GB2357051A

GB2357051A - Spray booth or chamber

Info

Publication number: GB2357051A
Application number: GB0028305A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Paul Craig
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-10
Filing date: 2000-11-21
Publication date: 2001-06-13
Also published as: GB9929139D0; GB0028305D0

Abstract

An apparatus for applying liquid to a sheet or panel comprises a chamber 2 with an inlet and an outlet for passage of the sheet or panel through the chamber, liquid spraying means 5 within the chamber, a reservoir 11 for the liquid within the chamber 2, and a means 10 for transferring the liquid from the reservoir 11 to the spraying means 5. A method of applying liquid to a wooden sheet or panel comprises introducing a panel into a treatment chamber 2 by way of an inlet, applying treatment liquid to both sides of the panel within the treatment chamber 2, and withdrawing the panel from the treatment chamber 2 by way of an outlet. Brushes (8 figure 5) may be provided at the outlet to remove excess liquid.

Description

2357051 TITLE: Liquid A Mlication Means

DESCRIPTION

This invention concerns a method and apparatus for applying liquid, and in particular to applying liquid such as creosote or any other liquid treatment to wooden sheets or panels.

It is known in the timber trade to coat wooden sheets or panels and the like with creosote or other timber treatment liquids be they for staining and/or preservation purposes.

Frequently, creosote and the like is applied to wooden sheets or panels by hand brushing. However, this is time-consuming, and messy for the personnel applying the creosote. In addition, there is a need for the personnel to wear a mask in order to comply with health and safety regulations, due to the creosote being exposed to the air and the toxic fumes that can emanate from it.

In order to speed up the treatment of panels it is known to dip the panels in a dip-tank containing creosote. However, this process is also messy as the panels have to be allowed to drain after dipping. Furthermore, it is wasteful of -the creosote. Evaporation from the dip-tank is also a problem. Again,- as with the method described previously, there is a need for the personnel to wear a mask in order to comply with health and safety regulations, due to the creosote being exposed to the air and the toxic fumes that can emanate from it.

2 It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for coating sheets or panels with liquid, which overcomes the above- mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided apparatus for applying liquid to a sheet or panel comprising a chamber with an inlet and an outlet for passage of the sheet or panel through the chamber, liquid spraying means within the chamber, a reservoir for the liquid within the chamber, and a means for transferring the liquid from the reservoir to the spraying means.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the inlet and the outlet each comprise a vertically orientated elongate slot. It is preferable that the liquid spraying means is mounted on a framework which straddles a passageway defined between the inlet and the outlet of the chamber. Preferably the framework comprises two upright legs which are disposed to one and the other side of said passageway. Conveniently, the two uprights are interconnected at the upper end thereof by a bridge element. A plurality of spaced spraying nozzles are preferably situated at intervals on the framework. The spraying means preferably utilises an air pump mechanism. An inlet pipe connects the pump to the reservoir and an outlet pipe leads from the air pump to the spraying nozzles.

_It is preferable that all of the nozzles situated on one leg of the frame are connected in series with each other, and those on the other leg of the frame are connected in series with each other. The outlet pipe from the air pump preferably splits into two pipes on exit from the air pump to provide the nozzles on each side 3 of the framework with liquid. A filter is preferably provided, being attached to the inlet pipe of the air pump and situated within the reservoir.

Brushes are preferably fitted along the length of the inlet of the chamber, and are preferably fitted along the length of the outlet of the chamber. The brushes are positioned to engage at least the opposite sides of a panel as it is passed through said inlet or outlet as the case may be. It will be appreciated that the term brushes will be taken to include a plurality of bristles lying parallel to each other and forming a line of indefinite length. The thickness of the line is defined by a plurality of bristles, the density of the bristles along the line being sufficient to provide the required brushing action.

The apparatus preferably comprises a blowing means situated near the chamber outlet. Preferably the blowing means is disposed within the chamber.

Preferably there are at least two blowers, with at least one blower on each side of the passageway, each component blowing air towards any panel occupying the passageway.

