US1327314A - Art of treating painted or varnished articles - Google Patents

Description

C. M. CUNLIFFE. ART OF TREATING PAINTED 0R VARNJSHED ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 050 27. Isis.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

C. M. CUNLIFFE. ART OF TREATING PAINTED 0R VARNISHED ARTICLES. APPLICATION r|Ln 0Ec.2'2. 1916- 1,327,314 Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

awuantoz M WW c. 'M. CUNLIFFE, ART OF TREATING PAINTED 0R VARNISHED ARTICLES.

. APPLIQATION FILED DEC-27, 191 6. 1,327,314.

' fatnted J an. 6, 1920.

u w w W m M M qr J M u m g uw \\\\\uMI- i FL E M a, fl T 2 M m W UNITED". STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CICERO M. CUNLIFFE, OF DETROIT, 'MICHIGAN, ASS IGNOR TO AMERICAN BLOWER COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ART OF-TREATING PAINTED OR VARNISHED ARTICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 6, i920.

' Application filed December-27, 1916. Serial No. 139,202.

.To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, CIoERo M. 'CUNLIFFE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and 'useful Improvements in the Art of Treating Painted or varnished Articles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates-to the art of treatin'g articles having thereon an application of wet paint, varnish or the like, whereby to properly dry and harden the painted or varnished surfaces of such articles.

In the art to which theinvention relates, many attempts; have been made to properly and quickly dry freshly painted, varnished or enameled articles of furniture andthe none with which I'am familiar have provenentirely satisfactory, because of certaln disadvantages and objections, among which may be mentioned, the great loss of time and expense incident to treatment, the difficulty in obtaining clear and uniform coloring, the dangerof streaking, the formation of globules, and the frequent scaling of the varnish, enamel, etc, from the completed articles. l

' One of the systems largely in use at the present time is what is commonly known as the baking process, which includes the lacing of the articles in a closed oven sub- ]ected to high heat, the vapors from the benzin and naphtha being retained ,in the oven, and these vapors, being all that really vaporize from the paint and varnish, frequently cause the finished article to have light and dark shades, regardless f the original color of the paint or varnish, and also the coating is found tobe more or less brittle, and frequently scales off in flakes.

It has also beenlargely the practice in the paint or varnish drying art to employ -in connection with a drying chamber, both forced and natural circulation ofiiirinto and through the chamber, and in eit or case dust is often stirred up andbrought in contact with the painted surfaces. gaim'th e draft or current coming in contac with the wet paint or varnishes causes'the formation of ripples or waves. 1 Still further, the di- -rect contact of the articles with the current I coat, and after the last coat had been applied, it was'the general rule to leave the articles stand several days before the same could be wrapped or' packed for shipment, and during certain times of the year, the

finish would even then become sticky, thus leaving marks of the packing; It is, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a system or method of treating painted or varnished surfaces to overcome the above and other existing objections, and with a View to producing a tough, durable, elastic surface, with even luster, which will retain-its color in any climate, and make possible the completion of the drying and hardening proc-- ess in much less time than has heretofore been possible.

While it is contemplated by the present method to treat painted or varnished articles generally, the present method has been.

extensively and satisfactory employed in connection with the finishing of metal beds, it having been ascertained that beds may be successively enameled in pure white' without any variation in color over the entire surface. It has also been ascertain'ed"that the present'method results in a greatsaving in time, and that the finished surface w1ll have absolutely no tendency to scale under any pressure or under any condition of treatment or use. Again, it has been found that .by the employment of the present method,

the finished surface will be continuous and smooth, and devoid of thecustomary streaks, globules, etc.

In carrying out the present method, it is. contemplated to employ a drying chamber,

and one of'the objects of'the invention is to provide a method wherein the airfor drying purposes is properly treated prior to its admission into the chamber, andwhereby the proper temperature of said air for the most satisfactory results is maintained.

