US 5,964,551 A · Vibratory/pneumatic powder coating apparatus and method

Abstract

A powder coating apparatus and method feeds fine powdered coating material such as thermoplastic type material to a succession of discrete articles passing by the apparatus which includes a vibratory feeder bowl and a spiral track for delivering a substantially constant supply of powder coating material to the articles, wherein the powdered coating material is mixed with a pressurized airstream that delivers the powdered coating material to the articles. A sensor is also used to regulate an amount of powdered coating material supplied to the auger to the vibratory feeder. The invention also provides a powder feed system that deposits an excess of powdered coating material than that required to form the coating and provides for recirculation of the powder not ultimately used to form the coating back to the powder feeding apparatus.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An apparatus for depositing powdered material onto fasteners passing by the apparatus to form a coating on at least a portion of the fasteners, said apparatus comprising:

a vibratory feeder bowl having an open top and a bottom;
a material exit at atmospheric pressure downstream of said vibratory feeder bowl;
vibrating means for vibrating said bowl to impart a rotational vibration to the powdered material thereby directing a consistent flow of said powdered material to the material exit;
and
directing means downstream of said material exit for directing the consistent flow of the powdered material being deposited against the fasteners, said directing means comprising a pressurized airstream mixing with and imparting a force upon the powdered material.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vibratory/pneumatic powder coating apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Vibratory/pneumatic powder coating apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10