway with charged particles from clouds generated over both of said first and second plenum chambers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said container has a pair of upstanding parallel interior walls defining in part said first and second plenum chambers and said passageway therebetween, said first and second baffles being mounted for vertical adjustment upon said interior walls.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
92 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said container of said electrostatic fluidic bed unit has a third plenum chamber downstream along said travel path from said first and second plenum chambers, said third chamber also having an upwardly directed opening with a third porous plate and a third electrode spanning thereacross, and said unit being substantially free from obstructions between said third electrode and said passageway, thereby facilitating the deposition of charged particles from a cloud generated over said third plenum chamber upon bottom portions of objects during passage through said passageway.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said third electrode is electrically independent from said first and second electrodes, and is adapted for charging to a voltage lower than the voltages thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
192 words
In apparatus for electrostatically coating an object, the combination comprising: a. means for producing a cloud of electrostatically charged particles; b. means for conveying at least the portion of an object to be coated along a travel path, which travel path is laterally adjacent said cloud-producing means; and c. mechanical barrier means including at least a first generally upstanding baffle effectively interposed laterally between said cloud-producing means and said travel path; said baffle having an elongated edge portion across which particles may readily pass from said cloud-producing means to said travel path, said conveyor means and baffle being so disposed relative to one another that said travel path traverses the imaginary, laterally-extending projection surface of said edge portion at a non-perpendicular angle thereto, so that particles of the cloud may be charged effectively opposite to the object to effect electrostatic attraction therebetween and deposition thereon, so as to develop a coating along an axis that is angularly displaced from the axis of said travel path as progressively lower vertical portions of the object horizontally register with said edge portion and thereby become exposed behind said baffle during passage of the object thereby.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
192 words
In apparatus for electrostatically coating an object, the combination comprising: a. means for producing a cloud of electrostatically charged particles; b. means for conveying at least the portion of an object to be coated along a travel path, which travel path is laterally adjacent said cloud-producing means; and c. mechanical barrier means including at least a first generally upstanding baffle effectively interposed laterally between said cloud-producing means and said travel path; said baffle having an elongated edge portion across which particles may readily pass from said cloud-producing means to said travel path, said conveyor means and baffle being so disposed relative to one another that said travel path traverses the imaginary, laterally-extending projection surface of said edge portion at a non-perpendicular angle thereto, so that particles of the cloud may be charged effectively opposite to the object to effect electrostatic attraction therebetween and deposition thereon, so as to develop a coating along an axis that is angularly displaced from the axis of said travel path as progressively lower vertical portions of the object horizontally register with said edge portion and thereby become exposed behind said baffle during passage of the object thereby.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said edge portion of said baffle is substantially rectilinear, and wherein said projection surface constitutes the laterally-extending plane thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said conveying means has means for mounting a multiplicity of elongated objects thereon for sequential passage along said travel path with the axes thereof vertically disposed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said cloud-producing means is a fluidized bed unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |