Immersion can coating apparatus and method

摘要

A magnetic conveyor system for transporting ferro-magnetic cans through an immersion or electro-immersion coating bath includes a magnetic infeed conveyor for transporting the cans toward an inlet end of the coating bath, a magnetic coating conveyor for removing the cans from the infeed conveyor and transporting them through the coating bath, and a magnetic outfeed conveyor for removing the cans from the coating conveyor at an outlet end of the coating bath. The magnetic coating conveyor includes an endless conveyor belt which defines inclined inlet and outlet runs relative to a surface of the coating bath. The cans are transported on the conveyor belt with a closed bottom of each can magnetically held to the conveyor belt and an open top of each can facing outwardly from the belt. The cans are transported into the coating bath at the inlet run with the closed bottom of each can entering the bath before the open top. At the outlet run, the cans emerge from the coating bath with the closed bottom of each can leading the open top. A series of spray nozzles are mounted near the bottom of the coating bath to direct pressurized coating composition into the open top of the cans for displacing trapped air within the cans and to ensure adequate coating.