US2279686A

US2279686A - Method and apparatus for cleaning and painting

Info

Publication number: US2279686A
Application number: US397264A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kerlin William Lambert
Original assignee: Douglas Aircraft Co Inc
Current assignee: Douglas Aircraft Co Inc
Priority date: 1941-06-09
Filing date: 1941-06-09
Publication date: 1942-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 1959-04-14

Description

April 14;, 1942. w. L. KERLlN 2,279,686

' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LEANIN AND PAINTING Filed June 9, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 1 BY Z 'Arroe/vf I A April 14, 1942. .w. L. KERLIN 2,279,636

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND PAINTING Filed June 9, 1941 3 sheets-sheet 2 L; /fl 0@ +6 INVENTOR.

ATTOQ/VE REF.

April 14, 1942.- W... KER-LIN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND PAINTING Filed June 9, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 W/Zz MM AA/5527,6524 m INVENTOR.

' ATTOP/Vf) Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNlTED STATES PATENT orrics METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND PAINTING William Lambert Kerlin, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Douglas Aircraft Company, Inc., Santa Monica, Calif.

-Application June 9, 1941, Serial No. 397,264

'25 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning and painting-material such as sheet metal.

The invention has found particular use in processing sheets of aluminum, aluminum alloy and the like such as are used by aircraft manufactur-- ers. The material is usually shipped in to the aircraft manufacturing plant in relatively large sheets of 5 x 12 it. dimensions and variations thereof. As is'well mown, both aluminum and its alloys are relatively soft metals and are therefore subject to scratching during the handling of the sheets, both preparatory to their being fabricated into actual parts and during the actual fabrication. As is also well known, aluminum and its alloys are subject to corrosion and these scratches increase the vulnerability of the material to corrosive action. Accordingly it is common practice to paint both sides of the sheet material with a zinc. chromate primer, Lionoil,"

-or the like, which coatings serve a dual purpose in lessening the chances of scratching and protecting the material against corrosion. In painting the sheets it was found that the material during handling at the null and in shipment picked up a certain amount of oil and foreign matter which prevented obtaining a goodpaint adhesion. Consequently, it is first necessary to remove this foreign matter.

It can be readily understood that hand cleaning, painting and drying of this sheet material would be a tedious and time-consuming task and in addition would require a considerable amount of handling facilities for the sheets while they are being processed.

My invention has for its rincipal object the rapid and successful processing of such sheets of material in a manner requiring a relatively small amount of labor. It is a further object to pro-' vide an apparatus having facilities for cleaning all foreign matter from a piece of sheet material preparatory to painting. Another object of my invention is to provide 'an apparatus having facilities for thoroughly rinsing a cleaning compound from'the material.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus having facilities for painting and drying both sides of a piece of material.

Additional objects of my invention include the rapid drying of the rinsing agent by heat immediately after it has been applied; the rapid of the paint by heat and air immediately I after it has been applied, the use of a continu 1 ously moving conveyor for carrying the sheets i through the various operations; the provision of by which the cleaning agent are wiped from the apparatus which successively pgfptorms its cleaning, rinsing and painting imitations in an extremely short space of time while the sheet of material is passing therethrough; and the use of means to successively wipe the cleaning compound and rinsing agent from the sheets immediately subsequent to their application.

Other objects will become apparent after reading the specification in conjunction with a study of the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of my complete sheet cleaning and painting apparatus and showing a plurality of sheets being carried through the various compartments by means of a conveyor of the endless variety.

Fig. 2 is a perspective detail view of a conveyor chain and track and hanger means associ shgws a manner in which a sheet is attached to acarrying member which'is in turn detachably 5 connected to the hanger.

Fig. 5 is a plan view, partly in cross section, of cleaning and rinsing compartments of the apparatus and showing a plurality of spray nozzles by which a cleaning compound and rinsing agent are applied to the sheets and showing squeegees compound and rinsing sheets.

Fig. 6 is a. view taken on the lines 6-6 of Fig. 5 and showing themanner in which the nozzles for applying the rinsing agent .to the'sheet are disposed with respect to the sheet.

Fig. 7 is a view taken along the line of Fig. 5 and showing the manner in which the Fig. 8 is a detail view of one of the spray nozzles and showing its relation to the sheet. 1

Fig. 9 is a sectionalview of the spray nozzle as taken along the line 9-9 of Fig; 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of an air circulating device associated with the painting compartments of the apparatus and arrows indicate the direction of flow of air therethrough.

