System for producing a liquid spray curtain

Claim 1

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) a liquid supply means comprising at least one liquid supply header for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity; (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header including means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain; and (c) air flow guide means located at the outermost end of said air supply header and disposed parallel to the center line of said liquid discharge means.

Claim 2

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) a liquid supply means comprising at least one liquid supply header for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity; (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header including means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain; and (c) air flow guide means located at the outermost end of said air supply header and disposed parallel to the center line of said liquid discharge means.

Claim 10

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) liquid supply means for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity; (b) air supply means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply means including an air flow guide means located at the outermost end of said air supply means and disposed parallel to the center line of said liquid discharge means, an exit air slot, means for adjusting the magnitude of said exit air slit, and means for adjusting the magnitude of the minimum air contact angle, the angle at which the air curtain contacts said liquid streams measured from the center line of said liquid discharge means, to between about -10° and +30°.

Claim 11

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) liquid supply means for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity; (b) air supply means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply means including an air flow guide means located at the outermost end of said air supply means and disposed parallel to the center line of said liquid discharge means, an exit air slot, means for adjusting the magnitude of said exit air slit, and means for adjusting the magnitude of the minimum air contact angle, the angle at which the air curtain contacts said liquid streams measured from the center line of said liquid discharge means, to between about -10° and +30°.

Claim 12

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) means for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocities; (b) air supply means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply means including an air flow guide means disposed parallel to the center line of said liquid discharge means and located at the outermost end of said air supply means, an exit air slit, means for adjusting the magnitude of said exit air slit, and means for adjusting the magnitude of the minimum air contact angle, the angle at which the air curtain contacts said liquid streams, measured from the center line of said liquid discharge means.

Claim 13

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) means for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocities; (b) air supply means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply means including an air flow guide means disposed parallel to the center line of said liquid discharge means and located at the outermost end of said air supply means, an exit air slit, means for adjusting the magnitude of said exit air slit, and means for adjusting the magnitude of the minimum air contact angle, the angle at which the air curtain contacts said liquid streams, measured from the center line of said liquid discharge means.

Claim 15

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) a liquid supply means comprising liquid supply headers, disposed at right angles, one with respect to the other, for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity; (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header including means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply header comprising first and second sidewall members, respectively, said second sidewall member adapted for movement to a plurality of positions with respect to said first sidewall member, said air supply header having formed therewithin an air supply chamber which converges at its outermost end to form a continuous exit air slit through which said air curtain exits; (c) air flow guide means located at the outermost end of said first sidewall member and disposed parallel to the center line of said liquid discharge means; (d) air flow adjustment means for adjusting the quantity of air being admitted from said air slit; and (e) means for adjusting the position of said second sidewall member with respect to said air flow guide means such that a high velocity, continuous air curtain is discharged from said exit slit which will contact said liquid streams at a minimum contact angle, measured from the center line of said liquid discharge means, of between about -10° and +30°.

Claim 16

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) a liquid supply means comprising liquid supply headers, disposed at right angles, one with respect to the other, for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity; (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header including means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply header comprising first and second sidewall members, respectively, said second sidewall member adapted for movement to a plurality of positions with respect to said first sidewall member, said air supply header having formed therewithin an air supply chamber which converges at its outermost end to form a continuous exit air slit through which said air curtain exits; (c) air flow guide means located at the outermost end of said first sidewall member and disposed parallel to the center line of said liquid discharge means; (d) air flow adjustment means for adjusting the quantity of air being admitted from said air slit; and (e) means for adjusting the position of said second sidewall member with respect to said air flow guide means such that a high velocity, continuous air curtain is discharged from said exit slit which will contact said liquid streams at a minimum contact angle, measured from the center line of said liquid discharge means, of between about -10° and +30°.

Claim 17

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) a liquid supply means comprising at least one liquid supply header for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity; (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header including means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply header comprising first and second sidewall members, respectively, said second sidewall member adapted for movement to a plurality of positions with respect to said first sidewall member, said air supply header having formed therewithin an air supply chamber which converges at its outermost end to form a continuous exit air slit through which said air curtain exits; (c) air flow guide means located at the outermost end of said first sidewall member, said air flow guide means being disposed parallel to the center line of said liquid discharge means; (d) air flow adjustment means for adjusting the quantity of air being admitted from said air slit; and (e) means for adjusting the position of said second sidewall member with respect to said air flow guide means such that a high velocity, continuous air curtain is discharged from said exit slit which will contact said liquid streams at a minimum contact angle, measured from the center line of said liquid discharge means, of between about -10° and +30°.

Claim 18

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) a liquid supply means comprising at least one liquid supply header for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity; (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header including means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply header comprising first and second sidewall members, respectively, said second sidewall member adapted for movement to a plurality of positions with respect to said first sidewall member, said air supply header having formed therewithin an air supply chamber which converges at its outermost end to form a continuous exit air slit through which said air curtain exits; (c) air flow guide means located at the outermost end of said first sidewall member, said air flow guide means being disposed parallel to the center line of said liquid discharge means; (d) air flow adjustment means for adjusting the quantity of air being admitted from said air slit; and (e) means for adjusting the position of said second sidewall member with respect to said air flow guide means such that a high velocity, continuous air curtain is discharged from said exit slit which will contact said liquid streams at a minimum contact angle, measured from the center line of said liquid discharge means, of between about -10° and +30°.

Claim 22

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) liquid supply means comprising liquid supply headers for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity, said liquid supply headers being disposed at right angles, one with respect to the other; and (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header including means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain.

