BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 depicts part of a paint spray booth comprising a cleaning unit, a spray gun, paint cups, and a preparatory area;
FIG. 2 depicts a cleaning unit for a spray gun before initiation of a cleaning process;
FIG. 3 depicts a cleaning unit for a spray gun when the cleaning process is initiated;
FIG. 4 depicts a cleaning unit for a spray gun after the cleaning process is performed;
FIG. 5 depicts a cleaning unit having a venturi nozzle;
FIG. 6 depicts a cleaning unit having a venturi nozzle and a T-member with open air connection;
FIG. 7 depicts a cleaning unit having a venturi nozzle and a T-member with closed air connection; and
FIG. 8 depicts part of cleaning unit where a chamber comprises a washing means and vacuum tank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 depicts a spray gun (1) inside part of a paint spray booth (2). Inside the paint spray booth (2) is a first paint cup (3), which first paint cup (3) is connected to the spray gun (1) held by a hand (38). Inside the first paint cup (3) is a first paint contained and used for spraying. Further is a second paint cup (4) comprising a second paint placed inside the paint spray booth (2). However, the second paint cup (4) can also be placed within a direct vicinity to the paint spray booth (2) (not shown in figure). The paint is contained directly inside the paint cups. Alternatively as shown in FIG. 1 the paint is contained in small bags (3′; 4′) which are placed inside the paint cups (3; 4). The paint cups with paint which are not connected to the spray gun (1) are placed in or within a direct vicinity to the paint spray booth (2), e.g. on a shelf inside the paint spray booth (2). It is also possible that the paint cups not connected to the spray gun are placed within a preparatory area (31) or inside a paint mixing room (not shown in figure). Further inside the paint spray booth (2) is a cleaning unit.
Outside the paint spray booth (2) is a preparatory area (31). This is an area where objects to be painted inside the paint spray booth (2) are prepared for a paint job. The paint job is then to be carried out in the paint spray booth (2) or within a direct vicinity to the paint spray booth (2). The preparatory area is located in a direct vicinity to the paint spray booth (2).
The cleaning unit (5) comprises a chamber (18), a media delivering system (12), a cleaning nozzle (6), and a container (29) in which a cleaning media is contained. The cleaning nozzle (6) communicates with the container (29) via the media delivering system (12).
The spray gun (1) in FIG. 1 is a conventional spray gun (1) used for spray painting inside a paint spray booth (2). The spray gun (1) is connected with an air system providing pressurized air (11) to the spray gun (1).
FIG. 2 depicts a cleaning unit (5). The cleaning unit (5) comprises a chamber (18), a cleaning nozzle (6), a valve (13), a wiping off element, (20) and drainage (19). The cleaning unit (5) further comprises a media delivering system (12) and a container (29) comprising a cleaning media (7). The cleaning nozzle (6) and the container (29) communicate with each other via the media delivering system (12).
According to an example of an embodiment of the invention in accordance with FIG. 2, a pump (14) is connected to the media delivering system (12). The pump (14) is controlled by the valve (13) inside the cleaning nozzle (6). The valve (13) monitors the start of the pump (14).On a lower part of the inside of the chamber (18) is a wiping off element (20). The wiping off element (20) is mountable and dismountable from the cleaning unit (5) for repairing or cleaning of the wiping off element (20).
On a lower part located under the wiping off element (20) inside the chamber (18) is a drainage (19) from the chamber (18). The drainage communicates with a collecting tank (30) positioned under the chamber (18). FIG. 2 further depicts a spray gun (1) prepared for cleaning placed inside the chamber (18). The spray gun (1) comprises a spray nozzle (10), a paint distributing passage (8), an inlet (9), which inlet (9) is a receiver for paint which is contained in a paint cup (see FIG. 1) and which paint cup (see FIG. 1) is connected to the inlet (9) of the spray gun (1). As mentioned above, the spray gun (1) in FIG. 2 is prepared for cleaning. The paint cup (see FIG. 1) has been removed before moving the spray gun (1) into a cleaning position inside the chamber (18).
FIG. 3 depicts the spray gun (1) when the cleaning process has initiated. The spray gun (3) is oriented in such a position so that the inlet (9) is brought into contact with the cleaning nozzle (6). Contact between the cleaning nozzle (6) and the spray gun (1) opens the valve (13) inside the cleaning nozzle (6). The valve (13) is incorporated with the cleaning nozzle (6). The valve (13) can be opened in any desired manner. The valve (13) in an open position activates the pump (14). The valve (13) can activate the pump in any desired manner. The pump (14) draws a cleaning media (7) contained in a container (29) suitable for cleaning media into the media delivering system (12). The media delivering system (12) then guides the cleaning media (7) to the cleaning nozzle (6). From the cleaning nozzle (6) the cleaning media is guided into the paint distributing 1o passage (8) inside the spray gun (1). The cleaning media (7) flows in the paint distribution passage (8) inside the spray gun (1) and exits at a spray nozzle (10) located on the spray gun (1). Cleaning media (7) which exits the spray nozzle (10) during the cleaning process is guided down to the bottom of the chamber (18) due to gravity. In the bottom of the chamber (18)is a drainage (19). The drainage (19) then guides received cleaning media (7) and paint to a collecting tank (30) suitable for used cleaning media and paint.
