COLD END GLASSWARE COATING APPARATUS

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a coating on glassware articles comprises a source of pressurized air and source (121) of liquid coating material. The source (121) of liquid coating material includes a reservoir (122) and a vapor-forming chamber (115). An adjustable gas pressure regulator (65) provides a regulated gas pressure in the reservoir and a regulated flow of liquid coating material out of the reservoir. A plurality of vapor-forming atomizers (134) are positioned and configured to atomize the liquid coating material and direct the coating material vapor into the vapor chamber (115). The apparatus further includes a vapor booth (40, 202) and a conveyor operable to convey glassware articles to the vapor booth to be coated. A plurality of fans (42, 222) provide circulating flows of coating material vapor within the booth and along the conveyor portion.

Description: COLD END GLASSWARE COATING APPARATUS Technical Field of the Invention This invention relates to an effective new method and apparatus for forming coatings on glass articles. Background Art Formation of durable lubricous coatings have been found to be of great importance in the glass container industry to provide glass articles, or ware, with at least one layer of an adhering lubricating material in order to facilitate high speed automatic handling of glass articles in production lines, to protect articles against contact abrasion damage, and to prevent unsightly scuff and scratch damage. In this regard, uncoated glass articles are highly susceptible to abrasion damage, and it has been reported that newly formed uncoated glass articles can quickly lose up to 75% of their bursting strength due, at least in part, to surface abrasion caused by contact with other glass articles as normally occurs during processing and handling of such articles. While some coatings have been applied to articles just prior to use, to be fully effective, the articles should be coated soon after they are formed, and in the case of annealed articles, for example, such coatings have been applied immediately before and/or after annealing. In practice, pre-annealing coatings, sometimes referred to as "hot end" coatings, are applied to glassware after it leaves the glassware machine in an initial coater. The initial coater forms a very thin metal oxide coating on the outer surface of the glassware, which is then carried to the annealing lehr. Such pre-annealing coating methods and apparatus are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent NOS. 4,431,692; 4,615,916; 4,668,268; 4,719,126; and 4,719,127 and others listed below. A number of post-annealing coatings, sometimes referred to as "cold end" coatings, and methods and apparatus for their application, have been disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,995,533; 3,386,855; 3,487,035; 3,712,829; 3,801,361; 3,876,410; 3,989,004; 3,997,693; 4,039,310; 4,130,407; 4,135,014; 4,517,242; 4,517,243; 4,529,657 and 4,812,332. U.S. Patent Nos. 3,876,410 and 3,989,004 disclose an apparatus and method for applying a coating material that is, at least in part, vaporizable at a readily obtainable temperature and capable of producing vapor that is contact-adherent to the article to be coated to produce a durable and tenacious, lubricous coating. In general, the patents disclose method and apparatus for forming acceptable coating material from organic materials, particularly hydrocarbons formed from methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, fatty acids and their derivatives and the like. Caproic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, myristic acid, linoleic acid and palmatoleic acid are disclosed as typical of the compositions yielding desirable coatings on glassware when used in the method and apparatus of these patents. Oleic acid has been used in the commercial practice of the inventions of these patents. Oleic acid is a bland liquid in normal condition, having an appearance similar to that of cooking oil. It has been approved for use in connection with food products. As little as 1 drop of oleic acid every 17 seconds has been found sufficient to produce an acceptable lubricating coating on catsup bottles passing through the vapor at the rate of 80 bottles per minute. Thus, 1 drop of oleic acid provides sufficient vapor to coat about 20 catsup bottles. Further, oleic acid is readily available in high-grade quality at low cost. Because of these advantages, oleic acid has been a primary coating material used to provide post-annealing coatings. The apparatus used to apply oleic acid in commercial practice includes a hood forming a vapor booth for a portion of a conveyer, which is operated to carry articles of glassware through the vapor booth. The vapor booth includes, generally, a booth top and an upper plate and a plurality of partitions between the booth top and the upper plate forming a plurality of plenum chambers arranged, one after the other, over and along the conveyer portion. The sides of the vapor booth are formed by a pair of downwardly extending panels that provide not only the means to support the vapor booth with respect to the conveyer, but a plurality of flow directing and controlling vanes in communication with each of the plurality of plenums. The upper plate of the vapor booth that forms the top of the plurality of plenums has a plurality of openings, one in each of the plurality of plenums, for carrying a fan in each of the plurality of plenums. The booth top also has a plurality of openings, at least one for each plenum, permitting vapor flow between the plurality of plenums and the booth formed by the booth top and sides. The upper plate carries a plurality of flow producing fans and fan motors, with one fan being located in each plenum, and the fans are capable of being rotated by their fan motors in alternatively opposite directions to provide counter-rotating flows of coating material vapor within the vapor booth and along the conveyer portion. A plurality of vapor flows of oleic acid coating material are introduced through a plurality of vapor discharge tubes located to direct the flow of coating material vapor into the circulating flow of each plenum. The vapor of oleic acid coating material is formed by means forming a liquid coating reservoir including a bottom, four sides and a top. The oleic acid, which has a melting point of 57° F. (14° C), is in a liquid state. The reservoir top also carries a vapor-forming nozzle having its liquid outlet connected with the coating material in the reservoir by an inlet tube extending from the vapor-forming nozzle to adjacent the reservoir bottom. The vapor- forming nozzle is also connected with a source of pressurized air for vaporization of the oleic acid coating material, and the vaporized coating material and pressurized air are directed from the vapor- forming nozzle through the reservoir top and into the reservoir, where the non-vaporous particles are removed by gravity. The remaining oleic acid vapor is urged by the influence of the pressurized air to and through the vapor discharge tube and introduced into the vapor hood for application to the glassware. In practice, the oleic acid glassware coating is frequently supplemented by an additional cold-end coating using polyethylene to permit sterilization of the glassware. Oleic acid is liquid at temperatures in excess of 57°F. (14°C). When glassware coated with oleic acid alone is exposed to elevated temperatures, such as in an autoclave for the sterilization of food containers, such as baby food jars, the oleic acid coating is substantially removed by the harsh and hot conditions, and the scratch resistance and lubricity are deleteriously affected, thereby increasing the risk of breakage. Breakage during processing is serious because of the possibility of slivers or fragments of the shattered glass being deposited in adjacent ware, which is completely unacceptable when the ware is to be used for food packaging. Unfortunately, in some applications, such as glass tubing or rods, conventional treatments are inadequate. Glass tubes or rods are typically laid down on a conveyer and positioned transversely to the direction of travel of the conveyer through the flows of coating material vapor. Because the glass tubes are carried adjacent the conveyer at the bottom of the vapor booth, it is difficult to ensure that the coating vapor reaches some areas, such as the bottom of the tubes. As a result, there is less than complete coating coverage of the tubes using conventional coating apparatus. Another problem with glass tubes (or rods) is that the tubes are very light weight. Thus, any attempt to blow coating vapor at the tubes will potentially blow the tubes off the conveyer. Accordingly, a need remains for an improved method and apparatus that will coat glass articles, such as glass containers, glass tubes and rods, reliably and uniformly. Disclosure of the Invention This invention provides an effective, new, economically operable apparatus for providing glass articles with tenacious, lubricous and protective coatings. Such coatings can include non-toxic cold end coatings that retain their lubricity and protective qualities after exposure to the high temperatures and harsh conditions of sterilization, remain transparent and do not interfere with labeling. Such coatings can also include lubricious protective coatings for glass rods and tubes. Apparatus of the invention includes means for providing a regulated flow