Another object of the invention is to pro;

Vide a method wherein the necessary volume of air is employed to carry off the volatile matter as fast as it vaporizes in the drying the article being treated during the process of dryingor oxidizing, and in this connection, it is proposed to allow the air as admitted into the drying chamber to expand into an unoccupied space of considerable area above the article to be treated, and allow the air after it has lost substantially all of its velocity .to settle down in mass formation upon and; gradually envelop the article to be treated in an atmosphere of even temperature. and relative humidity with no perceptible movement.

In the successful drying of painted or varnished articles it has been proven to be absolutely necessary to avoid any apparent or appreciable velocity of the drying medium, usually treated air, as otherwise the paint or varnish will dry unevenly and delicate tints Will be discolored in spots. A very important feature of the invention therefore resides in that step of the method which requires an air space of considerablearea above the articles under process of treatment, and in providingmeans adjacent the point of admission of the air into the container for diffusing andthrowing the air 'ofi' in all directions horizontally whereby to cause the air to lose its velocity before it begins to settle down somewhat similar to the settling of a fog down in the atmosphere. This feature of the invention is also. important in that.

it results in an equal distribution of temperature throughout the entire treating chamber whereby ever portion of the surface of the article will e treated alike.

The improved method embodies a step wherein theair, so soon as'it becomes saturated or chilled, 'is rapidly removed from the drying chamber, and in a manner to prevent any stirring up of dust or. the like within said chamber.

In carrying out this "feature of the invention, it is contemplated to provide an extended outlet or outlets at the base of the container adapted to deliver the air into a chamber surrounding the container, from which, through the medium of an exhaust fan or the like the air is ejected. This chamber, assuming a'plurality of abutting treatingv containers are employed, acts as an insulatin'g medium with the result that one treating rpom or container will be substantially independent of its neighbor and while other articles,

one-room is being heated toits highest temperature inthe midst of the drying process,

the adjacent room may have injected into it' at the same time cold humid air in the process of cooling the articles for the purpose of paint and varnish and increasing her of the series employed, whereby the same may be used at will for drying, oxidizing and cooling. I

The improved methodmay be characterized as one wherein the freshly painted or varnished article is placed in a substantially closed drying chamber having an air inlet adjacent'the top thereof and an air outlet adjacent the bottom thereof, and the treat ment of the air so introduced into such chamher which includes first washing, andpurifying the air, subsequently heating the air,

causing said heated air as introduced into the chamber to settle in mass formation without velocity upon thearticle, and introducing at will directly into said chamber, the

cooled air prior to the heating treatment. More particularly the invention includes .a process wherein the varnished article is subjected to heat to volatilize the oils in the paint or varnish, with the proper degree of humidityto keep the surface moist until all of the oils arev volatilized, and after sufli-.

ind

cient time has elapsed. to evaporate the I oils, subjecting the article to chilled humid air whereby to quickly harden the finish before it has a chance toagain absorb any of the volatile oils. This results in producing a fine luster and retains the same perfection of the colors as when applied and further maintains the desirable elasticity of the finishwith the hardness, so that it will not crack by expansion or contraction when subquently subjected to, heat or cold, all of,

which are desirable. characteristics which have been the aim; of every manufacturer who has to use varnish, paint or enamel on metal surfaces. 7. I

While as previously described, the present process is tparticularly valuable to manufacturers o metal articles such as beds, the invention has also been very successful in connection with the treatment of various for instance, automobile bodies and fenders, phonograph cabinets,

various articles of furniture, etc., in which event the process treatment is similar, though the temperature of the drying medium is usually lower, and consequently takes a little longer time to volatilize the oils.

Other andfurther objects and improve-- ments embodied in the invention will be understood by those skilled in the art from ,the description to follow which for a clear understanding of the invention is to be con sidered in connection withtlfie accompanying drawings, wherein I have shown for the purpose. of illustration, a. convenient and. satisfactory embodiment of an apparatus which has been found use 111 in the carrying out of the contemplated method, though in.- this connection, it is-to be borne inminol that many changes may be made in the type of apparatus employed and still be within the keeping of the invention.