Fig. 11 is a view taken on' theline llf-ll of. Fig. 10 and showing .a detail of an air difi'using -with respect to thetrack 22.

which a sheet of material passes after it has.

been painted.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of a track, conveyor chain and hanger arrangement similar to that shown in Fig. 2 and showing, in

addition, a-gang of air sprays disposed on either side of the combination at the exit from the rinsing compartment of the apparatus for blowing back the rinsing agent which has been deposited on the tracks, chain and carrier; and

Fig. 14 is an elevational view of the adjustable squeegee shown at the left side of Fig. 5.

With reference to the drawings and particularly Fig. 1 thereof, the cleaning and painting apparatus of my invention is contained within an elongated housing I8 having a U-shaped inset portion l2 on one side thereof intermediate its length. A conveyor assembly l4'is provided largely within the housing and near the top thereof for carrying sheets .of material to be processed through the various operations.

The conveyor assembly l4 has a portion which lies outside the housing, extending over the inset portion l2 thereof. The inset portion is utilized for loading and unloading the conveyor assembly and consequently its length is determined by the maximum length of any articles or sheets of material which are to be processed by the apparatus.

The entrance to the housing I is .formed in an end wall l6 of the inset portion l2 and the exit is formed in the opposite end wall I8. .When the apparatus is operating the articles are suscarried by the moving portions thereof into the entrance in wall l6, through the housing I8 and out the exit in wall l8.

The conveyor assembly I4 is shown in its entirety in Fig. l and various parts thereof are detailed in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The assembly is in the form of an elongated oval having two long pended from the conveyor assembly and are straight sides and-an arcuate portion at each end thereof serving to connect the straight sides. A plurality of supporting brackets 28 are used'to attach the assembly to the housing It), and a track 22 of I-beam shape fixed to the brackets 20 supports all of the moving parts'of the conveyor assembly with the exception of a large driving sprocket 24 at one end of the assembly and a driven sprocket 26 of similar sizeat the.

other end of the assembly. Aplurality of Y- shaped hangers 28 provided with beveled, oppositely disposed rollers 30 are utilized to carry the remaining moving conveyor assembly parts; The rollers are journaled at 321 to the upper legs of the Y-shaped hangers and they travel along the upper surfaces of the lower flanges of'the I- beam track 22. These upper surfaces are beveled to correspond to the bevel of the rollers 38 and in this manner the hangers 28 are kept centered An endless chain 34 is hung from the central leg of each Y-shaped hanger 28 and'in this manner is supported throughout its length. The chain meshes with both of the

end sprockets

24 and 26 and is caused. to travel by reason of its meshing relation with the driving sprocket 24 which is rotated on its axis by a worm and gear connection with a power unit 36. In addition to transmitting the driving force of unit 36 to the hangers 28, the chain serves to hold each hanger in a definite spaced relation to its adjacent hanger thus assuring an even distribution of the hangers along the I beam track.

As shown in Fig. 1, every fourth hanger 28 has a downward extension 38 thereon and the lower extremity thereof is connected at 40 to a pivotal assembly 42 which is a part of a load bar 44. Each load bar is provided with one pivotal assembly intermediate its ends and consequently is connected to only one hanger 28. In connection with this, it might be well to point out that while I have specified every fourth hanger 28 as having a downward extension for attachment to a load bar, this is a variable and is determined by the length of the load bars to be used in the apparatus plus an allowance of space between the load bar ends. Inasmuch as the load bars are pivoted to the hangers it is necessary that some guiding means be provided to hold the load bars in a desired position relative to the hangers and the chain 34. Accordingly, a load bar guide track 46 is disposed on either side of the load bars and is attached to the lower parts of the conveyor supporting brackets 20. Each load bar end has a horizontal roller 48 mounted therein, the. diameter of the rollers being greater than the width of the load bar, and these rollers fit loosely in the load bar guide track 46 as is well sho wn in Figure 4.

The loadbar guide tracks just described extend onlyv along the straight sides of the conveyor assembly and each track'has a flared load bar receiving portion 58 at one end thereof.

For example, looking at Fig.1, it may be seen that the load bar track on the left or near side of the apparatus has its flared portion on'the near end whereas the right or far track has its portions are desirable for the reason that in the travel of the load bars through the complete apparatus they completely leave and reenter the straight guide tracks at each end of the conveyor assembly. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide an additional guiding arrangement of tracks at each end of the apparatus to control the swinging of the load bars about their pivotal connections to the hangers 28. I

This latter guiding arrangement comprises a pair of converging S-shaped tracks 52 and 54 at the extreme ends of the housing l8, being so disposed that the greatest distance between the tracks is substantially the same as the distance between the. outside portions of the straight section tracks 46 and the least distance between the tracks is only slightly greater than the diameter of the load bar rollers 48.

