Jig cleaning

Abstract

An apparatus and method for removing surface coating of an article carrying jig so as to enable electrical contact between the jig and the or each article to enable the articles to be coated with surface coating in a treatment chamber wherein the surface coating on the jig is removed by subjecting the jig and article to vibration so that the resulting movement between the articles and the jig abrades the surface coating on the jig hence enabling electrical contact between the jig and the articles.

1 . Apparatus for removing surface coating material from a jig adapted to carry one or more articles, said apparatus including vibration means adapted to vibrate the jig and cause relative movement between the jig and the or each article carried thereby such movement causing removal of sufficient surface coating from the jig to enable an electrical connection between the jig and the article.  
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said vibration means is incorporated in part of a conveying apparatus adapted to lift and/or convey said jig towards a surface coating treatment chamber.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said treatment chamber comprises a bath having said surface material contained therein.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  3  wherein said vibrating means is provided on a jig support apparatus positioned before a treatment chamber so that the jig and articles may be vibrated prior to entering said treatment chamber.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said vibrating means is operative to remove said surface coating from said jig only in the area of contact between said jig and the or each article.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein means are provided to alter the length of time for which the jig is vibrated.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein means are provided to alter the amplitude of vibration.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein means are provided to alter the frequency of the vibration.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising one or more treatment chambers, a drying chamber, a vibrating station and an article loading and unloading station and conveying means adapted to move an article carrying jig between said chambers and said stations.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said jig comprises a plurality of threaded bars each bar carrying a plurality of hooks secured thereto, said hooks being adapted to support said articles.  
     
     
         11 . A method of removing surface coating from an article supporting jig comprising loading one or more articles to be treated in a treatment chamber on the jig and subjecting the jib to vibration to cause relative movement between the articles and the jig to abrade or otherwise remove the surface coating from the jig in the area of contact between the jig and the or each article carried thereby.  
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said method further comprises supporting said jig at a vibrating station causing vibration to be carried out prior to moving said jig and said articles to a treatment chamber.  
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  or  claim 12  wherein said jig is vibrated for at least two minutes.  
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said jig is vibrated for at least five minutes.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         16 . A method of removing surface coating from an article supporting jig substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus including an novel feature or novel combination of features as disclosed herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         18 . A method of removing surface coating from a jig including any novel feature or novel combination of features as described herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.