Abstract: A painting machine unit including a painting booth having a side wall with a substantially vertical wall portion insertable in an opening in the booth side wall and having a viewing window therethrough. The unit also includes a painting machine attached to an inner side of the wall portion and has a device for automatic painting of objects within the booth, and a control unit for controlling the device for automatic painting of objects within the booth. The control unit attaches to an outer side of the wall portion and is surrounded by a control chamber housing for accommodating painting booth operator.

Abstract: A spray booth (1) for use when spraying artwork is of pyramidal shape, and foldable for storage. An aerosol spray may be applied to the artwork via an aperture (6) at the apex of the pyramid which can then be closed by a flap (7) while the aerosol settles.

Abstract: Sheet material is fed from a sheet supply station to a sheet receiving station and is guided by guiding means which define the floor as well as the side walls of a spray chamber. The sheet material can be replaced when soiled by advancing a new length from the supply station to the receiving station.

Abstract: A moveable enclosure for use in applying a sprayed material on the surface over which the enclosure is moved includes a frame assembly defining a plurality of side walls with rollers for movably supporting the frame. A mesh skirt is supported by the frame adjacent the plurality of side walls and is positioned with its lower edge adjacent the surface. A mesh top canopy is positioned on the top of the frame with its lower edge overlying the upper portion of the skirt to complete the enclosure.

Abstract: A spray booth for coating photographs with lacquer has a hooded work area exhausted through a filter to capture overspray and solvents. A perforated work holding platen is provided together with a pre-heating and drying air supply to minimize blushing of the lacquer coat. The spray gun is a low pressure heated system that is track-mounted for uniform coating by unskilled operators.

Abstract: A booth for applying a powdered coating to the surfaces of workpieces in which a clean gas zone is joined to the coating zone via the rear wall, which is connected to an extractor fan. Located in a recess of the rear wall is a frame-like structure, the outer frame of which is split up into individual areas by means of frame cross-members each area receiving a filter element, which is housed in an interchangeable cassette, and consisting of a continuous zig-zag shaped or wave-shaped surface-membrane filter strip. Each area of the frame is covered in a leak-proof manner by a protective hood in hood space in an oblique manner towards the coating zone and detach the excess powder attached to the membrane applied thereon, which is diverted through a slat-type screen down to the floor of the booth and into a powder container. Thorough cleaning can be effected by a second cleaning device arranged in the coating zone or after removal of an interchangeable cassette from the booth.

Abstract: A cover for forming a space for coating is provided above an electroconductive belt conveyor for adjusting an electric field at an end portion of a flat plate-like object to be coated, electrostatic powder coating guns pointed at the object to be coated on the belt conveyor in the space for coating are provided, and means for introducing air into the space for coating and means for exhausting the air are respectively provided. As a result, the strength of the electric field formed from the electrostatic powder coating guns to the electroconductive belt conveyor and the object to be coated is made uniform through their entire surface so that the thickness of a powder layer to be adhered to the object to be coated is made uniform from its central portion to an end portion. Consequently, the waste of the powder coating material is prevented, and local cracks in a portion having a great thickness generated when the coated object is bent are prevented.

Abstract: A robot positioner for a device which is positioned within a compartment having an open top and including first and second supports mounted above the compartment to move the device along "X" and "Y" coordinates. A flexible cover means associated and movable with each of the first and second supports is provided to in effect provide a movable ceiling for constantly covering the open top of the compartment regardless of the position of the device in the compartment as controlled by the supports.

Abstract: A transportable treatment apparatus includes a multi-compartment unitary tank mounted within a support structure along with an oven extending over the tank area as well as tank circulation means upon a side support wherein the support is attachable at opposite ends to a respective wheeled carrier device and a track coupling trailer device so that the assembled unit may be transported down a roadway.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering a grannular material which is dispensed onto articles to be coated by the grannular material in an enclosure but not all of which grannular material adheres to the articles. The apparatus includes a belt of a material which is essentially impermeable to the grannular material, and a pair of rolls about which the belt is trained. The rolls extend generally horizontally and generally parallel to each other. The belt has a vertically upper, generally horizontal run and a vertically lower, generally horizontal run. The vertically upper run of the belt is exposed to the interior of the enclosure. The non-adherent material is deposited onto the upper run. A hopper for recovering the non-adherent material deposited on the upper run is provided adjacent and vertically below the rolls. A prime mover is coupled to the rolls to cause non-adherent grannular material to be conveyed to the hopper.