In addition to the S-shaped tracks, there is also provided a cross track 56, best shown in Fig. 3, the purpose of 'the latter track being to restrain the load bars from moving out of a hori zontal plane as the change over from one straight section guide track to the other takes place.

The S-shaped tracks guide the leading end of a load bar toward the longitudinal center of the apparatus housing H] as the hanger to which it is connected moves approximately one-quarter of the way around the perimeter of one of the

sprockets

24 or 26. When the leading end of the load bar reaches the longitudinal center referred to, it lies between the S-shaped tracks in the vicinity of their closest adjacency and tends to pivot there as its hanger moves the next quarter of the way around the sprocket. While the pivoting takes place, the other .end of the load bar is swinging from one straight section track to the other and is guided in its travel by the short cross track 56. After this latter end of the load bar completes its transverse travel it is received in the flared portion 50 of the left hand straight track and as the hanger leaves the sprocket the primary leading and of the load bar becomes the trailing end as its direction of travel is reversed.

Each load bar 44 is provided with a pair of hoks 58 on the bottom side thereof from which a sheet carrying rod 60 i detachably hung. The

sheet carrying rods are of substantially the same' length as the load bars and each has three quickly operable fasteners 62 equally spaced along its length. One of these fasteners 62 is clearly shown in Fig. It is fixed to the sheet carrying rod and on the under side thereof are two

coneshaped members

64 and 56 with their ccnal points facing each other. Member 6 is fixed and member fifi is adjustable toward and away from member- 64, the adjustment being accomplished by r0- tating a handle 68. The handle turns a threaded shaft "Ill in a tapped portion of the fastener and the adjustable cone member, being fixed to the shaft, is thus movedwith respect to the fixed cone member. A portion of a sheet 12 to be processed is shown held between the points of the cone members and in this manner it is carried throughout the apparatus. The purpose of the members being pointed is to keep to a minimum the sheet area which will not be subjected to the processing operations.

Within the housing Ill a plurality of transversely and longitudinally extending walls are provided to define separate compartments, and these compartments will be discussed in theorder in which the sheets of material are passed therethrough by the moving parts of the conveyor assembly l4. 7

As was previously stated, wall I6 is provided with an entrance through which the sheets pass into the housing ID. This wall in cooperation with a portion of the housing, a transverse wall 14 and a longitudinal wall 16' form a compart-' ment 18 shown in Figs. and 7. This is what 'may be termed the chemical compartment for it is herein that a cleaning chemical, for example Kelite, process K mixed with waterin a solution of seven and one-half gallons of chemical to two .hundred eighty gallons of water, is applied. to

both sides of the sheets. Ithas been found desirable and efiicien't to run the conveyor at a speed of eighteen feet per minute,consequently a sheet is passed through the chemical compartment 18 in something like six seconds, and for that reason it is necessary to vigorously applythe chemical to assure the removal of foreign matter from the sheet surfaces in such a short time.

This has been accomplished through the use of a plurality of spray head assemblies 80 as shown in detailjn Figs. 8 and 9. These assemblies are mounted in a plurality of opposed vertical banks 'of mine each supported by lead-in pipes 82 running from a chemical supply tank under pressure (not shown). Each spray head assembly includes a. cap N with a. saw slot 86 therein, the cap being screwed'onto a short length of pipe 88 which is in turn screwed intdanother. short length of pipe 50 of larger diameter than the pipe 88. This piping arrangement is important in that it serves to increase the line pressure to a relatively high value resulting in a more effective spray. The

pipe 90 is connected into one of the vertical' chemical lead-in pipes 82 with an elbow fitting 92 and is rotated downward approximately 45 degrees from the vertical about the elbow pivot so that the chemical sprayed from the slotted cap 84 strikes the sheet in a downward glancing manner. This angularity between the sheet and the spray afiords a scrubbing action which assists the chemical properties in the removal of foreign matter. I

It will be noted in Fig. 5 that a pair of Squeegees 94 extend into the chemical compartment 18 forming a V in the entrance thereof. These squeegees serve to prevent the pressure chemical spray from escaping through the entrance. Another pair of squeegees 96 are disposed in an exit formed in the transverse wall 14 of the chemical compartment and in a manner such that they converge away from the compartment. These squeegees and another similar pair 98 are adjusted to exert only a light wiping action on the sheets of material as they pass from the chemical compartment. Thus, while the greater part of the chemical is thereby wiped from the sheets, a certain amount'remains. This is for the purpose of prolonging the etching action of the chemical in the sheet surfaces, the etching improving the adhesion of paint which the sheets receive later in their journey through the housing ID;

The latter squeegees 98 are mounted in the entrance to a rinsing compartment Hill which is formed in a transverse wall I92. The rinsing compartment is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and is bounded by the wall I02, another portion of the housing outside Wall, another transverse wall I 04, and an extension 06 of longitudinal wall 16. The rinsing compartment is very similar to the chemical compartment just discussed except that it is provided with fewer banks of the spray head assemblies 80. Lead-in pipes I08 from a .rinsing agent supply tank under pressure (not shown) are connected to the spray head assemblies in this compartment and ordinary tap water isa satisfactory agent for removing the chemical from the sheets. However, here again,- it is desirable to utilize a scrubbing action spray under relatively high pressure in view of the short time the sheets remain in the rinsing compartment. An exit from the rinsing compartment is formed in the transverse wall I04 and this exit is also provided with a pair of squeegees I I0 disposed therein in a manner identical to those previously described except that they are adjusted like extending from a point adjacent eachsquee in the manner of a windshield wiper blade. However, the squeegees H2 are of tubular form, that is each squeegee of the pair is similar to a smooth walled garden hose,- the resilient portions each being mounted'on a pivoted bracket H4 provided with an adjustment screw so that the distance between thetwo tubular portions may be varied to suit difierentconditions. Also in this squeegee are a pair of curved rubber sheets H6 or the gee tubular portion to a point near the connection-of the pivoted bracket ill with the exit wall I04 of the rinsing compartment. These'sheets serve merely to prevent the escape of the rinsing agent into the next compartment of the apparatus to be described. Before going on, however,

there 'is one more point in connection with the squeegees and that is that they are tilted at an angle with respect to the vertical as shown in Fig.

14. This angularity results in the squeegees imparting a downward and more eflicient wiping action on the sheet. All of the Squeegees are thus disposed in various degrees of angularity with the exception of the squeegee 94 in the entrance to the housing. Inasmuch as the primary function of this squeegee is to prevent the escape of chemical from the housing and not to Wipe the sheet, a vertical disposition is satisfactory.

In line with preventing the escape of the chemical and rinsing agent from their respective compartments, it will be noted that the squeegees cannot rise above the tops of the sheets without causing interference with the conveyor assembly, therefore a relatively large unprotected opening for passage of the conveyor parts is a necessity. To prevent the escape of the rinsing agent through the conveyor opening in the Wall I04 there is provided, on either side of the opening, a bank of air pressure nozzles II8 receiving their supply of air through hoses I20 from a source not shown and directing the air in a converging manner upon the conveyor assembly in the direction of the rinsing compartment. This air pressure blows back the rinsing agent that is deposited on the assembly.

i on the sheet surfaces to evaporate so that when the sheet next enters a painting compartment I22 it will be completely dried. This evaporation process is enhanced by using a heated chemical and rinsing agent in the spray assemblies. Heating these to approximately 160 degreesF. is extremely satisfactory, the heat improves the cleaning and rinsing efiiciency and that which is thereby induced in the sheet material serves to quickly evaporate all moisture on the sheet while it is traversing the end compartment.

Shortly after the sheets begin their travel toward the opposite end of the housing I they enter the first painting compartment I22. This compartment is defined by two spaced, transversely extending walls I24 and I26 and by a protruding portion of the housing I0. On the forward left side of this painting compartment there is provided a vertical: shaft I28. This shaft mounts a plurality of horizontal arms I30 which are vertically spaced fromeach other and are so supported as to be adjustable in both a horizontal and a vertical plane. At the end of each arm, opposite the vertical shaft connection, there is universally connected a paint spray nozzle having a pair of hoses I33 for supplying paint and air thereto. The nozzles and their supporting arms are adjusted to completely cover one side of the moving sheet as it passes thereby. The paint. and air supply-is not shown but it is expedient to mount the necessary equipment below the housing I0 in a pit or the like.

While the sheet between the two branches.

As the sheet leaves this first painting compartment I22 it enters an adjacent, second painting compartment I33 which from a descriptive standpoint is identical to the one Just described except that the paint spraying equipment is on the right hand side of the sheets path of travel so that the right hand side of the sheet can be completely and uniformly painted.

To improve and assure uniformity of the paint coating an air circulating device is provided in connection with each of the painting compartments. This device is shown in cross section in Figs. 10 and 11 and the circulation of air therethrough is in the direction of the arrows. Referring to Fig. 10, air enters a duct I34 and is routed into the painting compartment, deflectors I36 being provided as necessary to route the air on both sides of the. sheet I2. The downward rush of air over the sheet distributes the paint spray evenly thereon and, in addition, carries the paint fumes out of the compartment. The outgoing air passes through a diffuser I38 and thence into an outlet duct I40 leading to a chamber I42 from which it is passed on through a duct I44 to the atmosphere. An air moving unit I46 is shown by phantom lines in the chamber I42.