It is preferable that a conveyor means is included within the chamber.

Conveniently it extends along the passageway through the chamber. The conveyor means preferably comprises a roller mechanism.

It is preferable that the chamber is made from three vertically stacked sections defining the main chamber body, and a base. The main chamber body communicates with the base. The chamber is preferably made from aluminium, although any other suitable material may be used. An access panel or door. is preferably provided in the main chamber body. External to the chamber itself, 4 there is preferably provided a containing means, in which the air pump mechanism is housed. The containing means has a closable opening thereon. It is preferable that a drip tray is provided externally of the chamber outlet and which allows liquid caught in there to drain back into the reservoir. The cross-sectional shape of the main chamber body is preferably octagonal.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of applying liquid to a wooden sheet or panel comprising introducing a panel into a treatment chamber by way of an inlet, applying treatment liquid to both sides of the panel, within the treatment chamber, and withdrawing the panel from the treatment chamber by way of an outlet.

The panel is introduced into the treatment chamber in a substantially vertical orientation. Preferably the method comprises brushing the sides of the panel on insertion into the chamber with a plurality of brushing elements disposed on or adjacent to the inlet. More preferably still, the method comprises brushing both sides of the panel on withdrawal from the chamber with a plurality of brushes or wiping elements disposed on or adjacent to the outlet. The method further comprises returning excess liquid wiped from the panel to a reservoir.

The present invention will now be described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is an end view of the apparatus, including hidden detail, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus, including hidden detail, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a frame with spraying nozzles situated thereon for use in the apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 is -a side view of the apparatus, including hidden detail, in accordance with the present invention.

With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, a liquid application means is illustrated generally by numeral 1. The apparatus comprises a chamber 2 having an inlet 21 and an outlet 22. The chamber is made from three vertically stacked sections 2a, 2b, 2c defining the main chamber body, and a base 2d.

A passage 3 is defined between the inlet and the outlet. In use a sheet or panel to which the liquid is to be applied is passed through the inlet, travels through the chamber along the passageway and then exits through the outlet. Brushes 7 are provided at the inlet of the chamber in order to clean the panels on entry into the chamber, and brushes 8 are also provided at the outlet of the chamber in order to remove any excess liquid from the sheets or panels on leaving the chamber.

A framework 6 is disposed within the chamber, straddling the passageway of the chamber, and has two legs 19 and 20 with one leg on each side of the passageway. -A plurality of spaced spraying nozzles 5 are situated at intervals on the framework, the positions of the nozzles on the framework ensuring that in use, the whole of the sheet or panel is coated with liquid. A reservoir I I is disposed at the chamber base. It accommodates the treatment liquid. Fluid is introduced imto the reservoir by pouring it directly into the reservoir, which is open to the rn-ain 6 chamber body. An air pump mechanism 10, when activated draws the liquid from the reservoir via an air pump inlet pipe 23 and supplies it to the spraying nozzles.

The air pump outlet pipe 16 splits into two pipes 14 and 15, one pipe supplying the nozzles situated on one leg of the framework, and the other pipe supplying the nozzles situated on the other leg of the framework, such that the nozzles are connected in series. Before passing into the air pump inlet pipe, the liquid from the reservoir passes through a filter 12. After leaving the nozzles, any liquid that doesn't adhere to the sheet or panel passing through the apparatus falls directly into the reservoir and is re-used.

An air blowing mechanism 4 is situated inside the chamber, near the outlet of the chamber, with blowers present on either side of the passageway, so that when the sheet or panel has been sprayed with liquid, it has air blown onto it to assist the drying process.

A conveyor means 18 comprising a plurality of rollers extends substantially the length of the chamber along the passageway as defined between the inlet and the outlet, whereby the sheet or panel being passed through the chamber is supported by and moves on the rollers. The distance between the inlet and the outlet is preferably shorter than the length of the panel being treated, so that at least one end of the panel is held as the panel is passed through the chamber.