of heated and liquified coating material; vapor-forming means for forming the flow of heated and liquified coating material into a coating material vapor with a heated and regulated flow of gas, and a thermally isolated and partially heated vapor booth connected with the vapor output of the coating material vapor-forming means and enclosing a portion of a conveyer which carries the glassware through the vapor booth. In the invention, the means for providing a regulated flow of heated and liquified coating material comprises a source of liquid coating material, including a reservoir having a top, a bottom and a sidewall therebetween, an electric heater for the reservoir, an inlet for a pressurizing gas formed in said reservoir and connected with an adjustable gas pressure regulator, a coating material outlet tube carried by the reservoir with withdrawal opening adjacent the reservoir bottom, a level sensor carried by the reservoir to signal the level of liquid coating material in the reservoir, and temperature sensor providing a signal for control of the electric heater to maintain the liquid state of coating material in said reservoir. The vapor-forming means of the invention comprises a vapor chamber including a top, a bottom and a sidewall therebetween, a second electric heater for the vapor chamber, a plurality of vapor- forming atomizers carried by the chamber top, each of the plurality of vapor-forming atomizers having a coating material inlet connected with the outlet tube of the coating material reservoir for receipt therefrom of the regulated flow of heated and liquified coating material, and also having an atomizing air input. Each of the vapor-forming atomizers have coating material and atomizing air outlets coacting to form and direct coating material vapor into the vapor chamber. In the invention, the vapor-forming atomizers atomize the coating material and direct the atomized coating material vapor and atomizing air into the vapor chamber. Preferably, the invention includes at least two vapor chambers supplied with atomized coating material from a single reservoir. The use of two vapor chambers is advantageous because it allows movement of the same total volume of atomized coating material to the vapor booth with lower pressure atomizing air. Lowering the atomizing air pressure provides slower movement of the vapor particles and therefore permits greater control over flow rates. The resulting atomized coating material vapor is urged from the vapor chamber by the further flow of atomizing air into the thermally isolated and partially heated vapor booth. Preferably, the vapor booth comprises a hood defining an interior region, means for introducing coating vapor into the interior region, means for heating the coating vapor, means for directing the coating vapor out of the interior region to a coating zone, and means for recovering unused vapor. The hood includes a vapor outlet and a vapor inlet and the directing means includes first blower means for discharging vapor from the interior region through the vapor outlet to the coating zone. The recovering means includes deflector means positioned adjacent the coating zone and across the coating zone from the hood for directing unused coating vapor to the vapor inlet for recovery. The recovery means further includes second blower means for drawing unused vapor into the interior region from the coating zone through the vapor inlet. The second blower means cooperates with the first blower means and the deflector means to establish a circulating flow of coating vapor across the heating means and through the vapor outlet to the coating zone and then through the coating zone to the vapor inlet and back across the heating means. Preferably, the first and second blower means includes tangential blowers. The deflector means includes a support table having a plurality of deflectors, the support table being positioned adjacent the coating zone across the coating zone from the hood. The deflectors are oriented to direct the discharged coating vapor around the articles to be coated and then to the vapor inlet. In one embodiment of the invention, the deflector means is oriented to direct the circulating flow of coating vapor through the coating zone in a direction parallel to, and opposite, the direction of travel of the stream of articles. In another embodiment of the invention, the deflector means is oriented to direct counter-rotating flows of coating vapor through the coating zone transversely to the direction of travel of the stream of articles. This invention permits reduced coating costs, the elimination of supplemental cold end coatings, such as polyethylene, and increased lubricity and durability of the cold end coating. In an exemplary application, the apparatus and method of the invention permits the application of a cold end coating with coating materials having high temperature melting points, for example, coating materials having melting points in excess of 200°F.-250°F. The invention also provides a method of coating glassware. The method comprises the steps of providing a hood with an interior region, providing coating vapor to the interior region, and providing heating means in the interior region for heating the coating vapor. The method further includes the steps of providing deflectors that cooperate with the hood to define a coating zone and generating a circulating flow of heated coating vapor that passes out of the interior region and into the coating zone to coat glassware moving through the coating zone. Further features and advantages of the invention are shown and described in the drawings and the further description of the invention that follows. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 showing the interior of one of the control enclosures and the enclosed means for providing and for atomizing a heated and liquified flow of coating material to provide coating material vapor; Fig. 3 is a partial top view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 3 taken at a plane corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and showing circulation within the apparatus and with respect to a plurality of glassware articles shown in phantom line; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vapor- forming atomizers taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 8 taken at a plane corresponding to line 6-6 of Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figs. 1, 3 and 4 taken at a plane corresponding to line 7-7 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figs. 1, 3 and 4 taken at a plane corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. 4 and showing the interior of the booth side forming means; and Fig. 9 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 coupled to a vapor booth comprising a hood positioned over a stream of articles passing through a coating zone, and a support table positioned below the coating zone; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the hood of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the support table of Fig. 10; and Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the vapor booth configured to establish counter-rotating flows of coating vapor. Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention Figs. 1-13 illustrate the methods and apparatus of the invention. Figs. 1-8 illustrating embodiments of the invention in the application of cold end coatings to glass containers, and Figs. 9-13 illustrating the use of the invention to coat glass tubing. Fig. 1 is a side view of the apparatus 10 showing means 11 for connecting the apparatus with a source of pressurized air, an enclosure 20 (shown in phantom lines in Fig. 1) for means 21 for providing a flow of heated and liquified coating material and vapor-forming means 31 for the flow of heated and liquified coating material, and a thermally isolated and partially heated vapor booth 40. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and described in greater detail below, the means 40 forming the vapor booth encloses a portion of a conveyer 12 for carrying glassware (indicated in phantom line in Fig. 4) through the vapor booth. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the means 40 forming the vapor booth taken at a plane corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 3, which is a partial top view of the apparatus of the invention. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the apparatus may be provided with a vapor confining plate 13 below the enclosed conveyer portion and under the vapor booth 40. The means for providing and vaporizing a flow of heated and liquified coating material are shown in greater detail in Figs. 2 and 5. As shown in Fig. 2, the enclosure 20 houses a means 21 for providing a regulated flow of heated and liquified coating material and a vapor-forming means 31 for forming the regulated flow of heated.and liquified coating material from the coating material source 21 into a coating material vapor with a heated and regulated flow of gas. The means 21 forming a source of liquid coating material includes a reservoir 22 having a top 22a, a bottom 22b and a sidewall 22c therebetween. An electric heater 23 for the reservoir 22 is connected in good thermal contact with the sidewall 22c of the reservoir 22. The reservoir 22 also includes an inlet 24 formed therein for receipt of a pressurizing gas. As shown in Fig. 2, the interior of closure 20 carries an adjustable gas pressure regulator 60 having its outlet 61 connected with reservoir inlet 24 and its inlet 62 arranged for connection with means 11 for providing pressurized air to the apparatus. The reservoir 22 also carries an outlet tube 25 having a withdrawal opening 25a adjacent the bottom 22b of the reservoir 22. The reservoir 22 also carries means 26 for providing a signal of the level of liquid material in the reservoir 22 and a temperature sensor 27 for providing a control signal for the electric heater 23 to maintain the liquid state of coating material in reservoir 22. The temperature sensor 27, the apparatus control and electric heater 23 can cooperate in a way known in the art, to maintain the interior of reservoir 22 at temperatures up to 200°F.