US1550679A - Dipping and drying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug.`25, 1925. J. H. DEAN ET AL DIPPING AND DRYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 11. 1922 Aug. z5, 1925.

J. H. DEAN ET 'AL DIPPI'NG AND 'DRYING APPARTUS v Filed Dc. 1 1, 1922 4 sheets-sheet 2 J. H.DEAN ET AL DIPPING AND DRYING, APPARATUS( Aug. 25, 1925 4 Sheets- Sheet '5.

Filed Dec, 11. 1922 AuggZs, 1925.

^ 5"'J. H. DEAN ET AL "DTPPING AND DRYINQ APPARATUS Filedbec. 11. 192x 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 CII Patented Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. DEAN, OF LUDINGION, MICHIGAN, AND GEORGE W'. BAKER, OF JEANNETTE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO NORTHWESTERN EXPANDED METAL COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

DIPPING AND DRYING APPARATUS.

Application filed December 11, 1922.

To all fio/tom it may concern:

Be it kno wn that we, JAMES H. DEAN and GEORGE IV. BAKER, citizens of the United States, and residents of Ludington, Michigan, and Jeannette, Pennsylvania, respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dipping and Drying Apparatus; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in dipping and drying apparatus and consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A primary object of the invention is to produce an apparatus of the kind in which several dipping vats are included, and by means of which the articles to be dipped may be inserted into one or another vat as predetermined. The improved apparatus, as shown herein for illustration, is especially designed for painting purposes and more particularly for painting expanded metal lath, which is put up in bundles of a size for convenient handling. In some cases the lath is required to be coated with black paint and in some cases, with red paint. The apparatus thus includes two vats, one containing black paint and one containing red paint. Said apparatus also includes a conveyor, which is adapted to bring the articles carried by it, namely, the bundles of lath, into dipping relation with one of the vats and to then carry them away in avoidance of the other vat, and a switch member which is adapted to shift the relation of the conveyor and the vats, as predetermined, to this end. v

In apparatus of the kind, the dipping media may require different lengths of time for their action on the articles dipped, (as for example, black paint requires less time to dry than red paint) and it may, therefore, be necessary that the conveyor be driven at different speeds for different vats on its way after it leaves the vat, (as in its passage through the drying chamber in the case where a paint is the dipping medium). Another object of the invention is therefore to provide means for changing the speed of the Serial No. 606,048.

conveyor in association with the change of relation between the conveyor and the vats.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel switch mechanism for bringing about the change of relation between the conveyor and the different vats.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear fully as we proceed with our specification.

In the drawings Fig. l is a view representing a side elevation of the improved dipping and drying apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a view Arepresenting on an enlarged scale a side elevation (partially in longitudinal section) of the part of the apparatus adjacent to the loading end.

Fig. 3 is a detail view on a still larger scale showing a partial section through Fig. 2 in a plane indicated by the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the parts shown in a diiferent relation.

Fig. 5 is a detail view on an enlarged scale showing a partial section through Fig. 4 in a plane indicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view representing a transverse section through the apparatus in a plane indicated by the line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a detail view representing on an enlarged scale a partial section through Fig. 6 in a plane indicated by the line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a view representing a side elevation of the apparatus at the unloading end.

Fig. 9 is a view representing a side elevation of the frame of the switch member of the conveyor.

Fig. l0 is a view showing on an enlarged scale a partial section through Fig. 2 in a plane indicated by the line l0 10 thereof.

Fig. 1l is a view showing on an enlarged scale a partial section through Fig. 2 in a plane indicated by the line 1l 1l thereof.

Referring now to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings: l5 indicates an elongated casing which provides an enclosed compartment of considerable length and which constitutes the drying chamber of the apparatus. Said casing is preferably made of sheet metal with suitable metal uprights and crossA members to properly brace and support it. 16 indicates an endless conveyor extending from end to end of the apparat-us, (which as a. whole, is somewhat longer than the drying chamber) and having a bottom lap 19, which passes from the loading end of the apparatus through the drying chamber 15 to the unloading end, and a top or return lap 20, which passes above the drying chamber and is supported on top of the structure on its way back to the loading end.

