Laminated coating head

Claim 2

A laminated coating head comprising: a. an orifice plate having a series of regularly spaced orifices formed therethrough, b. means for supplying fluid under pressure to each of said orifices, c. a charge ring plate extending coextensively with one surface of said orifice plate and having a series of openings therethrough concentric with said orifices, d. a charge ring positioned in each of said charge ring plate openings, e. means for selectively applying an electrical charge to each of said charge rings, f. means for securing said fluid supplying means, orifice plate and charge rig plate together in laminar relationship, g. means for establishing an electrostatic field beneath said charge ring plate, and h. means for catching drops of fluid ejected through said orifices.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a. a filter interposed between said fluid supplying means and said orifice plate.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a. an inlet plate interposed between said fluid supplying means and said orifice plate, b. said inlet plate having an elongateD slot formed in a surface thereof adjacent said fluid supplying means.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a. an electrohydrodynamic plate interposed between said orifice plate and said charge ring plate, b. said electrohydrodynamic plate having a series of openings therethrough concentric with said orifices, and c. means for applying an electrical signal of a predetermined frequency to said electrohydrodynamic plate.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for establishing an electrostatic field comprises: a. a pair of elongated electrodes, and b. means mounting said electrodes in spaced relationship to a lower portion of said coating head and in parallel spaced relation to each other.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: a. each of said electrodes is of substantially triangular cross section throughout a major portion of its length.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: a. distal portions of said electrodes are substantially rectangular in cross section, and b. said mounting means extends from said distal portions to said lower portion of said coating head.

Claim 9

A laminated coating head comprising: a. a coating material manifold having means defining a chamber therein extending longitudinally of said coating head and opening outwardly along a portion thereof, b. an inlet plate extending coextensively with said manifold and having an elongated slot in one surface thereof facing said manifold opening, c. a filter plate interposed between said manifold and said inlet plate, d. a cleanout opening having a removable cover thereover extending from one side of said inlet plate into said slot, e. an orifice plate abutting said opposite surface of said inlet plate and extending coextensive therewith, f. said orifice plate having a series of orifices therein, g. a charge ring plate extending beneath one surface of said orifice plate and having a series of openings therethrough concentric with said orifices, h. a charge ring positioned in each of said charge ring plate openings, i. a clamp plate abutting one surface of said charge ring plate and having a series of openings therethrough concentric with said charge ring plate openings, k. fastener means extending from said manifold to said clamp plate and securing said manifold, inlet plate, filter plate, orifice plate, charge ring and clamp plate together in laminar relationship, l. a pair of electrodes attached to a lower surface of said clamp plate, and m. a catcher attached to said lower surface of said clamp plate and extending beneath said electrode.

Claim 10

A laminated coating head comprising: a. a coating material manifold having means defining a chamber therein extending longitudinally of said coating head and opening outwardly along a portion thereof, b. an inlet plate extending coextensively with said manifold and having an elongated slot in one surface thereof facing said manifold opening, c. a filter plate interposed between said manifold and said inlet plate, d. a cleanout opening having a removable cover thereover extending from one side of said inlet plate into said slot, e. an orifice plate abutting said opposite surface of said inlet plate and extending coextensive therewith, f. said orifice plate having a series of orifices therein, g. a charge ring plate extending beneath one surface of said orifice plate and having a series of openings therethrough concentric with said orifices, h. a charge ring positioned in each of said charge ring plate openings, i. a clamp plate abutting one surface of said charge ring plate and having a series of openings therethrough concentric with said charge ring plate openings, k. fastener means extending from said manifold to said clamp plate and securing said manifold, inlet plate, filter plate, orifice plate, charge ring and clamp plate together in laminar relationship, l. a pair of electrodes attached to a lower surface of said clamp plate, and m. a catcher attached to said lower surface of said clamp plate and extending beneath said electrode.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: a. an electrohydrodynamic plate positioned between said clamp plate and said orifice plate, b. a series of openings in said electrohydrodynamic plate concentric with said orifices, c. means for applying an electric signal of a predetermined frequency to said electrohydrodynamic plate.

Claim 12

Apparatus for imparting an electric charge to individual drops of coating comprising: a. an elongated plate member of dielectric material, b. means defining a series of regularly-spaced openings through said plate member, c. a discrete application of electrically conductive material surrounding each of said openings, and d. a conductor extending from each of said discrete applications to a source of electric energy.

Claim 13

Apparatus for imparting an electric charge to individual drops of coating comprising: a. an elongated plate member of dielectric material, b. means defining a series of regularly-spaced openings through said plate member, c. a discrete application of electrically conductive material surrounding each of said openings, and d. a conductor extending from each of said discrete applications to a source of electric energy.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: a. said electrically conductive material extends into and covers the wall of each of said openings but does not block said openings.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: a. each of said discrete applications is substantially circular in outline.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: a. each of said conductors comprises a line of electrically conductive material applied to said plate member.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a. means for selectively energizing each of said disCrete applications of electrically conductive material.