In the description and claims, wherein the terms paint, varnish, enamel-and the like are employed, it is. to be understood that these terms are general and are not to be construed in a limited sense, but rather to include any painting or finishing preparation or material for articles of furniture, beds and the like.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvements.

2 is a side elevation; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Flg. 2 looking in the. direction of the arrows.

With more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, one or more drying chambers are provided, two being shown for the pur pose of illustration, it being desirable at 40 times to dry articles in one chamber while certain of the finished articles are simultaneously subjected to a cooling action in the other chamber. These chambers are preferably elongated and have a bottom wall 1, a top wall 2 and side walls 3. Suitable end walls land 5 are provided, one or both of which preferably take the form of movable doors whereby to permit of entrance and delivery of articles before and '50 after treatment.

The air to be delivered into the drying chambers, which latter may be given the reference characters a and b respectively, is .first subjected to proper treatment to thoroughly wash and cleanse the same'and regulate the temperature thereof, whereby to 'obtain the most satisfactory results, and with this in view, an inclosed casing 6 is preferably arranged at one side of the chamber a.

6 0 A suitable power driven fan or blower 7. or any approved type is arranged adjacent one.

end of the casing 6, the same being adapted to'force the air from the outside into and through the casing and into the drying 6'5 chambers. The caslng 6 is divided into vameans, not necessary to illustrate herein.

duit 17 is arranged to the side of the conend thereof is arranged a suitable air washer and purifying means 8. The well known Sirocco type of purifier has been found to bewell adapted for this purpose, the same usually including. a tank towhich is connected a centrifugal pump adapted --to discharge water into a system of. spray pipes having discharge nozzles whereby the water is atomized into a fine 'mist and the air current as it passes through this mist will be.- come saturated. The saturated air then comes into contact with deflecting plates conveniently zig-zag in construction and .ar-'- rangement, whereby the air will become so freed of dust, dirt-or other foreign matter which will stickor-cling to the plates to be thereafter washed down into'the sump tank therebeneath. Other types of purifiers and washers adapted to cleanse and saturate the air up to the dew point may be employed with satisfactory results if desired. Ar-

ranged rearwardly of thewashing and puriheating chamber. 11 is provided with. re-' heating temperature; transmitting C011S 12.

The lower cool chamber may, ifdesired, be provided with suitable artificial cooling Leading from the forward outlet end-of the casing 6 and adapted to 'oommunicate with the chamber 13 beneaththe partition 10 is a suitable duct or conduit 14g project-[110 ing upwardly ov er the side of the heating.

chamber a, and thenoeacross thetop of the. v I

chamber andadapted to communicate with a horizontally extending chamber 16 arranged substantially midway between the sides of the chamber 6, andfOrmingwith the top of said chamber 6 a closed conduit substantially coextensive 'in'length with the top of the chamber 6. An auxiliary {conduit if and leads from the lower chamber 13 of the .casing 6 upwardly over the side of the heating chamber'a and thence over] the top of said heating chamber and communicates at its end with a horizontally disposed chamber 18 similar in construction to Y the chamber 16 heretofore described. Conduits 19 and 20, project upwardly from the top of the casing 6'at a point in communicatlon with the heating chamber 11, 130

the said conduits connecting the one with v the conduit 1d at the point M- and the other with the conduit 17 at the point 17 A suitable valve 20 of any desirable construction is adapted to regulate the air admitted from the chamber 13 into the conduit 14, or to entirely close communication between these members] A similar valve 21 is adapted to control or regulate the air admitted from the conduit 19 into the conduit 14 or to en tirely close this means of communication between these members.

