US5478014A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for hot air spray coating and atomizing device for use therein
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-04-20
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Granted: 1995-12-26
•
Expires: 2014-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A spray gun uses hot, high volume, low pressure (HVLP) air to atomize a coating material at a spray head of the gun. The coating material may be water-based adhesive or paint which may include a relatively small amount of solvent. The coating material may also be a high viscosity, solvent-based paint such as a polyester or urethane. The spray gun includes a plunger mechanism and a trigger which generate an air pressure control signal which opens a valve to allow the hot HVLP air to come to the front of the spray gun. Thermally insulated hot air hoses couple the spray gun to a source of hot air such as a heater conversion unit. Teflon tubes thermally insulate the coating material from the hot air as the coating material is received by the spray gun. A plastic shroud thermally insulates and concentrates a hot air coating material mixture during atomization of the coating material at a spray head of the spray gun. The hot air has a temperature in the range of 250° F. to 350° F. at the spray head so that a substantial portion of the base of the coating material is evaporated from the atomized coating material before coating an article. When the coating material is a water-based adhesive, the water-based adhesive dries in about the same amount of time that it takes for a solvent-based adhesive to dry in a conventional spray coating system.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Hynds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:42
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B7/00; B05B7/0081; B05B1/00; B05B1/28; B05B12/00; B05B12/08; B05B12/085; B05B7/02; B05B7/08; B05B7/0807; B05B7/0815; B05B7/12; B05B7/1209; B05B7/16; B05B7/1606; B05B7/1613; B05B7/162; B05B7/1626; B05B7/24; B05B7/2489; B05B7/2494; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S239/00; Y10S239/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the method comprising the steps of: supplying hot air to an atomizing device having a spray head; supplying the coating material to the atomizing device; thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material in the atomizing device to prevent polymerization of the coating material; and utilizing the hot air entering the atomizing device to atomize the coating material to obtain atomized coating material including the base of the spray head, the hot air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric pressure at the spray head, and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the method comprising the steps of: supplying hot air to an atomizing device having a spray head; supplying the coating material to the atomizing device; thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material in the atomizing device to prevent polymerization of the coating material; and utilizing the hot air entering the atomizing device to atomize the coating material to obtain atomized coating material including the base of the spray head, the hot air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric pressure at the spray head, and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the delivery pressure at the spray head is in the range of 2-12 psi over atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the hot air is supplied to the atomizing device at a supply pressure which is substantially equal to the delivery pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flow rate at the spray head is in excess of 15 CFM.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the temperature of the hot air at the spray head is in the range of 250° F. to 350° F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of thermally insulating is also performed outside of the atomizing device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the step of thermally insulating is also performed at the spray head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the base ms water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the base is a solvent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the base is a mixture of water and solvent.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the method comprising the steps of: supplying hot air to an atomizing device having a spray head; supplying the coating material to the atomizing device; thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material to prevent polymerization of the coating material; and utilizing the hot air entering the atomizing device to atomize the coating material to obtain atomized coating material including the base of the spray head, the hot air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric pressure at the spray head, and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article; and further comprising the steps of receiving a control signal and controlling the supply of hot air to the atomizing device in response to the control signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the method comprising the steps of: supplying hot air to an atomizing device having a spray head; supplying the coating material to the atomizing device; thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material to prevent polymerization of the coating material; and utilizing the hot air entering the atomizing device to atomize the coating material to obtain atomized coating material including the base of the spray head, the hot air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric pressure at the spray head, and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article; and further comprising the steps of receiving a control signal and controlling the supply of hot air to the atomizing device in response to the control signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of generating the control signal wherein the step of generating includes the step of actuating the atomizing device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of actuating is performed manually.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the system comprising: an atomizing device having an input coating passage, a separate input air passage and a spray head; a source of coating material fluidly coupled to the input coating passage of the atomizing device for supplying the coating material to the atomizing device; a source of hot air coupled to the input air passage of the atomizing device for supplying hot air to the atomizing device; and means for thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material in the atomizing device to prevent polymerization of the coating material in the atomizing device, wherein the atomizing device is capable of atomizing the coating material with the hot air at the spray head to obtain atomized coating material including the base, the hot air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric pressure at the spray head, and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the system comprising: an atomizing device having an input coating passage, a separate input air passage and a spray head; a source of coating material fluidly coupled to the input coating passage of the atomizing device for supplying the coating material to the atomizing device; a source of hot air coupled to the input air passage of the atomizing device for supplying hot air to the atomizing device; and means for thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material in the atomizing device to prevent polymerization of the coating material in the atomizing device, wherein the atomizing device is capable of atomizing the coating material with the hot air at the spray head to obtain atomized coating material including the base, the hot air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric pressure at the spray head, and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the delivery pressure at the spray head is in the range of 2-12 psi over atmospheric pressure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 15 wherein the hot air is supplied to the atomizing device at a supply pressure which is substantially equal to the delivery pressure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the flow rate at the spray head is in excess of 15 CFM.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the temperature of the hot air at the spray head is in the range of 250° F. to 350° F.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the means for thermally insulating includes at least one thermally insulated fluid tube shield located in the atomizing device to prevent polymerization of the coating material in the atomizing device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 19 wherein the means for thermally insulating includes at least one thermally insulated hot air hose for coupling the source of hot air to the input air passage and for thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the means for thermally insulating includes a shroud mounted at the spray head to thermally insulate a mixture of the atomized coating material and the hot air at the spray head.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the base is water.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the base is a solvent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the base is a mixture of water and solvent.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