I do not wish to be limited to an arrangement of painting compartments wherein they are ofiset from each other as described, however, when the paint spray nozzles are all mounted in one compartment and facing each other, each tends to become clogged by the others spray in that interim when there is no sheet of material between them as caused by the spacing between the sheets on the conveyor.

As the completely painted ,sheet passes from the second painting compartmentit enters a compartment I46 in the far end of the housing I0. This compartment is also a reversing compartment identical to the compartment I2I at the other end of the housing I0 and, inasmuch as the time required for the sheet to be reversed and carried out vof the apparatus is relatively short it is desirable to hasten the drying of the paint. The paint drying is aided to a degree by the heat retained in the sheet but I have added an air curtain device I50 to assure complete drying so that the completely processed sheets may be stacked immediately. The air curtain device is shown in Fig. 12- and its relative position in reversing compartment I48 may be seen in Fig. 1. The device comprises a blower I52 for forcing air into a branched duct I54. One branch of the duct is disposed on either side of the conveyor assembly and the sheets pass Each branch is stepped at I56, ISIland I and each step is vertically slotted at I62 so: that the entire surface of the sheet is equally sprayed with air, thus.

drying the paint.

After a sheet has passed through the air curtain and gone through the reversing operation it exits from the housing I0 at I64 and moves into the inset portion I2 from whence it began.

The movements of the sheets through the housing and the details of the various operations to which they are subjected while they travel are believed to be clearly set forth hereinbefore. 'As

to loading and unloading the sheets, it has been found expedient to place a rack with the sheets to be processed on the entrance side of the inset portion I2 and an empty rack for the finished sheets on the exit side of the inset portion. With the conveyor in motion three men attach a sheetcarrying rod 60 at three points along the top upon the sheet is carried into of a sheet, clamping the sheet between the'coneshaped members 64 and '66. A man then takes hold of each end of the sheet-carrying rodand carries it with the sheet attached into the inset portion where the rod is placed in the hooks of a passing load bar 44 as shown in Fig. 4 wherepartment. Once all the load bars on the conveyor assembly have been loaded and the finished sheets begin coming through two more menraise the rod carrying a finished sheet from the hooks of its load bar and carry the rod and sheet to the finished sheet rack. The center man of the three who fasten the carrying. rods to the unfinished sheet goes over to the finished sheet and removes the central fastener while the two end men are removing their respective fasteners, after which the center man carries the sheet carrying rod back to the unfinished sheet rack for reinstallation.

While I have-herein shown and described my invention in its present preferred embodiment it will be obvious to those skilled in the art after understanding the invention that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

In the following claims, the term paint is used broadly to include coloring, coating and impregnating liquids, either with orwithout pigments, and the words "painting and painted refer to the application of such liquids.

I claim:

1. In a cleaning and painting apparatus in which an article to be cleaned and painted is carried by a conveyor through .a series of suc-. cessive operations, a plurality of 'spray means' adapted to direct a chemical upon said article the chemical comi which an article compartments for painting and drying said article.

3.:In a cleaning. and painting'apparatus in to be cleaned and painted is, carried by a conveyor through a series of oper-' pair of squeegees of laminated construction through which said article passes afterbeing.

subjected to said chemical spray, said squeegees being adjusted to wipe a portion of said chemical from saidarticle as it passes therethrough, means to supply a heated rinsing agent, a plurality of spray-means adapted to angularly direct said heated rinsing agent under pressure upon said article t completely remove said chemical therefrom, another pair of squeegees through which said article passes after being subjected to said rinsing agent, said last named squeegees being adapted to substantially remove said rinsing agent from said article as it passes therethrough, a moisture evaporation compartment disposed in the path of travel of said article wherein said article is completely dried by the evaporation of said rinsing agent, addi tional compartments through which said article is carried by said conveyor, and means in said latter compartments for successively painting and drying said article.

for cleaning and etching same, means for wiping a portion of said chemical from said article, a plurality of spray means adapted to direct a rinsing agent upon said article to completely remove said chemical therefrom, means for wiping said rinsingagent from said article, a plurality of means for painting said article, and means for drying said article immediately after painting.