17, 18 indicate two vats arranged in tandem and located below the conveyor at or near the loading end of the apparatus and in advance of the forward end of the drying chamber.

The drying chamber is open at each end and means is provided for producing a continuous current of fresh air through the chamber to facilitate the drying process in a familiar manner. In the example illustrated, said current of air is produced by means of a suction fan 21 actuated by a motor 22, located intermediate the ends of the drying chamber and arranged to draw in air through the open ends of the chamber towards its middle and to discharge said air through a conduit 23 leading to a stack, not shown.

The conveyor consists of parallel, laterally spaced sprocket chains 24, 24 connected transversely by a series of parallel, longitudinally spaced rods 25 at the pivoted link ends of the chains. Each rod projects beyond the chains and its projecting ends carry anti-friction, bearing rollers 26. The upper and lower laps of the conveyor are supported on tracks 27, 271 respectively, with which said rollers engage,-said tracks being conveniently provided, as shown in the drawings, by the horizontal flanges of longitudinally extending angle bars 27 which are suitably supported by the structural framework of the apparatus. The end loops of the conveyor are engaged and supported upon sprocket wheels 28, 28, located at the loading end of the apparatus and upon sprocket wheels 29, 29, located at the unloading end of the apparatus. 30 indicates a shaft upon which the sprocket wheels 28 are keyed and 31 indicates a shaft upon which the sprocket wheels 29 are keyed.

The tracks 27 a for the top lap of the conveyor extend the full length of the apparatus from the sprocket wheels 28 to the sprocket wheels 29. The tracks 27b for the bottom lap of the conveyor extend from the sprocket wheels 29 at the unloading end of the conveyor through the drying chamber 15, but terminate short of the sprocket wheels 28 at the loading end of the apparatua-leaving a gap or space above the vats 17, 18. rllhis gap in the support for the bottom lap of the conveyor is filled by means of an angular rocking frame or switch member 32 which is pivoted on a horizontal axis 32L located in the plane of the tracks 27 b and vertically above a. line midway between the centers of the two vats 17, 18.

The rocking frame 32 is a structure comprising members 33, 34, of equal length arranged at an angle, carrying tracks 33a, 34 respectively, in planes which intersect at or near the rocking axis of the said frame 32; and carrying sprocket wheels 35, 36 at their ends, with the bottoms of the sprocket wheels arranged tangentially to said tracks. The bottom lap of the conveyor passes from the forward ends of the tracks 27n to and under the sprocket wheels 36 at the rear end of the rocking frame 32, thence over the tracks 34a, 33, to and under the sprocket wheels 35 at the forward end of the rocking frame, and thence to the sprocket wheels 29 at the unloading end of the apparatus. Idle sprocket wheels 38 are interposed and engaged above the sprocket chains intermediate the position of the rocking frame and the sprocket wheels 28, the bottoms of said idle sprocket wheels being arranged tangentially to the plane of the tracks 27 b, which support the bottom lap of the conveyor.

The rocking switch member, with its tracks and sprocket wheels providing support for the conveyor in the gap between the tracks 27 b and the sprocket wheels 28 at the loading end of the apparatus, makes it possible to provide selectively, a pathway for the conveyor which descends below and then returns to the plane of the tracks 27b (supporting the lower lap of the conveyor) so that the conveyor will bring the articles or devices carried by it for dipping purposes down into, and then draw them back out of the vat 18, as shown in Fig. 2, or the vat 17, as shown in Fig. 4. The end walls 18a, 18b and 17a, 17 b of the vats are inclined at angles to a horizontal plane equal to or supplemental of the angle between the members 33, 34 of the rocking switch 32, so that they are parallel to the pathway of the conveyor on its descending and ascending courses with reference to said vats.

The rocking switch member may be of any convenient construction. As shown, it consists of two laterally spaced, transverse iron or steel beams, each comprising vertically spaced angle bars 39, 40, connected by websor plates 41,-the two beams being held in proper spaced relation by transverse bars 42. The bottom angle bars 40 have their flanges turned inwardly towards each other to provide the trackways 34, 33, of the switch member. At the angle of the switch member and coaxial with the axis 3f about which the switch member is adapted to swing, there is fixed to the outside face of each beam a gear wheel 43 provided with a stud 44, which has rotative bearing in suitably formed bearing boxes 45 carried by upright frame members 46 of the structure.

This provides the rocking bearing for the switch member 32. 47 indicates a horizontal transverse shaft, located above the gear wheels 43 and extending through slots in the side beams of the switch member. Said shaft is mounted in suitable bearings in the upright frame members 46 and has fixed to it pinions 49, 49, which are located in the planes of and are engaged with, the gear wheels 43. Thus, when the shaft 47 is rotated, it will act through the pinions 49 and the gear wheels 43 to rock the switch member 32 upon its axis 32a.

The shaft 47 projects at one end beyond the supporting upright 46 and is there provided with a crank 50. A ratchet wheel 51 fixed to the shaft and a pawl 52 pivoted to the framework provides means for locking the ratchet wheel, and in consequence, the rocking switch member, in the desired position. The pawl is a double pawl, made as shown, in the form of a T, so that it may be swung to properly engage the ratchet wheel 51 when it is rotated in either direction.

A space is left between the forward ends of the tracks 27b and the rear ends of the tracks 33a of the switch member 32, in order that there may be room for the conveyor to take a pathway from the rear vat 17, parallel to the rear wall 17h of said vat, when the switch member is in the position shown in Fig. 4. To support the conveyor in this space, in either position of the switch member, it is preferable to provide a supplemental switch section 53. This consists, as shown, of a pair of laterally spaced angle bars 54, 54, providing supplemental track sections 54aL and connected by a transverse channel bar 55, which projects at each end beyond said angle bars.

The supplemental switch section is pivoted at its rear end to swing from a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 2, to an inclined position parallel to the wall 17 b of the rear vat 17, as shown in Fig. 4. The angle bars 54 have plates 56 fixed to their rear ends; and a transverse frame member 57 extending across the main structure above the rear ends of the tracks 27b has attached to it depending brackets 58 provided with studs or trunnions 58a on which said plates 56 are rotatively mounted. At each side of the main structure, beyond the sides of the supplemental switch section 53, there are provided fixed, inclined frame members 59, which the ends of the channel bar 55 are adapted to engage and rest upon, when the supplemental switch section is brought to its inclined position.

The rear ends of the beams of the rocking switch member carry fixed plates 60, (see Figs. 2 and 11) one on the outside of each side beam. Said plates depend below the tracks 332L of the switch member and there carry bolts 61 with y nut heads, which are adapted to be engaged in the vertical flanges of angle bars 62 fixed tothe bottom sides of the forward ends of the angle bars 54 of the supplemental switch section. This provides means for supporting the forward end of the supplemental switch section when it is in its horizontal position. When the said supplemental section is in its inclined position with the channel bar 55 engaged upon the inclined frame members 59, it is attached thereto in any suitable manner, as for example, by means of boltsl and fly nuts 59aM (see Fig. 5) which take through suitable holes in the two members adapted to be brought into alignment when the said section is brought to inclined position.

The conveyor is driven by a motor 63, located as shown, at the unloading end of the apparatus. Said motor is connected by a worm gear set 64 and suitable reduction gearing 65 to drive the shaft 31 of the sprocket wheels 29. Since the time required for drying the paint in the vats 17, 18, may vary, (as for example, where the vat 18 contains black paint which is a fast drying paint, and the vat 17 contains red paint which is a slow drying paint) it is desirable to provide means for changing the speed of the conveyor when the switch member is shifted from association with the vat 18 to a position where it is associated with the vat 17. Change speed gearing 67 is therefore interposed between the motor shaft and the worm gear set. 68 indicates a gear shift arm pivoted to the main frame and adapted to shift the gears, and said arm is preferably connected to the rocking switch member so that the change speed gearing will be shifted automatically when the rocking switch member is moved from its one position associated with one vat, to its other position associated with the other vat. As shown, said gear shift arm is connected by a long link 68a to an arm 69 fixed to the rocking switch member.

A movable drip board 70 is provided to cover the one or the other of the vats which is not in use. This board is movable from a position covering the vat 17, as sho-wn in Fig. 2, wherein the vat 18 is shown to be in use, t0 a position covering the vat 18, as shown in Fig. 4, where the vat 17 is shown to, be in use. A supplemental drip board 71 is also provided, said drip board extending from the rear end of the vat 17 some distance beyond the same, and is intended to catch the drip in the first part of the path of the conveyor through the drying chamber.

The sprocket wheel shaft 30 of the sprocket wheels 28 at the unloading end. of the machine, are mounted in such manner as to be capable of adjustment to take up the slack in the sprocket chains. The shaft 38l of the idle sprocket wheels 3S are likewise mounted for such adjustment, as illustrated.

72 indicates the articles or devices that are to be dipped, and 73 the rods which serve to support said devices upon the conveyor. Said rods have hooked ends,vthose at the top, 73a, being engaged upon the transverse rods 25 ot the conveyor, and those at the bottom.v 73D, being engaged with the articles to be dipped. As shown, these articles are bundles of expanded lath, lior the dipping and drying of which the apparatus is more particularly designed.

The operation of the ii'nproved apparat-us will be apparent from the foregoing description. rhe vat 1S is lilled with black paint and the vat 17 with red paint, for example. lith the switch member 32 in the position shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus is set for dipping the articles, in this case the bundles of lath, into the black paint,--the drip board covering the vat 17 containing the red paint. The motor is started into operation to drive the conveyor, and operatives, at the loading end of the apparatus, suspend the bundles of lath from the conveyor by means of the hook rods 73 as the conveyor passes before them. The speed of the conveyor is such that the necessary time for drying is allowed in the passage oi the lath through the drying chamber 15. As the bundles of lath reach the rear unloading end of the machine they are removed.

It will be manifest that the travel through v the paint in the vat of the articles to be dipped,that is to say the dipping operation-is brought about by reason of the travel of the conveyor with reference to that vat with which it happens to be in operative relation at the time.

By the arrangement of the side walls ot the vats in parallel rela-tion with the path of the conveyor as it carries the articles to be dipped down on one side into the deepest part of the vat at the middle and then withdraws them upwardly on the other side` a minimum amount of paint is required for the vats, as will be manifest from a consideration of the drawings.

Vhen it is desired to use the paint in the other vat 17, the drip board 70 is moved over to cover the vat 18. rEhe supplemental switch section 58 is detached from its connection with the rear end of the switch member by removing the bolts G1 and is swung downwardly to an inclined position with the bar 55 resting upon the inclined frame members 59. The bolts and nuts 59 are then applied to secure the bar to the said inclined frame members 59. The pawl 52 is then swung from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 4 and, by means o'l the crank 50, operating through the shaft 47, pinions 19 and gear wheels 43, the switch member is rocked to depress. its

rear end and to bring the switch member as a whole into the position shown in Fig. t, in which position it is locked by the pawl and ratchet 52, 51.

In this movement ot' the switch member, the sprocket wheels 35, 36 at the ends of the switch member roll idly, 'upon the sprocket chains of the conveyor,-those at the descending end, (in this case the sprocket wheels 35 at the rear end of the switch member,) acting tos depress the conveyor into a loop, with the bottom of the loop above the middle of the vat 17 and the sides of the loop inclined upwardly and away from said middle along the supplemental track section 5a on the one side and along the tracks 33 of the switch member on the other side.

Vfith the change in position of the switch member, the gear shift arm 68 is operated by the arm G9 on the switch member and the link 682L toi shift the change speed gearing to a slower speed required for drying purposes when the red paint is used. The apparatus is then ready for dipping in the vat containing the red paint.

To change the apparatus tor dipping in the vat containing the black paint, the opera.- tion of the switch member and associated parts just described, is reversed to restore the parts to the position shown in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that the improved apparatus is capable of use for dipping purposes in which any dipping media are used and wherever its essential characteristics may make its use of advantage. It will thus be understood, that while in describing the invention, we have referred to many details of construction and of arrangement, some of which might be required in an apparatus designed 'for painting purposes only, the invention is in no way limited thereto except as may be pointed out in the appended claims.

lVe claim as our invention 1. In a dipping machine, a. traveiing con vcyor for the support and dipping oi? the articles to be dipped, a plurality ot vats combined with said conveyor so that the travel through one oie the vats ot the articles to be dipped is brougl-itabout by the travel of the conveyor with reference to said vat when operatively related to said conveyor, and means for operatively relating the conveyor and one or the other of the vats.