Abstract: An electrostatic dry powder coating spraying system has a multi-color powder coating recovery system comprising a plurality of vertically extending cyclonic filter barrels laterally spaced about a central vertical axis and having vertically aligned upper ends. A single filter cleaning apparatus, including a filter backflushing system, is adapted to rest upon and operatively engage any selected one of such upper barrel ends, and is operative to backflush the filter within the barrel upon which it rests. Oversprayed powder from the spraying system is reclaimed by drawing it through the "active" filter barrel to which the filter cleaning apparatus is connected.

Abstract: A spray booth for collecting excess electrostatically sprayed powder. A powder coating chamber is formed by a plurality of interconnected walls spaced apart and mounted to a plurality of outer interconnected walls. A pressurized gas chamber positioned between the inner and outer walls is connected to a source of pressurized gas. The inner walls include a plurality of louvers allowing the pressurized gas within the gas chamber to escape into the powder coating chamber and flow parallel adjacent the inner walls preventing contact between the inner walls and excess electrostatically sprayed powder. The vertically extending inner side walls include louvers which extend into the pressurized gas chamber and upwardly towards the top inner wall causing the pressurized gas escaping through the inner side walls to flow downwardly toward the bottom wall.

Abstract: A moveable enclosure for use in applying a sprayed material on the surface over which the enclosure is moved includes a frame assembly defining a plurality of side walls with roller means for movably supporting the frame. A mesh skirt is supported by the frame adjacent the plurality of side walls and is positioned with its lower edge adjacent the surface. A mesh top canopy is positioned on the top of the frame with its lower edge overlying the upper portion of the skirt to complete the enclosure.

Abstract: A device for preventing resinous condensate dropping for use in a paint drying oven. The device includes a trough extending along an upper edge of a wall opening for passage of articles under drying treatment, to receive condensates of residual tar and guide them to laterally outwardly of the articles. The trough has a slate or other water-retentive member applied to an undersurface thereof to prevent formation of condensates on the undersurface. A glass wool member is interposed between the trough and slate to act as heat insulator.

Abstract: A booth for applying a powdered coating to the surface of workpieces in which a clean gas zone (47) is joined to the coating zone (18) via the rear wall (14), which is connected to an extractor fan. Located in a recess (21) of the rear wall (14) is a frame-like structure (22), the outer frame (17) of which is split up into individual areas (24) by means of frame cross-members (23), each area receiving a filter element (25), which is housed in an interchangeable cassette, and consisting of a continuous zig-zig shaped or wave-shaped surface-membrane filter strip. Each area of the frame is covered in a leakproof manner by a protective hood (69) in whose hood space (25) in an oblique manner towards the coating zone (18) and detach the excess powder attached to the membrane applied thereon, which is diverted through a slat-type screen (55) down to the floor of the booth (67) and into a powder container (80).

Abstract: A portable disposable spray hood for receiving an article to be spray coated and capturing overspray from an aerosol container type spray device used to spray coat the article is formed from a plurality of connected panels foldable relative to each other between a set-up position wherein the panels cooperate to define the hood and a collapsed position wherein the panels cooperate to form a shallow box containing a supply of disposable paper liners used to line the base portion of the hood in its set-up condition.

Abstract: Apparatus for displacing air through a cabinet for spraying paint. In the preferred embodiment, first and second fans are mounted in a case, and first and second valves are pivotally mounted within the case. In a first position of the valves, the first fan draws fresh air from outside the case and discharges it into the cabinet while the second fan draws air from the cabinet and discharges it from the case to the outside via an exhaust. The valves may be moved to a second position to cause the simultaneous closing of the discharge of the first fan, interruption of a portion of the second fan discharge that is directed to the exhaust, and opening of the discharge of the second fan into the interior of the cabinet, thereby providing for recirculation of cabinet air.

Abstract: To prevent a formation of aerodynamic dead zones in a coating arrangement for powder coating, such as, for example, weld seams, a surface of a supporting member is provided with a constantly increasing radius of curvature between an outlet orifice for a spray jet and an exhaust orifice, starting with the former. A feed conduit is fashioned so that a laminar flow of the coating medium does not experience a change in an arithmetic sign of its path of curvature in the orifice zone and along a subsequent surface. For a constant acceleration of the spray jet, a constant reduction of the flow cross section is provided for the spraying medium between the outlet and the exhaust conduit.

