GB908653A - A method of and apparatus for forming a liquid curtain for coating articles - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0908653/III/1> A liquid curtain-forming apparatus, which may be used for coating articles by passing them under the curtain, comprises a nozzle from which liquid can issue as a free falling curtain, endless elements supported in facing relation to determine width of the falling curtain and driving means which impart to the said elements a linear movement in the direction of the falling curtain and which speed is so related to the rate of fall of the curtain as to maintain a curtain of substantially uniform thickness throughout the length and width thereof. As shown, adjacent to and below the nozzle 3, from which falls liquid curtain 1, are a pair of facing endless belts 4, whose paths are guided by upper and lower rollers 8 and 9 rotatable about axes fixed relative to the frame members 5 and 6, which are retained in spaced relation by spacer elements 7, and by intermediate path-determining rollers 10 and 10a, the axes of rotation of which are adjustable relative to the frame members 5 and 6 in directions at right angles to the direction of the belts 4. The paths of the belts 4 may be adjusted relative to one another by altering the positions of the axes of rollers 10 in the slots 12, through which their spindles pass, in frame members 5 and 6 and by altering the holes of which there are a number, 10b, in which rollers 10a may be supported. The belts may be swung towards or away from each other by swinging slotted arm 17 of frame members 5 and 6 about pivots 18 located in fixed machine frames 19 in which shafts 20, which are rotated by a variable speed motor, for the upper rollers 8 are journalled. The belts may move at the same or different speeds. The belts may be replaced by wires or cords and the rollers 10 and 10a by stationary guide blocks.