v Likewise, valves22 and 23 respectively are arranged in the conduits 17 and 20, being the same in principle and operation as the valves 20? and 21 respectively heretofore described. Extending longitudinally of the chambers a and 6 upon the top walls thereof. are suitable outlet air conduits 24 adapted to discharge into a chamber 25 projecting transversely over' the top walls 2 of the drying chambers and communicating :with an outlet pipe 26, which may communicate with the outside, or with any suitable draft appliance, not necessary to illustrate herein. Arranged within the chambers a and b are suitable auxiliary sidewalls, flanges or diaphragms 27 the latter being arranged ad- .jacentto, but spaced from the side walls 3 and extending from the top wall 2 to a point adjacent the bottom wall 1, the space between the lower edge of the side walls 27 and bottom wall 1 being relatively narrow whereby to provide a restricted passage between the chambers a and b and the chambers 27 formed by the walls 3 and 27. The

chambers 27 are adapted to have communication with the conduits 24 through the medium of suitable apertures in the top walls 2 of the chambers a and b, the said apertures being illustrated at 28 and being arranged at suitable intervals throughout the length of the top walls 2.

The top walls 2 are provided with suitable openings 29 arranged at suitable intervals throughout the length of the same and substantially midway of the sides thereof,

whereby to establish communication between the chambers a and b and the chambers 18 and 16, respectively. The openings 29 are. so spaced as to give the most even distribution of the air into the chambers 05 and b that is obtainable. Arranged below each of the openings 29 is a suitable horizontally disposed disk 30' of a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the bers a and b are of a height considerabl above that of the articles to be treate whereby to provide thereabove an extended distribution space of considerable area, said spacebeing generally represented above the dotted lines 6, the method herein contemplated may be described as being substantially the following. The articles to betreated, sayfor'instance,

bed frames, havingapplied thereto a coating of paint, varnish, enamel or the like, are placed within the chambers a and b when the end doors are closed, whereby to provide substantially air tight compartments. The air to be used in the drying process is properly conditioned by passing through the air washer or purifier which removes any dirt or dust, and the air becoming saturated up to the dew-point, passes around the primary heating or tempering coil 9, where the temperature is raised above the freezing point in zero weather. Assuming the valves 20 and 22 to be closed and the valves 21 and 23 open, the air is forced through the heating chamber 11 having therein the re-heating coils from whence the same is discharged through the conduits 19 and 20 into the conduits 14 and 17, which latter communicate with the longitudinally extending conduits 16 and 18. From the conduits 16 and 18, the air is forced through the openings 29 into the treating chambers, the air being of the propertemperature to accomplish the evaporating functions. As the air leaves the openings 29 the top of .100

the drying chambers, it will be v immediately deflected horizontally, through the medium ,of the deflecting members 30 and allowed to expand into the large space or expanding chamber above the articles to be treated. In the said expanding chamber, the air will bebecome thoroughly distributed and will expend its velocity with'the result that the same will settle down gradually, in mass formation and envelop the articles without '11 any perceptible velocity, and-Without any; tendency to stir up any dust that may in the treating chamber; The heated a1r as it is brought into association with the articles to be treated is preferably saturated at about the same temperature as the articles when they are placed within the treating chambers and said articles have a tendency to lower the temperature of the air, thus bringingit down nearer to the point of satu- 1 2 ration. This reventsthe paint or varnish coating from orming askin, and causes any drips or unequal flow in the application of the paints or varnishes to flow and spread out into an even coating. The outlet between the heating chambers a and b and the chambers 27 between the side walls 3 and the vertical diaphragms or aprons 27, is arranged in depth so as to maintain slight static pressure in the drying chamber, and,

are preferably formed of sheet metal.

- is intended, it was considered impossibleto' with the arrangement illustrated the presconduits 24:, and outlet 26 to the point of discharge.

