Powder coating spray booth with a powder extraction system

Abstract

A powder spray booth includes a booth canopy wall arrangement to contain powder during a spraying operation; and a booth floor that is rotatable relative to the booth wall during a spraying operation. The floor can be rotated about an axis that is also the longitudinal axis of the spray booth. The booth may be generally cylindrical in shape with a round floor. The booth canopy and top are supported on a base frame separately from the floor. By this arrangement, the floor can be rotated relative to the booth canopy. A powder extraction apparatus in the form of a low pressure duct suspended off the floor draws up powder that has collected on the floor. The extraction duct is stationary with respect to the rotating floor during a spraying operation. The floor may also be translated along the axis of rotation between a first position in which the floor can rotate and a second position in which the floor is sealed against a lower edge of the booth canopy wall. The booth canopy and floor are made of composite materials that are very low in conductivity to minimize powder adhering to the floor and booth walls. The booth is thus easy to clean with a substantially shorter time period required for color change.

1 - 88 . (canceled)  
   
   
       89 . An air manifold for a powder spray booth ceiling conveyor slot, comprising: 
 a manifold body having an air passageway adapted to receive pressurized air;    at least one opening in said body to pass air from said passageway into the booth interior near the conveyor slot when the manifold is mounted on a spray booth ceiling; and    means for mounting said manifold to the powder spray booth ceiling.    
   
   
       90 . The manifold of  claim 89  wherein said manifold produces an air curtain to prevent powder from exiting the booth through the conveyor slot.  
   
   
       91 . The manifold of  claim 89  wherein said means for attaching comprises a flange portion of said elongated body.  
   
   
       92 . The manifold of  claim 89  wherein said opening comprises a plurality of air jets or slots.  
   
   
       93 . The manifold of  claim 89  wherein said body comprises a pultrusion of electrically non-conductive material.  
   
   
       94 . The manifold of  claim 93  wherein said material comprises fiberglass and a polyester resin.  
   
   
       95 . The manifold of  claim 89  wherein said at least one opening comprises a slot.  
   
   
       96 . The manifold of  claim 89  wherein said at least one opening comprises a plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       97 . An air manifold for a powder spray booth ceiling conveyor slot, comprising: 
 a manifold body having an air passageway adapted to receive pressurized air; said body being adapted to be positioned at the conveyor slot of a spray booth; and    at least one opening in said body to pass air from said passageway into the booth interior near the conveyor slot when the manifold is mounted on a spray booth ceiling.    
   
   
       98 . The air manifold of  claim 97  comprising a mounting flange for attaching the manifold to a spray booth ceiling.  
   
   
       99 . The air manifold of  claim 97  wherein said at least one opening comprises an air jet or a slot.  
   
   
       100 . The air manifold of  claim 97  wherein air passing from said passageway into the booth interior provides an air curtain to assist in containing powder overspray from escaping the booth interior through the conveyor slot.  
   
   
       101 . In a spray booth of the type comprising a ceiling having a slot therein for operation of an overhead conveyor, the improvement comprising an air manifold disposed near the slot for directing a flow of air into the booth interior to contain powder overspray from escaping the booth through the slot.  
   
   
       102 . The spray booth of  claim 101  wherein said air manifold extends along a substantial portion of the slot.