2. In a cleaning and painting apparatus in which an article to be cleaned and painted is carried by a conveyor through a series of operations, means to supply a heated chemical, a plurality of spray means adapted to direct said heated chemical upon said article for cleaning and etching same, a pair which said article passes after being subjected to said chemical spray, said squeegees being adjusted to wipe a portion of said chemical from said article, as it passes therethrough, means to supply a heated r' g agent, a plurality of spray means adapted to direct said heated rinsing agent upon said article to completely remove said chemical therefrom, another pair of squeegees through which said article passes after being sub jected to said'rinsing agent, said last named squeegees being adapted to substantially remove said rinsing agent from said article as itpasses therethrough, a moisture evaporation-compartment disposed in the path of travel of said article wherein said article the evaporation of said is completely dried by ried by said conveyonandmeans in said latter rinsing agent, the evapcrating process being enhanced by the heat in,

of squeegees through 4. In a cleaning and painting apparatus in which an article to be .cleaned and painted is carried by a conveyor through a series of oper-' apply a chemical to said arti-- and etching same, a pair of ations, means to cle for cleaning squeegees angularly disposed in the path of movement of said article so as to exert a downward wiping action upon said article as it passes therethrough, said squeegees being adjusted to remove only a portion of said chemical from said article so as to prolong the chemical etch,

means to apply a rinsing agent to said article to completely remove said chemical therefrom,

.- another pair of squeegees angularly disposed in the path of movement of said article so as to exert a downward wiping action upon said article as it passes squeegees being adjusted to substantially remove said rinsing agent from said article, and means disposed along the path of said article to successively paint and dry said article after it has been thbrqughly cleaned, etched and rinsed.

5. In a cleaning and painting apparatus in which an carried bya conveyor through a series of opera tions, a plurality a; spray means adapted to direct a chemical uponfsaid article for cleaning and etching same, a pair of squeegees angularly disposed in the path of movement of said article so as to exert a downward wiping action upon said article as it passes therethrough, said squeegees being adjusted to remove only a portion of said chemical from said article so as to prolong the chemical etch, a plurality 0f spray means adapted to direct a rinsing agent upon said article to completely remove said chemical therefrom, another pair-of squeegees angularly disposed in the'path 'of movement of said article so as to-exert a downward wip ng action upon said article as it passes therethrough, said last named squeegees being adjusted to substantially remove said rinsing agent from means disposed along the path of saidarticle to successively paint and dry said article after therethrough, said last named article to be cleaned and painted said article, and

in said,

it has been thoroughly cleaned, etched and rinsed.

6. In a cleaning and painting apparatus in which an article to be cleaned and painted is carried by a conveyor through a series of operations,- means to supply a chemical under pressure, a plurality of spray means adapted to angularly direct said chemical upon said article for cleaning and etching same, a pair of squeecle to completely remove said chemical there- I from, another pair of squeegees angularly disposed -in the path of movement of said article so as to exert a downward wiping action upon said article as it passes therethrough, said last named squeegees being adjusted to substantially remove said rinsing agent from said article, and means disposed along the path of said article to successively paint and dry said article after it has been thoroughly cleaned, etched and rinsed.

7. In a cleaning and painting apparatus in which an article to be cleaned and painted is carried by a conveyor through a series of operations, means to supply a heated chemical, a plurality of spray means adapted to direct said heated chemical upon said article for cleaning and etching same, a pair of squeegees angularly disposed in the path oimovement of said article so as to exert a downward wiping action upon said article as it passes therethrough, said squeegees being adjusted to remove only a portion of said chemical from'said article so as to prolong the chemical etch, means to supply a heated rinsing agent, a plurality of spray means adapted to direct said heated rinsin agent upon said article to completely remove said chemical therefrom, another pair of squeegees angularly disposed inthe path of move- -ment of said article so as to exert a downward T wiping action upon said article as it passes therethrough, said last named squeegees bein adjusted to substantially remove said rinsing.

agent from said article, a moisture evaporation compartment disposed in the path of traveloi said article wherein said article is completely dried by the evaporation or said rinsing agent, additional compartments through which said article is carried by said conveyor, and means latter compartments for successively painting and drying said article.

8.In a cleaning and painting apparatus in which an article to be-cleaned and painted is carried by a conveyor through a 'series of operations, means disposed along the path of movement ofsaid article for cleaning, etching and rinsing the article as it moves, a plurality of spray means for directing paint upon said article after it has been ,cleaned, etched and rinsed, 'means associated with said paint applying means i for drawing the spray downward and across said article to insure an,evenly distributed coating, and an air curtain-for drying said coating, said curtain being disposed transversely to the path of movement of said article so that said article passes therethrough immediately following the application of said paint. V

- 9. In a cleaning and painting apparatus in which an article to be cleaned and painted is carried by a conveyor through a series of operations, means disposed along the path of movement of said article for cleaning, etching and rinsing the article as it moves, a plurality of adjustable spray means for directing paint upon said article after it hasbeen cleaned, etched and rinsed, a suction device associated with said paint applying means for drawing the spray downward and across said article to insure an evenly distributed coating thereon, and an air curtain for drying said coating, said curtain being disposed transversely to the path of movement of said article so' that said article passes therethrough immediately following the application of said a paint.