Abstract: A powder spray booth including a tunnel through which product is conveyed to spray guns mounted adjacent the tunnel to spray charged particles into the tunnel and a fan and final filters located below the tunnel. A powder collector consisting of cartridges and a hopper below the cartridges is removably positionable at the downstream end of the tunnel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing sprayed material from the air exhausted from a spray booth comprising an enclosure in which the material is sprayed. Air supply means are arranged to supply air to the enclosure, and outlet fans are provided for extracting air laden with the sprayed material from the enclosure. Two physically separate air outlet paths are provided for the extracted air and respective washing means for removing the sprayed material from the laden air are associated with each said path. The washing means are arranged to bring the material laden air into intimate contact with a cleaning liquid. Means are provided for controlling the volume of air flowing through each outlet path such that the volume flowing along each outlet path can be varied in dependence upon the volume of air exhausted from the spray booth. This enables the efficiency of the respective washing means to be maintained.

Abstract: A powder coating installation comprising a cabin having walls made of a non-conductive plastic material. The lower part of the cabin has a V-shaped section and terminates in a collecting channel which is connected to a suction device. The installation further comprises a cleaning device with a hollow frame, the form of which compliments the contours of the internal form of the cabin and which comprises gas outlet holes along its periphery. The frame is connected to a source of pressurized fluid, e.g., air. The cleaning device further comprises cleaning means such as sponges, cloths and the like, which may be provided on the same frame or on a separate frame. Use of a non-stick, non-conductive cabin and of the cleaning device enables the installation to be easily and quickly color converted and eliminates much of the previously wasted colored powder.

Abstract: An industrial exhaust ventilation system enabling access to exhaust generating processes while containing and controlling the resultant exhausted gases is provided. A cover assembly is attached to the structure generating the exhaust gases and is provided with a reciprocating cover having an open and closed position. The exhaust generating process is accessible only when the cover is open. A conventional exhaust system is also provided to maintain the low level of air circulation necessary to convey the generated exhaust to a treatment facility. The ventilation system is optionally provided with a workload enclosure that travels to selected process structures and forms a fume containment region by interengaging with the cover assembly located thereon.

Abstract: A spray coating equipment or chamber system consists of a single paint spray chamber at the axial central part of the equipment, a plurality of intermediate air curtain compartments at the axial outer sides and a pair of outermost air curtain compartments, one at each axial end of the spray coating chamber. Discharge ducts in each air-curtain compartment are disposed toward each other and normal to the axis line of the painting equipment and each duct is positioned being spaced apart from both side walls and rear wall defining the compartment at a distance 0.7 times the radius of the duct thereby the flow of air not only in the compartment but also in the entire painting equipment is rendered smooth with minimum turbulent flow and thus the equipment can be rendered free from contamination of the air in vicinity and prevent the compartment from deposition of paint particles.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray coating apparatus. Piping for supplying paint, operating air, etc. is divided in the middle of its course between a pressurized air source and downstream portions such as an air motor and a color-change valve, and is connected by a joint at these divided points. The apparatus can thereby be put to functional testing before it is installed on its work spot.

Abstract: A walkway for a liquid heat transfer cabinet for food products to preclude contamination of the liquid heat transfer medium so that an operator can manually load and unload the cabinet with product to be subjected to a heat transfer operation. The walkway includes a fixed channel-shaped member mounted above the floor so that the liquid level cannot enter the fixed member and a swingable channel-shaped member functioning as a cover to the fixed member and also disposable in open position to define a walkway area like the fixed member and above the liquid level. In closed position the cover member prevents liquid from entering the area of the fixed channel-shaped member.

Abstract: A paint spray booth for painting articles, such as motor vehicles, having a housing with a bottom, a substantially horizontal floor spaced upwardly from the bottom and in which the floor divides the housing between an upper housing chamber and a lower housing chamber. The floor is flooded with water while a plurality of air scrubber units extend through the floor and fluidly connect the housing chambers together. Simultaneously, air is inducted from the upper chamber, through the air scrubber units and into the lower chamber so that the air scrubber units intermix the water and air together and so that paint particles entrained within the air become entrapped within the water. Each air scrubber utilizes a venturi to intermix the air and water together.

