The technical field generally relates to paint booths and, more specifically, to scrubber boxes for paint booths.
Paint booths are often used to paint vehicles along with any number of other different types of items. Often paint booths have a scrubber system. Certain paint booths utilize a wet scrubber system, while certain other paint booths utilize a dry scrubber system. In general, a dry scrubber system recirculates spray booth air by directing it into scrubber chambers where a filter captures wet paint particles. However, in certain embodiments, existing scrubber systems may not always be optimal in certain situations.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide improved scrubber systems for vehicles. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a scrubber box for a paint booth is provided, the scrubber box including: a housing; a plurality of filter frames disposed within the housing; and a plurality of first stage filters disposed within the housing, the plurality of first stage filters each having the same size and shape as one another.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the housing and the plurality of filter frames are each made of metal.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the housing and the plurality of filter frames are each reusable.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the housing and the plurality of filter frames are welded together.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the housing and the plurality of filter frames are each made of steel.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the housing and the plurality of filter frames are each made of stainless steel.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the housing and the plurality of filter frames are each made of galvanized steel.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of filter frames includes: a first filter frame forming one or more first slots for an upper first stage filter; and a second filter frame disposed below the first filter frame and forming one or more second slots for a lower first stage filter.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more first slots have common filter dimensions; and each of the one or more second slots also have the common filter dimensions identical to those of the one or more first slots.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the scrubber box further includes one or more second stage filters; wherein the scrubber box is configured to direct airflow: in a first direction, from top to bottom, from an air inlet through the upper row of first stage filters and the lower row of first stage filters; and subsequently, in a second direction, from front to rear, through the one or more second stage filters.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the one or more second stage filters includes a mat filter.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the scrubber box further includes an inclined top surface on an upper portion of the body, wherein the top surface and the housing form an inlet into the scrubber box.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the scrubber box further includes a door with one or more openings for one or more inspection windows for the scrubber box.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the scrubber box further includes a drawer configured to collect waste for the scrubber box.
Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the scrubber box further includes one or more bottom supports configured for movement of the scrubber box in conjunction with a forklift.
In another exemplary embodiment, a method of preparing for operation of a scrubber box for a paint booth is disclosed the includes: locating a second stage filter via an opened back door frame of the scrubber box; closing the back door frame; installing a plurality of first stage filters through an opened front door of the scrubber box; and closing the front door.
Also in an exemplary embodiment, the method further include locking the back door frame and the front door.
Also in an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes moving the scrubber box into operating position, via a forklift and one or more bottom supports of the scrubber box.
In another exemplary embodiment, a metallic scrubber box for a paint booth is provided, the metallic scrubber box including: (i) a metallic housing; (ii) a plurality of metallic filter frames disposed within the housing, the plurality of metallic filter frames including: (a) a first filter frame forming one or more first slots, each of the one or more first slots having common filter dimensions; and (b) a second filter frame disposed below the first filter frame and forming one or more second slots, each of the one or more second slots also having the common filter dimensions identical to those of the one or more first slots; (iii) a plurality of first stage filters disposed within the first filter and the second filter, the plurality of first stage filters each having the same size and shape as one another; and (iv) one or more second stage filters disposed behind the second filter frame.
Also in an exemplary embodiment, the metallic housing and the plurality of metallic filter frames are all welded together.
The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses thereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the scrubber box 100 may be used in connection with an existing paint booth. For example,
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Also in various embodiments, the scrubber box 100 further includes a drawer 110 as depicted in
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In various embodiments, the entire body and housing 102, including the side walls 104, the front wall 106, and the rear wall 108, are each made of metal. In certain embodiments, the entire body/housing 102, including the side walls 104, the front wall 106, and the rear wall 108, are each made of steel. In one such embodiment, the entire body and housing 102, including the side walls 104, the front wall 106, and the rear wall 108, are each made of stainless steel. In another embodiment, the entire body/housing 102, including the side walls 104, the front wall 106, and the rear wall 108, are each made of galvanized steel. In certain embodiments, other components (such as, by way of example, the front door 107, the rear door panel 109, the drawer 110, the safety pins 111, the filters 120, and the bottom supports 130) are also made of steel (e.g. stainless steel and/or galvanized steel).
