Claims
- 1. A method of reducing the flow of hot air out of the entry end of an elongated paint curing oven system of the type in which painted articles to be processed are moved longitudinally through an oven and wherein said oven system includes a sealing compartment having a longitudinal length terminating in an entrance and exit, with said exit aligned with the entry to the oven, said method comprising the steps of:
- continuously removing heated air from the upper region of said compartment adjacent said compartment exit;
- continuously recirculating said heated air to the lower region of said compartment along its longitudinal length;
- preventing any high velocity flow of air between said lower and upper regions of said compartment, and
- preventing any high velocity flow of air across the entrance to said compartment.
- 2. An apparatus for sealing the entry to a paint curing oven of the type in which painted articles are continuously conveyed through said entry and into said oven, said apparatus comprising:
- a compartment having a longitudinal length terminating at an entrance and an exit; said exit being aligned with the entry to said oven, said compartment also having means to accommodate and receive a conveyor to carry said painted articles;
- means for withdrawing heated air from an upper region of said compartment adjacent said exit; and
- air supplying means for recirculating said heated air to a lower region of said compartment along its longitudinal length without creating a high velocity flow of air between said upper and lower regions of said compartment; said air supplying means having a discharge port extending from a point adjacent said entrance to a point adjacent said exit.
- 3. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said compartment includes a side wall, and wherein said discharge port extends along a substantial portion of said side wall from a point adjacent said entrance to a point adjacent said exit.
- 4. The sealing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said discharge port is located to direct said heated air into said lower region below said conveyor.
- 5. The sealing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said compartment further includes means defining a ceiling panel inclined upwardly from said entrance toward said exit.
- 6. The sealing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said compartment further includes means to accommodate a floor conveyor to carry said painted articles.
- 7. The sealing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said discharge port is configured and positioned so as not to direct a high velocity flow of air across said compartment entrance.
- 8. The sealing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said discharge port comprises an elongated passageway in a side wall of said compartment, said passageway being configured and positioned so as not to direct a high velocity flow of air across said compartment entrance.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 858,029, filed on May 1, 1986, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
617668 |
Jul 1978 |
SUX |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
858029 |
May 1986 |
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