Vibrating sieving apparatus and a system for real time sieving

Abstract

The present invention provides a vibrating sieving apparatus and a real time powder sieving system. The apparatus includes a powder pump assembly connected to a vibrating device through a powder suction tube wherein the vibrating device (120) is configured for real time sieving of powder just before spraying. The apparatus further includes a housing (130) connected to the vibrating device (120) wherein the housing (130) includes a sieve section (140) and an anti blinding section (135).

Claims

1. A vibrating sieving apparatus for smooth flow of powder in powder spray equipments, the apparatus comprising: a powder pump assembly having a suction port for sucking the powder from a powder container through a suction path of a powder suction tube; a vibrating device connected to the powder pump assembly, wherein the vibrating device is configured for real time sieving of powder just before spraying; and a housing connected to the powder pump assembly suction port and the vibrating device, wherein the housing includes a sieve section and an anti-blinding section, wherein the anti-blinding section includes at least one anti-blinding pellet configured for preventing clogging of the sieve section to ensure continuous flow of freshly sieved smooth flowing powder at the suction port of the powder pump assembly.

2. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sieve section includes at least one sieve mesh and wherein the at least one anti-blinding pellet is placed between the housing and the at least one sieve mesh.

3. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sieve section includes an inner sieve mesh and an outer sieve mesh with same or different hole sizes, hole quantity and material, and the anti-blinding section includes a plurality of anti-blinding pellets, wherein the plurality of anti-blinding pellets are placed between the inner sieve mesh and the outer sieve mesh.

4. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sieve section includes a plate with holes and at least one sieve mesh, and the anti-blinding section includes a plurality of anti-blinding pellets, wherein the plurality of anti-blinding pellets are placed between the plate and the at least one sieve mesh.

5. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of prongs are connected to the sieve section and the anti-blinding section by rigid or flexible connector, to assist in breakage of lumped or coagulated powder thereby presenting less lumped or un-lumped powder from the sieve section and anti-blinding section to the entry port of the suction tube.

6. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sieve section and the anti-blinding section are connected to a suction end of the powder pump assembly to ensure that all the powder being sucked in by the powder pump assembly of the powder spray equipment is forced to move through the sieve section and thereby get sieved.

7. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sieve section includes at least one sieve mesh and the anti-blinding section includes at least one anti-blinding pellet which jumps within the confines of a zone having the at least one sieve mesh, and wherein a vibrating motion causes the pellet(s) to bounce around and hit or vibrate the sieve section and anti-blinding section thereby dislodging any stuck powder and impurity particles clinging to or within the fine holes of the at least one sieve mesh to ensure continuously self cleaning of the vibrating apparatus sieves for ensuring clean, freshly sieved powder to enter the suction port of the powder pump assembly.

8. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one vibrating sieving apparatus is placed inside the powder container and connected to a rigid or flexible powder suction tube.

9. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed 1, wherein the at least one vibrating device is built with the suction path of the powder suction tube for the powder to be sucked in by the powder pump assembly or is connected to the powder suction tube of the powder pump assembly or is in sealed construction to enable it to be immersed within the powder.

10. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one vibrating sieving apparatus is placed outside the powder container and connected to a rigid or flexible powder suction tube.

11. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibrating device is one of pneumatic, ultrasonic or mechanical, and wherein the vibrating device is one of conical, cylindrical, rectangular or cuboid in shape, and is made partially or wholly of a different material either metallic or non-metallic.

12. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a magnetic zone is provided in the suction path to trap ferrous particles which may pass through the anti-blinding section.

13. The vibrating sieving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the powder pump assembly is integrated with the vibrating sieving device.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows an assembled view of a vibrating device a vibrating sieving apparatus, the vibrating device connected to a housing having a sieve section and an anti-blinding section in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1a shows an exploded view of components of the vibrating sieving apparatus having the vibrating device connected to a housing having a sieve section and an anti-blinding section having at least two sieve meshes in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 1b shows an exploded view of components of the vibrating sieving apparatus having the vibrating device connected to a housing having a sieve section and an anti-blinding section, the sieve mesh having at least one sieve mesh and one plate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 1c shows an exploded view of components of the vibrating sieving apparatus having the vibrating device connected to a housing having a sieve section and an anti-blinding section, the sieve section having at least one sieve mesh in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 2 shows a vibrating sieving apparatus with inbuilt sieve section and anti blinding section connected with a powder pump assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 2a shows a vibrating sieving apparatus with inbuilt sieve section and anti blinding section with integrated powder pump assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 3 shows a real time powder sieving system including one spray gun connected to a vibrating sieving apparatus having a powder pump assembly with a suction port for sucking powder from a powder container through a suction path of a powder suction tube in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 3a shows a real time powder sieving system including one spray gun connected to a vibrating sieving apparatus having an integrated powder pump assembly with a suction port for sucking powder from a powder container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(9) FIG. 3b shows a real time powder sieving system including at least one vibrating sieving apparatus placed anywhere outside the powder container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a vibrating sieving apparatus with a powder pump assembly and powder spray gun in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(11) FIG. 4a shows an exploded view of a vibrating sieving apparatus with integrated powder pump and connected to a powder spray gun in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the components of the vibrating sieving apparatus with integrated powder pump in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(13) FIG. 6 real time powder sieving system having a plurality of vibrating sieving apparatus connected to a plurality of powder spray guns for spraying powder in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(14) FIG. 6a shows a real time powder sieving system having a vibrating sieving apparatus with a plurality of powder pump assembly connected to a plurality of powder spray guns for spraying powder in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) The various embodiments of the present invention provide a vibrating sieving apparatus for powder spray equipment and a real time powder sieving system.

(16) In the following description, for purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these details. One skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention, some of which are described below, may be incorporated into a number of systems. Structures and devices shown in the figures are illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the invention and are meant to avoid obscuring the invention. Furthermore, connections between components and/or modules within the figures are not intended to be limited to direct connections. Rather, these components and modules may be modified, re-formatted or otherwise changed by intermediary components and modules.

(17) References in the specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase in one embodiment in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

(18) This invention relates to a vibrating sieving apparatus with inbuilt sieving and anti-blinding system and connected to spraying apparatus, for ensuring a freshly sieved, uniform, smooth and even spray of powder emitted from a powder spray gun(s).

(19) The present invention provides a vibrating sieving apparatus to ensure smooth and even flow of powder from even coagulated and impurity laden powder from the master spray container without external or separate sieving. By placing the present invention apparatus at the suction of the powder pump, the powder is forced through the sieve(s) during suction for output. It is this suction which is used to force powder through the sieve i.e it is not gyratory or rotary or vibrating motion which is used to move powder through the sieve.

(20) In an embodiment, the vibration enables inbuilt sieve and anti blinding section to ensure continuous operation without the mandatory stoppage downtime for cleaning. The lump breaker mechanism in the present apparatus assists lumped powder disintegration.

(21) The present apparatus ensures that the particles are separated and freshly sieved and immediately presented to the spray device such as powder spray gun and the particles are thus charged better. This is due to the smaller mass of the distinctly separated powder particles versus lumped powder particles. Thus making them more tenable to easily accepting an electrostatic charge. The distinctly separated powder particle ensures a superior powder cloud emitted out of a powder spray gun and a more even and smooth powder flow with better uniformity and improved deposition efficiency.

(22) This present apparatus also eliminates the need for expensive bulky and cumbersome external sieving systems.

(23) The present invention provides miniaturized sieving machine with a suitable anti clogging mechanism. This miniature sieving apparatus is connected to the suction of the powder pump so that the powder that is sucked for spraying is freshly sieved powder.

(24) In an advantageous aspect, the vibrating device with a pair of sieves with ensconced anti blinding pellets, when connected to the suction end of the powder output device such as a powder pumpwhich there on transfers the powder to the powder spray gunensures that the powder is freshly sieved just prior to spray.

(25) The exemplary embodiments of the present invention shall now be disclosed with reference to the drawings.

(26) FIG. 1 shows an assembled view 100 of components of a vibrating sieving apparatus including a vibrating device connected to a housing having a sieve section and an anti-blinding section in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus includes an opening connection 110 for suction port of a powder pump, a vibrating device 120 devised to be connected to a housing 130, an anti-blinding section 135, a sieve section 140 connected to the housing 130, and a housing holder ring 160 with prongs.

