Coating Apparatus

Abstract

A component such as a door is coated by immersion in a fluidized bed. The component is supported by a hook assembly that moves the component within the fluidized bed during coating. The movement is cyclical and inhibits bridging of the coating material when applied to intricate articles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of applying a coating to a component comprising positioning said component adjacent a fluid bed of coating material, immersing the component into said fluidised bed to apply said coating thereto, moving said component within said fluidised bed during application of said coating and removing the component from the fluidized bed. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said movement is an oscillating movement. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said oscillating movement is along an axis. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said oscillating movement has a period of between 5 cycles per second and 0.5 cycles per second. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said oscillating movement has a period of 2 cycles per second. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said component is lowered in to said fluidized bed and said oscillating movement is along a vertical axis. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said component is supported on a carriage assembly moveable along a vertical axis to immerse said component and said oscillatory movement is independent of said carriage. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claims 3  wherein a plurality of fluidized beds are provided and said component is moved successfully through said beds to apply a plurality of coatings thereto. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein excessive coating material is removed upon removal of said component from said fluidized bed. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said coating is fusion bond powder epoxy. 
     
     
         11 . A coating apparatus for coating a component comprising a fluidized bed of coating material, a conveyor to position a component adjacent said fluidized bed, a carnage supported by the conveyor to carry said component, said carriage being moveable relative to said conveyor to immerse said component within said fluidized bed, a hook assembly on said carriage to engage said component, and a drive to move said hook assembly relative to said carriage and ease bodily movement of said component within said fluidized bed as coating is applied. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said drive causes oscillatory movement of said hook. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein a mast connects said carriage to said conveyor and said carriage is moveable along said mast. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said mast is vertical and said carriage moves along a vertical axis to immerse said component. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said oscillatory movement of said hook is along said vertical axis. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said drive includes an extendable cylinder acting between said hook assembly and said carriage. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein a counterbalance is provided for said carriage. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said mast is rotatably secured to said conveyor. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein a plurality of fluidized beds are provided to coat said component and said conveyor extends between said beds. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein a material removal station is provided adjacent said fluidized bed and said conveyor extends between said beds.