MX2008008704A - Method and apparatus for powder delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible bag (10) has an open top configured and arranged for receiving one or more feed tubes (32). The bag (10) preferably includes at least one attachment member (20) adapted and configured to be secured to a support member (47). A fixture (50), (60), (70), (80) is utilized to receive the bag (10).

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DUST SUPPLY SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for supplying dust through a feed line using a flexible bag. Description of the Prior Art Powder paint is used in electrostatic finishing. The powder is normally received in drum containers such as 30 gallon drums. These drums are stiff, too heavy and normally weigh between 200-300 pounds each when they are filled. The powder in the drum can be transferred to a hopper for the spray booth. This is usually done by vacuuming the powder that is in the drum to the hopper in the spray booth. An equal apparatus is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,505,623. The drums usually arrive in a palette. Afterwards, it is necessary that the drums are turned out of the pallet, from where the drums fall 3-4 inches to the floor. The drums are then moved to an appropriate apparatus for transferring the powder as shown in U.S. Patent 4,505,623. Such a method and apparatus is difficult to use ergonomically. In addition, rigid drums afterwards are a problem to place in the trash. The present invention relates to the problems related to the method and apparatus of the prior art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment of the invention is an apparatus having at least one feeding tube. A flexible bag has the upper part configured to receive at least one feeding tube. A support apparatus has at least one support member capable of holding the flexible bag in a vertical position. An installation has a receiving member on which the bag is positioned, wherein the receiving member, when the apparatus is being used to supply the finely divided particles, positions at least the lower portion of the bag and wherein the apparatus facilitates the supply of dust by aspiration through at least one feeding tube. In another embodiment, the invention is an installation that has a compartment. The compartment has an inlet sized and configured to receive at least a lower portion of a flexible bag containing a dense powder and a part that forms a measurement, which, when in its operating position, has a decreased cross section when measured along the vertical axis towards the earth. When the bag containing a finely divided particle is established in the compartment, a lower portion of the bag generally conforms to the measurement formed by the side. When the bag is established in the compartment and a feeding tube, it is Inserted through the upper part of the bag to suck the particle finely divided, the feeding tube is directed towards the lower part of the bag by the side. A base is operatively connected to the compartment, the base supporting the compartment off the floor surface. In another embodiment, the invention is a method that includes providing a flexible bag containing finely divided particle. The bag is placed adjacent to a facility measured and configured to receive at least a lower portion of the flexible bag and having a side that forms a measurement when in its operating position having a decreased cross section when measured throughout from the vertical axis towards the earth. A suction feeding tube is placed in a bag and the finely divided particle is sucked through the tube, where while the level of the finely divided particle is decreased, the tube is allowed to move it in a lower position in the bag and is directed towards the lower portion of the bag on the side. The terms "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may allow some benefits under certain circumstances. However, other modalities may be preferred under the same or different circumstances. In addition, the recitation of one or more preferred modalities does not imply that the other modalities are not useful and there is no attempt to exclude other modalities from the scope of the invention. The brief description above of the present invention does not attempt to describe each deployed embodiment or any implementation of the present invention. The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description. Other features, objects and advantages of the invention would be obvious from the description and the drawings and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an elevator and a flexible bag, generally seen sideways; Figure 2 is a perspective view generally seen from the front, of a flexible bag in position in an installation; Figure 3 is a more detailed view of the component shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the component shown in Figure 3, taken generally along lines 4-4; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a guide; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a guide in position at the entrance of the flexible bag; Figure 7 is another embodiment of an installation for use with the present invention; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the component shown in Figure 7 taken generally along the lines 8a-8b; Figure 9 is a view of a top plane of another embodiment of the component; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the component shown in Figure 9. with a base; Figure 11 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of an installation; and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of an installation shown in Figure 11, taken generally along lines 12-12. Detailed Description of a Preferred Modality Referring to the drawings, wherein the numbers represent parts through various views , it is usually shown with 10 a flexible bag. The bag 10 is preferably a two-part bag comprising an inner layer 10a and is made of an appropriate plastic such as polyethylene. An outer layer 10b is made of an appropriate material as it relates to a fabric bag construction material such as woven polyethylene or woven polypropylene. The inner bag 10a is preferably closed with a fastening band, as in the outer bag 10b. The bag 10 has an opening 11 through which a dense powder product, such as powder paint, is filled. The bag can be of any appropriate size, such as a measurement equivalent to a drum of 30-55 gallons (113-208 liters). The weight of the bag filled with dense powder appropriate, would normally weigh between 200-300 pounds (91-136 kg). The bags can be placed on a pallet and wrapped in plastic applied to keep the multiple bags in a pallet. The outer bag 10b may have an appropriate construction such as a base 12 (Fig. 4) that is circular and is stitched or glued to the side panel 13 to form the bag 10b. Another suitable construction or combination can be used to result in the flexible bag 10. An optional adjunct member 20 is operatively connected to the bag 10. An example of the attached member 20 is shown as a network length 21 which is connected in a manner operative by appropriate means to the outer layer 10b of the bag 10. The net extends over the top of the bag 10 and forms a circular. One way to build a circular is to use a network length and secure both ends of the bag 10 and thus leave a circular 21a that can be used in the handling of the bag 10. Of course, it should be understood that other members Appropriate attachments 20 can also be used. Some examples of which are the use of Velero®, inner rings, tubes or handles. As seen in Figure 5, a tube guide 30 is shown. The tube guide 30 has a flat upper part 31 generally in which three openings 31a are formed. The three cylindrical members 31b are appropriately attached together with the openings 31a and extend generally towards below the flat top 31 but also extend upwards. Furthermore, it is recognized that the tubes are optional since the openings 31a provide some guidance for the feed tubes 32. The cylindrical members 31b have bores 31a which are of appropriate size to receive the feed tubes 32. The feed tubes 32 are connected to an appropriate apparatus, well known in the art, which provides for the aspiration of powder paint contained in the bag 10. The upper part 31 has four attached openings 33 which are used to place the tube guide in the opening 11.

A chain 34 has hooks 35 at each of the ends of the chain and the hooks 35 are engaged in the adjacent openings 33. The chains 34 are folded into a device, to be described more extensively to support a pipe guide 30 in position. It is understood that other methods can be used to support the tube guide 30. A material elevator 40 is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The material elevator 40 can be any suitable elevator such as the Genie® elevator by Genie® United States, Redmond, Washington. The material lifter includes a base having two extensions 41 in which the wheels 42 are mounted on their front ends. The side wheels 43 are mounted on an appropriate shaft 44. A moving assembly 46 is mounted on the right frame 45. The support arms 47 extend generally horizontally of the movable assembly 46. In each support arm 47 is secured to a hook 48. The movable assembly 46 is moved up and down by the crank 49 which utilizes appropriate gears and pulleys, as is well known in the art. While a manual mobile lifter in vertical and horizontal position is shown, it must be understood that the mechanized versions, as well as other elevators of appropriate material can be used. A first embodiment of an installation 50 is shown in Figures 2,3 and 4. The component 50 includes a base 51 that includes a first side plate 52 and a second side plate 53. A compartment 54 includes a front plate 55 operably connected to a back plate 56. The upper portion of the ends of the plates 55 and 56 is operatively connected to the side plates 52 and 53. The box 54 forms a measure V-shaped, which is adapted and configured to receive the bag 10. As can be seen, the cross section of the compartment 54 decreases, when measured along the vertical axis towards the ground. An air operated vibratory motor 57 is operatively connected to the compartment 54. The operation of the motor 57 is well known in the art. The motor 57 vibrates the compartment and thus helps the dust inside the bag 10 to be dispersed. Figure 4 shows a bag 10 which has been placed on the component 50. As can be seen, the lower portion of the bag is deformed and shaped to the size of the compartment 54.

Another embodiment of component 60 is as shown in Figure 7 and 8. Component 60 has a base 61 that includes a first side plate 62 and a second side plate 63. A compartment 64 has the top part open and configured to receive the bag 10. In addition, the compartment 64 has an open lower part through which the bag 10 can be extended. The front and rear plates 65 and 66 have the generally inward angle, as do the plates 67 and 68. The plates 65 to 68 are all operatively connected and generally form an inverted truncated pyramid. Again, the compartment 54 has a decreased cross section, smaller when measured along the vertical axis toward the floor. As can be seen in Figure 8a, the bag 10 generally conforms to the size of the compartment 64 and has a decreased cross section when measure along the vertical axis towards the ground. A third embodiment shows an installation 70 in Figures 9 and 10. The component 70 is generally conical and has a base 71. The base 71 is generally rectangular and has an opening that is measured and configured to receive the conical shape formed by the compartment 74. The compartment 74 includes a side plate 75 that is conical and has an opening 74A in the upper part that is adapted and configured to receive the bag 10 and may optionally have an opening 74b in the lower wall through which the bag 10 can be extended. Other compartment 54 has a decreased cross section, smaller when measured along the vertical axis to the floor and thus when the bag 10 is placed in the compartment 74, the bag will generally conform to the compartment 74 and the bag in the same way it will have a cross section when measured along the vertical axis towards the ground. Referring to Figures 11 and 12, another embodiment shows an installation 80. The component 80 includes a semicircular wall 85 operatively connected to the flat base 86. The component 80 can then be tilted from the horizontal position at an angle such as 45 ° C. When in its operating position, and the bag 10 is placed in the component 80, the component will have a decreased cross section along the vertical axis to the ground as would the bag 10 since again, it generally forms the shape of the wall 85. An appropriate mechanism can be used to tilt the component 80, similar to that used in the US Patent No. 4,505, 23, such mechanisms being known in the art. Further, it is understood that the component 60, 70 and 80 may also incorporate an air operated vibratory motor similar to the motor 57. In an operative mode, the material elevator 40 is moved to the location where the filled bags 10 are kept. Normally, full bags are transported in a palette. The inner bag 10a is filled with powder, such as powder paint. It is understood that the powder used is not limited only to powder paint, but can be any particle finely divided. The extensions 41 are moved under the pallet and the hooks 48 are placed on the circular ones 21a. The circular pieces 21a are then raised and placed on the hooks 48. Then, the mobile assembly 46 is raised, and in this way the bag 10 is lifted out of the pallet or other storage member. The material elevator 40 and the bag 40 are then moved in position near the feed tubes that are used in the electrostatic finishing. The feed tubes 32 are appropriately connected to a vacuum source which allows the paint to be sucked in. powder in a hopper of an electrostatic finishing apparatus, such apparatuses being well known in the art. Prior to the operation, a tube guide 30 can be supported on the opening 11 of the bag 10. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the tube guide 30 can be supported by the chains 34 which is connected to the arms 47. The tube guide allows the proper placement of the supply tubes 32. If desired, the chains could be supported in other ways. For example, it may be desirable to be able to place the tube guide 30 on top of the hooks 58 while removing the bag 10. A roller could be secured to one of the arms 47 and the roller could extend upwards and then close to the center line and they form a hook. The chains 34 would then have to be longer, but could be supported by any other. Subsequently, when it is desired to add or remove a bag 10, the chains could be removed from the hook and then reconnected in this way by trimming the chains and having the tube guide 30 in a position above the bars. No. 48. For components 50 and 60, the extensions 41 are moved into position within the base 51 and 61 to properly position the bag 1 0 over the components 50, 60. The movable assembly 46 is then lowered so that The bag 10 is lowered into the compartment 54, 64. The bag 1 0 then conforms to the smaller cross section that increases, but is still supported by the support arms 47 through the hooks 48. As shown in FIG. has previously established, other means of supporting the bag 1 0 can be used. With the feed tubes 32 in position, the paint and powder is now ready to be vacuumed in the electrostatic finishing equipment hopper or other suitable use for this purpose. Since the powder paint is dispersed, the tubes 32 move downward, by gravity, to the bottom of the bag 10. The smaller decreased cross section allows more powder paint to be dispersed and thus there is less waste. The smaller cross section provides a more located area in which the feed tubes 32 enter to draw more of the remaining powder paint.

The operation using the component 70 is similar except for the extensions 41 which are placed outside the base 71. Using the component shown in Figures 11 and 12, the bag 10 can be moved in a similar manner using the material elevator 40 from the area of the pallet to the position near the feed tubes 32. However, the wall 85 provides the support for the bag 10 and thus it is not necessary to use the material elevator 40 for support during the aspiration of the paint in dust. The bag 10 can be placed on the component 80 when the component is vertical, or tilted as shown in Figure 11. If it is placed on the component 80 while in an upright position, the mixture is then normally tilted after the bag It is in position. Alternatively, the mixture could be tilted before the bag 10 is placed in its position. The inclined component 80 again provides a cross section, decreased when measured along the vertical axis to the ground. Since the bag is flexible and generally conforms to the shape of the component, the bag will have a decreased cross section, less when measured along the vertical axis toward the ground. The tube guide 30, if used, would have to be supported on another structure, such as the wall 85, if the material elevator 40 is not used. However, it must be understood that the material lifter 40 it could still remain in the same position, even if it is not necessary to support the bag 10. In the embodiments using the components 50, 60 and 70, the material lifter 40 is used to keep the flexible bag 10 in an upright position during the aspiration. This is optional when the component 80 is used. When installations 50, 60 and 70 are used, the components support at least a lower portion of the flexible bag 10 and this is the compartment of the components 50, 60 and 70 that form a shape. whose lower portion of the bag 10 is formed. The component 80 does not substantially change the shape of the bag 10. However, when in an inclined position, the bag 10 still has a smaller cross section when measured along the vertical axis toward the ground. The components 50, 60 and 70 are supported by the floor, it is understood that other intermediate structures can be placed between the floor and the components. While component 80 can be placed in a simple position and placed on the floor similar to components 50, 60 and 70, component 80 would normally be placed in another device that allows component 80 to be tilted from a vertical position to the position shown in Figure 11. With respect to the components 50, 60 and 70 the shape of the compartment having a smaller cross section near the ends will guide and direct the feed tubes 32 to the smaller cross section, and thus assists in completely emptying the flexible bag 10. It is understood that when the lower portion of the bag 10 generally forms the measure of the decreased cross section of the component, the lowermost portion is not necessary. For example, with respect to the components 60 and 70, the lower portion of the bag 10 can now extend under the walls of the component, as shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, if the components 50, 60 and 70 have vibratory characteristics, they can be advantageous to provide a stable force to prevent the components 50, 60 and 70 from moving out of the center of the bag 10. One way of doing so is to have bands across the extensions 41. As can be seen in Figure 10, one lath would be in front of the component 70 very close to the wheels 43 and the other would be under the component 70 but still extends between the extensions 41. This would prevent movement in a direction parallel to the extensions 41. The extensions 41 prevent significant movement in opposite directions. The bands or location feature will maintain the vibratory base of moving and keeping the base closer to the center of the bag 10, and thus help in aspirating the supply of the finely divided particle out of the bag. The above description, examples and information provide a complete description of the development and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be elaborated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the appended claims below.

Claims (17)

1. An apparatus for supplying powder paint comprises: (a) at least one feeding tube; (b) a flexible bag containing powder paint having a top portion configured to receive at least one tube: (c) an electrostatic finishing apparatus operatively connected to at least one feed tube; (d) a support apparatus having at least one support member capable of holding the flexible bag in an upright position; (e) a vacuum source operably connected to at least one feed tube; (f) an installation having a receiving member on which the bag is positioned, wherein the receiving member, when the apparatus is being used to vacuum powder paint, positions at least the lower portion of the bag and when the apparatus facilitates the supply of powder paint by suction through at least one feeding tube to the eiectrostatic finishing apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprises at least one attached member operatively connected to the bag and adapted and configured to be secured to the support member.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further it comprises the component that is formed to conform the bag to a smaller section at a lower level.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the component is conical in shape.

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixture has one or more parts generally aligned downwards and upwards.

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the component is generally V-shaped.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprises a tube guide, positioned near the open top of the bag. , the tube guide is configured and arranged to guide at least one feeding tube in the bag.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support apparatus being movable horizontally.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a support member being vertically movable.

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bag has an inner layer and an outer layer.

The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer is woven.

12. An installation and a combination of a flexible bag for use in suction of powder paint to an apparatus of electrostatic finish, the combination comprises: (a) a flexible bag having at least one attached member operatively connected to a bag and adapted and configured to be transported by a mobile device in a horizontal manner; (b) a compartment having a measuring inlet and configured to receive at least the lower portion of a flexible bag containing powder paint; and a side having a shape, when in its operating position, having a decreased cross-section when measured along the vertical axis toward the ground, wherein when the bag is established in the compartment, a lower portion of the bag generally conforms to the lateral shape, the side that supports the bag during aspiration, and where when the bag is established in the compartment and a feeding tube is inserted through the upper wall of the bag to aspirate the particle finely divided, the feeding tube is directed towards the lower part of the ball on the side; and (c) a base operatively connected to the compartment, the base supports the compartment of the floor surface.

13. The component according to claim 12, further comprising the compartment having a lower opening, the bag extends through the lower opening.

14. One method comprises: (a) provide a flexible bag containing paint powder; (b) placing the adjacent bag with the component measured and configured to receive at least a lower portion of the flexible bag and having a side that forms a shape when in its operating position it has a decreased cross section, smaller when measured at along the vertical axis towards the ground; (c) aspirating a powder paint through the tube to an electrostatic finishing apparatus, wherein the level of powder paint is decreased towards the lowermost portion of the bag on the side.

The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: (a) supporting a bag having at least one attached member operatively connected to the bag using a mobile lifting device having a member of support to attach it to the bag by the attached member; (b) raising a support member, and thereby raising the bag; (c) moving the lifting apparatus and the bag to form a storage area to approximate the feeding tube; and (d) lower the bag on top of the component.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising vibrating the component, wherein the powder paint is assisted in moving it to the lower portion of the bag.

17. The method according to claim 15 further comprises: (a) supporting the bag during aspiration with the support member; and (b) moving the lifting apparatus and the bag out of the feeding tube.