(27) Referring to FIG. 1a shows an exploded view 100a of components of the vibrating sieving apparatus having the vibrating device connected to a housing having a sieve section and an anti-blinding section in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(28) In a preferred embodiment, the anti-blinding section 135 of the apparatus includes a plurality of anti-blinding pellets 150 placed between an inner sieve mesh 145a and an outer sieve mesh 145b of the sieve section 140 as shown in FIG. 1a.

(29) In another embodiment, the anti-blinding section 135 of the apparatus includes a plurality of anti-blinding pellets 150 placed between a plate 145c with holes and at least one outer sieve mesh 145b of the sieve section 140 as shown in exploded view 100b of FIG. 1b.

(30) In an embodiment, the anti-blinding section 135 of the apparatus includes at least one anti-blinding pellet 150 between the housing 130 and at least one sieve mesh 145b of the sieve section 140 as shown in exploded view 100c of FIG. 1c.

(31) In an embodiment, the anti blinding pellets 150 are preferably made of steel of varying sizes. It will however be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the material of the anti blinding pellets may be metallic or non metallic.

(32) In an embodiment, the housing holder ring 160 may have pronged shaped powder lump breakers on body of the apparatus or maybe placed just at the mouth of the suction path of the powder pump assembly.

(33) The vibrating sieving apparatus 200 with inbuilt sieve section and anti blinding section is connected to the suction port of the powder pump assembly 210 as shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 200 includes the powder pump assembly 210 having a suction port for sucking the powder through a suction path of a powder suction tube. The apparatus requires only compressed air to vibrate it. The anti blinding mechanism of the apparatus 200 ensures that powder and its impurities shall not clog the sieve mesh holes, thus ensuring clean, freshly sieved powder to enter the suction port of the powder pump assembly. Thus this apparatus 200 ensures a very smooth flow of powder from the powder spray equipment. This apparatus 200 eliminates expensive and cumbersome separate sieving of the powder before it is used in powder spray applications. In an advantageous aspect, the apparatus 200 also overcomes the need to have costly sieving methods such as electric driven sieving or ultra-sonic sieving or similar.

(34) In an embodiment the anti-blinding section 135 having the anti-blinding pellets 150 prevents clogging that occurs due to powder and its impurities for ensuring clean, freshly sieved powder to enter the suction port of the powder pump assembly 210.

(35) In an embodiment, the vibrating device 120 is built with a powder suction tube 220 for the powder to be sucked in by the powder pump assembly 210.

(36) In an embodiment the vibrating device 120 is connected to the powder suction tube of the powder pump assembly 210.

(37) In an embodiment, the shape of the vibrating device 120 is conical, or cylindrical or rectangular or cuboid or any such other geometrical shape without departing from the scope of invention.

(38) In one embodiment the vibrating device 120 is a pneumatic vibrator.

(39) Referring to FIG. 1a and FIG. 2 the sieve meshes (145a, 145b) of the sieve section 140 are placed at the suction end of the vibrating device 120 just at the mouth of the powder suction in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. This is to ensure that all the powder being sucked in by the powder pump assembly 210 of the powder spray equipment shall be now sieved at the time of this suction. The outer mesh 145b and the inner mesh 145a can be of the same or different hole sizes and hole quantity. Thus, the powder particles are separated just prior to spray and impure large particles shall not enter the suction of the powder pump assembly 210.

(40) In an embodiment the vibrating sieving apparatus 200a with integrated powder pump assembly of the powder spray equipment is as shown in FIG. 2a.

(41) In an embodiment, the pellets 150 are freely movable and may be of the same or of different size.

(42) The housing (130) is preferably made of plastic designed to hold the sieve meshes (145a, 145b) of the sieve section 140 and to ensure that the pellets 150 of the anti-blinding section 135 are contained within the confines of the plastic housing and the two sieve meshes (145a, 145b), while also ensuring that the pellets are freely moveable within.

(43) In an embodiment, the said apparatus 200 is either portable or stationary.

(44) In an embodiment of the present invention, the vibrating motion of the apparatus 200 vibrates entire assembled sieve apparatus which is immersed within the powder at the suction end of the powder pump.

(45) In an embodiment, the housing 130 which may have lump breaker prongs placed at the entry point to assist in breakage of powder which may be lumped and coagulated in the powder container as shown in FIG. 3 and thus present less lumped or un-lumped powder to the sieve at the suction mouth of the said apparatus.

(46) In an embodiment, the housing 130 may be made partially or wholly of a different material either metallic or non-metallic. The powder suction path could also include a magnetic zone so as to trap very fine ferrous particles which may pass through the sieve. Also the prongs on the housing 130 may be made of a different material than the preferred embodiment which can also be metallic or non-metallic. Also, further the housing may or may not have the prongs on them. Numerous modifications and adaptations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of invention.

(47) Referring to FIG. 3a real time powder sieving system 300 including one spray gun connected to a vibrating sieving apparatus having a powder pump assembly with a suction port for sucking powder from a powder container through a suction path of a powder suction tube is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system 300 includes container 310 with compressed air inlet 310a, the apparatus 200 submerged in container 310 and connected by the powder suction tube 220 to suction port 340 of powder pump assembly 210, a powder spray gun 320 connected to the powder pump assembly 210 via powder hose 330.

(48) Referring to FIG. 3a a real time powder sieving system 300a including one spray gun connected to a vibrating sieving apparatus having an integrated powder pump assembly with a suction port for sucking powder from a powder container is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The integrated pump having the suction port 340 and a suction end 350 for sucking the powder. It will however be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the powder container may be a bag of powder or a box of powder or a hopper or any other container in which the powder is placed.

(49) Referring to FIG. 3b a real time powder sieving system 300b including at least one vibrating sieving apparatus placed anywhere outside the powder container is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The vibrating sieving apparatus 200 has the powder pump assembly or an integrated powder pump assembly.

(50) In an embodiment, the powder, along with air present around the powder particles, is forced to pass through the sieve meshes (145a, 145b) as it is being sucked at the suction end. The powder passes through one or multiple sieves and this ensures that that powder is being sucked as separated particles. The suction tube 220 is connected to the vibrating device 120 in a way so as to ensure that the separated powder particles is forced to pass through the sieve meshes (145a, 145b), thus in turn ensuring the sieving of the powder being sucked in.

(51) The suction end of the said apparatus 200 may be immersed within the powder of the container 310 and the discharge end of the said apparatus 200 may be connected either directly or by some flexible means to the powder spray gun 320 from which the powder flows out onto the work-piece.

(52) The pellets 150 jumps within the confines of a zone having at least one mesh of the sieve section 140. The vibrating motion makes the pellets 150 bounce around and hit or vibrate the sieve thus dislodging particles which can clog the sieve. The colliding motion of the pellets 150 within the sieve meshes dislodges any stuck powder and impurity particles clinging to or within the fine holes of the at least one sieve mesh, thus this ensures continuously self cleaning of the said apparatus 200.

(53) In an embodiment, the sieve mesh (145a, 145b) either partially or wholly, may be made in a different material either metallic or non-metallic. It is also possible to use the pellet 150 ensconcing system as only one being a sieve mesh (145b) and the other just some kind of an obstruction such as a plate (145c) with at least one hole which is small enough to contain the pellets within the ensconcing zone and hence bounce around without being sucked away along with the powder. The pellets 150 are thus confined within their chamber in a way so as to hit or vibrate the sieve for dislodging particles which can clog the sieve. Modifications and adaptations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of invention.

(54) In another embodiment, it is also possible to use the pellet 150 ensconcing system as only one being a sieve mesh and anti blinding pellets without the second mesh or obstruction plate. The pellet 150 may by sufficiently large or sufficiently heavy in a way so as they shall not be sucked away along with the powder.

(55) Referring to FIG. 4, an exploded view 400 of the vibrating sieve apparatus 200 connected with the powder spray gun 320 by powder pump assembly 210. The pump assembly 210 includes a rubber bellow 222, a powder pump 224, a pump holder 226, a connection pipe 228 accommodating a bottom connector 220a, an outer cover 230 covering the suction tube 220, a connector nozzle 240 at the base of the cover 230, a top lock nut 250 and a pump holder 260. The powder spray gun 320 is connected to the pump assembly 210 via powder hose 330.

(56) In an embodiment the suction tube 220 and the bottom connector 220a is made of plastic. It will however be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the material of suction tube 220, bottom connector 220a may be metallic or non metallic as well.

(57) In an embodiment the connector nozzle 240 is made of aluminum. It will however be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the material nozzle 240 may be metallic or non metallic as well.

(58) Referring to FIG. 4a an exploded view 400a of the apparatus 200 with an integrated powder pump assembly 210 is shown with the powder spray gun connection 320 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(59) In one embodiment of the present invention the vibrating device 500 as shown in FIG. 5. The vibrating device 500 includes at least one port 510 for dosing air in, at least one port 520 for vibration air in, at least one port 530 for conveying air in, an opening 540 for powder out pipe and a powder pump flow Controller 550. The powder pump flow Controller 550 of the powder spray equipment is integrated within the vibrating device 120. The suction end of the said apparatus 200 may be immersed within the powder of the container and the discharge end of the said apparatus 200 may be connected either directly or by some flexible means to the powder spray gun from which the powder flows out onto the work-piece.

(60) In another embodiment, the said apparatus can have different vibrating methods such as those with electric, ultra-sonic, mechanical or any other means and that numerous modifications and adaptations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of invention.

(61) In an embodiment, the said apparatus 200 can be placed anywhere in the powder suction path including within, around, beside, above or under the powder pick up tube or suction device or even in the output side of the powder pump 224 such that the air-powder mix is forcefully propelled through the sieve(s) instead of being sucked through the sieve(s) (145a, 145b).

(62) In yet another embodiment, the vibrating device 120 of the said apparatus 200 can be individually portable and may be assembled in a different position within the powder container 310 or external to the powder container 310 and that numerous modifications and adaptations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of invention.

(63) Referring to FIG. 6a real time powder sieving system 600 having a plurality of vibrating sieving apparatus connected to a plurality of powder spray guns for spraying powder is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(64) Referring to FIG. 6a a real time powder sieving system 600a having a vibrating sieving apparatus with a plurality of powder pump assembly connected to a plurality of powder spray guns for spraying powder is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(65) The vibrating device 120 may be used for one individual powder spray gun 320 or for simultaneous use with a multi powder spray gun system. Herein plurality of apparatus may be used for the spray from plurality of individual powder guns 320 (FIG. 6), or single collective apparatus may be used for spray of powder from multiple powder spray guns (FIG. 6a). In a collective apparatus, the number of vibrating devices 120 may be one or many or the number of sieve meshes (145a, 145b) may be one or many.

(66) In the said apparatus, the sieve mesh housing 130 can be easily disassembled. Thus, colour change is very simple as cleaning individual components are very quick and easy.

(67) Further the entire said apparatus can be connected to the suction end powder output device via rigid or flexible means such as a flexible tube. The said apparatus may be immersed within the powder in the container.

(68) Further the said apparatus embodiments can be portable (for eg. hand held) or stationary (for eg. fixed to or placed on any object.) The components of the said apparatus such as the vibrator, sieve meshes and the pellets can be individually portable (for eg. hand held) or stationary (for eg. fixed to or placed on any object.)

(69) In an advantageous aspect, the apparatus of the present invention ensures smooth and even flow of powder from even coagulated and impurity laden powder which is put into the master spray container without sieving. By using the present invention the powder is freshly sieved just prior to output. Further, the inbuilt anti blinding system ensures continuous operation without the frequent stoppage downtime for cleaning. The lump breaker mechanism in the present apparatus assists lumped powder disintegration.

(70) The present apparatus ensures that in the freshly sieved powder is free of large impurities and the powder particles are distinctly separated and presented to the charging device such as powder spray gun and the particles are thus charged better resulting in better transfer efficiency. This is due to the smaller mass of the powder particle versus lumped powder particles. Thus, making them more tenable to easily accepting an electrostatic charge. The distinctly separated powder particle ensures a superior powder cloud emitted out of a spray gun and a more even and smooth powder flow with better uniformity and improved deposition efficiency.

(71) The foregoing description of the invention has been set merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since, modifications of the disclosed embodiments with reference to the material, design and functional features of each component of the machine, incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to person skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims.