Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for spray coating workpieces, comprising an endless apertured conveyor arranged to advance workpieces along a predetermined path; an electrostatic spray generator disposed above said path and having means for directing a spray against the workpieces in said path; a spray intercepting web disposed beneath said path; drive means for said conveyor; and means for effecting a contactless discharge of workpieces including an air ionizing neutralizing device disposed beneath the web opposite the locus of impingement of coating material upon the workpieces in said path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for spray coating workpieces, comprising an endless apertured conveyor arranged to advance workpieces along a predetermined path; an electrostatic spray generator disposed above said path and having means for directing a spray against the workpieces in said path; a spray intercepting web disposed beneath said path; drive means for said conveyor; and means for effecting a contactless discharge of workpieces including an air ionizing neutralizing device disposed beneath the web opposite the locus of impingement of coating material upon the workpieces in said path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said path is substantially horizontal and said drive means includes means for moving said conveyor in a predetermined direction at a first speed, and further comprising second drive means for moving the web at a second speed less than said first speed, said second drive means including means for moving the web in said predetermined direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conveyor includes a plurality of substantially wire-like components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conveyor contains an electrically insulating material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said material is a plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said drive means includes means for moving said conveyor in a predetermined direction, said conveyor including a first portion which defines said path and a second portion downstream of said first portion, and further comprising means for cleaning the second portion of said conveyor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said conveyor includes an elongated upper reach which constitutes said first portion and a second reach which constitutes said second portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said web consists of or contains paper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said web has a weight of less than 41 g/m 2 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conveyor includes first and second marginal portions and said web includes first and second elongated sections beneath said first and second marginal portions, respectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said drive means includes means for moving said conveyor at a first speed, and further comprising second drive means for moving the web at a second speed less than said first speed, said second drive means including means for intermittently moving the web.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said drive means includes means for moving said conveyor at a first speed, and further comprising second drive means for moving the web at a second speed less than said first speed, and means for operating said second drive means as a function of the extent of accumulation of coating material thereon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said spray generator includes an electrostatic spray generator and said conveyor is grounded and contains an electrically conductive material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said neutralizing device includes means for ionizing air within a predetermined range therearound and said web is located within said range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said neutralizing device includes a plurality of upwardly extending pointed ionizing portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said drive means includes means for moving the conveyor in a predetermined direction, said ionizing portions forming a plurality of rows extending substantially in said predetermined direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said neutralizing device further comprises means for connecting selected rows of ionizing portions to a source of energy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conveyor includes a portion which defines said path and is located at a predetermined level when said portion is loaded with workpieces, said web including a portion which is immediately adjacent but located beneath said level.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing for said spray generator, said housing having a bottom wall constituted by a portion of said web.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for maintaining the interior of said housing below atmospheric pressure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the web is permeable to air.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the web is impermeable to the spray of coating material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the web has a plurality of minute holes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the web consists of non-woven fibrous material.