-250°F. The adjustable gas pressure regulator 60 provides a regulated gas pressure of, for example, 0-20 psi, within the reservoir 22 and an adjustable regulated flow of heated and liquified coating material from the outlet tube 25. As further shown in Fig. 2, the means 31 for forming a coating material vapor is connected with outlet tube 25. The vapor-forming means 31 includes a vapor chamber 32 having a top 32a, a bottom 32b and a sidewall 32c therebetween. A second electric heater 33 for the vapor chamber 32 is thermally connected with the sidewall 32c of the vapor chamber 32 and is operated by the apparatus control in response to a second temperature sensor (not shown) to maintain the vapor chamber of temperatures at 200°F.-250°F. A plurality of vapor-forming atomizers 34 is carried by the top 32a of the vapor chamber 32. Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken at a plane corresponding to the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 to illustrate the vapor-forming atomizers 34 in greater detail. In Figs. 2 and 5, each of the plurality of vapor-forming atomizers 34 have a coating material inlet 34a that is connected with the outlet tube 25 of the coating material source 22 and receives therefrom a regulated flow of heated, liquified coating material. Each of the plurality of atomizers 34 also has an atomizing air inlet 34b, and each of the atomizing inlets 34b of the plurality of vapor-forming atomizers 34 is connected with an air heater 35 which provides, as further explained below, a regulated flow of heated atomizing air. As shown in greater detail in the cross-section of Fig. 5, each of the vapor- forming atomizers 34 direct their respective interior flows of atomizing air and heated, liquified coating material to coact in forming a coating material vapor and direct coating material vapor from their vapor outlets 34c into the vapor chamber 32. As further shown in Fig. 2, the enclosure 20 houses, in addition to the source of coating material 21 and the coating material vapor-forming means 31, an air heater 35 and an air flow regulator 63, which is connected to the input of air heater 35. Air heater 35 may also be self-controlled to maintain the temperature of the air at its outlet in the range of 200°F.-250°F. The air flow regulator 63 includes a flow meter 64 to provide a visual indication of the flow rate of atomizing air through the air heater 35 and the plurality of vapor-forming atomizers 34, and an adjustable air flow regulator 65 is used to adjust the flow of air to the vapor-forming means 31 to provide coating material vapor from the regulated flow of heated and liquified coating material from the outlet 25 of coating material source 21. "Vapor" as used in this application refers to atomized coating material particles small enough (that is, having a sufficiently small mass to surface ratio) that they are carried by a quiescent flow of air, for example, particles with the diameter of a few microns. The vapor formed by the plurality of vapor- forming atomizers 34 of the Fig. 2 embodiment is carried from the vapor chamber 32 through outlets 48 (Fig * 3) to the means forming a vapor booth 40. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, as a result of operation of the apparatus, a flow of heated air is directed from the adjustable air flow source 63 and air heater 35 through the plurality of vapor-forming atomizers 34 and from their outlets 34c into the vapor chamber 32. The pressurization resulting in the vapor chamber 32 creates an outward flow of heated air and vapor which may be directed into the means 40 forming a vapor booth as shown in Fig. 3. When the level of coating material in reservoir 22 becomes too low, level sensor 26 will provide an output signal and operate a warning at the apparatus control to advise the personnel responsible for operation of the apparatus that the coating material in reservoir 22 should be replenished. As noted above, the system also includes means 40 forming a vapor booth for a portion of a conveyer 12 which carries articles of glassware through the vapor booth 40. The means 40 forming the vapor booth is shown in greater detail in Figs. 3 and 4, and 6-8. The means 40 forms a thermally isolated, partially heated vapor booth connected with the vapor output of the coating material reservoir 22. Means 40 forms at least one plenum 41, and preferably a plurality of plenums 41, having at least one and preferably two openings 41a in communication with the enclosed conveyer portion 12 and also having fan means 42 for creating a circulation of coating material vapor within the plenum 41 and the enclosed conveyer portion 12, as shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 7 the preferred plurality of plenums is formed by a booth top 43, an upper plate 44 and a plurality of partitions 45. As best shown in Fig. 3, the plurality of partitions 45 form a plurality of plenums 41 arranged one after the other, over and along the conveyer portion 12. Means 40 further includes a pair of downwardly extending side forming means 46 forming the vapor booth. The booth side forming means can provide means 49 for supporting the vapor booth from the structure 12a of conveyer portion 12 as shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 4, 6, 7 and 8, each of the side forming means 46 is open and in communication with each of the plurality of plenums 41 at the plenum openings 41a. As best shown in Figs. 6-8, each of the side forming means 46 carries a plurality of flow directing and controlling vanes 46a. As indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, the upper plate 43 has a plurality of openings one at each of the plurality of plenums 41 for carrying fan means 42 in each of the plurality of plenums 41. The booth top 44 also has a plurality of openings 44a, at least one for each plenum, permitting vapor flow between the plurality of plenums 41 and the conveyer enclosure formed by the booth top and sides of means 40. The booth top 44 can carry one or more strip heaters to help maintain the enclosed conveyer portion above the melting point of the coating material. Preferably, the booth top 44 carries a plurality of strip heaters, with at least one strip heater being carried in each plenum, and each of the plurality of strip heaters is individually controllable to provide a maintained temperature in each plenum. The strip heaters can be located at any convenient location on the booth top 44 and are not shown in the figures. As shown in Fig. 4, the fan means 42 comprise a plurality of flow producing fans 42a and fan motors 42b carried by the upper plate 43 with their respective fans 42a being located in each of the plenums 41. As indicated in Fig. 3, the fans 42a are preferably rotated by their fan motors 42b in alternating, opposite directions, as shown in Fig. 3 clockwise at the top, counterclockwise in the center, and clockwise again at the bottom of Fig. 3. The alternating opposite directions provide a plurality of counter-rotating flows of coating material vapor within the conveyer enclosure along the conveyer portion 12. As indicated in Fig. 3, a plurality of vapor discharge tubes 47 are connected through a conduit 48 with a vapor output of the coating material reservoir 22. The plurality of discharge tubes 47 extend into the means 40 forming the vapor booth from each side of the vapor booth (only one side being shown in Fig. 3) . The outlets 47a of the plurality of discharge tubes 47 can be arranged at a plurality of locations along the conveyer portion, as shown in Fig. 3, to direct a flow of coating material vapor into the flow of each plenum. As shown in Fig. 4, the coating material vapor will be carried by the counter-rotating flows within the plenum and enclosed container portion to encompass and coat glassware carried by the conveyer 12. As further indicated in Figs. 4, 6, 7 and 8, the means 40 forming the vapor coating booth may, if desired, be provided with a blanket of insulation 50. The means 40 illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 6-8 is intended for use with a glassware production line having a width, as measured by conveyer width, of up to about eight feet. Where the production line is wider than about eight feet, for example, with a conveyer belt 12 feet wide, it is advisable that the vapor booth top carry two sets of blowers or fans, for circulation of the coating material vapor. In vapor booths that are 12 feet wide, the two sets of blowers. or fans, are equally spaced from the booth sides, preferably about three feet to four feet from each side, and the blowers, or fans in each plenum preferably rotate in the same direction. Fig. 3 illustrates the means forming the vapor booth from above and without a blanket of insulation 50 to show other features of the vapor booth. For example, the upper plate may be provided with a plurality of doors 51 permitting access into the plurality of plenums from above the vapor coating booth. When the coating apparatus 10 is used in the exemplary cold-end coating process, the coating apparatus 10 is located generally adjacent the annealing lehr for the glassware. The glassware is carried through the vapor coating means 40 while still at an elevated temperature and heat transfer from the heated glassware will maintain the enclosed container portion at an elevated temperature. Accordingly, the inclusion of strip heaters on the booth top may be needed only to supplement the heat transferred into the enclosed conveyer portion by the glassware, or to place the vapor booth in the ready condition when glassware is not being coated. According to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 9, means 121 for providing a regulated flow of heated and liquified coating material includes a single tank 110 having a vapor chamber 115 and a reservoir 122 separated by a partitioning wall 117. A one-way check valve 119 provides communication through the partitioning wall 117 between the reservoir 122 and the vapor chamber 115. The portion of the vapor that eventually falls to the bottom of the vapor chamber 115 is collected and returned to the reservoir 122 by periodically pressurizing the upper chamber 115 and forcing the collected vapors through the check valve 119 into the reservoir 122. The reservoir 122 includes a top 122a, a bottom 122b and a sidewall 122c therebetween. An electric heater 123 for the reservoir 122 is connected in good thermal contact with the sidewall 122c of the reservoir 122. The reservoir 122 also includes an inlet 124 formed therein for receipt of a pressurizing gas. An outlet tube 125, positioned in the reservoir 122 has a withdrawal opening 125a adjacent the bottom 122b of the reservoir 122. The reservoir 122 further includes means 126 for providing a signal of the level of liquid material in the reservoir 122 and an internal temperature sensor 127 for providing a control signal for electric blanket heaters 123. The temperature sensor 127, the apparatus control and the electric blanket heater 123 can cooperate in a way known in the art, to maintain the interior of the reservoir 122 at temperatures up to 200°F.-250°F. An adjustable gas pressure regulator 60 provides a regulated gas pressure of, for example, 1-20 psi within the reservoir 122 and an adjustable regulated flow of heated and liquified coating material from the outlet tube 125. Vapor-forming means 131 is positioned on top of the vapor chamber 115 and includes a plurality of vapor-forming atomizers 134. A commercially available cartridge heater (not shown) is coupled to the vapor- forming means 131 to heat the vapor-forming means 131 and, thereby the incoming air to prevent a deleterious solidification of the coating material. Vapor formed by the atomizers 134 is carried into the vapor chamber 115 and through vapor outlets 148 to the vapor booth 40. The lower portion 115a of the vapor chamber 115 includes a recovery chamber for collecting the portion of the vapor that doesn't go through the outlets 148 to the vapor booth 40. The portion of the vapor that eventually falls to the lower portion 115a of the vapor chamber 115 is collected and returned to the reservoir 122 by periodically pressurizing the vapor chamber 115 and forcing the collected vapors through the check valve 119 into the reservoir 122. The embodiment has a major thermal advantage. That is, the use of a single tank to house the vapor chamber 115 and the reservoir 122 minimizes the use of external fluid lines, thereby reducing the likelihood of unwanted solidification of the coating material. Specifically, outlet tube 125 passes heated and liquified material between the reservoir 122 and the vapor-forming means 131 directly without leaving the heated tank 110. As a result, the cartridge heater (not shown) in the vapor-forming means provides sufficient heat to enable operation of the apparatus without resorting to external heating of the air flow. Thus, the air heater (35 in Fig. 2) is eliminated from the presently preferred embodiment, thereby reducing complexity of the equipment and reducing the manufacturing and operating costs of the invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 9, a flow of air is directed from the adjustable air flow source through inlet 124 and into reservoir 122 to pressurize the reservoir 122 and thereby urge liquid coating material through the outlet tube 125 to the vapor-forming atomizers 134. At the same time, a flow of air is directed from the adjustable air flow source through the plurality of vapor-forming atomizers 134. As the air flow passes through the vapor-forming atomizers 134, it atomizes the liquid coating material and directs the resultant vapor into the vapor chamber 122. The inflow of vapor pressurizes the vapor chamber 122, thereby creating an outward flow of air and vapor which may be directed through the outlets 148 and into the means forming a vapor booth 40. The presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown illustratively in Figs. 10-12. The apparatus includes an enclosure 200 and a vapor booth 202. As shown in Fig. 10, the enclosure 200 is substantially similar to the enclosure 20 of Fig. 9, but includes two vapor chambers 115, 115', positioned adjacent a single reservoir 117. A second vapor- forming means 131', including a vapor atomizer 134', is coupled to the second vapor chamber 115'. A second vapor outlet 148' extends from the vapor chamber 115' to the vapor booth 202. Functionally, the second vapor chamber 115' and vapor-forming means 131' are identical to their counterparts in the embodiment of Fig. 9. However, the inclusion of a second vapor chamber 115' and vapor-forming means 131' coupled to the vapor booth 40, 202 allows a reduction in pressure of the atomizing air which, in turn, allows slower, more controlled flow of vapor particles to the vapor booth 40, 202. The vapor sources of Figs. 2 and 9 are configured to be used in combination with a vapor booth adapted to apply a coating to glassware, as shown in Fig. 10. The exemplary apparatus of Fig. 10 includes a vapor booth 202 having a hood 210 positioned above a stream of articles, illustratively tubes 218, and a support table 214 positioned below the tubes 218 and generally directly under the hood 210. The hood 210 and the support table 214 cooperate to define a coating zone 212. The tubes 218 travel on a conveyer 215 through the coating zone 212 in direction 217. The apparatus of Figs. 10-12 is particularly well adapted for use in coating a stream of glass tubes or rods as shown in Figs. 10-11. However, it will be appreciated that the apparatus can be used to coat other articles, such as bottles, without departing from the scope of the invention. Coating vapor is introduced into the hood 210 from the vapor-forming means 131, heated, and discharged into the coating zone 212 in order to pass over and be deposited on the tubes 218. The support table 214 includes deflectors 216 that direct the flow of coating vapor around the tubes 218 and then back to the hood 210. Thus, a circulating flow 219 of coating vapor is established that coats the tubes 218 passing through the coating zone 212 and recovers unused coating vapor. The hood 210, shown in more detail in Fig. 11, includes an interior region 220 that houses a plurality of blowers 222, a plurality of finned strip heaters 224, and a vapor conduit 226 for introducing coating vapor into the interior region 220 from vapor source 121. In addition, the hood 210 includes a vapor outlet 228 and a vapor inlet 230 (Fig. 10) for permitting the circulating flow 219 of coating vapor out of, and into, the interior region 220, and a pair of top panels 232 hingedly attached to the hood 210 to allow access to the interior region 220 for service and repair. The blowers 222 generate the circulating flow 219 of coating vapor that flows through the interior region 220, where it passes over the plurality of finned strip heaters 224, and out through a vapor outlet 228 into the coating zone 212, where it flows around the tubes 218 to be coated. Unused coating vapor that has traveled past the tubes 218 is directed by the deflectors 216 to the vapor inlet 230. From the vapor inlet 230, the flow 219 of coating vapor travels through the interior region 220 to the vapor outlet 228. As the circulating flow travels through the interior region 220, new coating vapor is introduced from the vapor conduit 226 and added to the circulating flow 219 to replace vapor consumed in coating the tubes 218. The combined flow is heated by the finned strip heaters 224 and discharged from the interior region 220 through the vapor outlet 228. As shown in Fig. 11, a preferred hood 210 includes two sets of tangential blower wheels 234, 236 driven by variable speed motors 238, 240, a plurality of finned strip heaters 224 aligned parallel to the flow 219 of coating vapor, and a plurality of vapor conduits 226. Advantageously, the tangential blower wheels 235, 236 provide positive movement of the coating vapor along the length of the glass tubes 218, and the variable speed motors 238, 240 allow that movement of the coating vapor to be maximized without blowing the tubing 218 off the conveyer 215. A control box 250 is disposed adjacent the hood 210 and contains control valves and circuitry for regulating the heat provided by the finned strip heaters 224, the flow of replenishment vapor through the conduit 226, and the speed of the variable speed motors 238, 240. Each set of blower wheels 234, 236 includes a pair of blower wheels driven by a common drive shaft 242, 244 which is coupled to a drive motor 238, 240, respectively. The forward set of blower wheels 234 is positioned to discharge the flow 219 of coating vapor out of the interior region 220 through the vapor outlet 228 (Fig. 10) . The rearward set of blower wheels 236 is positioned to draw the flow 219 of coating vapor into the interior region 220 through the vapor inlet 230 (Fig. 10) . Alternately, each tangential blower can be driven by a separate drive motor. It is also possible for a single motor to drive all of the blowers through the appropriate use of gears, belts, chains, or the like. A replenishing flow of coating vapor is introduced into the circulating flow 219 from the vapor conduit 226. The vapor conduit 226 extends from a source of vapor 121 (Fig. 10) to the interior region 220. A pair of conduit outlets 254 open into the interior region 220 to allow replenishment coating vapor to mix with the circulating flow 219 of coating vapor. The conduit outlets 254 are positioned in the interior region 220 so as to permit thorough mixing of the replenishment vapor and circulating flow 219 and to ensure that the combined flows pass over the finned strip heaters 224 and are properly heated prior to discharge out the vapor outlet 228. A support table 214 is shown in Fig. 12 and includes a plurality of legs 256, horizontal supports 258, 260 extending between the legs 256, and a table surface 262. The table 214 further includes a plurality of rotatable and extendable deflectors 216 coupled to the table surface 262. Each deflector 216 includes a pair of plates that are rotatable between a flat position (not shown) lying adjacent the table surface 262 and, as depicted in Fig. 12, a rotated position. Each pair of plates includes a first plate 270 that is coupled to the table surface 262, as, for example, by a hinge (not shown) , and a second plate 272 that is configured to slide back and forth along the first plate 270 in directions 278 to provide a variable width deflector 216. Each plate 270, 272 includes a notch 274 for receiving conveyer support members 276 (Figs. 10-11) . Thus, by moving plates 272 relative to plates 270, the width of the deflector 216 can be adjusted to accommodate conveyers 215 of various widths. The invention can also be used advantageously in other applications besides coating glass tubing, such as coating bottles that pass through the coating zone in an upright position. An alternative embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig. 13 is well suited for such alternate applications. The hood 310 of Fig. 13 is substantially similar to the hood 210 of Figs. 10- 11, but includes blowers 322, 324 and motors that 336, 338 are configured to establish counter-rotating flows 326, 328. Vapor conduit 330 includes outlets 332, 334 oriented to introduce coating vapor into each of the counter-rotating flows 326, 328. The counter-rotating flows 326, 328 are particularly advantageous if they are oriented transversely to the direction of movement 217 of the bottles (not shown) . Counter-rotating transverse flows of coating vapor more uniformly coat the bottles with vapor because the vapor is positively urged into contact with opposite sides of the bottles as the bottles move through the coating zone. The support table 314 is positioned under the hood 310 to deflect the flows 326, 328 from their respective vapor outlets to their respective vapor inlets. The table 314 includes deflectors 316 which are substantially similar to the deflectors 216. However, in the configuration of Fig. 13, the notches 274 can be eliminated since the deflectors 316 would not have to accommodate the conveyer support members 276. In addition, since the deflectors 316 don't have to accommodate the conveyer support members 276, the extension feature is not necessary and the deflectors 316 can have a fixed width. Variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims. For example, support tables 214, 314 can include side walls (not shown) extending between the deflectors 216, 316 and upwardly from the table surface 262, 362 to more fully enclose the coating zone 212, 312. As clear from the description above, applicant's invention provides a method for forming a coating on glassware by conveying a series a glassware articles to be coated at elevated temperatures through a coating zone adjacent a portion of the conveyer. By providing a vapor booth, a portion of the conveyer is enclosed and thermally isolated to provide a coating zone, and the coating zone may be heated to provide an elevated temperature along the conveyer portion. By liquefying normally solid coating material through the elevation of its temperature, a plurality of controlled flows of liquified coating material may be produced and directed at elevated temperatures to a plurality of coating material atomizers, or vaporizers. By additionally producing and directing a plurality of control flows of heated pressurized air to the plurality of vaporizers, a plurality of controlled flows of liquified coating material may be atomized or vaporized with the plurality of controlled flows of heated pressurized air, and the atomized liquified coating material may be entrained in a plurality of flows of heated air. The plurality of flows of heated air and entrained particles of liquified coating material may be directed from the atomizers into a heated vapor chamber, which can remove by gravity of non-vaporous, i.e., high mass to surface ratio, coating material particles, and a plurality of flows of heated air and entrained vaporous liquified coating material are directed to the coating zone. By introducing the plurality of flows of heated air and entrained vaporous coating material into the thermally isolated coating zone, a series of glassware articles may be coated by impingement of the coating material particles on the glassware articles in the coating zone, and upon removal of the glassware articles from the coating zone, the deposited coating material cools to form a solid coating on the glassware. A preferred coating material for use with this method is stearic acid (octadecenoic acid) , which has a melting point of about 70° C or 157° F. Stearic acid oxidizes easily at elevated temperatures and degrades at the elevated temperatures of glass manufacturing operations; thus, the application of stearic acid must be carefully effected. In the apparatus and method of the invention, however, stearic acid is liquified, atomized and deposited and forms a tenacious bond to hot end metal oxide coated surfaces of glassware, it is believed, through the -COOH group of the stearic acid. With the method and apparatus of this invention, one to two pounds of stearic acid, uniformly applied, can provide the effective coating of this invention on one gross of glass containers, such as baby food jars, per minute for three shifts, or about 24 hours, can eliminate the need for an additional polyethylene cold end coating, and may reduce the hot end tin oxide coating by one- half. Example I A prior art coating apparatus like that described and shown in Fig. 9 of U.S. Patent No. 3,989,004 was used to provide a commercial prior art coating for comparison with the invention. Oleic acid was atomized in an atomizer thereby forming oleic acid vapor and conducted into the coating hood. Circulation of the vapor was accomplished by a fan operating in the manner shown in Fig. 9 of U.S. Patent No. 3,989,004. A first portion of glassware which had received a tin oxide hot end coating was placed in the coating hood at a temperature somewhat above 200° F. for a period of about 120 seconds. The vapor was maintained above the vaporization point of the oleic acid. The treatment resulted in formations of a completely transparent coating on the glassware samples. The invention was then used to prepare samples for comparative testing. A coating apparatus as shown and described above was used to coat a second portion of the glassware that had received the tin oxide hot end coating. The vapor booth 40 was heated to a temperature of 250° F. Solid state stearic acid was liquified in the reservoir 22 and provided to means 28 for providing micron-sized coating material particles in a flow of heated air. The resulting micron-sized particles, or vapor, of liquid stearic acid were introduced into the vapor booth 40 at a rate of one pound of solid material per day. The second portion of the glassware was placed in the vapor booth 40 at about 250°F. and the bottles were exposed to coating material in the vapor booth 40 for a period of 120 seconds. Samples were selected at random from the first portion of glassware, which was provided by the prior art with an oleic acid coating, and from the second portion of glassware which was coated with the invention. The samples with both coatings were placed in an autoclave, which was provided with steam at 250°F. and 15 pounds per square inch for one hour. The samples were then removed from the autoclave and allowed to cool for testing. The samples were then tested for scratch resistance using an industry standard scratch test. Only 25 pounds of force resulted in scratches in the autoclaved samples that had been provided by the prior art with an oleic acid coating. The scratch resistance of the autoclaved samples coated with the invention exceeded the test force available with the test equipment, that is, with the test equipment applying its maximum force, the stearic acid coated samples remained scratch resistant at forces exceeding 70 pounds. Example II A third portion of glassware, which had received a tin oxide coating having one-half the weight of the first and second portions of Example I, was coated with the invention in the same manner as the second portion of Example I, was placed in the autoclave with the first and second portions of Example I, and was removed from the autoclave and tested for scratch resistance in the same manner as the first and second portions of Example I. The third portion of glassware, which had been provided with a stearic acid coating in accordance with the invention, over a tin oxide hot end coating of one-half the weight of the hot end coatings of the first and second portions, also had a scratch resistance that exceeded the test force available with the test equipment. With this invention, glassware can be provided with an unexpectedly effective coating by providing the glassware to be coated to an enclosed conveyer portion, atomizing normally solid coating material into liquid micron-sized, vaporous particles. circulating the resulting liquid particles in a heated thermally isolated coating zone adjacent the glassware surfaces to be coated, and depositing the micron-sized liquid coating material particles on the hot glassware surfaces with flows of heated air. The method is performed at a temperature greater than the melting point of the coating material but below its degradation temperature, for example, preferably in the range from about 250°F. to about 300°F. and most preferably at about 250°F. where stearic acid is used. The glassware is preferably at a temperature of about 250°F. but may be at a lesser temperature, preferably above the melting point of the coating material. In the method, a continuous coating need not be formed. Notwithstanding the lack of coating continuity, the resultant coating can be unexpectedly lubricous and durable and provide the other advantages set forth above. Various modifications may be made in the method and apparatus shown and described above without departing from the scope of this invention as defined by the prior art and the claims that follow.

Claims: We Claim: 1. Apparatus for applying a coating to glassware, the apparatus being characterized by: a source of pressurized air; means forming a source of liquid coating material, comprising a reservoir having a top, a bottom and at least one sidewall therebetween, and first electric heater for said reservoir, an inlet for a pressurizing gas formed in said reservoir, said inlet being connected with an adjustable gas pressure regulator, a coating material outlet tube carried by said reservoir with withdrawal opening adjacent the reservoir bottom, a level sensor carried by the reservoir to signal the level of liquid coating material in said reservoir, and a temperature sensor providing a signal for control of said electric heater to maintain the liquid state of coating material in said reservoir; said adjustable gas pressure regulator providing a regulated gas pressure in said reservoir and a regulated flow of liquid coating material from said outlet tube; means for forming a coating material vapor, comprising a vapor chamber including a top, a bottom and at least one sidewall therebetween, a second electric heater for said vapor chamber, a plurality of vapor-forming atomizers carried by said chamber top, each of said plurality of vapor-forming atomizers having a coating material inlet connected with said outlet tube for receipt therefrom of said regulated flow of coating material and also having an atomizing air input, each of said vapor-forming atomizers having coating material and atomizing air outlets coacting to form and direct coating material vapor into said vapor chamber, an enclosure for said source of liquid coating material and said vapor-forming means; means forming a vapor booth for a portion of a conveyer operable to carry articles of glassware through the vapor booth, said means forming a vapor booth comprising a booth top, an upper plate and a plurality of partitions therebetween forming a plurality of plenum chambers, arranged one after the other, over and along the conveyer portion, a pair of downwardly extending side-forming means for said vapor booth, said booth side-forming means providing means for supporting said vapor booth with respect to said conveyer portion, each of said pair of booth side-forming means being open and in communication with each of the plurality of plenums and carrying a plurality of flow directing and controlling vanes, said upper plate of said means forming a vapor booth having a plurality of openings, one in each of the plurality of plenums, for carrying a fan in each of the plurality of plenums, said booth top having a plurality of openings, at least one for each plenum, permitting vapor flow between the plurality of plenums and the conveyer enclosure formed by the booth top and sides, said booth top carrying at least one heater, and a plurality of flow-producing fans and fan motors carried by said upper plate with one fan being located in each plenum; and a plurality of vapor discharge tubes in communication with said reservoir of said vapor- forming means and extending into the vapor booth and arranged at a plurality of locations along the conveyer portion. said fans being rotated by their fan motors to provide circulating flows of coating material vapor within the booth and along the conveyer portion, said apparatus further comprising a vapor confining plate below the conveyer portion and under the vapor booth. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of openings in said booth top include a plurality of fan openings located with respect to said plurality of plenums and the conveyer enclosure, and said plurality of fans have their blades operatively associated with said plurality of fan openings to provide vapor circulation within the conveyer enclosure and plenums. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the fan blades are partially ducted. 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the fan blades are alternating opposite directions to provide counter-rotating flows of coating material vapor within the conveyer enclosure. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by means upstream of said vapor booth for applying an metal oxide coating to the glassware. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said atomizing air inlets of said plurality of vapor- forming atomizers is connected with an air heater that is connected through an air flow regulator with said source of compressed air. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for forming a coating material vapor includes a second vapor chamber disposed within the enclosure and separated from the reservoir by an internal wall. 8. Apparatus for applying a coating of high temperature melting point coating material to hot glassware characterized by: a source of pressurized air; a temperature-controlled reservoir of liquified coating material, said reservoir having a top, a bottom and at least one sidewall therebetween, a first electric heater for liquefying coating material in said reservoir, an inlet for a pressurizing gas formed in said reservoir, said inlet being connected with an adjustable gas pressure regulator, a coating material outlet tube carried by said reservoir with withdrawal opening adjacent the reservoir bottom, a level sensor carried by the reservoir to sense the level of liquid coating material in said reservoir, and a temperature sensor for providing a signal for control of said electric heater to maintain the liquid state of coating material in said reservoir; said adjustable gas pressure regulator providing a regulated gas pressure in said reservoir and a regulated flow of liquid coating material from said outlet tube; a heated coating material vapor-forming means, comprising a vapor chamber including a top, a bottom and at least one sidewall therebetween, a second electric heater for said vapor chamber, a plurality of vapor-forming atomizers carried by said chamber top, each of said plurality of vapor-forming atomizers having a coating material inlet connected with said reservoir outlet tube for receipt therefrom of said regulated flow of liquid coating material and also having an atomizing air input, each of said vapor-forming atomizers having coating material and atomizing air outlets coacting to form and direct coating material vapor into said vapor chamber, and a thermally isolated and partially heated vapor booth connected with said vapor-forming means and enclosing a portion of a conveyer for carrying said hot glassware through said vapor booth, said thermally isolated and partially heated vapor booth comprising means forming at least one plenum in the vapor booth, said plenum having an opening in communication with the enclosed conveyer portions and fan means for creating a circulation of coating material vapor within said plenum and said enclosed conveyer portion. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 further characterized by thermocouple means for preventing operation of said vapor-forming means at less than a preset temperature and for maintaining said reservoir at a preset temperature. 