In addition, in various embodiments, the scrubber box 100 is configured to fit in both current paint booth installations as well as new paint booth installations. In addition, in various embodiments, the scrubber box 100 is configured to be reusable, with its housing 102, and with the filter housing 402, being reusable. In various embodiments, the housing 102 and the filter housing 402 are washable (instead of being replaced each time), thereby reducing waste generation (for example, in comparison with the use of paper and wood with existing technologies). Also in various embodiments, each of the internal and external components, including the top portion 101 (including the inclined plate 301), body 102 (including the side walls 104, front wall 106, and rear wall 108), the front door 107, the rear door panel 109, the safety pins 111, and the bottom supports 130, are welded and sealed together. For example, in certain embodiments, each of the components (other than the body 102) are welded to the body 102. In addition, in various embodiments, the various internal panels and compartments, including the top portion 101 (including the inclined plate 301), body 102 (including the side walls 104, front wall 106, and rear wall 108), the front door 107, the rear door panel 109, the safety pins 111, and the bottom supports 130, are manufactured to be as smooth as possible, for example to decrease any potential coat impregnation.
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In various embodiments, each of the first stage filters 401, both in the upper row 410 and the lower row 411, comprises a standard dimension retention filter, each of the same size and shape as one another. In addition, also in various embodiments, each of the first stage filters 401, both the upper first stage filter 410 and the lower first stage filter 411, are of the same model of filter. In various embodiments, each of the first stage filters 401 (i.e., the upper first stage filter 410 and the lower first stage filter 111) comprise standard filters having four (4) pockets with the following dimensions: 593×593×600 mm, for capture specifically of paint particles. Also in various embodiments, each of the standard filters of the first stage filters 401 has a metallic frame to fine in the housing 102 of the scrubber box 100. In certain embodiments, the material of which the first stage filters 401 themselves are made may be variable, for example between different filter suppliers.
In various embodiments, air flows from the inlet 302 of
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In various embodiments, safety pins are opened at step 602. In various embodiments, the user opens two safety pins 111 of
Also in various embodiments, a filter mat is located at step 604. In various embodiments, the filter mat 502 of
In addition, in various embodiments, at step 606, the filter mat 502 is installed. In various embodiments, edges of the filter mat 502 are permitted to exceed the frame size (and with the frame size being the back door frame 109) in all directions. In certain embodiments, the edges of the filter mat 502 exceed the size of the back door frame 109 by approximately one and one half centimeters (1.5 cm), preferably within a range of once centimeter (1 cm) to two centimeters (2 cm). In certain embodiments, during step 606, the filter mat 502 is located and installed via the front door 107 (if not already installed) and located via the back door frame 109 (e.g., against the back door frame 109).
In various embodiments, the rear door is closed at step 608. Specifically, in various embodiments, the back door frame 109 of
Also in various embodiments, safety pin are replaced at step 610. Specifically, in various embodiments, the safety pins 111 of
Also in various embodiments, the front door is opened at step 612. In various embodiments, the locking pin apparatus 710 of
In addition, in various embodiments, the first stage filters are installed at step 614. In various embodiments, the first stage filters 401 of
Also in an exemplary embodiment, the front door is then closed and locked at step 616. In various embodiments, the front door 107 of
Also in various embodiments, a check is performed at step 618 as to whether the drawer is closed. Specifically, in certain embodiments, the user checks to ensure that the drawer 110 of
In addition, in various embodiments, the scrubber box is moved into position at step 620. Specifically, in certain embodiments, the operator utilizes a forklift, in combination with the bottom supports 130 of
In various embodiments, the process 600 then ends at step 621.
Accordingly, a scrubber box, and an accompanying system and method of preparation for operation, is provided. In various embodiments, the disclosed scrubber box (and accompanying systems and methods of preparation for operation) provide for metallic and reusable filter apparatus, including standard size filters, with a potentially improved inlet angle for air to enter the scrubber box, and for a potentially improved direction of air flow (namely, initially from top to bottom and then subsequently from front to rear), and having inspection capabilities, along with various other features as depicted in the Figure and/or as described above in connection therewith.
It will be appreciated that the scrubber box 100, the various components thereof, along with systems and methods disclosed in combination therewith, may differ from those depicted in
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.