, it moves, a plurality of adjustable spray means for directing paint upon said article after it has been cleaned, airmoving means for passing a quantity of air over said article in one direction to evenly distribute the paint coating on said article, and an air curtain adapted to engage said article in a direction substantially normal to said first air passage direction to dry said paint coating, said air curtain being so disposed as to engage said article immediately following the application of said paint coating.

11. In a. cleaning and painting apparatus in which an article to be cleaned and painted is carried by a conveyor through a series of operations, means disposed along the path of movement of said article for cleaning the article as it moves, adjustable spray means for directing paint upon a portion of said article after it has been cleaned, air moving means for passing a quantity of air over said article in one direction during said painting to evenly distribute the paint coating on said portion of said article, additional adjustable spray means for directing paint upon another portion of said article after said first portion hasbeen painted, means for passing a quantity of air over said article in one direction during said painting of said last named portion of said article to evenly distribute the paint coating thereon, and an air curtain adapted to engage said portlons of said article'in a direction substantially normal to said first air passage direction to dry said paint coating.

12. In a cleaning and painting apparatus in I which an article to be cleaned and painted is carried by a conveyor througha series of successive operations, spray means adapted to direct a chemical upon said article for cleaning same, means for wiping a portion of said chemical from said article, spray means adapted to direct a rinsing agent upon said article to completely remove said chemical therefrom, means for wiping said rinsing agent from said article, spray Said carried by a conveyor through a series of successive operations,- spray means adapted to direct a chemical upon said article for cleaning same,

means for wiping a portion of said chemical from said article, spray means adapted to direct a rinsing agent upon said article to completely remove said chemical therefrom, means for wiping said rinsing agent from said article, spray means for directing paint upon a portion of said article after it has been cleaned and rinsed, air moving means for passing a quantity of air over said article in one direction during said painting to evenly distribute the paint cc ating on said portion of said article, additional spray means for directing paint upon another portion of said article after said first portion has been painted, means for passing a quantity of air over said article in one direction during said painting of said last named portion of said article to evenly distribute the paint coating thereon, andan air curtain adapted to engage said portions of said article in a direction substantially normal to said first air passage direction to dry said paint coating.

14. In a cleaning and painting apparatus in which an article to be cleaned and painted is carried by a conveyor through a series of operations, means to supply a heated chemical, a plurality of spray means adapted to direct said heated chemical upon said article for cleaning and etching same, a pair of squeegees through which said article passes after being subjected to said chemical spray, said Squeegees being adjusted to wipe a portion of said chemical from said article as it passes therethrough, means to supply a. heated rinsing agent, a plurality of spray means adapted to direct said heated rinsing agent upon said article to completely remove said chemical therefrom, another pair of squeegees through which said article passes after being 7 subjected to said rinsing agent, said last name Squeegees being,,adapted to substantially remove said rinsing agent from said article as it passes therethrough, a moisture evaporation compartment disposed in the path of travel of said article wherein said article is completely dried by the evaporation of said rinsing agent, the evaporating process being enhanced by the heat in said article resulting from subjection to said heated chemical and rinsing agent, additional compartments through which said article is carried by said conveyor, spray means in one of said additional compartments adapted for directing paint upon said article after it has been cleaned, air

moving means for passing a quantity of air over said article in one direction in said compartment -to evenly distribute the paint coating on said article, and an .air curtain inanother of said additional compartments, said air curtain being adapted to engage said article in a direction substantially normal to said first air .passage direction to dry said paint coating. Q

15. In a cleaning and painting apparatus in which an article to. be cleaned and painted is carried by a. conveyor through a series of operato prolong the chemical etch, means to supply a rinsing agent under pressure, a-plurality of spray means adapted to angularly direct said rinsing agent upon said article to completely first air passage direction to dry said paint coat-- remove said chemical therefrom, another pair of squeegees angularly disposed in the path of movement of said article so as to exert a downward wiping action upon said article as it passes therethrough, said last named squeegees being adjusted to substantially remove said rinsing agent from said article, spray means for directing paint upon said article after it has been cleaned, air moving means for passing a quantity of air over said article in one direction to evenly distribute the paint coating on said article, and an air curtain adapted to engage said article in a direction substantially normal to said ing, said air. curtain being so disposed as to engage said article immediately following theappli cation of said paint coating.

