Apparatus for spray coating

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a apparatus for spray painting of large, irregularly shaped articles, where the shape and size of the articles require relative movement between the article and the spray applicator in at least two axes. One, and preferably a plurality of atomizing nozzles are arranged to be rotated about a predetermined axis and are oriented at a substantial angle to such axis. The article to be coated is conveyed past the spray station along one axis, and the rotating spray unit is reciprocated along a second axis at right angles to said axis of conveyance. The orientation and positioning of the atomizing heads is such that the spray fans intercept the primary work surfaces relatively close to the intersection therewith of the axis of spray head rotation. In addition, the rate of spray head rotation is so controlled, in relation to the rate of reciprocation and the rate of conveyance that the spray fans of coating material describe a path in the nature of a tight curtate cycloid. During rotation of the angled spray heads, the various surfaces of an irregularly shaped article are directly exposed to the spray heads and are thoroughly coated. Where a plurality of spray heads are employed in combination, the heads need not be continuously rotated, but may be oscillated through an appropriate angle of rotation. To greatest advantage, the system of the invention is utilized in combination with an effectively closed overspray recovery and recirculation system of the general type described in the E. O. Norris U.S. Pat. No. 2,848,353, enabling the spray coating process to be carried out without concern as to the amount of overspray.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.