Abstract: A spraying booth comprising a spraying area defined by a ceiling and side walls. The ceiling includes top feed openings connected with a feed duct extending from a conditioner for controlling a fresh air temperature. The side walls include side feed openings connected with a blast duct for supplying air from which paint mist has been removed at mist removing devices. Fresh air supplied through the top feed openings and the mistless air supplied through the side feed openings combine to produce an advantageous atmospheric condition for a paint spraying operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a uniform, extremely thin film on the surface of plastics molded articles, films, sheets, synthetic paper, fibers, metal, and other objects, the film containing an anti-static agent, anti-fogging agent, anti-corrosive agent, mildewproofing agent, and the like. According to the method of the present invention, a homogenous solution or emulsion is prepared by dissolving a surfactant and agents in a solvent such as water with the aid of ultrasonic waves, and the solution is made into aerosol of fine particles by means of cavitation. The aerosol is brought into contact with an object, whereby the fine particles of aerosol are deposited on the object and a thin film of the solution is formed on the surface of the object due to the difference in surface tension between the surfactant and the object. After evaporation of the solvent, the agents are left on the surface of the object in the form of an extremely thin film.

Abstract: A thin-film forming device has a support frame for supporting a substrate to be coated with a thin film, a reaction chamber having a space surrounded by the substrate supported on the support frame, side walls mounted under both sides of the substrate and a bottom wall mounted under the side walls, an atomizer for delivering an atomized solution of a material to be coated on the surface of the substrate, a heater disposed behind the substrate for heating the substrate to a temperature higher than a reaction temperature of the material, and a nozzle connected to the atomizer and disposed in the reaction chamber in facing relation to the substrate for spraying the atomized solution toward the surface of the substrate, and cooling means for cooling at least an inside portion of the bottom wall in facing relation to the substrate to a temperature below the reaction temperature of the material.

Abstract: A self-contained work center for automatic spray finishing of parts, having an elevated platform with a turntable mounted thereon which is rotatable about a vertical axis, a robot manipulator fixedly mounted relative to the vertical axis, wherein the turntable ends are rotatable through a circular path, at least part of which includes a partially protected booth for collecting paint residue and overspray. The robot manipulator has a movable arm and spray applicator capable of movement over a limited range so as to provide a predetermined envelope of possible work areas for spray finishing, and a portion of the turntable end path and at least a portion of the spray booth are included with this envelope. The apparatus includes an access position to the turntable for mounting and removing parts associated with the spray finishing operation. A service enclosure is located beneath the elevated platform for housing electrical and hydraulic components for cooperatively operating the robot manipulator and turntable.

Abstract: A spray booth assembly, having a plurality of spray chambers being rotatable about an axis, said chambers containing spray heads and sealing sleeves, and being in communication with duct means and blower means causing an air stream to pass through each chamber.

Abstract: A spray paint system including a paint booth and paint robot apparatus movable within the paint booth and movably supported outside the paint booth is disclosed. The side walls of the paint booth have elongated openings formed adjacent the bottom of the paint booth to allow gooseneck-shaped saddle structures to extend therethrough. The saddle structures support paint robots on their respective elongated rail mechanisms. The side walls of the paint booth, together with the rail mechanisms defines stationary labyrinthian seals which isolate paint hoses, cables, bearings and ways from the booth environment. Each robot is mounted on its saddle structure by a hollow robot carriage. The robot carriage and saddle structures house the various cables, hoses and paint lines of their respective robot. Drive assemblies including racks mounted on their respective rail mechanisms drive the saddle structures along the elongated openings.

Abstract: A painting booth in which an appropriate temperature and humidity control is effectively performed for that zone in the painting chamber in which the object to be painted is conveyed, for enabling a drastic reduction in the amount of energy required for such temperature and humidity control, as compared with a conventional painting booth within which such control is performed for the whole painting chamber.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process to recover paint from overspray whereby one collects paint which misses the target object by means of a collector device which is flushed on all side and floor surfaces with circulating water, concentrates the overspray extracted in the overspray-circulating water mixture from the collector device to an overspray content of approx 20%, then feeds the mixture to a filtration chamber in which the water is separated from the reclaimed raw paint, then measures the physical characteristics of the reclaimed paint, compares these with the physical characteristics of the fresh paint, then adjusts the characteristics of the reclaimed paint to the characteristics of the fresh paint material and mixes the reclaimed paint into the fresh paint. The invention also concerns as device to carry out the process.

Abstract: To reduce solvent wastage and the risk of pollution and explosions, articles to be surface coated (sprayed, flow coated or dip coated) are transported through a coating station disposed in a closed chamber having long inlet and outlet passages having the outline of said articles. Condensing regions are provided on opposite sides of the coating station to condense solvent vapor in the chamber. The arrangement in the chamber is such that the atmosphere is substantially saturated with solvent, the oxygen level is maintained below a predetermined level and only a small pressure difference is maintained between the pressures inside and outside the chamber to minimize escape of vapor.

Abstract: An arrangement for positioning selected compliant seals adjacent the inlet and outlet of a work piece treatment chamber. A plurality of variously dimensioned compliant seals corresponding to work pieces of differing sizes are retained on respective inlet and outlet seal carrier members which, in turn, are mounted adjacent the respective treatment chamber openings. Means are provided to permit the movement and indexing of the carrier members such that any one of the compliant seals may be positioned in operative relationship adjacent the treatment chamber. One such means includes circular carrier members mounting for rotational motion on a shaft. The compliant seals being spaced generally around the perimeter of the carrier member and being selectively positioned by the rotation of the member. Alternatively, a linear carrier member mounted for straight-line movement relative to the treatment chamber openings is contemplated.

Abstract: A containerized movable maintenance plant grouping all equipment and facilities necessary to conduct abrasive blasting and thermal spraying operations at any location, even under severe climatic and environmental conditions or restrictions. The entire plant is packaged into two standard size marine-style shipping containers; one adapted to serve as a blasting booth, the other adapted to act as a spraying booth. The blasting unit includes a powerful ventilation apparatus and a blasting medium recovery and recycling system, as well as an effluent air treatment device in order to avoid polluting the surroundings. The spraying unit includes a complete air compressing and conditioning system which can eliminate oil, moisture, and other pollutants from the compressed air in order to achieve a durable bond between the sprayed material and the receiving base.

Abstract: A powder spray booth for use in the electrostatic coating of articles is disclosed. The spray booth is of a basically symmetrical configuration allowing the spray coating of articles passing therethrough on a conveyor from either side thereof. At each end of the spray booth and positioned at a lower elevation than the spray region is an exhaust blower which may be effectively coupled to a powder cart located therebetween and below the spray region for the automatic recovery of the overspray. The powder carts are portable and when in a cooperative position with respect to the spray booth, include self-cleaning filters and automatic recovery and recirculation of the overspray. A plurality of powder carts may be used to form a sort of magazine to provide very fast color change capability. The spray booth itself may also be mounted on rail-like members so as to readily movable between different positions in a conveyor line or different conveyor lines according to the needs at the particular time.

Abstract: A system for spray coating a substrate such as a plastic container with a gas barrier coating of a polymer dispersion. The system includes a spray coating booth or chamber including spray nozzles dispensing a spray of a coating material onto the surface of a series of containers continuously moving into and out of the coating chamber, an oven for drying the wet coating to remove the water from the coating to form a dried film on the container without distorting the container, and a conveyor for transferring the containers into the coating booth into proximity to the spray nozzles such that on actuation of the nozzles a stream of coating material coats the surface of the bottles with a wet coating layer and, thereafter, to the oven where the wet coating is dried. Means are provided for rotating the bottles during coating, during transport between the spray coating booth and the oven, and while in the oven.

Abstract: A painting booth is formed from three panels for the roof, side walls and back wall of the booth, the bottom or floor of the booth being open, there being hinged doors for closing the front of the booth and providing access thereto. Means are provided for pivotally joining the rear wall of the booth to the back end of a trailer bed. Hydraulic cylinders are mounted on trailer and bed and are employed to pivotally drive the booth between a first position whereat the booth is supported on the trailer bed and a second position whereat the booth surrounds an object to be painted which is located on the ground to the rear of the trailer bed. A blower and filter are provided in a wall of the booth to ventilate the booth.

Abstract: A spray coating apparatus for spraying paint on a vertically moving web is designed to provide an overspray area on each side of the web. In order to remove the oversprayed paint, a pair of liquid film forming boards are located on both sides of the web. Each liquid film forming board is provided with a cleaning liquid supply device along the top edge thereof and a plurality of parallel vertically extending protrusions thereon for forming a downwardly flowing continuous liquid film for removing the oversprayed paint.

Abstract: In a booth in which articles are carried along a pathway for treatment with sprayed material directed through nozzles or the like at the pathway, apparatus is provided for positively rotating the conveyed articles to assure uniform treatment on all sides thereof. Article supports are connected to the conveyer, each having a first portion carried by the conveyer and a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion for holding an article. A toothed member on the second portion is positively engaged by and driven by links of a link belt to rotate the second hanger portion and the article held thereon.

Abstract: A powder spray booth wherein the workpieces are moved through a coating se and coated by powder coming from an electrostatic spray gun at a spray opening. An aspiration blower is used for forcing the air coming in through the spray opening through a cyclone unit with a battery of cyclone separators and through a filter unit with a filter bag. The air is moved upwards along upwards sloping lines of flow to the aspiration duct, and the powder is moved downwardly under the effect of gravity. Only a part of the powder reaches the cyclone separators and is removed from them through airlocks. The part of the powder not separated in this way deposits in the filter space, a part of it only after cleaning the filter. This part of the powder is removed on opening an outlet door and is taken up on the screen of the powder car and then mixed with the powder from the cyclone separators or, by opening the outlet door, run into a space, where a second powder car may be placed.

Abstract: An enclosure for phosphate, caustic and other chemical solutions in treatment tanks in automobile plants comprising a steel structure mounted on the peripheral flanges of the treatment tank and a completely non-corroding shell mounted internally of the steel structure to form the enclosure. The steel structure consists of I-beams having stainless steel anchor plates secured to the inner surfaces thereof and the enclosure structure comprises a plurality of fiberglass panels secured by clips to the anchor plates and sealed internally such as by caulking to completely shield the external steel structure from corrosive vapors and sprays.

Abstract: Apparatus for filtering air for a powder spray booth. A fan plenum is fixed in an elevated position and has a lower edge lying in an inclined plane. The filter module has an upper edge lying in an inclined plane and has an elastomeric compressible gasket around its edge. The filter module is mounted on wheels so that it can be rolled into edge-to-edge engagement with the plenum and clamped in that position.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing paint mist from exhaust air from a spray-painting operation draws the exhaust air, paint mist, and a washing liquid down a funnel inlet into an open ended cylindrical mixing chamber. In the mixing chamber, they turbulently spiral outwardly to exit said chamber through the open ends thereof. An elongated blocking structure is centrally disposed in said mixing chamber to block access of exhaust air to the central portion of the mixing chamber which has low spiral turbulence and thus low mixing efficiency. The inlet to the mixing chamber and the open end outlets therefrom preferably form venturies to further increase the mixing efficiency.

Abstract: In a plant for purifying contaminated air, the contaminants are transferred from the air to a liquid flowing through a spray booth through which the contaminated air also flows in intimate contact with the liquid. The liquid is then collected in a container, from which it is recirculated to the spray booth. The closed liquid circulation circuit in flow communication with the spray booth is connected to a biological cleaning step in which the contaminants dissolved and/or suspended in the liquid are decomposed and then separated. The biological cleaning step comprises a bioreactor in which the main portion of the bio-degradation occurs, and a separator, for separation of the biosludge coming from the reactor. At least part of the contaminated liquid passing through the spray booth is continuously transferred to the biological cleaning stage from which substantially the same quantity of the cleaned liquid is recirculated to the spray booth circulation circuit.

Abstract: A spray-coating booth having on its side walls several air cleaners with easily interchanged and cleaned filter units that are relatively light in weight and can be carried by hand. In accordance with the design of the booth, the dimensions of the spray-coating area can be varied and the filter units can be interchanged with other types of units such as sprayers. Undesirable accumulation of powder is avoided because the air cleaners continuously precipitate powder filtered from the air. Powder transporting means within the booth, which may be inclined chutes with a fluidized bed, transport this excess powder from beneath the air cleaners at the side wall to the floor of the booth. The floor of the booth extends below the entire spray coating region and thereby also serves to collect excess spray powder which falls directly upon it. The powder is then returned for use to the spray-coating region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for positioning a pair of opposed brush assemblies in a gap defined by end baffles between process chambers. The brushes have a plurality of offset bristle clusters secured to a header, and the header is preferably angled so that the brushes will have a wiping action as a workpiece such as the printed circuit board passes between the bristles. A pair of brushes are employed with the opposed ends in overlapping relationship providing a wiping-type gate, and which permits the entrained fluid to drip down the bristle hairs and into the chamber from which the workpiece such as a printed circuit board is being removed. Optionally the brush bristles can be angled upwardly to incite a gravity assist for the entrained fluid dripping down toward the header of the brush and into the process tank.

Abstract: The invention proposes a spray coating process in which through the use of inert gases the recovery of materials, safety at work and environmental protection conditions are improved, by drawing off, freeing from the solvents and returning to circulation the inert gases gaseously enriched (sic).