Claim 23

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) liquid supply means comprising liquid supply headers for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity, said liquid supply headers being disposed at right angles, one with respect to the other; and (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header including means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain.

Claim 25

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) a liquid supply means comprising liquid supply headers, disposed at right angles one with respect to the other, for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity, each of said liquid supply headers comprising: (i) a liquid supply chamber, (ii) labyrinth means located within said liquid supply chamber for internally metering and longitudinally distributing the liquid flow, (iii) liquid reservoir means extending across essentially the entire longitudinal distance of said header, and (iv) means for discharging said liquid streams at a continuous, uniform flow rate which are adapted for liquid communication with the liquid reservoir means so that when said reservoir means is filled with liquid, said continuous, uniform flow rate is maintained by a constant, static pressure head in said reservoir means; and (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header which includes means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply header comprising a first sidewall member, a pair of end wall members, and a floor member, respectively, joined one to the other, and a second sidewall member adapted for movement to a plurality of positions with respect to said first sidewall member, said air supply header having formed therewithin an air supply chamber which converges at its outermost end to form a continuous exit air slit through which said air curtain exits, said first sidewall member having an air flow guide means located at its outermost end which is disposed with respect to the center line of said liquid discharge means such that when said second sidewall member is positioned with respect to said air guide means, a high velocity, continuous air curtain is discharged from said exit slit which will contact said liquid streams at a minimum contact angle, measured from said center line, of between about -10° and +30°.

Claim 26

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising: (a) a liquid supply means comprising liquid supply headers, disposed at right angles one with respect to the other, for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity, each of said liquid supply headers comprising: (i) a liquid supply chamber, (ii) labyrinth means located within said liquid supply chamber for internally metering and longitudinally distributing the liquid flow, (iii) liquid reservoir means extending across essentially the entire longitudinal distance of said header, and (iv) means for discharging said liquid streams at a continuous, uniform flow rate which are adapted for liquid communication with the liquid reservoir means so that when said reservoir means is filled with liquid, said continuous, uniform flow rate is maintained by a constant, static pressure head in said reservoir means; and (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header which includes means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply header comprising a first sidewall member, a pair of end wall members, and a floor member, respectively, joined one to the other, and a second sidewall member adapted for movement to a plurality of positions with respect to said first sidewall member, said air supply header having formed therewithin an air supply chamber which converges at its outermost end to form a continuous exit air slit through which said air curtain exits, said first sidewall member having an air flow guide means located at its outermost end which is disposed with respect to the center line of said liquid discharge means such that when said second sidewall member is positioned with respect to said air guide means, a high velocity, continuous air curtain is discharged from said exit slit which will contact said liquid streams at a minimum contact angle, measured from said center line, of between about -10° and +30°.

Claim 27

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising (a) a liquid supply means comprising at least one liquid supply header for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity, said liquid supply header comprising (i) a liquid supply chamber, (ii) labyrinth means located within said liquid supply chamber for internally metering and longitudinally distributing the liquid flow, (iii) liquid reservoir means extending across essentially the entire longitudinal distance of said header, and (iv) means for discharging said liquid streams at a continuous, uniform flow rate which are adapted for liquid communication with the liquid reservoir means so that when said reservoir means is filled with liquid, said continuous, uniform flow rate is maintained by a constant, static pressure head in said reservoir means; and (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header which includes means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply header comprising a first sidewall member, a pair of end wall members, and a floor member, respectively, joined one to the other, and a second sidewall member adapted for movement to a plurality of positions with respect to said first sidewall member, said air supply header having formed therewithin an air supply chamber which converges at its outermost end to form a continuous exit air slit through which said air curtain exits, said first sidewall member having an air flow guide means located at its outermost end which is disposed parallel with respect to the center line of said liquid discharge means such that when said second sidewall member is positioned with respect to said air guide means, a high velocity, continuous air curtain is discharged from said exit slit which will contact said liquid streams at a minimum contact angle, measured from said center line, of between about -10° and +30°.

Claim 28

A system for producing a liquid spray curtain capable of uniformly covering the entirety of a moving surface to be sprayed, without substantial streaking thereof, comprising (a) a liquid supply means comprising at least one liquid supply header for discharging a plurality of liquid streams at low velocity, said liquid supply header comprising (i) a liquid supply chamber, (ii) labyrinth means located within said liquid supply chamber for internally metering and longitudinally distributing the liquid flow, (iii) liquid reservoir means extending across essentially the entire longitudinal distance of said header, and (iv) means for discharging said liquid streams at a continuous, uniform flow rate which are adapted for liquid communication with the liquid reservoir means so that when said reservoir means is filled with liquid, said continuous, uniform flow rate is maintained by a constant, static pressure head in said reservoir means; and (b) air supply means comprising an air supply header which includes means for discharging a continuous, high velocity air curtain for contacting said liquid streams to produce said liquid spray curtain, said air supply header comprising a first sidewall member, a pair of end wall members, and a floor member, respectively, joined one to the other, and a second sidewall member adapted for movement to a plurality of positions with respect to said first sidewall member, said air supply header having formed therewithin an air supply chamber which converges at its outermost end to form a continuous exit air slit through which said air curtain exits, said first sidewall member having an air flow guide means located at its outermost end which is disposed parallel with respect to the center line of said liquid discharge means such that when said second sidewall member is positioned with respect to said air guide means, a high velocity, continuous air curtain is discharged from said exit slit which will contact said liquid streams at a minimum contact angle, measured from said center line, of between about -10° and +30°.