System for inside powder striping of welded food cans

Abstract

A powder stripe application system wherein substantially all powder introduced into the system is applied to side seam areas of can bodies with that powder which is not initially bonded to a can body being directly recycled within the system. The system includes a delivery nozzle which has an adjustable mounting which permits the powder stream to be positioned as desired.

What is claimed as new is: 
     
       1. A continuous closed loop powder stripe application system for electrostatically applying powder to members moving along a predetermined path in spaced relation, said system comprising an applicator, a catcher for receiving excess powder, a scavenger for receiving powder dispensed between members, a recovery unit for receiving powder from said scavenger and said catcher, a return system between said catcher and said recovery unit, means connecting said scavenger to said recovery unit, a new powder supply connected to said system in accordance with powder utilization, a dispenser for receiving powder from said recovery unit, and a delivery tube for delivering powder to said applicator. 
     
     
       2. A system according to claim 1 wherein there are means in advance of said dispenser for removing oversize powder particles from said system. 
     
     
       3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said means for removing oversize particles is disposed between said recovery unit and said dispenser. 
     
     
       4. A system according to claim 2 wherein said means for removing oversize particles is disposed between said recovery unit and said dispenser and includes a sieve. 
     
     
       5. A system according to claim 1 wherein said return unit includes suction means actuated by air under pressure and said dispenser has an air supply for effecting the delivery of powder to said applicator under air entrained conditions. 
     
     
       6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said applicator includes a generally horizontally extending delivery nozzle and means mounting said delivery nozzle for vertical and horizontal translation. 
     
     
       7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said applicator includes a generally horizontally extending delivery nozzle and means mounting said delivery nozzle for vertical and horizontal translation and for angular pitch and yaw. 
     
     
       8. A system according to claim 1 wherein said applicator includes a generally horizontally extending delivery nozzle and means mounting said delivery nozzle for vertical and horizontal translation and for rotation about a horizontal axis. 
     
     
       9. A system according to claim 1 wherein said applicator includes a generally horizontally extending delivery nozzle and means mounting said delivery nozzle for vertical and horizontal translation, for angular pitch and yaw, and for rotation about a horizontal axis. 
     
     
       10. A system according to claim 1 wherein said applicator includes a generally horizontally extending delivery nozzle and means for mounting said delivery nozzle for angular pitch and yaw. 
     
     
       11. A system according to claim 1 wherein said applicator includes a generally horizontally extending delivery nozzle and means for mounting said delivery nozzle for angular pitch and yaw and for rotation about a horizontal axis. 
     
     
       12. A system according to claim 1 wherein said applicator includes a generally horizontally extending delivery nozzle and means mounting said delivery nozzle for rotation about a horizontal axis. 
     
     
       13. A powder applicator comprising a supply fitting, a separately formed delivery nozzle and means mounting said delivery nozzle for vertical and horizontal translation relative to said supply fitting when said supply fitting is horizontally disposed. 
     
     
       14. The powder applicator of claim 13 wherein said mounting means include means mounting said delivery nozzle for angular pitch and yaw. 
     
     
       15. The powder applicator of claim 13 wherein said mounting means include means mounting said delivery nozzle for angular pitch and yaw and for rotation about a horizontal axis. 
     
     
       16. The powder applicator of claim 13 wherein said mounting means includes a housing formed of two halves. one of said housing halves defining a socket, said supply fitting having a flange seated in said socket for radial movement, and sets of adjusting elements for engaging said flange adjusting said housing and said delivery nozzle vertically and horizontally relative to said supply fitting. 
     
     
       17. The powder applicator of claim 14 wherein said mounting means includes a housing formed of two halves, one of said housing halves defining a socket, said socket including a spherical seat, said delivery nozzle having a spherical end portion engaging said seat, a positioning flange carried by said delivery nozzle disposed within said socket, and axial sets of adjusting elements engaging said positioning flange and adjusting said angular pitch and yaw. 
     
     
       18. The powder applicator of claim 17 wherein the other of said housing halves defines a second socket, said supply fitting has a second flange seated in said second socket for radial movement, and sets of adjusting elements for engaging said second flange and adjusting said housing and delivery nozzle vertically and horizontally relative to said supply fitting. 
     
     
       19. The powder dispenser of claim 18 wherein said housing halves have a common axis, and means for joining together said housing halves in selected rotated positions relative to said common axis. .Iadd. 
     
     
       20.  A continuous closed loop powder stripe application system for electrostatically applying powder to inner surfaces of can bodies moving along a predetermined linear path in spaced end to end relation, said system comprising: an applicator for applying a stripe of powder to an inner surface of each can body;   a catcher for receiving excess powder, said catcher being disposed adjacent to said applicator downstream of said applicator along said linear path of movement of can bodies, said applicator and said catcher being positioned for being successively surrounded by can bodies moving along said linear path;   a scavenger for receiving powder dispensed between can bodies, said scavenger being disposed outside of said linear path of can bodies;   a recovery unit for receiving powder from said scavenger and said catcher;   a return system between said catcher and said recovery unit to transport powder from said catcher to said recovery unit;   means connecting said scavenger to said recovery unit to permit powder collected in said scavenger to flow to said recovery unit;   a new powder supply connected to said system in accordance with powder utilization;   a dispenser for receiving powder from said recovery unit; and   a delivery tube for delivering powder from said dispenser to said applicator..Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       21.  The system of claim 20 in which said catcher is supported from said applicator..Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The system of claim 20 in which said catcher includes an upper part having an opening adapted to receive particles not adhering to said inner can body surface and an upstream opening adapted to receive particles flowing from said applicator..Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The system of claim 21 in which said catcher includes an upper part having an opening adapted to receive particles not adhering to said inner can body surface and an upstream opening adapted to receive particles flowing from said applicator..Iaddend.