Apparatus and methods for continuously electrocoating metal blanks and/or coiled metal substrates
OwnerDonald D. Emmonds, Catharine A. Palmerinventors
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Abstract
A continuous electrocoat apparatus is provided for applying a coating onto a substantially flat substrate, e.g., an electroconductive substrate in coil or blank form. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first electrocoat tank having a coating region and a non-conductive conveyor extending at least partially into the first electrocoat tank and defining a conveyor path. A plurality of electrically conductive supports are carried on the conveyor. A connecting system is configured to selectively place at least a portion of the supports in electrical contact with an electrical power source when the selected supports are in the coating region of the first electrocoat tank.
Claims49
A continuous electrocoat apparatus for applying a coating onto at least a portion of a substantially flat substrate having two major surfaces, the apparatus comprising:
- a first electrocoat tank;
- at least one first electrode spaced from at least one second electrode and defining a first coating region to apply a first aqueous electrodepositable coating composition onto both major surfaces of the substrate between the first and second electrodes;
- a second electrocoat tank located downstream of the first electrocoat tank;
- and
- at least one third electrode located in the second electrocoat tank and defining a second coating region adjacent the third electrode to apply a second aqueous electrodepositable coating composition onto substantially one major surface of the substrate.
A continuous electrocoat apparatus for applying a coating onto at least a portion of a substantially flat substrate, the apparatus comprising:
- a first electrocoat tank having a coating region;
- a non-conductive conveyor extending at least partially into the first electrocoat tank and defining a conveyor path;
- a plurality of electrically conductive supports carried on the conveyor;
- a connecting system configured to provide an electric potential to at least a selected portion of the supports when the selected portion of the supports are in the coating region of the first electrocoat tank;
- and
- a plurality of first electrodes positioned in the first electrocoat tank, with the first electrodes located on a first side of the conveyor path.
A continuous electrocoat apparatus for applying a coating over at least a portion of a substantially flat substrate, the apparatus comprising:
- a first electrocoat tank having a coating region;
- a non-conductive conveyor extending at least partly into the first electrocoat tank and defining a conveyor path, the conveyor comprising a plurality of laterally spaced, non-conductive chains movably mounted on rotatable members such that the chains move at substantially the same speed;
- a plurality of electrically conductive supports carried on each chain to form a support surface of the conveyor;
- a plurality of grounding bars carried on the conveyor, with each grounding bar connected to at least one support;
- a bus bar located adjacent the electrocoat tank, wherein the bus bar is configured to contact one or more grounding bars carried on a portion of the conveyor in the coating region of the first electrocoat tank.
A method for applying a coating onto at least a portion of a substantially flat substrate having two major surfaces, comprising the steps of:
- (a) conveying the substrate between at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode in a first coating region to apply a first aqueous electrodepositable coating composition onto both major surfaces of the substrate;
- (b) conveying the substrate adjacent at least one third electrode located in a second coating region to apply a second aqueous electrodepositable coating composition onto substantially one major surface of the substrate.
A method of electrocoating a substantially flat substrate having two major surfaces, comprising the steps of:
- placing the substrate onto a non-conductive conveyor having a plurality of conductive supports defining a support surface, the conveyor defining a conveyor path through a coating region of an electrocoat bath;
- applying an electric potential to the substrate when the substrate is in the coating region;
- conveying the substrate through the coating region adjacent at least one electrode to apply an aqueous electrodepositable coating composition onto at least one major surface of the substrate;
- and
- drying the coated substrate at a drying station located downstream of the electrocoat bath.
A continuous electrocoat apparatus for applying a coating onto at least a portion of a substantially flat substrate having two major surfaces, the apparatus comprising:
- means for conveying the substrate between at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode in a first coating region to apply a first aqueous electrodepositable coating composition onto both major surfaces of the substrate;
- and
- means for conveying the substrate adjacent at least one third electrode located in a second coating region to apply a second aqueous electrodepositable coating composition onto substantially one major surface of the substrate.
A continuous electrocoat apparatus for applying a coating onto at least a portion of a substantially flat substrate having two major surfaces, the apparatus comprising:
- means for placing the substrate onto a non-conductive conveyor having a plurality of conductive supports defining a support surface, the conveyor defining a conveyor path through a coating region of an electrocoat bath;
- means for applying an electric potential to the substrate when the substrate is in the coating region;
- means for conveying the substrate through the coating region adjacent at least one electrode to apply an aqueous electrodepositable coating composition onto at least one major surface of the substrate;
- and
- means for drying the coated substrate at a drying station located downstream of the electrocoat bath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.