2. n a dipping machine, a traveling conveyor it'or the support and dipping of the articles to be dipped, a plurality oi' vats below said conveyor, means whereby the conveyor and anyone otl the vats may be brought into operative relation for dipping purposes, in which relation the travel through a vat of the articles to be dipped is brought about by the travel of the conveyor with reference to said vat, and means for producing relative movement between the vats and the path of the conveyor to change the operative relation of the conveyor from one vat to another.

3. In a dipping machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of the articles to be dipped, a plurality of vats, anyone of which is adapted for operative relation with said conveyor, means for driving the conveyor, including a change speed mechanism, witha speed for each vat, and means for operatively relating the conveyor and one or the other of the vats.

4. In a dipping machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of the articles to be dipped, a plurality of vats, anyone of which is adapted for operative relation with said conveyor, means for driving the conveyor, including a change speed mechanism, with a speed for each vat, means for operatively relating the conveyor and one or the other of the vats, and a gear shift member automatically actuated in the operating of the last named means.

5. In a dipping machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of the articles to be dipped, a plurality of vats below said conveyor, means whereby the conveyor and anyone of the vats may be brought into operative relation for dipping purposes, a motor for driving the conveyor, gearing, including a change speed mechanism for connecting the motor and conveyor, said change speed mechanism including a speed for each vat, and means for producing relative movement between the vats and the path of the conveyor to change the operative relation of the conveyor from one vat to another.

6. In a dipping machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of the articles to be dipped, a plurality of vats below said conveyor, means whereby the conveyor and anyone of the vats may be brought into operative relation for dipping purposes, a motor for driving the conveyor, gearing, including a change speed mechanism for connecting the motor and conveyor, said change speed mechanism including a speed for each vat, means for producing relative movement between the vats and the path of the conveyor to change the operative relation of the conveyor from one vat to another, and automatic means for shifting the change speed gearing in the operation of the last named means.

7. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the suppo-rt of said conveyor, a plurality of vats below said conveyor, said tracks having a gap in the neighborhood of said vats, and a switch member with tracks interposed in said gap and adapted to direct said conveyor to one or another of said vats.

8. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of said conveyor, vats arranged in tandem below said conveyor, said tracks having a gap above said vats,

and a switch member with tracks interposed in said gap and adapted to direct said conveyor to one or another of said vats.

9. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of said conveyor, a plurality of vats below said conveyor, said tracks having a gap in the neighborhood of said vats, a switch member with tracks interposed in said gap and adapted to direct said conveyor to one or another of said vats, means for driving said conveyor including av change speed gearing, and a gear shift mechanism operated by said switch member.

10. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of said conveyor, vats arranged in succession below said conveyor, said tracks having a gap above said vats, a switch member with tracks interposed in said gap and adapted to direct said conveyor to one or another of said vats, driving means for said conveyor including a change speed gearing, a gear shift member and mechanism operatively connecting said gear shift member with said switch member.

11. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of said conveyor, vats arranged in tandem below said conveyor, said tracks having a gap above said vats, and a rocking switch member with tracks interposed in said gap and adapted to bring said conveyor into operative relation with either of said vats.

12. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of said conveyor, two vats arranged in tandem below said conveyor, said tracks having a gap above said vats, a switch member with tracks interposed in said gap and adapted to rock on an axis intermediate said two vats, means for rocking said switch member to bring the conveyor into operative relation with either of said vats, and locking means for said switch member.

13. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of said conveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, said tracks having a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in said gap, said switch member having tracks disposed in different planes which meet in a line between said vats, means for rocking said switch member about said meeting line to direct one or the other set of tracks towards the one of the vats associated therewith, means at the ends of said switch member for causing the conveyor to conform to the path provided by the tracks of the switch member, and a device for locking the switch member in operative relation with either of said vats.

14:. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of said conveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, said tracks having a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in said gap, said switch member having tracks disposed in diiiercnt planes which meet in a line between said vats, means for rocking said switch member about said meeting line to direct one or the other set of tracks towards the one of the vats associated therewith, sprocket wheels carried at the ends ot' said switch member and engaging said conveyor from above, and means for locking the switch member in operative relation with either of said vats.

15. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support ot said conveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, each vat having opposed walls inclined downwardly towards its middle, said tracks having a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in said gap and mounted to rock on an axis intermediate said vats, said switch member having tracks disposed in planes intersecting at an angle equal to the angle between the proximate walls ot the two vats, and being capable of a rocking movement to bring a set ot tracks into parallel relation with the nearest wall of either vat, and means for locking said switch member in either of said two positions.

16. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of said conveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, each vat having opposed walls inclined downwardly towards its middle, said tracks having a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in said gap and mounted to rock on an axis intermediate said vats, said switch member having tracks disposed in planes intersecting at an angle equal to the angle between the proximate walls of the two vats, and being capable of a rocking movement to bring a set of tracks into parallel relation with the nearest wall of either vat, means for locking said switch member in either of said two positions, and a supplemental switch section with tracks adapted to bridge the space between the first named tracks and the tracks of the switch member in either position of said switch member.

17. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks or the support of said conveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, each vat having opposed walls inclined downwardly towards its middle, said tracks having a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in said gap and mounted to rock on an axis intermediate said vats, said switch member having tracks disposed in planes intersecting at an angle equal to the angle between the proximate walls of the two vats, and beine' capable ot a rocking movement to bring a. set of tracks into parallel relation with the nearest wall or" either vat, means for locking said switch member in either of said two positions, and

a supplemental switch section hinged to the ends of the iiist named tracks nearest to the main switch member and adapted to bridge the space between said hrst named tracks and the main switch member in either position of said main switch member.

18. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of said conveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, said tracks having a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in said gap, said switch member having tracks disposed in dierent planes which meet in a line between said vats, rotary members carried at the ends of said switch member and engaged with the conveyor from above, means for rocking said switch member about said meeting line to direct one or the other set of tracks toward the one of the vats asso-- ciated therewith, and a locking device adapted to hold the switch member in operative relation with either of said vats.

19. In a dipping and drying machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of the articles to be dipped, a drying chamber through which said conveyor travels, a plurality ot' vats located at the forward end of said drying chamber, any one of which is adapted for operative relation with said conveyor, means for driving the conveyor, including a change speed mechanism, with a speed for each vat, means for operatively relating the conveyor and one or the other of the vats, and a gear shift member automatically actuated in the operating of the last named means.

20. In a dipping and drying machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of the articles to be dipped, a drying chamber through which said conveyor travels, a plurality of vats located at the Jforward end ot' said drying chamber, any one of which vats is adapted for operative rela-tion with said conveyor, means for driving the conveyor, including a` change speed mechanism, with a speed for each vat, and means for operatively relating the conveyor and one or the other of the vats.

21. In a dipping and drying machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of the articles to be dipped, a drying chamber through which said conveyor travels, a plurality of vats below said conveyor at the forward end of said drying chamber, means whereby the conveyor and any one of the vats may be brought into operative relation for dipping purposes, a motor :tor driving the conveyor, gearing, including a change speed mechanism for connecting the motor and conveyor, said change speed mechanism including a speed for each vat, and means for producing relative movement between the vats and the path of the conveyor to change the operative relation of the conveyor from one vat to another.

22. In a dipping and drying machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of the larticles to be dipped, a drying chamber through which said conveyor travels, a plurality of vats at the forward end of said drying chamber below said conveyor, means whereby the conveyor and any one of the vats may be brought into operative relation for dipping purposes, a motor for driving the conveyor, gearing, including a change speed mechanism for connecting the motor and conveyor, said change speed mechanism including a speed for each vat, means for producing relative movement between the vats and the path of the conveyor to change the operative relation of the conveyor from one vat to another, and automatic means for shifting the change speed gearing in the operation of the last named means.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our invention, we ax our signatures this 6th day of December, A. D. 1922.

JAMES H. DEAN. GEORGE W. BAKER.

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