Fluidized bed powder chamber

Claim 1

A fluidized bed system suitable for applying a heat-hardenable resinous coating on an object, comprising a fluidized bed having bottom support means for supporting a powdered resinous material, said bottom support means including a distribution chamber for distributing pressurized air, the distribution chamber being coextensive with the cross-sectionalarea of the fluidized bed and being divided into a plurality of adjoining rows of smaller sectional chambers having upper open sides facing the fluidized bed, each smaller sectional chamber having a common wall with an adjacent chamber of an adjoining row, each common wall being provided with opening means intercommunicating with said adjacent chamber to effect the transmission of pressurized air throughout, the undersurface of the fluidized bed being intercommmunicating with adjacent chambers, conduit means for delivering pressurized air to the distribution chamber, the conduit means communicating with one of the centrally located smaller sectional chambers, the bottom support means comprising felt pad means on the distribution chamber for diffusing air substantially evenly over the cross-sectional area of the fluidized bed, at least one side of the felt pad being covered with a canvas, whereby the powdered resinous material is suspended substantially evenly across the fluidized bed.