FIG. 4 depicts the spray gun (1) after cleaning media (7) has entered and passed through the paint distributing passage (8). After the spray gun (1) is removed from cleaning nozzle (6) the spray nozzle (10) of the spray gun (1) is aimed into an open end (22) of a funnel-shaped nozzle (21). The spray gun (1) blows out remaining cleaning media and old paint from the paint distributing passage (8) into the funnel-shaped nozzle (21). As remaining cleaning media is blown out into the funnel-shaped nozzle (21) it is then guided via drainage (23) from the funnel-shaped nozzle (21) to the lower part of the chamber (18). When the paint distributing passage (8) is blown out, the spray nozzle is wiped off on the wiping off element (20) inside the chamber (18) (not shown in figures). This wiping off performance can also be performed before blowing out the cleaning media and old paint from the paint distributing passage (8). During the above described cleaning process cleaning media is splashed onto the exterior of the spray gun (1). Cleaning media and old paint which is on the exterior of the spray gun (1) is removed by pressurized air (32) which is led to an air nozzle (16) via a flexible member (27). In accordance with an example of an embodiment of the invention, the air nozzle (16) and the flexible member (27) are comprised in the cleaning unit.
In accordance with an example of an embodiment of the invention, the cleaning unit (5) includes a means for ventilation (28), see FIG. 4. Vapors and gases generated during cleaning and as well as during painting are guided into the means for ventilation (28). The means for ventilation (28) communicates with a unit known to a skilled person for handling the mentioned generated vapors and gases.
FIG. 5 depicts the spray gun (1) when the cleaning process has initiated. In accordance with an example of an embodiment of the invention, the cleaning unit (5) includes a media delivering system (12) which communicates with the cleaning nozzle (6). Instead of a pump as described in FIG. 3, the cleaning media (7) is fed to the cleaning nozzle (6) via a venturi nozzle (15). The venturi nozzle (15) is controlled by the valve (13). The valve (13) is integrated in the cleaning nozzle (6). When the valve (13) is in an open position due to activation, air flows through the venturi nozzle (15) whereby cleaning media is drawn to the venturi nozzle (15). The cleaning media (7) and the air which has entered the venturi nozzle (15) are guided out through the cleaning nozzle (6). From the cleaning nozzle (6) the cleaning media (7) is mixed with air then guided into and through the paint distributing passage (8) as described above for FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 depict the cleaning of the spray gun (1) in accordance with another example of an embodiment of the invention. The cleaning unit (5) comprises a venturi nozzle (15) as described above in FIG. 5. On the media delivering system (12) is a T-member (17) positioned between container (29) comprising the cleaning media (7) and the venturi nozzle (15) communicating with the cleaning nozzle (6). The T-member (17) has one part which is communicating with the container (29), one part which is communicating with the venturi nozzle (15) and the cleaning nozzle (6), and one part comprising a valve in which air is introduced into the T-member (17). The valve which air is introduced into the T-member may be any desired valve. When the valve in the T-member (17) is in an open position air is introduced into the T-member (17). When the valve in the T-member (17) is in a closed position no air can enter into the T-member (17).
FIG. 6 depicts when the valve in the T-member (17) is in an open position. Air then flows through the T-member (17). The air, after entering the T-member (17), continues to the venturi nozzle (15) and then out through the cleaning nozzle (6). As air is introduced into the T-member (17) no cleaning media (7) from the container (29) is drawn up and led to the cleaning nozzle (6).
FIG. 7 depicts when the valve in the T-member (17) is in a closed position. As the valve is closed, cleaning media due to the function of the venturi nozzle (15), as described above in relation to FIG. 5, is led to the venturi nozzle (15) and out through the cleaning nozzle (6) into the paint distributing passage (8) of the spray gun (1).
FIG. 8 depicts a chamber (18) in accordance with an example of an embodiment of the invention where the chamber (18) comprises a second cleaning nozzle (36). The second cleaning nozzle (36) is located inside the chamber (18) on a side wall of the chamber (18).
FIG. 8 further depicts another example of an embodiment of the invention where the chamber (18) comprises a vacuum tank (34). The vacuum tank (34) is connected to the chamber (18). However, it can also be located in the vicinity to the chamber (18). The vacuum tank comprises a receiving funnel (35), whereby the spray nozzle (10) of the spray gun (1) is placed into the receiving funnel (35) (not shown in figures). A low pressure contained in the vacuum tank (34) generates a vacuum effect into the vacuum tank (34), whereby cleaning media and old paint contained in the paint distributing passage (8) is drawn out from the paint distributing passage (8) via the spray nozzle (10) and into the vacuum tank (34).
FIG. 8 further depicts an example of an embodiment of the invention where a washing means (37) is incorporated or connected to the chamber (18). The washing means (37) is constructed for receiving a paint cup and/or a lid and/or accessories to and for the spray gun (1) (not shown in figures), whereby the paint cup, lid and accessories to and for the spray gun is cleaned within in the washing means (37) in any desired manner.
It will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
Patent Application
20080029128
