Patent US5743958A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5743958A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle powder coating system
Assignee: ABB Inc USA
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Filing: 1994-10-11
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Granted: 1998-04-28
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Expires: 2014-10-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for applying powder coating material onto large objects such as automotive, truck or other vehicle bodies includes a powder spray booth defining a controlled area within which to apply powder coating material onto the vehicle bodies, a powder kitchen located at a remote position from the powder spray booth, and, a number of feed hoppers located proximate the booth which receive powder coating material from the powder kitchen and supply it to automatically or manually manipulated powder spray guns associated with the booth. Oversprayed powder coating material is removed from the booth interior by a powder collection and recovery system which transmits the oversprayed powder back to the powder kitchen for recirculation to the powder spray guns.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey R. Shutic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:06
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B7/00; B05B7/14; B05B7/1404; B05B14/00; B05B14/40; B05B14/43; B05B14/435; B05B15/00; B05B15/20; B05B15/25; B05B7/1454; B05B14/48; B05B7/144; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for supplying powder coating material, comprising: a source of virgin powder coating material, a primary hopper and a feed hopper; a first transfer device, connected between said source and said primary hopper, which transmits powder coating material under the application of negative pressure from said source to said primary hopper; a second transfer device, connected between said primary hopper and said feed hopper, which transmits powder coating material under the application of negative pressure from said primary hopper to said feed hopper, said feed hopper being adapted to connect to coating dispensers which apply powder coating material onto objects passing through a powder spray booth: each of said first and second transfer devices including: (i) a powder receiver unit having a powder collection chamber; (ii) a clean air chamber separated from said powder collection chamber; (iii) at least one cartridge filter located within said powder collection chamber and in communication with said clean air chamber; and (iv) a device for dislodging powder coating material collected on said cartridge filter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for supplying powder coating material, comprising: a source of virgin powder coating material, a primary hopper and a feed hopper; a first transfer device, connected between said source and said primary hopper, which transmits powder coating material under the application of negative pressure from said source to said primary hopper; a second transfer device, connected between said primary hopper and said feed hopper, which transmits powder coating material under the application of negative pressure from said primary hopper to said feed hopper, said feed hopper being adapted to connect to coating dispensers which apply powder coating material onto objects passing through a powder spray booth: each of said first and second transfer devices including: (i) a powder receiver unit having a powder collection chamber; (ii) a clean air chamber separated from said powder collection chamber; (iii) at least one cartridge filter located within said powder collection chamber and in communication with said clean air chamber; and (iv) a device for dislodging powder coating material collected on said cartridge filter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which each of said first and second transfer devices includes: a first transfer element which transfers powder coating material into said powder collection chamber thereof; a second transfer element which withdraws powder coating material from said powder collection chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said first transfer element of each of said first and second transfer devices comprises a vacuum pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said second transfer element of each of said first and second transfer devices comprises: a metering air lock connected to said powder collection chamber; and a sieve connected between said metering air lock and said primary hopper or said feed hopper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including: a transfer line interconnecting said primary hopper and said feed hopper; a first valve, mounted in said transfer line, for turning on and off the flow of powder coating material from said primary hopper to said feed hopper; a second valve, connected to said transfer line downstream from said first valve, for introducing air into said transfer line when said first valve turns off the flow of powder coating material so that the powder coating material remaining in said transfer line downstream from said first valve is transmitted into said feed hopper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a third transfer device comprising a gun supply hopper located proximate the powder spray booth and connected between said feed hopper and at least one coating dispenser associated with the powder spray booth, and a pump connected to said feed hopper which is effective to transmit powder coating material from said feed hopper into said gun supply hopper under the application of a positive pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including: a load cell which supports said primary hopper, said load cell being effective to sense changes in weight of the powder coating material within said primary hopper, corresponding to changes in the quantity of powder coating material therein, and to produce a signal in the event the weight of powder coating material within said primary hopper falls below a predetermined level; a control device which is effective, in response to receipt of said signal, to cause said first transfer device to operate and transmit virgin powder coating material from said source to said primary hopper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said primary hopper contains virgin powder coating material and a portion of said virgin powder material transmitted to the powder spray booth fails to adhere to objects moving therethrough thus forming oversprayed powder coating material, said apparatus further comprising: at least one secondary hopper; a reclaim powder transfer device which transmits oversprayed powder coating material collected within the powder spray booth, under the application of negative pressure, into said at least one secondary hopper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
147 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which said first transfer device comprises: a first powder receiver unit connected between said source of virgin powder coating material and said primary hopper, said first powder receiver unit having a powder collection chamber communicating with said primary hopper; a first vacuum pump connected to said powder collection chamber of said first powder receiver unit to create a negative pressure therein which draws virgin powder coating material from said source into said first powder receiver; a second powder receiver unit connected between said primary hopper and said feed hopper, said second powder receiver unit having a powder collection chamber communicating with said feed hopper; a second vacuum pump connected to said powder collection chamber of said second powder receiver unit to create a negative pressure therein which draws virgin powder coating material from said primary hopper into said second powder receiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which said at least one secondary hopper is a reclaim hopper, said reclaim hopper being connected to a second feed hopper adapted to supply powder coating material to at least one coating dispenser associated with the powder spray booth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which said reclaim powder transfer device comprises: a second powder receiver unit adapted to be connected between the powder spray booth and said reclaim hopper, said second powder receiver unit having a powder collection chamber communicating with said reclaim hopper; a second vacuum pump connected to said powder collection chamber of said second powder receiver unit to create a negative pressure therein which draws oversprayed powder coating material from the powder spray booth into said second powder receiver; a third powder receiver unit connected between said reclaim hopper and said second feed hopper, said third powder receiver unit having a powder collection chamber communicating with said third feed hopper; a third vacuum pump connected to said powder collection chamber of said third powder receiver unit to create a negative pressure therein which draws powder coating material from said reclaim hopper into said third powder receiver.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which said at least one secondary hopper is a reclaim hopper which receives oversprayed powder material from said reclaim powder transfer device, said apparatus further including a third transfer device operative to selectively transfer virgin powder coating material from said primary hopper into said reclaim hopper to supplement the supply of powder coating material thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which said third transfer device includes: a sensor operative to sense the quantity of oversprayed powder coating material present within said reclaim hopper, and to produce a signal representative thereof; a pump, connected to said primary hopper, which pumps virgin powder coating material from said primary hopper to said reclaim hopper dependent on said signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 13 in which said sensor is a load cell which supports said reclaim hopper, said load cell being effective to sense changes in weight of the powder coating material within said reclaim hopper, corresponding to changes in the quantity of powder coating material therein, and to produce said signal in the event the weight of powder coating material within said reclaim hopper falls below a predetermined level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for supplying powder coating material to at least one coating dispenser for deposition onto objects transmitted through a powder spray booth within which a portion of the powder coating material fails to adhere to the objects and forms oversprayed powder coating material, comprising: a powder kitchen which houses at least one primary hopper containing virgin powder coating material, and at least one secondary hopper; a first feed hopper adapted to be located proximate to the powder spray booth, said first feed hopper being adapted to supply powder coating material to powder spray guns associated with the powder spray booth; a transfer device, operating under the application of negative pressure, which transfers oversprayed powder coating material from the powder spray booth to one of said primary hopper and said at least one secondary hopper, and which transfers powder coating material from one of said primary hopper and said at least one secondary hopper to said first feed hopper.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for supplying powder coating material to at least one coating dispenser for deposition onto objects transmitted through a powder spray booth within which a portion of the powder coating material fails to adhere to the objects and forms oversprayed powder coating material, comprising: a powder kitchen which houses at least one primary hopper containing virgin powder coating material, and at least one secondary hopper; a first feed hopper adapted to be located proximate to the powder spray booth, said first feed hopper being adapted to supply powder coating material to powder spray guns associated with the powder spray booth; a transfer device, operating under the application of negative pressure, which transfers oversprayed powder coating material from the powder spray booth to one of said primary hopper and said at least one secondary hopper, and which transfers powder coating material from one of said primary hopper and said at least one secondary hopper to said first feed hopper.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which said powder kitchen is an enclosure having an interior which is substantially isolated from ambient air.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which said at least one secondary hopper is a reclaim hopper adapted to be connected to the powder spray booth, and wherein said apparatus further includes a second feed hopper connected to said reclaim hopper.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
103 words
The apparatus of claim 17 in which said transfer device comprises: an individual powder receiver unit associated with each of said primary hopper, said reclaim hopper and said first and second feed hoppers, each of said powder receiver units being effective to receive powder coating material from one of the source of virgin powder coating material, the powder spray booth or another hopper, and to transmit metered quantities of powder coating material to their associated hoppers; a vacuum device, connected to each of said powder receiver units, which transfers powder coating material into said powder receiver units under the application of negative pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 18 in which each of said powder receiver units comprises: a powder collection chamber for receiving powder coating material, said powder collection chamber containing a cartridge filter; a clean air chamber separated from said powder collection chamber; an air jet device for dislodging powder material from said cartridge filter; a device for transmitting a metered quantity of powder coating material from said powder collection chamber into an associated hopper.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 19 in which said device for transferring a metered quantity of powder coating material associated with each of said powder receiver units comprises: a metering air lock connected to said powder collection chamber; and a sieve connected between said metering air lock and said primary hopper, said reclaim hopper or said first and second feed hoppers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for supplying powder coating material to at least one dispenser for deposition onto objects transmitted through a powder spray booth, comprising: a primary hopper for receiving powder coating material, a first transfer device, connected to said primary hopper, which transmits powder coating material to said primary hopper; a first sensor which is effective to sense the quantity of powder coating material within said primary hopper, and to cause said first transfer device to transmit powder coating material into said primary hopper when said quantity of powder coating material falls below a predetermined amount; a feed hopper; a second transfer device, connected between said primary hopper and said feed hopper, which transmits powder coating material under the application of negative pressure from said primary hopper to said feed hopper; and a second sensor which is effective to sense the quantity of powder coating material within said feed hopper, and to operate said second transfer device when said quantity of powder coating material falls below a predetermined amount.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for supplying powder coating material to at least one dispenser for deposition onto objects transmitted through a powder spray booth, comprising: a primary hopper for receiving powder coating material, a first transfer device, connected to said primary hopper, which transmits powder coating material to said primary hopper; a first sensor which is effective to sense the quantity of powder coating material within said primary hopper, and to cause said first transfer device to transmit powder coating material into said primary hopper when said quantity of powder coating material falls below a predetermined amount; a feed hopper; a second transfer device, connected between said primary hopper and said feed hopper, which transmits powder coating material under the application of negative pressure from said primary hopper to said feed hopper; and a second sensor which is effective to sense the quantity of powder coating material within said feed hopper, and to operate said second transfer device when said quantity of powder coating material falls below a predetermined amount.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 21 in which said first sensor is a load cell which supports said primary hopper, said load cell being effective to sense changes in weight of the powder coating material within said primary hopper, corresponding to changes in said quantity of powder coating material therein, and to produce a signal in the event said weight falls below a predetermined level, said load cell transmitting said signal to a controller which operates said first transfer device to supply powder coating material to said primary hopper.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 22 in which said second sensor is a load cell which supports said feed hopper, said load cell being effective to sense changes in weight of the powder coating material within said feed hopper, corresponding to changes in said quantity of powder coating material therein, and to produce a signal in the event said weight falls below a predetermined level, said load cell transmitting said signal to a controller which operates said second transfer device to supply powder coating material to said feed hopper.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 23 in which each of said first and second transfer devices includes a powder receiver unit coupled to said primary hopper or to said feed hopper, said powder receiver units being supported independently of said primary hopper and said feed hopper so that said load cells associated therewith measure only the weight of powder coating material entering said primary and feed hoppers.
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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) | 2001-04-27 | 2001-10-27 | 2002-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-27 | 2005-10-27 | 2006-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-27 | 2009-10-27 | 2010-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |