Apparatus for process for continuous curing

A method of curing a material, comprising the steps of:

• introducing a material into a first oven having a first chamber;
• transporting the material through the first chamber along a first continuous path comprising at least one substantially vertical upward run and at least one substantially vertical downward run;
• supplying air of a temperature and humidity effective to hydroset the material into the first chamber;
• directing the treated air against the material to affect hydrosetting;
• and
• discharging the hydroset material from the first oven.

An apparatus suitable for the hydrosetting of a material disposed on a substrate, comprising:

• a first oven including a first chamber;
• charge means for automatically introducing a substrate having a material disposed thereon into said first chamber;
• means mounted within said first chamber for transporting the substrate therethrough along a first continuous path comprising at least one substantially vertical upward run and at least one substantially vertical downward run;
• air supply means for supplying treated air of an effective temperature and humidity to affect hydrosetting of the material into said first chamber;
• air directing means mounted within said first chamber for directing treated air over the material being transported through said first chamber;
• and
• discharge means for discharging the substrate from said first oven.

An apparatus for the curing of pasted battery plates, comprising:

• a hydroset oven including a hydroset chamber;
• first charge means for automatically introducing pasted battery plates into said hydroset chamber;
• first transport means mounted within said hydroset chamber for transporting the pasted battery plates therethrough along a first continuous path comprising at least one substantially vertical upward run and at least one substantially vertical downward run;
• first air supply means for supplying into said hydroset chamber treated air of an effective temperature and humidity to affect hydrosetting of the pasted battery plates;
• first air directing means mounted within said hydroset chamber for directing treated air over the pasted battery plates being transported through said hydroset chamber;
• first discharge means for discharging the pasted battery plates from said hydroset oven;
• a drying oven including a drying chamber;
• second charge means for automatically introducing the pasted battery plates discharged from said hydroset oven into said drying chamber;
• second transport means mounted within said drying chamber for transporting the pasted battery plates therethrough along a second continuous path comprising at least one substantially vertical upward run and at least one substantially vertical downward run;
• second air supply means for supplying into said drying chamber heated air of an effective temperature and humidity to affect drying of the pasted battery plates;
• second air directing means mounted within said drying chamber for directing heated air over the pasted battery plates being transported through said drying chamber;
• and
• second discharge means for discharging the pasted battery plates from said drying oven.