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said thermally isolated and partially heated vapor booth comprises a booth top, a top plate and a plurality of partitions therebetween forming a plurality of plenum chambers arranged, one after the other, over and along the conveyer portion, a pair of downwardly extending side-forming means for said vapor booth, said booth side-forming means providing means for supporting said vapor booth with respect to said conveyer portion, each of said pair of booth side-forming means being open and in communication with each of the plurality of plenums and carrying a plurality of flow directing and controlling vanes, said top plate having a plurality of openings, at least one in each of the plurality of plenums, for carrying a fan in each of the plurality of plenums, said booth top having a plurality of openings, at least one for each plenum, permitting vapor flow between the plurality of plenums and the conveyer enclosure formed by the booth top and sides, said booth top carrying at least one heater, and a plurality of flow-producing fans and fan motors carried by said top plate with one fan being located in each plenum. 11. The apparatus of claim 8 further characterized by a plurality of vapor discharge tubes in communication with the vapor-forming means and extending into the booth and arranged at a plurality of locations along the conveyer portion, at least one vapor discharge tube being located to direct a flow of coating material vapor into the flow of each plenum. 12. The apparatus of claim 8 further characterized by a thermally insulating enclosure for said vapor booth. 13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said plurality of openings in said booth top include a plurality of partially ducted fan openings centrally located with respect to said plurality of plenums and the conveyer enclosure, and said plurality of fans have their blades operatively associated with said plurality of fan openings to provide vapor circulation within the conveyer enclosure and plenums. 14. Apparatus for supplying a coating to glassware, the apparatus being characterized by: a source of pressurized air; an adjustable gas pressure regulator coupled to the source of pressurized air; a tank having a reservoir and vapor chamber separated by an internal wall for containing liquid and vaporized coating material, the tank having inlet means coupled to the adjustable gas pressure regulator, a coating material outlet tube carried by said tank with a withdrawal opening adjacent the bottom of said tank, a level sensor carried by the tank to signal the level of liquid coating material in said tank, and a temperature sensor providing a signal for control of an electric heater to maintain the liquid state of coating material in said tank, said adjustable gas pressure regulator providing a regulated gas pressure in said tank and a regulated flow of liquid coating material from said outlet tube; means for forming a coating material vapor comprising an electric heater for said tank and at least one vapor-forming atomizer, the at least one vapor-forming atomizer having a coating material inlet connected to said tank and an air inlet coupled to the adjustable gas pressure regulator and a coating material outlet and an atomizing air outlet coacting to form and direct coating material vapor into said tank; and means for forming a vapor booth for a portion of a conveyer operable to carry articles of glassware through the vapor booth. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the internal wall includes valve means positioned therein for fluidly connecting the reservoir and vapor chamber so that pressurization of the vapor chamber forces condensed coating material vapor through the valve means into the reservoir. 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the tank includes a second vapor chamber separated from the reservoir by an internal wall. 17. Apparatus for applying a coating to glassware, the apparatus being characterized by: vapor-forming means for forming a regulated flow of heated and liquified coating material into a coating material vapor with a regulated flow of gas; means forming a vapor booth for a portion of a conveyor operable to carry an article of glassware through the vapor booth; tank means forming a coating material reservoir and vapor chamber separated by a common wall for containing liquid and vaporized coating material, the tank means having a pressure inlet means, a coating material outlet tube carried by said tank means with a withdrawal opening adjacent the bottom of said coating material reservoir, a level sensor carried by the tank means to signal the level of liquid coating material in said coating material reservoir, and a temperature sensor providing a signal for control of an electric heater to maintain the liquid state of coating material in said tank means, said vapor-forming means being carried by and in a heat transfer relationship with said tank means, with a coating material inlet connected with said coating material outlet tube, said vapor-forming means directing vapor formed from said coating material into said vapor chamber, and means for providing said vapor-forming means with a regulated flow of pressurized gas and for also providing a regulated gas pressure in said tank means and a regulated flow of liquid coating material from said outlet tube. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the vapor-forming means includes at least one vapor- forming atomizer mounted against the tank means having a coating material inlet connected to said coating material outlet tube at its interface with said tank means and an air inlet coupled to the adjustable gas pressure regulator and a coating material outlet and an atomizing air outlet coacting to form and direct coating material vapor into said vapor chamber at its interface with said tank means. 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the tank means includes a tank having a reservoir and vapor chamber separated by an internal wall, the internal wall having valve means positioned therein for fluidly connecting the reservoir and vapor chamber. 20. An apparatus for coating articles passing through a coating zone, the apparatus being characterized by: a hood defining an interior region and positioned adjacent the coating zone, means for generating a coating vapor and for introducing the coating vapor into the interior region, means, disposed in the interior region, for heating the coating vapor, means for directing the coating vapor out of the hood to the coating zone, and means for recovering unused vapor from the coating zone. 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the hood includes a vapor outlet and the directing means includes first blower means for discharging vapor from the interior region through the vapor outlet to the coating zone. 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the hood further includes a vapor inlet and the recovering means includes deflector means positioned adjacent the coating zone and across the coating zone from the hood for directing unused coating vapor to the vapor inlet for recovery. 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the recovery means further includes second blower means for drawing unused vapor into the interior region from the coating zone through the vapor inlet and cooperating with the first blower means and the deflector means to establish a flow of coating vapor across the heating means then through the vapor outlet to the coating zone and then through the vapor inlet and back across the heating means. 24. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the hood includes a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet and the directing means includes a first blower for discharging vapor from the interior region through the vapor outlet to the coating zone and a second blower for drawing coating vapor into the interior region from the coating zone through the vapor inlet. 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the recovering means includes a support table having a plurality of deflectors, the support table being positioned adjacent the coating zone and across the coating zone from the hood, the deflectors being oriented to direct the discharged coating vapor around the articles to be coated and then to the vapor inlet. 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the heating means includes a plurality of heaters positioned in the interior region and the first and second blowers and the deflectors cooperate to establish a flow of coating vapor that passes over the heaters and through the coating zone. 27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the hood further includes a second vapor inlet and a second vapor outlet, the directing means further includes a third blower for discharging vapor from the interior region through the second vapor outlet to the coating zone and a fourth blower for drawing coating vapor into the interior region from the coating zone through the second vapor inlet, and the first and second blowers and the deflectors cooperate to establish a flow of coating vapor in a first direction and the third and fourth blowers and the deflectors cooperate to establish a flow of coating vapor in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 28. An apparatus for coating a stream of articles passing through a coating zone, the apparatus being characterized by: a hood defining an interior region and positioned above the coating zone, means for introducing coating vapor into the interior region, the hood having a vapor outlet for passing coating vapor from the interior region to the coating zone and a vapor inlet for passing unused coating vapor into the interior region from the coating zone, means, disposed in the interior region, for generating a flow of coating vapor that passes through the vapor outlet to surround the stream of articles and then through the vapor inlet, and means, disposed in the interior region, for heating the flow of coating vapor. 