Process and apparatus for coating components of a shopping cart and a product

Abstract

A process and apparatus for coating components against corrosion and for durability. The process including cleaning the metal parts with cleaners and acid dips, rinsing, then dip coating the component with a nickel layer followed by a chemical sealant. The nickel-plated component may then be powder coated and cured. Alternatively, the nickel-plated component may be further layered with a dip-coated layer of chromium to produce durable and corrosion resistant properties.

1 . A process for plating a component for a shopping cart or carrying conveyance, the process comprising the steps of: 
 cleaning the component by a cleaning solution;    rinsing the component at least one time to remove the cleaning solution;    dipping the component into a nickel bath to produce a nickel-plating having a thickness of approximately 0.35-2 mil-inch thick;    rinsing the nickel-plated component at least one time; and    electrostatically spraying a powder coating over the nickel-plating,    wherein the nickel-plating and powder coat produces a substantially corrosion and abrasion resistant component.    
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 before the electrostatic spraying step, dipping the nickel-plated component in a chromium bath to produce a chromium plating having a thickness of substantially 0.0002-0.1 mil-inch thick; and    rinsing the nickel-chromium plated component at least one time after the dipping the nickel-plated component in the chromium bath step.    
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein each of the rinsing steps is approximately 0.5-2 minutes.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of: 
 sealing the nickel-chromium plated component with a chemical sealer before the electrostatic spraying step; and    rinsing the chemical sealer from the nickel-chromium plated component.    
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: 
 drying the nickel-chromium plated component;    applying the powder coating after the drying step to the nickel-chromium plated component; and    after the drying step, curing the nickel-chromium plated component.    
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5 , wherein the drying step includes heating the nickel-chromium plated component approximately 5-10 minutes, +/−20%, in a temperature of about 325 degrees F., +/−20%, and then cooling the nickel-chromium plated component.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the applying a powder coating step takes approximately 1-2 minutes.  
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 5 , wherein in the curing step includes heating the nickel-chromium component to about 425 degrees F. for about 15-20 minutes.  
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , further includes cooling the nickel-chromium component.  
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the applying the powder coating includes electrostatically spraying the powder coating to produce a thickness of about 3-5 mil-inch.  
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein cleaning the component step includes immersing the component in a caustic cleaner.  
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning the component step includes immersing the component in a first electro cleaner.  
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the cleaning step includes immersing the component in a second electro cleaner.  
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of immersing the component in an acid dip after the second electro cleaner step.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 before the electrostatically sealing step, sealing the nickel plated component with a chemical sealer; and    rinsing the sealed nickel plated component at least one time.    
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 before the electrostatically spraying step, drying the nickel plated component by heating to a temperature of approximately 325 degrees F. +/−20%, and then cooling the nickel plated component; and    after the electrostatically spraying step, curing the nickel plated sprayed component by heating to approximately 425 degrees F. +/−20% and then cooling.    
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the powder is applied to the nickel plated component to a thickness of about 3-5 mil-inch.  
     
     
         18 . A process for plating a component for a shopping cart or carrying conveyance, the process comprising the steps of: 
 cleaning the component by immersion in a cleaning solution;    rinsing the component at least one time to remove the cleaning solution;    dipping the component into a nickel bath to produce a nickel-plated component having a nickel plating substantially 0.35-2 mil-inch thick; and    dipping the nickel-plated component in a chromium bath to produce a nickel-chromium plated component having a chromium plating substantially 0.0002-0.1 mil-inch thick.    
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of: 
 sealing the nickel-chromium plating with a chemical sealer; and    rinsing the sealed nickel-chromium plating at least one time.    
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of: 
 drying the nickel-chromium plated component;    applying a powder coating to the nickel-chromium plated component to provide a finish; and    curing the nickel-chromium plated and powder coated component.    
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein the drying step includes drying the nickel-chromium plated component approximately 5-10 minutes, +/−20%, in a temperature of about 325 degrees F., +/−20%, and cooling the nickel-chromium plated component.  
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein the applying a powder steps includes electrostatically spraying the powder coating to produce a powder coating thickness of about 3-5 mil-inch.  
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein in the curing step includes heating the nickel-chromium plated component to approximately 425 degrees F., +/−20%, for approximately 15-20 minutes, +/−20%, and then cooling the nickel-chromium plated component.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for plating a component, comprising: 
 a means for cleaning the component by immersion in a cleaning solution;    a means for rinsing the component at least one time to remove the cleaning solution;    a means for dipping the component into a nickel bath to produce a nickel-plated component having a nickel plating substantially 0.35-2 mil-inch thick;    a means for rinsing the nickel-plated component at least one time,    a means for dipping the nickel-plated component in a chromium bath to produce a nickel-chromium plated component having a chromium plating substantially 0.0002-0.1 mil-inch thick;    a means for rinsing the nickel-chromium plated component at least one time,    a means for sealing the nickel-chromium plated component with a chemical sealer;    a means for rinsing the sealed nickel-chromium plated component at least one time;    a means for drying the nickel-chromium plated component by heating;    a means for applying a powder coating to the nickel-chromium plated component to provide a finish; and    a means for curing the nickel-chromium plated and powder sprayed component.    
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the means for drying the nickel-chromium plated component is an oven capable of heating to a temperature of about 325 degrees F., +/−20% for approximately 5-10 minutes, +/−20%.  
     
     
         26 . A shopping cart having one or more components, the one or more components of the shopping cart having a metal like structure with a nickel chromium plating and an electrostatic sprayed powder coating applied over the nickel chromium plating, the nickel having a thickness in range of approximately 0.35-2 mil-inch thick, the chromium plating having a thickness in a range of approximately 0.0002-0.1 mil-inch thick, and the powder coating having a thickness in a range of approximately 3-5 mil-inch.