Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Ransburg Corporation

Matsuo Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Christopher R Merritt

Al Suopys

Dave Fredericksen

Jim Nelson

Max Zimbicki

Dennis Rocheleau

Michael Joseph Thies

Michael J McMahon

Jeffrey M Stupar

James W Stone

Ghazi M Khattab

Philip B Lo Presti

James C Vogel

Jeffrey W Hale

Robert M Thorn

Anthony J Smotherman

A corrosion-resistant coated strap is formed from an elongated metal strap base element having a width and a thickness and defining first and second sides and a pair of edge regions. A coating is applied and cured onto the base element. The coating has a substantially consistent thickness at the first and second sides and at about the edge regions. A method for making the coated strap includes providing a metal strap and conveying the strap through a coating apparatus. A powder is electrostatically applied on the first side of the strap, which covers the first side and the opposing edges. The powder is applied on the second side of the strap, covering the second side and the opposing edges. The powder is melted to form a flowable material and is cured on the strap. The coating method is carried out in an in-line strap manufacturing process.

Powder coated strap and method for making same

A corrosion-resistant coated strap is formed from an elongated metal strap base element having a width and a thickness and defining first and second sides and a pair of edge regions. A coating is sprayed and cured onto the base element. The coating has a substantially consistent thickness at the first and second sides and at about the edge regions. A method for making the coated strap includes providing a metal strap and conveying the strap through a coating apparatus. A powder is electrostatically applied on the first side of the strap, which covers the first side and the opposing edges. The powder is applied on the second side of the strap, covering the second side and the opposing edges. The powder is melted to form a flowable material and is cured on the strap. The coating method is carried out in an in-line strap manufacturing process.

An electrostatic powder coating system usable for coating articles transported along a substantially non-conductive article transport conveyor belt supported by a substantially non-conductive slide member. The system includes a substantially non-conductive coating booth with an open side portion supported by an upright support member disposed on a movable base member. The coating booth is laterally movable toward and away from the conveyor, and the coating booth is movable along the upright support member so as to position the coating booth downwardly toward and upwardly away from the conveyor. An electrostatic coating applicator is directed into the coating booth for applying powder coating to articles transported along the conveyor. A coating collector includes a coating booth exhaust duct coupled to the coating booth, and a conveyor exhaust duct laterally movable toward and away from the conveyor. An air knife directed toward the movable article transport conveyor belt separates powder coating from the belt and directs powder coating toward the conveyor exhaust duct where it is collected for reuse.

Electrostatic powder coating system and method

Apparatus for fluidizing a pulverulent material in a stream of fluidizing gas includes a membrane through which the fluidizing gas can flow but the pulverulent material cannot, a first fluidizing gas gallery on a first side of the membrane, a second fluidized pulverulent material gallery on a second side of the membrane, a passageway out of the second gallery for the removal of fluidized pulverulent material therefrom, and apparatus for generating a signal indicative of fluidizing gas pressure inside the second gallery and controlling fluidizing gas pressure in the second gallery in response to the generated signal. The passageway accommodates a conveyor having multiple conveying sections. At least a first of the multiple conveying sections is located adjacent an inlet opening of a housing for the conveyor. The first conveying section is generally coextensive with the inlet opening. A conveyor drive mechanism is selectively engageable with the conveyor.

Powder feed mechanism

A powder coating booth and a construction method therefor comprise a pair of inflatable polymer walls defining between them a booth inner space, a booth entry end and a booth exit end, and supporting the inflatable walls in spaced orientation to define between them the booth inner space. A mechanism is provided between the walls for recovery of powder which does not adhere to articles conveyed through the booth inner space. The polymer walls comprise one or more cells. The step of providing the polymer walls comprises inflating the cells. The method also includes the step of covering the cells with a sheet of polymer film forming an envelope for the cells. Illustratively, the cells comprise a layer of bubble packaging material. Alternatively, the polymer walls comprise thermoformed cores and a polymer film envelope enveloping each core and closed to provide suitable inflation of each wall. Illustratively, the inflatable walls are supported in spaced orientation by a conventional powder spray booth. The inflatable walls are mounted to inside walls of the conventional spray booth by, for example, synthetic hook and eyelet material.

Powder application booth liner and method of making it

A pulverulent coating material application and reclaiming system comprises a booth including a floor, a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed ends. Articles to be coated are conveyed through the booth between the walls and above the floor for coating by the pulverulent material. A dispenser dispenses pulverulent material onto the articles as they are conveyed through the booth. A receptacle is provided under the floor for reclaiming pulverulent material which does not adhere to the articles. The floor terminates short of ends of the booth to define adjacent to the ends entries to the receptacle for reclaimed pulverulent material. A floor wiping mechanism includes a wiper, low friction mountings on the wiper to permit low friction movement of the wiper on the floor, scraping blades mounted on the wiper in contact with the floor, and a prime mover for reciprocating the wiper at intervals lengthwise of the floor to return pulverulent material accumulated on the floor therefrom into the entries.

Powder booth floor wiping mechanism

A flow of gas entraining particulate material is passed through a filter having an upstream side and a downstream side, with the particulate material remaining on the upstream side while the gas flows to the downstream side. The downstream side exhausts through an opening into a plenum chamber wherein a second valve is provided for intermittently providing a cleaning gas flow in the reverse direction through the filter to remove particulate material from the upstream side. Cleaning gas under pressure is provided to the second valve, opening of the second valve permitting cleaning gas to flow therefrom. A first valve controls gas flow through the opening, the first valve operating in synchronism with the second valve substantially to stop flow through the filter from the upstream side to the downstream side when the second valve provides the cleaning gas flow. The first valve includes a cylindrical throat having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the second valve to receive the intermittent cleaning gas flow therefrom. A seat is defined in the throat. A valve member has a head reciprocably slidably engaging the throat and captured between the first end and the seat, a valve closure portion, and a stem for coupling the valve closure portion to the valve head. The stem provides a cleaning gas passageway between the head and closure portion when the second valve is providing cleaning gas flow.

Growing community of inventors

Noblesville, IN, United States of America

Christopher R Merritt