The air outlet space provided between the Walls 3 and 27 of the drying chamber acts as an insulation against adjoming chambers or the surrounding room, and does not affect the temperature 1n either of the drying chambers, so that cold air may be forced into one drying chamber While hot air is being forced into the nextadjacent chamber without reducing the temperature in the drying chamber. The diaphragms 27 like the walls of the drying chambers a amigo 3 providing a number of closely associated openings 29 in the top wall of the chambers a and b for the admission of air and having the elongated slots along the floorfor .the escape of air, there results a thoroughly even distribution of the air and an even gemperature in all parts of the drying chamer. s

The articles to be treated are maintained in the closed chamber and subjected to the drying operation of the heated air, say from two to three hours, according to the particular application, when the valves 21 and 23 are closed and the valves 20 and 22 are opened, thereby admitting the cool air directly from the chamber 13 into the chambers a and I) through the inlets 29 heretofore described. The cool air being nearly saturated when it comes in contact with theartrcles, the painted or varnished surfaces are rapidly cooled, thereby producing a very fine finish and increasing the luster and hardness of the surface. V

Very satisfactory results have been accomplished having the air leave the washer or purifier at a relatively low temperature, say from sixtyto seventy degrees and saturated, and when the heated air leaves the heating chamber and enters the drying chamber, the same is approximately 240". or thereabout. In prior systems adapted for the purpose to which the present invention subject the varnished articles in the drying process to a higher temperature than 190, owing to the tendency to cause. discoloration of the lighter tints, resulting in streaking, etc. In the present system, while the oils in the varnish may be vaporized at about 130 with fairly satisfactory results, it is possible to carry the. temperature as far as 240, and the character of the finish is just as perfect as when treated at a lower temperature, and because of the high temperature, there re sults a considerable reduction of the time necessary to dry the varnish, approximately 50% of the time usually required for this purpose; When it comes ,in contact with the article, say at a temperature of about 70, the temperaturewill drop and the relative humidity beincreased.

This dropping in temperature and rise in humidity prevents the paint from skinning, and allows the same to run out evenly over the article. In the cooling operation, the saturated air tends to give the articles a finer and better gloss or finish.

The finished product treated in accordance With the method above described will be found to have a continuous smooth and even distribution of the finishing material,

entirely free fromspots, streaks, blemishes or discoloration, and regardless of the uses to which the articles are put there is no likelihood of the paint or varnish scaling. Then again, because of the thorough drying and cooling process contemplated, the articles may be finished in a much shorter period than is possible in prior methods, and are in condition on completion of the treatment either to be stored or wrapped and shipped, regardless of the temperature, Without any resultant injurious eifect upon the finish. The above meritorious results are largely due to the large. air space provided by the heating chambers above the articles positioned in the chambers, and the diffusion of the air in all directions horizontally into said vacant space, whereby the 100 air settles down without velocity and envelops the articles under the treatment. Then again, by reason of the surrounding air chambers, the treating chambers are insulated from the efi'ect of outside tempera- 105 tures, or from the effect of a neighboring chamber, assuming it is desired to continue the drying operation in one chamber simultaneously with the coolingoperation in the adjacent chamber. While the treated air falls down and envelope, the articles in the treating chamber without velocity, the elongated outlet at the floor or base of the chamber permits the spent air to be rapidly removed through the medium of the fan as referred .to.

The volume of air introduced into each chamber may be controlled independently of the volume of air introduced into another chamber through the medium of the valves by me on December 27, 1916, relating to apparatus for treating painted or varnished articles, in which I have illustrated, de-

scribed and claimed certain features of my invention herein described and not claimed. What I claim is a I 1. The method of drying varnished articles which consists in placing the articles with the varnish applied thereto into the lower portion of aninclosed drying chamber introducing air into the upper portion of the drying chamber so as to be there disseminated intogan unoccupied spaceof considerable area, and removing the air from ,the' lower portion of the chamber whereby after it has the air introduced at the top 11 ocity w1 setlost substantially all of its ve tle down in mass formation upon and grad ually envelop the article.

2. The method of treating varnished articles, to dry and cool the same, which consists in placing the articles in the lower part of a substantially closed chamber, of a size and construction to leave an unoccupied space of considerable area above the articles, introducing air into a washing chamber, and

. causing said air to enter the drying chamber the top wall of which chamber is at the top thereof in heated or cooled condition at will, and allowing the air to escape from said chamber.

3. The method of treating varnished articles which consists in placing the articles in a substantially closed drying chamber whereby, to leave a space of considerable area above the articles, introducing air into said chamber centrally of the top thereof, -subjecting the air before its introduction into said chamber first to, washing and then heating, causing the air upon its introduction into the upper portion of the chamber to first lose its velocity and then quietly settle in mass formation upon the articles, permitting the air to escape at the base of the container, and subsequently introducing washed air directly into said chamber.

5. The art of treating varnished articles which consists in placing the articles with a 7 fresh application of varnish or enamel in a closed chamber, adjacent the bottom thereof, disposed at a point considerably above the top of the articles whereby to, provide an unoccupied space of conslderable area, subjecting air to a cooling and moistening agency, thereafter subjectingthe treated 21.11 to a temperature increasing agency, introducing the so treated air under pressure into the top of the chamber, preventing the air on it's entranceinto the chamber from directly contacting with the varnished article under pressure and first difiusing the air horizontally on its introduction, and thereafter allowing the air to fall in a solid mass without perceptible velocity into contact with the articles.

6. The art of'treating varnished articles such as bedsteads and the like, which consists in placing the articles in the lower portion of a closed chamber, the'top of which is disposed a, considerable distance above the tops of the-articles, whereby to provide an unoccupiedspace of considerable area, subjecting air to a cooling and washing agency, subjecting the treated air to a temperatureincreasing agency, introducing the so treated air under pressure into the top of the chamber at the center thereof, diffusing the air horizontally in all directions on its introduction into the said chamber, and thereafter allowing the air to fall in a solid mass without perceptible velocity into contact with the articles, and rapidly withdrawing the air from the bottom of the chamber at points spaced laterally from the inlet at the' top of the chamber.

7. The art of drying varnished articles such as metal beds which consists in placing the freshly varnished articles to be treated in a substantially closed chamber,

continuously introducing treated air into the chamber adjacent the top thereof, causing the air to drop and'envelop the articles in mass formation and without perceptible velocity, and allowingthe air'to escape adjacent thebase of the chamber at a point spaced laterally from. the inlet at the top of the chamber.

8. The art of drying iron bedsteads and,

the like having a fresh application of paint or varnish, which consists in placing... the

article while still wet, in'the lower portion of a closed drying chamber ofaheight considerably greater than that of the article,

introducing treated air into the chamber adjacent thetop thereof, causing the air to diffuse and drop in mass formation upon and over the articles in an atmosphere of substantially even temperature and relative humidity and with noperceptible movement,

chamber adjacent the bottom thereof. 9. The artv of drying iron beds and the like havinga fresh application of paint or 'varnish, -wh ich consists in placing the. articles in thelow'erportion of a closed drying chamber of a size to providean unocand allowing the air to escape from the cupiedair' space of considerable area above the articles, introducing treated-air into the chamber adjacent the top thereof, andat' article in an atmosphere of, substantiallyeven temperature and relative humidity and with no perceptible movement, and allowing the air to escape from the chamber adjacent the side of the bottom thereof, and rapidly removing the escaped air to the out S] e.

10. The art of treating freshly painted or enameled iron beds and the like, which consists in placing the bed in the lower portion of a closed treating chamber of a height to provide an unoccupied upper space of considerable area above thearticle, subjected the air to washing and drying treatment, introducing the treated air into the upper portion of the chamber causing the same to fall only after it has lost its velocity to envelo the article, rapidly discharging the air rom the base of the chamber, and finally introducing cooled air into the chamber adj acent the top thereof and withdrawing the same from the base of the chamber.

11. The art of treating freshly varnished I articles to dry and cool the same which consists in placing the articles in the lower portion of a closed chamber of a size to provide an unoccupied space of considerable area above the article, subjecting air to ,a washing process and subjecting said washed air to a heating process and introducing the same into the treating chamber at the top of said unoccupied space, withdrawing said air from the base of the chamber and subsequently introducing washed air without heating directly into the treating chamber at the top thereof and subsequently removing the same at the base thereof.

12,. The art of treating freshly varnished articles to dry and cool the same which consists in placing the articles in a closed chamber, subjecting air to a washing process and subjecting said washed air to a heating process and introducing the same into the treating chamber, withdrawing said air and subsequently introducing washed air without heating directly .into the treating chamber and subsequently removing the same, the said air in both instances being introduced at the top of the chamber and allowed to fall in mass formation without perceptible velocity downwardly over the articles and escaping adjacent the bottom of the chamber. s 4

13. The artof treating freshly varnished articles which consists in placing the article in a closed chamber, subjecting air to a cooling and moistening agency to reduce the temperature and increase the humidity to a point of approximately complete saturation,

drying chamber and causing the same to en velop the articles without substantial 'velocity and free from currents, alloWin the air as the temperature thereof is re need and humidity increased to escape from the chamber adjacent the base thereof, and allowing said escaped air to pass over the outer surface of thewalls of the chamber, substantially as and for the purpose described.

14. The improved method of treating painted articles which consists in introducing a treating medium into a treating chamber of a height considerably greater than that of the painted article positioned in said chamber, after subjecting said treating medium to a purifying and temperature regulating process, causing said treating medium to be difl'used horizontally at the top of the container and in the space above the article, allowing the treating medium. after it has expanded its velocity to envelop the article,

and finally permitting the treating medium to escape from the base of the container.

15. The method of treating painted articles which consists in placing the articles in atreating chamber having an air passage overlying one wall thereof and maintaining above the article an unobstructed air space of considerable area, treating air to cleanse the same and to regulate the temperature thereof, introducing said air into the top of the chamber, causing said air to lose its velocity in the space above the article, and withdrawing'the air from the base of the chamber and introducing the same into the air passage surrounding the wall of the treating chamber.

16. The method of treating painted or the articles in chambers separated from one another by air spaces, introducing cleansed and temperature regulated air-into the respective chambers at the top thereof, causing said air to lose its velocity in the space above the, articles whereby to envelope without force or velocity the articles to be treated,- and allowingsaid air to escape from the base of the chambers into said intervening air spaces. Y v

17. The process of drying and finishing varnished or painted articles which consists in applying heated air to volatilize the oils in the paint or varnish with the proper degree of humidity to keep the surface moist until all the oils are volatilized, and after they are so evaporated, subjecting the article 120 to the action of chilled humid air to quickly harden the finish before it has a chance toagain absorb any of the volatile oils, the

heated and chilled air being subjected'to an influence whereby it willenvelop the article without force or velocity. Y 18. The method of treating varnished articles whichconsists in placing the article with an application of varnish thereon in a substantially closed chamber, introducing 130 into said chamber air at a high temperature,

.say approximately 240 Withdrawing said air from the chamber and introducing cool I air thereinto, the heated and'cooled' air being subjected to treatment wherebyit will enve1op the article without force or Velocity. 19. The method of treating 'freshly painted or enameled'bedsteads and the like which-consists in placing the article into the of the chamber at the center thereof, preventing said air from immediately contactin with the article and causing the same to di use in' di'fierent directions laterally in the space above the articles, allowing the air 1x) fall after it has lost its velocity and to envelop the article, and removing the said air same to pass through said air passage.

20. The. method of treating freshly enameled or varnished iron bedsteads and the like, which consists in placing the articles in an lnclosed chamber, introducing temperature regulated air into said chamber at the top. thereof, causing the air as introduced to lose its velocity and? thereafter permitting the same to fall in mass formation and envelop the articles, causing the air to escape from the base of the chamberand to thereafter travel upwardly over the outerwall of said chamber.

In testimony whereofI hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CICERO M. GUNLIF E;

Witnesses I PAUL C. DICKINSON,- H. M. ZERBE.

Images