Abstract Enclosed paint tanks are maintained substantially free of pain residue by heating liquid thinner to vaporize the same, conducting the vapor to the head space of the tank, and causing the vapor to condense on the inside of the tank so that the liquid thinner rinses the side walls and keeps them clean. When the thinner is flammable, an inert gas is fed into the head space to maintain an inert protective atmosphere therein. The disclosed apparatus includes a pair of large, enclosed storage tanks each having an impeller and a common paint supply line. Conduits interconnect the tanks and a pump is provided for discharging the paint from either tank. The lowermost conduit has a storage chamber at either end and a ball is propelled between the chambers to loosen residue in the conduit. At the top of the tanks is a container for the liquid thinner. A float in the container maintains the level of the liquid thinner. A float in the container maintains the level of the liquid thinner. A heating element in the container is adapted to vaporize the thinner. Conduits lead from the container to the tanks to feed the vapor thereto.
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the enclosed paint tank contains a latex paint and the liquid thinner is water; and including the step of feeding the water vapor into the head space of the paint tank at a rate to maintain the head space at a temperature at least a few degrees above the temperature of the latex paint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the liquid thinner is a flammable liquid; and including the step of feeding an inert gas into the head space of the paint tank to maintain an inert protective atmosphere therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 including the step of feeding the vaporized flammable thinner into the head space at a rate to maintain the head space at a temperature at least a few degrees above the temperature of the paint in the paint tank.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for keeping the interior side wall of an enclosed paint tank, above the level of paint in the paint tank, continually free of residue of paint, comprising the steps of: placing in a separate container a quantity of liquid thinner which is capable of thinning the paint in the paint tank; heating the liquid thinner to vaporize the thinner while in the separate container; conducting the vaporized thinner into the head space of the paint tank through a conduit interconnecting the interior of the container with the head space of the paint tank; and maintaining the side wall surrounding the head space of the paint tank at a temperature to condense the thinner on the inside thereof so that the liquid thinner rinses the side wall of the paint tank above the level of paint and keeps the side wall clean.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 including the steps of providing a heating element in the separate container below the intended level of liquid thinner; and selectively feeding liquid thinner into the separate container to generally maintain said liquid level.