29. The apparatus of claim 28 further characterized by deflectors disposed adjacent the coating zone opposite the hood. 30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the generating means includes a plurality of blowers cooperating with the vapor outlet, vapor inlet and the deflectors to establish a circulating flow of coating vapor. 31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the hood further includes a second vapor inlet and a second vapor outlet and the generating means include a first blower for discharging coating vapor from the interior region through the vapor outlet, a second blower for drawing coating vapor into the interior region through the vapor inlet, a third blower for discharging vapor from the interior region through the second vapor outlet, and a fourth blower for drawing coating vapor into the interior region through the second vapor inlet, the first and second blowers cooperating with the deflectors to establish a first flow of coating vapor that passes over the stream of articles in a first direction. 32. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the heating means includes a plurality of heaters positioned in the hood. 33. A hood for heating and directing coating vapor to a stream of articles, the hood being characterized by: a hood having an interior region, first means, disposed in the interior region, for generating a first flow of coating vapor in a first direction, second means, disposed in the interior region, for generating a second flow of vapor in a second direction, means, disposed in the interior region, for heating the first and second flows of vapor, and outlet means formed in the hood for directing the first and second flows of coating vapor out of the interior region to coat the articles. 34. The hood of claim 33 further characterized by inlet means, formed in the hood, for directing the first and second flows of coating vapor into the interior region. 35. A method of coating glassware characterized by the steps of: providing a hood having an interior region, providing coating vapor to the interior region. providing a plurality of deflectors that cooperate with the hood to define a coating zone therebetween, providing means, disposed in the interior region, for heating the coating vapor, moving glassware to be coated through the coating zone, generating a circulating flow of heated coating vapor that passes out of the interior region and into the coating zone to coat the moving glassware and then back into the interior region. 36. The method of claim 35 wherein the generating step includes the step of forming counter- rotating flows of coating vapor that move in directions transverse to the direction of movement of the glassware. 37. Apparatus for applying a coating to glassware, the apparatus being characterized by: a source of pressurized air; means forming a source of liquid coating material, comprising a reservoir having a top, a bottom and a sidewall therebetween, and first electric heater for said reservoir, an inlet for a pressurizing gas formed in said reservoir, said inlet being connected with an adjustable gas pressure regulator, a coating material outlet tube carried by said reservoir with withdrawal opening adjacent the reservoir bottom, a level sensor carried by the reservoir to signal the level of liquid coating material in said reservoir, and a temperature sensor providing a signal for control of said electric heater to maintain the liquid state of coating material in said reservoir; said adjustable gas pressure regulator providing a regulated gas pressure in said reservoir and a regulated flow of liquid coating material from said outlet tube; means for forming a coating material vapor, comprising a vapor chamber including a top, a bottom and a sidewall therebetween, a second electric heater for said vapor chamber, a plurality of vapor-forming atomizers carried by said chamber top, each of said plurality of vapor-forming atomizers having a coating material inlet connected with said outlet tube for receipt therefrom of said regulated flow of coating material and also having an atomizing air input, each of said vapor-forming atomizers having coating material and atomizing air outlets coacting to form and direct coating material vapor into said vapor chamber, an enclosure for said source of liquid coating material and said vapor-forming means, means forming a vapor booth for a portion of a conveyer operable to carry articles of glassware through the vapor booth, the vapor booth including a hood defining an interior region and positioned adjacent a coating zone, means for introducing coating vapor into the interior region, means, disposed in the interior region, for heating the coating vapor, means for directing the coating vapor out of the interior region to the coating zone, and means for recovering unused vapor from the coating zone. 38. Apparatus for applying a high temperature melting point material to hot glass, the apparatus being characterized by: a conveyer for the hot glass; a controllable source of compressed gas; a unitary source of liquified coating material particles connected with the controllable source of compressed gas, comprising a tank having a top, a bottom and at least one sidewall forming a reservoir for liquified coating material and an adjacent particle chamber separated by a first internal wall, a coating material tube in said reservoir with a withdrawal opening adjacent the reservoir bottom and a coating material outlet, at least one atomizer carried by the tank spanning the internal wall with an inlet connected to the outlet of the coating material tube and a spray outlet directed through a tank opening into the particle chamber, and at least one heater for maintaining the coating material in a liquified state within the tank and atomizer, said controllable source of compressed gas providing a flow of liquified coating material from the reservoir to the atomizer and operation of said atomizer to provide a flow of coating material particles into the particle chamber and to carry gas- borne coating material particles from a particle outlet adjacent the tank top; and a heated vapor booth adjacent to and partially enclosing said conveyer for hot glass and forming a coating chamber for the hot glass, said vapor booth being connected with the particle outlet of said unitary source of liquified coating material particles so said coating material particles are deposited on the hot glass carried by the conveyer through the vapor booth. 39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said unitary source of liquified coating materials particles includes a second particle chamber positioned adjacent the reservoir and separated therefrom by a second internal wall. 40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein each particle chamber includes a recovery chamber adjacent its bottom for recovery of coating material particles too large to be carried from the particle outlet, and each of said first and second internal walls include an opening with a check valve between the particle chamber and reservoir wherein a pressure differential between said particle chamber and reservoir can replenish said reservoir with recovered coating material. 41. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said at least one heater is in heat transfer relationship with at least one sidewall of the tank, said tank top and at least one sidewall being in heat transfer relationship, said at least one atomizer being carried by and in heat transfer relationship with the tank top. 42. In an apparatus for applying a high temperature melting point material to a substrate, the improvement being characterized by a unitary heated tank connectable with a controllable source of compressed gas, said tank having a top, a bottom and at least one sidewall and forming a reservoir for liquified coating material and at least two adjacent particle chambers, each chamber separated from the reservoir by an internal wall, a coating material tube in said reservoir with a withdrawal opening adjacent the reservoir bottom and a coating material outlet, at least two atomizers carried by the tank, each atomizer having an inlet connected to the outlet of the coating material tube and a spray outlet directed through a tank opening into one of the at least two particle chambers, and at least one heater in heat transfer relationship with said reservoir, particle chambers and atomizers for maintaining the coating material in a liquified state within the tank and atomizers, said controllable source of compressed gas being connectable with said tank to generate a flow of liquified coating material from the reservoir to the atomizers, and to operate said atomizers to provide a flow of coating material particles into the particle chambers and a flow of coating material particles from a particle outlet adjacent the tank top.

Inventors: LAMIRAND JOSEPH, SALTSGAVER DUANE, SCHOLES ADDISON B, LAMIRAND, JOSEPH, SALTSGAVER, DUANE, SCHOLES, ADDISON, B.
Applicants: ALLTRISTA CORP, LAMIRAND JOSEPH, SALTSGAVER DUANE, SCHOLES ADDISON B, ALLTRISTA CORPORATION, LAMIRAND, JOSEPH, SALTSGAVER, DUANE, SCHOLES, ADDISON, B.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: C23C16
IPC codes: B05B15, C03C17, C23C16