Patents by Inventor Robert F. Heldt

Robert F. Heldt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9050614
    Abstract: A paint delivery and application apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a source of paint, a paint applicator, a supply line interconnecting the source of paint and the applicator and at least one pig in the supply line, wherein the paint pushes the pig from adjacent the source of paint to the paint applicator and a source of purging solvent delivering a small volume of purging solvent to the supply line when the pig is adjacent the source of paint adjacent to and upstream of the pig acting as a lubricant, reducing chattering and skipping of the pig and extending the life of the pig. Where the apparatus includes two pigs, purging solvent is delivered between the pigs adjacent the applicator, the pigs are delivered to adjacent the source of paint and a small volume of solvent is then delivered from between the pigs upstream of the pigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Heldt, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Robert E. Brady
  • Publication number: 20140326800
    Abstract: A paint delivery and application apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a source of paint, a paint applicator, a supply line interconnecting the source of paint and the applicator and at least one pig in the supply line, wherein the paint pushes the pig from adjacent the source of paint to the paint applicator and a source of purging solvent delivering a small volume of purging solvent to the supply line when the pig is adjacent the source of paint adjacent to and upstream of the pig acting as a lubricant, reducing chattering and skipping of the pig and extending the life of the pig. Where the apparatus includes two pigs, purging solvent is delivered between the pigs adjacent the applicator, the pigs are delivered to adjacent the source of paint and a small volume of solvent is then delivered from between the pigs upstream of the pigs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Robert F. Heldt, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Robert E. Brady
  • Patent number: 8783302
    Abstract: A paint delivery and application apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a source of paint, a paint applicator, a supply line interconnecting the source of paint and the applicator and at least one pig in the supply line, wherein the paint pushes the pig from adjacent the source of paint to the paint applicator and a source of purging solvent delivering a small volume of purging solvent to the supply line when the pig is adjacent the source of paint adjacent to and upstream of the pig acting as a lubricant, reducing chattering and skipping of the pig and extending the life of the pig. Where the apparatus includes two pigs, purging solvent is delivered between the pigs adjacent the applicator, the pigs are delivered to adjacent the source of paint and a small volume of solvent is then delivered from between the pigs upstream of the pigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Dürr Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Heldt, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Robert E. Brady
  • Publication number: 20120160931
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer applies particulate paints with good color matching by reducing paint droplet size deviation and then optimizing the other paint spraying parameters. Paint droplet size parameters are reduced by using a bell cup having reduced flow deviations, including an overflow surface having a generally constant angle between a deflector and an atomizing edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Kurt Vetter, Rolf Schneider, Andreas Fischer, Robert F. Heldt
  • Patent number: 8141797
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer applies particulate paints with good color matching by reducing paint droplet size deviation and then optimizing the other paint spraying parameters. Paint droplet size parameters are reduced by using a bell cup having reduced flow deviations, including an overflow surface having a generally constant angle between a deflector and an atomizing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Durr Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Vetter, Rolf Schneider, Andreas Fischer, Robert F. Heldt
  • Publication number: 20120037716
    Abstract: A paint delivery and application apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a source of paint, a paint applicator, a supply line interconnecting the source of paint and the applicator and at least one pig in the supply line, wherein the paint pushes the pig from adjacent the source of paint to the paint applicator and a source of purging solvent delivering a small volume of purging solvent to the supply line when the pig is adjacent the source of paint adjacent to and upstream of the pig acting as a lubricant, reducing chattering and skipping of the pig and extending the life of the pig. Where the apparatus includes two pigs, purging solvent is delivered between the pigs adjacent the applicator, the pigs are delivered to adjacent the source of paint and a small volume of solvent is then delivered from between the pigs upstream of the pigs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: DURR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert F. Heldt, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Robert E. Brady
  • Patent number: 8020784
    Abstract: A coating material supply device is disclosed, such as for a paint facility. An exemplary coating material supply device may include a coating material reservoir and a coating material meter. During application of coating material, the coating material reservoir may be at ground potential and may be located upstream from the coating material meter, which may be at a high-voltage potential. The reservoir may be connected via an insulating path to the coating material meter. The coating material meter may be at ground potential when the coating material reservoir supplies coating material to the coating material meter. Before the coating material meter is returned to a high-voltage potential for continued application of coating material, the insulating path may be emptied to insulate the coating material meter from the coating material reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Durr Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Baumann, Frank Herre, Herbert Martin, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Bernhard Seiz, Richard Ostin, Robert F. Heldt
  • Patent number: 7793858
    Abstract: A paint delivery and application apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a source of paint, a paint applicator, a supply line interconnecting the source of paint and the applicator and at least one pig in the supply line, wherein the paint pushes the pig from adjacent the source of paint to the paint applicator and a source of purging solvent delivering a small volume of purging solvent to the supply line when the pig is adjacent the source of paint adjacent to and upstream of the pig acting as a lubricant, reducing chattering and skipping of the pig and extending the life of the pig. Where the apparatus includes two pigs, purging solvent is delivered between the pigs adjacent the applicator, the pigs are delivered to adjacent the source of paint and a small volume of solvent is then delivered from between the pigs upstream of the pigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Heldt, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Robert E. Brady
  • Patent number: 7584771
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus includes a supply line (22) between a source of liquid paint (64) and an applicator (62) having at least two pigs (20A and 20B) and a source of liquid solvent (60) which delivers solvent (60) between the two pigs (20A and 20B) and the pigs (20A and 20B) are driven by paint (80) from adjacent the paint source (64) to the applicator (62). The apparatus further includes a second source of liquid solvent (60) which delivers solvent (60) between the pigs (20A and 20B) adjacent the applicator (62) and the pigs (20A and 20B) are returned through the supply line (22), thereby flushing the supply line (22). In the disclosed embodiment, the source of liquid paint (64) is a piston dosing device (70) which receives paint (80) from a color changer or the like and delivers a predetermined volume of paint (80) to the applicator (62). The delivery line (22) preferably includes a friction resistant inner layer, an intermediate dielectric layer and a protective outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Herbert Martin, Michael Baumann, Richard M. Ostin, Robert F. Heldt, Manfred Michelfelder, Joachim Hering
  • Patent number: 7549449
    Abstract: A paint delivery and application system including a color changer, at least two paint canisters and a paint applicator, a first pair of supply lines connected between the color changer and the paint canisters and a second pair of supply lines connecting the paint canisters and the paint applicator, wherein the paint canisters operate in tandem permitting delivery of a first paint to one of the paint canisters while a second paint canister is electrically isolated from the color changer and is delivering paint to the applicator. In one disclosed embodiment, the delivery line from the paint canisters to the applicator includes two pigs and solvent is delivered between the pigs, such that this system is self purging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Herbert Martin, Michael Baumann, Manfred Michelfelder, Richard M. Ostin, Robert F. Heldt, Joachim Hering, Hans Jurgen Nolte
  • Patent number: 7017835
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer applies particulate paints with good color matching by reducing paint droplet size deviation and then optimizing the other paint spraying parameters. Paint droplet size parameters are reduced by using a bell cup having reduced flow deviations, including an overflow surface having a generally constant angle between a deflector and an atomizing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Vetter, Rolf Schneider, Andreas Fischer, Robert F. Heldt
  • Patent number: 6708908
    Abstract: An ionizing device generates ionizing lines to shape solvent borne coating material being dispersed from an electrostatic rotary atomizer. A band having a clamping element affixes the device to the electrostatic rotary atomizer. A halo is affixed to the band by at least one support arm. The halo includes a plurality of generally conical members spaced therearound, each generating ionic lines to shape the atomized coating material being dispersed from the rotary atomizer. A shroud is positioned around each of the generally conical members to shape the ionizing lines being generated to form an ionic field to improve the transfer efficiency of the electrostatic rotary atomizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Behr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Heldt, Thomas Loch, Jacob J. Braslaw, Michael P. Gibbons, Charles K. Altermatt
  • Publication number: 20040000604
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer applies particulate paints with good color matching by reducing paint droplet size deviation and then optimizing the other paint spraying parameters. Paint droplet size parameters are reduced by using a bell cup having reduced flow deviations, including an overflow surface having a generally constant angle between a deflector and an atomizing edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Kurt Vetter, Rolf Schneider, Andreas Fischer, Robert F. Heldt
  • Patent number: 6623561
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer applies particulate paints with good color matching by reducing paint droplet size deviation and then optimizing the other paint spraying parameters. Paint droplet size parameters are reduced by using a bell cup having reduced flow deviations, including an overflow surface having a generally constant angle between a deflector and an atomizing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Behr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Vetter, Rolf Schneider, Andreas Fischer, Robert F. Heldt
  • Publication number: 20030001031
    Abstract: An ionizing device generates ionizing lines to shape solvent borne coating material being dispersed from an electrostatic rotary atomizer. A band having a clamping element affixes the device to the electrostatic rotary atomizer. A halo is affixed to the band by at least one support arm. The halo includes a plurality of generally conical members spaced therearound, each generating ionic lines to shape the atomized coating material being dispersed from the rotary atomizer. A shroud is positioned around each of the generally conical members to shape the ionizing lines being generated to form an ionic field to improve the transfer efficiency of the electrostatic rotary atomizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Robert F. Heldt, Thomas Loch, Jacob J. Braslaw, Michael P. Gibbons, Charles K. Altermatt
  • Patent number: 6360962
    Abstract: A rotary bell cup for atomizing particulate material such as paint includes a generally conical overflow surface having a generally constant flow angle defining a radially inward central axial opening and a radially outward atomizing edge with a bevel. A central flat portion is disposed between the conical overflow surface and the radially inward central axial opening. A deflector having a deflection surface of generally rotational symmetry is disposed in front of the central opening having a rear flat surface generally parallel to the central portion and a rear conical surface generally parallel to the conical overflow surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Behr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Vetter, Rolf Schneider, Andreas Fischer, Robert F. Heldt
  • Publication number: 20010015384
    Abstract: A rotary bell cup for atomizing particulate material such as paint includes a generally conical overflow surface having a generally constant flow angle defining a radially inward central axial opening and a radially outward atomizing edge with a bevel. A central flat portion is disposed between the conical overflow surface and the radially inward central axial opening. A deflector having a deflection surface of generally rotational symmetry is disposed in front of the central opening having a rear flat surface generally parallel to the central portion and a rear conical surface generally parallel to the conical overflow surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Kurt Vetter, Rolf Schneider, Andreas Fischer, Robert F. Heldt
  • Publication number: 20010001946
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer applies particulate paints with good color matching by reducing paint droplet size deviation and then optimizing the other paint spraying parameters. Paint droplet size parameters are reduced by using a bell cup having reduced flow deviations, including an overflow surface having a generally constant angle between a deflector and an atomizing edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventors: Kurt Vetter, Rolf Schneider, Andreas Fischer, Robert F. Heldt
  • Patent number: 6189804
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer applies particulate paints with good color matching by reducing paint droplet size deviation and then optimizing the other paint spraying parameters. Paint droplet size parameters are reduced by using a bell cup having reduced flow deviations, including an overflow surface having a generally constant angle between a deflector and an atomizing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Behr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Vetter, Rolf Schneider, Andreas Fischer, Robert F. Heldt