16. In a cleaning and painting apparatus in which an article to be cleaned and painted is carried by a conveyor through a series of operations, means to supply a chemical under pressure, a plurality of spray means adapted to angularly direct said chemical upon said article for cleaning and etching same, a pair of Squeegees angularly disposed in the path of movement of said article so as to exert a downward wiping action upon said article as it passes therethrough, said sgueege'es being adjusted toremove only a portion of said chemical from said article so as to prolong thechemical etch, means to supply a rinsing agent under pressure, a plurality of spray means adapted to angularly direct said rinsing I agent upon said article to completely remove said chemical therefrom, another pair of squeegees angularly disposed in the path of movement of said article so, as to exert a downward wiping action upon said article as it passes therethrough,

said last named Squeegees being adjustedto substantially remove said'rinsing agent from said article, spray means for directing paint upon a portion of said article after it has been cleaned, air moving means for passing a quantity of air over said article iii one direction during said painting to evenly distribute the paint coating on said portion of said article, additional spray means for directing paint upon another portion of said article after said first portion has been painted, means'for passing aquantityof air over said article in one direction during said painting of said last named portion of said article to evenly distribute the paint coating thereon: and an air curtain adapted to engage said portions of'said article in a direction substantially normal to said first air passage direction to dry said paint coating. v

17. In an apparatus for cleaning and painting an elongated article, means for carrying the article through a series of, operations, a loading position from which thejarticles travel is begun,

' means along the path of travel of said article tions, means to supply a chemical under presfor reversing its direction of 'movement without changing its direction of heading, means farther along the path. of travel for again reversing its direction of movement without changing, its direction of heading, and anunloadi'ng position at which the completely processed article is removed from the carrying means, said loading and .unloading positions being substantially adjacent.

18. Inan apparatus for cleaning and painting an elongated article, means for carrying the article through a series of operations, a loading 8 azvacse position from which the article's travel is begun.

means for performing at least one processing operation upon said article during an initial portion of its travel from said loading position, means along the path of travel of said article for.

reversing its direction of movement withoutchanging its diiection of heading, means for performing at least one more processing operation after the direction of movement of said article has been reversed, means farther along the path of travel for again reversing the article's direction of movement without changing its-direction of heading, and an unloading position at whichthe completelyprocessed article is removedfrom the carrying means, said loading and unloading positions being at the same location.

l9. In an apparatus for processing an elongated article, means for carrying the article through a series of operations including cleaning and painting, a loading position from which the travel of the unprocessed article isbegun, means for cleaning said article during an initial portion of its travel from said loading position, means along the path of travel of said article for reing the material 'to a squeegee action to remove the rinsing agent, painting the material and subsequently passing the material through an air curtain to dry the paint.

'22. A method of cleaning and painting a piece of material including the steps of pressure spraying-a heated chemical upon the material,- sub- -jectin'g the material to a relatively light squeegee action to remove a portion of the chemical therefrom, pressure spraying a heated rinsing agent upon the, material to completely remove the chemical therefrom, subjecting the material to a heavier squeegee action to remove the rinsing agent, pressure spraying a paint upon the material and subsequently passing the ,material through an air curtain to dry the paint thereon,

" all of said operations being performed while the material is moved. continuously-along as by a conveyor.

23. A method of cleaning and painting a piece of material including the steps of applyingxa versing its direction of movement without changis removed from the carrying means, said loading and unloading positions being one and the same.

20. A method of cleaning and painting a piece of material including the steps of pressure spraying a heated chemical upon the material, sub-.

jecting the material to a relatively light squeegee action'to remove a portion of the chemical therefrom, pressure spraying a heated rinsing agent upon the material to completely remove the heated chemical witha scrubbing action to the material, wipingonly a portion of said chemical from the material so asto prolong the chemical etch, applying a heated rinsing agent to the material to completely remove.. the chemical moisture evaporation drying thereof, painting the chemical therefrom, subjecting the material to a heavier squeegee action to remove the rinsing agent, pressure spraying a paint upon first one side of the material and then another, and subsequently passing the material through an air curtain to dry the paint thereon, all of said operdried material, and passingthe material through an air curtain to dry the paint thereon, while the material is being continuously moved as by a conveyor.

24. A method of cleaning and painting a piece of material including the steps of applying a chemical spray to the material, wiping only a portion of said chemical from the material so as to prolong the chemical etch, rinsing the chemical completely from the material, drying the material, applying a paint spray, and passing the material through anair curtain to dry the paint, while the material is being moved along as by a conveyor.

25. A method of cleaning and painting a piece of material including the steps of applying aheated chemical to the material, wiping only a po fitlon of said chemical from the material so;

the chemical therefrom, pressure spraying a uougly qved as by a, conveyor.

heated rinsing agent uponthe material to completely remove the chemical therefrom, subject- WILLIAM LAll/IBERT KERLINQ