Patent ID: 6544336
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: B05B,Y02P

Abstract:
An apparatus for a spray system operative to spray a substantially liquid polymer onto a surface of a printing plate, said apparatus comprising:(a) a fluid nozzle operative to receive said polymer and eject it in a substantially liquid state; (b) a conduit surrounding said fluid nozzle and carrying heated air at high pressure, said heated air being operative to heat said polymer, prior to ejection of said polymer from said fluid nozzle, said conduit being further operative to eject said heated air, in such a manner that said heated air physically interacts with and atomizes said substantially liquid polymer, creating a mist of polymeric matter; (c) a solid shroud surrounding said fluid nozzle and extending toward said printing plate, said shroud further comprising at least one aperture attached to a vacuum source, said shroud, aperture and vacuum source operative, in combination, to remove excess polymer that does not adhere to said printing plate; (d) a fast shut-off valve located proximate to said fluid nozzle, said fast shut-off valve being operative to control said ejection of said polymer from said fluid nozzle and to minimize an amount of polymer wasted by ejecting said polymer when it is not required; (e) a mixer operative to thoroughly and homogeneously mix said polymer from a plurality of constituent reagents, said mixer being located proximate to said fluid nozzle, so as to minimize an amount of said polymer, which is mixed, but not ejected from said fluid nozzle; and (f) a cleaning mechanism, which further comprises: (i) a plurality of switches, which are operative to arrest a flow of said constituent reagents, if required, and to permit at least one cleaning fluid to flow through, and simultaneously clean said mixer, fast shut-off valve and fluid nozzle; and (ii) a cleaning arm, equipped with a source of vacuum suction, said cleaning arm being operative to move via one of: translation and rotation, between a position directly external to said fluid nozzle and a non-intrusive position, during cleaning, said cleaning arm being positioned directly external to said fluid nozzle and said cleaning arm being operative to collect cleaning fluid, left-over polymer and any other materials ejected from said fluid nozzle, and during use, said cleaning arm being positioned in said non-intrusive position, so as not to interfere with said ejected polymer.