Access to the chamber is facilitated by means of a door 17 situated on the bottom section 2a of the main chamber body. The cross-sectional shape of the main chamber body is octagonal. A containing means 9 to house the air pump is provided outside the chamber, and access to the containing means is by way of a 7 hatch 13 on the containing means. A drip tray 19 is provided externally at the outlet of the chamber in which to collect any excess liquid removed and/or drained from the panel as it emerges from the outlet, and return it to the reservoir.

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Claims

1. Apparatus for applying liquid to a sheet or panel comprising a chamber with an inlet and an outlet for passage of the sheet or panel through the chamber, liquid spraying means within the chamber, a reservoir for the liquid within the chamber, and a means for transferring the liquid from the reservoir to the spraying means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet comprises a substantially vertically orientated elongate slot.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the outlet comprises a substantially vertically orientated elongate slot.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the liquid spraying means is mounted on a framework, which straddles a passageway defined between the inlet and the outlet of the chamber.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the framework comprises two upright legs, which are disposed to one and the other side of said passageway.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the uprights are interconnwted at the upper end thereof by a bridge element.

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7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a plurality of spraying nozzles are situated at intervals the framework.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the spraying means comprises an air pump mechanism.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 with claim 7, wherein an inlet pipe connects the pump to the reservoir and an outlet pipe leads from the air pump to the spraying nozzles.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein the nozzles situated on one leg of the frame are connected in series with each other, and those on the other leg of the frame are connected in series with each other.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the outlet pipe from the air pump splits into two pipes on exit from the air pump to provide the nozzles on each side of the framework with liquid.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising brushes, which are situated along the length of the inlet of the chamber.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising brushes, which aresituated along the length of the outlet of the chamber.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the brushes are positioned to engage at least the opposite sides of a panel as it is passed through said inlet or outlet of the chamber.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising at least two blowing means, which are situated near the outlet of the chamber.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 with any one of claims 4 to 14, wherein at least one blowing means is situated on each side of the passageway.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least two blowing means is disposed within the chamber, each component blowing air towards any panel occupying the passageway.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising a conveyor means located within the chamber.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the conveyor means comprises a roller mechanism.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the chamber is made from three vertically stacked sections defining a main chamber body, and a base, the main chamber body communicating with the base.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 19, wherein the chamber is made from aluminium.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein an access panel or door is provided in the main chamber body.

23. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 22, wherein the air Pump mechanism is housed in a containing means, which is situated external to the chamber itself.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the containing means has a closable opening thereon.

25. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein a drip tray is provided externally of the chamber outlet, which allows liquid caught therein to drain back into the reservoir.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25, comprising a filter for removing any solid debris from the recycled liquid.

27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the filter is attached to the air pump and is situated within the reservoir.

28. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein the cross sectional shape of the main chamber body is octagonal.

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29. A method of applying liquid to a wooden sheet or panel comprising introducing a panel into a treatment chamber by way of an inlet, applying treatment liquid to both sides of the panel within the treatment chamber, and withdrawing the panel from the treatment chamber by way of an outlet.

30. A method of applying liquid to a wooden sheet or panel as claimed in claim 29, wherein the panel is introduced into the chamber in a substantially vertical orientation.

31. A method of applying liquid to a wooden sheet or panel as claimed in claim 29 or 30, wherein sides of the panel are brushed on insertion into the chamber with a plurality of bushing elements disposed on or adjacent the inlet.

32. A method of applying liquid to a wooden sheet or panel as claimed in any one of claims 29, 3 0 or 3 1, wherein sides of the panel are brushed on withdrawal from the chamber with a plurality of brushing or wiping elements disposed on or adjacent the outlet.

33. A method of applying liquid to a wooden sheet or panel as claimed in claim 32, wherein excess liquid wiped from the panel is returned to the reserveir.

34. An apparatus for applying liquid to a sheet or a panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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35. A method for applying liquid to a sheet or a panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.