Method and apparatus for powder coating elongated objects

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, an apparatus according to this invention for the powder coating of elongated articles is labeled generally with the reference numeral 11.
The apparatus 11 generally includes a spray booth 13 having a base portion containing a filter recovery system 15 and an absolute filter 17 connected to the filter/recovery system 15 through a duct 19.
The duct 19 connects to the filter/recovery system 15 by means of a quick-disconnect connection 21 mounted in hole 23 formed in the base portion of the spray booth 13.
Duct 19 communicates the interior of the filter/recovery system 15 to a blower 27 associated with absolute filter 17 which creates a negative pressure in the filter recovery system 15 as will be more fully discussed below.
The blower 27 exhausts into a plenum 29 having filters 31 which clean any air discharged therethrough.
The spray booth 13 defines a controlled area for spraying powder according to the method of this invention and comprises a ceiling section 35, opposed side walls 37 and 39 with side wall 37 having an access opening 41 formed therein, opposed end walls 45 and 47 and a floor area 49.
As mentioned above, prior art spray booths generally include a ceiling section having an elongated opening to receive a conveyor upon which articles to be coated are disposed for movement through the spray booth.
As shown in the drawings, the ceiling section 35 of spray booth 13 is continuous although it may be open for the admission of air into the booth so as to obtain proper air flow volumes and velocity through the booth.
To accommodate elongated articles such as wire, pipe or rods, the spray booth 13 of this invention is provided with end walls 45 and 47 having spaced aligning openings 51 and 53, respectively, which are shaped and sized to receive a particular elongated article to be coated.
As shown in FIG.
1, a reel 55 of wires 57, which reel 55 is grounded, is disposed adjacent the spray booth 13 in alignment with the openings 51 in end wall 45