211 words
A system for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the system comprising: an atomizing device having an input coating passage, a separate input air passage and a spray head; a source of coating material fluidly coupled to the input coating passage of the atomizing device for supplying the coating material to the atomizing device; a source of hot air coupled to the input air passage of the atomizing device for supplying hot air to the atomizing device; and means for thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material to prevent polymerization of the coating material, wherein the atomizing device is capable of atomizing the coating material with the hot air at the spray head to obtain atomized coating material including the base, the hot air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric pressure at the spray head, and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article; and further comprising control means for generating a control signal to control the supply of hot air to the atomizing device.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
211 words
A system for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the system comprising: an atomizing device having an input coating passage, a separate input air passage and a spray head; a source of coating material fluidly coupled to the input coating passage of the atomizing device for supplying the coating material to the atomizing device; a source of hot air coupled to the input air passage of the atomizing device for supplying hot air to the atomizing device; and means for thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material to prevent polymerization of the coating material, wherein the atomizing device is capable of atomizing the coating material with the hot air at the spray head to obtain atomized coating material including the base, the hot air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric pressure at the spray head, and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article; and further comprising control means for generating a control signal to control the supply of hot air to the atomizing device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the atomizing device includes actuating means for actuating the control means to generate the control signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 26 wherein the actuating means is manually operable.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
153 words
An atomizing device for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the atomizing device comprising: a body, a spray head mounted on the body, an input coating passage for receiving the coating material, a separate input air passage for receiving hot air, and means for thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material in the atomizing device to prevent the polymerization of the coating material within the atomizing device, the hot air atomizing the coating material at the spray head to obtain atomized coating material including the base, the air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric at the spray head and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
153 words
An atomizing device for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the atomizing device comprising: a body, a spray head mounted on the body, an input coating passage for receiving the coating material, a separate input air passage for receiving hot air, and means for thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material in the atomizing device to prevent the polymerization of the coating material within the atomizing device, the hot air atomizing the coating material at the spray head to obtain atomized coating material including the base, the air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric at the spray head and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The atomizing device of claim 28 wherein the air input passage receives the hot air at a supply pressure which is substantially equal to the delivery pressure.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
The atomizing device as claimed in claim 28 wherein the means for thermally insulating includes at least one thermally insulating tube shield for thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material in the atomizing device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The atomizing device as claimed in claim 30 wherein the means for thermally insulating includes a thermally insulating hot air hose for thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material outside of the body.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
43 words
The atomizing device as claimed in claim 31 wherein the means for thermally insulating further includes a thermally insulating shroud mounted at the spray head to thermally insulate a mixture of the atomized coating material and the hot air at the spray head.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The atomizing device as claimed in claim 28 wherein the base is water.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The atomizing device as claimed in claim 28 wherein the base is a solvent.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The atomizing device as claimed in claim 28 wherein the base is a mixture of water and solvent.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
170 words
An atomizing device for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the atomizing device comprising: a body, a spray head mounted on the body, an input coating passage for receiving the coating material, a separate input air passage for receiving hot air, and means for thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material to prevent the polymerization of the coating material within the atomizing device, the hot air atomizing the coating material at the spray head to obtain atomized coating material including the base, the air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric at the spray head and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article; and further comprising control means for generating a control signal to control the supply of hot air to the atomizing device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
170 words
An atomizing device for hot air spray coating an article with a coating material including a base, the atomizing device comprising: a body, a spray head mounted on the body, an input coating passage for receiving the coating material, a separate input air passage for receiving hot air, and means for thermally insulating the hot air from the coating material to prevent the polymerization of the coating material within the atomizing device, the hot air atomizing the coating material at the spray head to obtain atomized coating material including the base, the air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM at the spray head, a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric at the spray head and a temperature in excess of 200° F. at the spray head to evaporate a substantial portion of the base from the atomized coating material before coating the article; and further comprising control means for generating a control signal to control the supply of hot air to the atomizing device.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The atomizing device as claimed in claim 36 further comprising actuating means for actuating the control means to generate the control signal, the control signal comprising an air pressure control signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The atomizing device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the control means includes a plunger mechanism coupled to the actuating means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The atomizing device as claimed in claim 38 wherein the actuating means is manually actuable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-25 | 1999-06-26 | 1999-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-25 | 2003-06-26 | 2003-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-25 | 2007-06-26 | 2007-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |