US1327313A - Apparatus for treating painted or varnished articles - Google Patents

Description

Patented Jan.6,.19 20.1'

'4 SHEETS-SHFEI I 0. M. CUN LIFFE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-27. 1916 APPARATUS FOR TREATING PAINTED 0R VARNISHED ARTICLES.

V c; M CUNLIFF EL- APPARATUS FOR TREATING PAINTED OR VARNISHED ARTICLES.

Patented Jan.6,1920.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-27, I916- 4 SHEETS*SHEET 2.

C. M. CUNLIFFE.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING PAINTED 0R VARNISHED ARTICLES. APPLICATION FILED DEC-27, I9I6.

1,327,313, Pate nted Jan. 6, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I n 22 1 /3 20 I C. M. CUNLIFFE. I APPARATUS FOR TREATING-PAINTED 0R VARNISHED ARTICLES.

' APPLICATION FIL ED DEC-2T. I915. 1,327,313, Patented Jan. 6,1920.

4 suns-s nger 4.

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- CICERO M. CUNLIFFE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN BLOWER COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF'NEW YORK.

' AZPPARATUS FOR TREATING PAINTED on VARNISHED ARTICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

Application-filed December 27, 1916. Serial No. 139,201.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CICERO M. CUNLIFFE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county ofWayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for V Treating Painted r varnished Articles, of

which the following is a specification, ref.- erence being had therein to the accompanying .drawing.

, This invention relates to an apparatus forv treating articles having applied thereto an application of wet paint, varnish, enamel, or the like, whereby to properly dry, cool, and harden the painted, varnished, or enameled surfaces. of such articles.

In the art to which the invention relates,

many attempts have been made to properly and quickly dry freshly painted, varnished or enameled articlesof furniture and the like, and While many of these efforts have been successful to an appreciable extent, none with which I am familiar have proven entirely satisfactory, because-of certain disbenzin and naphtha being retained in the oven, and these vapors, being all that really vaporize from the paint and varnish, fre

quently cause the finished article to have light and dark shades, regardless of the original color of the paint or varnish, and

also the coating is found to be more or less brittle, and frequently scales off in ,flakes.

It has also been largely the practice in the paint or varnish drying art to employ in connection With the drying chamber, both forced and natural circulation of air into and through the chamber, and in either case dust is often stirred up and brought in contactwith the painted surfaces. Again, the draft or current coming in contact with the wet paint or varnish causes the formation of ripples or Waves. Still further, the di rect contact of the articles with the current of air tends to destroy the luster of the finished product; if not over the entire surface, over certain portions thereof, making it necessary to refinish the article until the proper finish and luster is acquired.

In all prior systems which have been considered more satisfactory for the desired purpose, the processes at best have been exceedingly slow, requiring considerable time for cooling the articles after the first coat before the same can be handled for a second coat, and after. the last coat had been applied, it was the general rule to letthe 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 becomesticky, thus leaving marks of the packing.

It 1s one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the treatment ofpainted 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- I ess in much less time than has heretofore been possible. I v

' VVhile itis contemplated by thepresent invention to treat painted or varnished articles generally, the apparatus has been extensively and satisfactorily employed for the finishing of metal beds, it having been ascertained that beds may be successfully enameled in pure White Without any variation in color over the entire surface. It has also been ascertained that -the present apparatus results in a great saving'int1me,

and that the finished surface will have absolute-1y no tendency to scale under anypressure or under any condition of treatment or use; -Then again, thcvfinished surface will be continuous and smooth, and devoid of the customary streaks, globules, etc.

In carrying out the present invention, it is contemplated to employ a'drying chamber, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide means whereby the air for drying purposes is properly treated pnor to its admission into the chamber whereby to cleanse he a r fr m dust and dlrt, and

drying chamber. I I By the improved apparatus, it is also convide 'means whereby the necessary volume of air is employed to carry off the volatile matter as fast as it vaporizes n the templated to prevent the air admitted into the drying chamber from directly striking under force any of the painted surfaces of the article being treated during the process of drying or 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 noperceptible 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 the provision of an air space of considerable area above the articles under process of treatment, and in-providing means adjacent the point of admission of the air into the container for diffusing and throwing the .jair off 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 tempera ture throughout the entire treating chamber whereby every portion of the surface of the article will be treated-alike. f a

The invention further embodies means whereby the air, so soon as it becomes saturated or chilled, is ,rapidly removed from the drying'chamber, and in a manner to revent any stirrin' upof dust or the ike within said chamber. y

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 treating containers are employed, acts as an insulating medium with the resultthat one treating room or container will be substantially independent of its neighbor and while of setting the paint and varnish and mcreasing its luster. 1

More particularly, the invention includes means for accurately regulating the air both as to vdlume and temperature, and means for the independent release of the humidlty in any drying chamber of the series employed, whereby any of said chambers may be used at will for drying, oxidizing and cooling.

The invention further embraces a substantially closed drying chamber for the painted or varnished articles, said chamber having an air inlet adjacent the top thereof and an air outlet adjacent the base thereof, means whereby the air prior to the introduction into the chamber is subjected to washing and purification, subsequent heating, and means whereby the treated air as introduced into the chamber is caused to settle in mass formation without velocity upon the article, together with means whereby ceoled air may be directly introduced into saidchamber;

In thisway, the heated air will volatilize the oils in the paint or varnish, with the proper degree of humidity to keep the surface moist until all of the oils'are volatilized, and after sufficient time has elapsed to evaporate the oils, chilled humid air may be directly discharged ,into the. chamber to quickly harden the finish before it has a chance to again absorb any of the volatile oils; This treatment results in producing a fine luster, retaining the same perfection of the colors as when applied, and still maintains the desirable elasticity of the finish with the hardness, so that it will not crack by expansion or contraction when subsequently subjected to heat or cold. 7

Still other and further objects and improvements and novel details in the construetion 'and arrangement of the various partsof-the apparatus 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 considered in connection with the accompanying draw ings, which form a part hereof, and wherein is disclosed for the purpose of illustration, a convenient and satisfactory embodiment of the invention, though it is to be borne in mind in this connection, that many minor changes may be made in-the construction and arrangement of partswithout departing from the spirit of the invention. 7

While it is one of the main objects of the invention to provide an apparatus useful primarily in the treating of metal articles, .for instance, beds having wet paint, varnish, or enamel applied thereto, still the invention is useful in many other connections and has proven highly satisfactory in the drying of painted or varnished automobiles and parts thereof, and various articles of furniture.

In the description, and claims, wherein the terms paint, varnish, enamel and the like are employed, it is 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 beds, articles of furniture, etc.

In the drawings 1- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improvements.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional vieW. I

Fig. a is a front elevation; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views.

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 purpose of illustration, it being desirable at times to dry articles in .one chamber while certain of the finished articles are simul taneously 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 4 and 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 after treatment. I

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. A suitable power driven fan or blower 7 of 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 chambers. -The casing 6 is divided into various compartments, and adjacent the im let end thereof is arranged to a suitable air Washer and purifying means preferably including a tank 8 to which is connected a centrifugal pump or the like adapted to discharge water into a system of spray pipes 8l having discharge nozzles 8 whereby the water is atomized into a fine mist and the air current as it passes through this mist will become saturated. The saturated air then comes into contact with deflecting plates 8 v conveniently zig-zag in construction and arrangement, whereby the air W111 ease members.

become freed of dust, dirt or other foreign matter which will stick or cling to the plates to be thereafter washed down into the sump tank therebeneath. Other types of purifiers therein a heating coil 'or coils .9 around which the air passes, whereby the temperature of the air is raised above thefreezing point in zero weather. The air as it leaves the temperature regulating chamber =9 is adapted to follow one-oftwocou-rses, and

to this end the. forward end of the casing 6 is divided by a horizontally extending partition 10 thereby dividing the casing at this end into an upper heating chamber and a lower cooling chamber. Theupper'heating chamber 11 is provided with re-heating temperature transmitting coils 12. I

Leading from the forwardoutlet end of the casing 6 andadapted to communicate with'the chamber- 13 beneath the partition 10 is a suitable duct orconduit 14 projecting upwardly over theside-of the heating chamber a, and thence across the topof the chamber and adapted to communicate at 16 arranged substantially midway 'between the sides of hev chamber 6, and forming a 15 with a horizontally extending chamber with the top of said chamber 1) a closed conduit substantially coextensive with the top of the chamber 7). An auxiliary conduit 1 is arranged at the side of the conduit 14,

and leads from the lowerchamber 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 the chamber 16 heretofore described.

Conduits 19 and 20 project upwardly from the top of the casing 6 at a point 1n communication with the heating chamber 11, the said conduits connecting the one with the conduit 14 at thepoint 14 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 to entirely close. communication between :A- similar valve 21 is adapted .to control or regulate the airadmitted from the conduit 19 into the conduit 14: or to entirely closethis means of communication between thes members.

Likewise, valves 22 and 23 respectively are arranged in the conduits 17 and 20, being the same in principle and operation as the chamber 13 into the conduit14, or

the valves 20 and 21 respectively heretofore described. Extending longitudinall of the chambers a and 6 upon the top wal s 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 may have draft appliances of any approved 'type, and not necessary to illustrate herein. Arranged Within the chambers a and b are suitable auxiliary side walls, flanges or diaphragms 27, the latter being arranged adjacent to, but spaced from the side walls 3 and extending from the top wall2to 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 providea restricted by-pass betweenthe 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 throughoutthe length of the same and substantially midway of the sides thereof, whereby to establish communication be tween 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 in and b. that is obtainable. Arranged below each of the openings 29 is a suitable hori-' zontally disposed disk 30 of a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the openings 29 and preferably cone-shaped. The disk members30 are preferably adjustably supported through the medium of a stem 31 threaded into a suitable bracket 32 upon the top walls 2 of the heating chambers whereby to regulate the entranceof the air into the chambers a and I; through the openin 29.

It being understood that the drylng chambers a and b are of a height considerably above that of the articles to be treated, whereby to provide thereabove an extended distribution space of considerable area,'said space being generally represented above the dotted lines a, the operation ofthe invention herein contemplated may be described as being substantially the following.

The" articles to be treated, say for in stance,'bed frames, havingapplied thereto a coating of paint, varnish, enamel or the like, are placed within the chambers m and b when the end doors are closed, whereby to provide substantially air tight compartments. 'The air to be used'm the drying process is properly conditioned by passing through the air washer or purifier which removes any dirtor dust, and the air bec0mtherein the reheating coils from whence thesame is discharged t rough 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 l6 and 18, the air is forced through the openings 29 into the treating-chambers,

the air being of the proper temperature to accomplish the evaporating functions. As the air leaves the openings 29 in the top of the drying chambers, it will be immediately deflected horizontally, through the medium of the deflecting members 30 and allowed to expand into the large space orexpanding chamber above the articles to be treated. In the said expanding chamber, the air will become thoroughly distributed and will expend its velocity with the result that the" same will settle down radually, in mass formation and envelop the articles without any perceptible velocity, and without-any tendency to stir up any dust that may be in the treating chamber. The heated air as 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 ressure in the drying chamber, and, with the arran ement illustrated the pressure being equa ized, the velocity down and over the article is not perceptible until it comes to the narrow outlet at the base of the side walls or flanges 27,whe'n the airdue to the action of the draft-appliance 26 moves rapidly through the chambers 27, conduits 24, and outlet 26 to the point of discharge.

The air outlet space provided between the Walls 3 and 2 7 of the drying chamber acts as an insulation against adjoining chambers or -the"surroundin, r room, and doesnot aflect the temperaturein either of the drying chambers, so that cold air may be. forced into one drying chamber while hot air is being forced into the next adj acent chamber without reducing the temperature in the drying chamber. The .diaphragins 2'2 like ,it is brought into association with the artithe walls of the'drying chambers a and b are preferably formed of sheet metal. By 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 floor for the escape bf air, there results a thoroughly even distribution of the air and an even temperature in all parts of the drying chamber. The airspace between the chambers has the effect of insulating one chamber from the other with the result that one chamber may be heated while the other is cooled without afiecting the desired treatment in the respective chambers.- treatment may be continued in one chamber while another chamber is open for the purpose of introducing into, or removing therefrom, the articles to be, or which have been treated.

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 heretoforedescribed. The cool air being nearly saturated when it comes in contact with the-articles, the painted or varnished surfaces are rapidly cooled, thereby producing a very fine finish and increasing the luster and hardnessof the surface.

Very satisfactory results have been accom- I plished by having the air leave the washer or purifier at a relatively low temperature, say from sixty to seventy degrees and satll rated, and when the heated air leaves the heating chamber and enters the drying chamber, the same maybe and preferably is approximately 240 or thereabout. In prior systems adapted for the purpose to whichthe present invention is intended, it was considered impossible to subject the varnished articles in the drying process to a higher temperature than 190, owing tothe 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 about130 with fairly satisfactory results, it .is possible to carry the temperature as far as 240, and the char- "acter of the finish is 'just as perfect as when treated ata lower temperature, and because of the high temperature, thereresults a'considerable reduction of the time necessary to dry the 7 time usually required for this purpose. When the heated air comes incontact with the article, say at a temperature of about the temperature will drop and the relative humidity be increased. 1

This droppinguntemperature and rise in Then again, the desired' surrounding air cham ling dampers as well varnish, approximately 50% of the humidity prevents the paint from skinning, and allows the same to run out evenly over thearticle. In the cooling operation, the

saturated air tends to give the article a finer and better gloss or finish. v

- The finished product treated substantially asabove described will be found to have a continuous smooth even distribution of the fimshing material, entirely free fromf spots, 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, be-- dition on completion of the treatment either to be stored, 'or wrapped and shipped, regardless of the temperature, without any re sultant injurious eifectupon 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, wherebythe air settles down'without velocityand envelops the articles under the treatment. Then again],O by reason of the chambers are insulated from the effect of outside temperatures, or from the effect of a neighboring-chamber, assuming it is desired to continue the drying operation in one chamber simultanaously with the cooling operation in the. adjacent chamber. While the treated air down and envelops the articles in then-gating chamber-without-velocity, the elongated outlet at the floor or base of the chamber permits the spent airto be rapidly removed through the medium of the fan as referi jd to. A

The volume of. air introduced into "each chamber may be controlled independently of the volume off air introduced into another chamber through; the medium ofthe valves or dampers and also by regulating the speed of the fan which. forces the air into the chambers. Likewise, the temperature of the air may be nicely regulated by'thecontrolas by the regulation of steam pressure in the heating pipes.

Because of thepeculiar arrangement of conduits, and the regulating valves, it will be appreciated that the varnished articles ers, the treating may be first subjected to the heating process whereby to volatilize the removing the articles from the chamber, chilled humid air may be discharged into the chamber tothereby quickly harden the finish resulting inproducing the desirable luster, etc. a

The apparatus herein described may be found useful in carrying out the method described and claimed in my copending applioils, and without cation-for Letters Patent filed December 27 916, Serial No. 139202," entitled Art at ducing air into said chamber through said inlet, and means for deflecting horizontally said air so introduced'whereby the same will settle down in mass'formation upon the article within the container,the top wall of the container being spaced vertically from the article to be treated and the space below the deflecting means-being unobstructed whereby said air after losing substantially all of its velocity contacts with the article; 2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a substantially obstructed-space ofconsiderable area above closed container having an air inlet at the center of thetop thereof and an air outlet at the. base thereof at a point spaced laterally from the inlet, said container being provided with an unobstructed-space of considerable area above the article to be"t re ated,-means.

for deflecting the air laterally in. said space, said means constructed andarranged to permit the air to thereafter settle without ve-- locity upon and over the article to be treated, and means'for" causing the air after treatment to rapidly escape through the outlet opening.

3. Inan apparatus fortreating varnished articles, the combination ofa closed conta'iner having an air inlet at the top thereof, said container being provided with an unobstructed space of considerable area'above the article to be treated, means for deflecting the air laterally in said space at a point adjacent the inlet, and means forwashing and-purifying'the air prior to its introduction through said inlet, said container having an airoutlet at the base thereof at a point spaced laterally from the inlet.

.4. f In an apparatus for treating varnished articles, the combination of a closed container having an air inlet at thetop thereof, said container being provided with an unthe-articleto-be' treated, means for deflecting'the' air laterally in saidspace at a point adjacent the inlet, and means for washing and purifying the air prior to its introduction through said inlet, said container having an air outlet at the base thereof, and means for heating said Washed'and purified air prior to its introduction into the container.

5,. In an apparatus for treating varnished articles, the combination of asubstantially contemplated rather than the treated, means for deflecting the air laterally in said space at a point adjacent the inlet, and an air outlet adjacent the base thereof, air

purification means arranged without the container and adapted to act on theair prior to its'introdu'ctlon into the container, and heating means interposed betweensaid air purification means and the container for acting upon the purified air.

In' an apparatus for treating varnished articles, closed drying chamber having an air inlet adjacent the top thereof, and an'air outlet adjacent the base thereof, air purification means arranged without the container and adapted to act on the air prior to its introdu'ction into the container, heating means interposed between said air purification means and the container for acting upon the purified air, bypass means whereby the purified air may be introduced into the container prior to heating and a deflector in the chamber immediately below the inlet and spaced a considerabledistance above the article under treatment.

- In an apparatus for treating varnished I articles, the combination of a container hav ing an air inlet at the top thereof and an air outlet at -the base thereof, means for deflecting the air late'rallyas introducedinto the at a considerable-distance. above the normal iWiH h gh said inletpurified airinith a heated or cool state, 7

8. In an apparatus for treating varnished articles, the combination of a container havthecombination of a substantially container, which said means is disposed.

' position of the articleto. be treated in the container, and means for introducing at ing an air" inlet at the'top thereof and an air outlet at the base thereof, meansfor introducing at will throughinlet purifled air .in either a heated or cool state, and means forv laterally deflecting said air so soon as introduced and said means being constructed and. arranged to permit theiair to therea-fter envelop the article to be treated without perceptible velocity, the deflecting outlet at the base thereof, means for /intro-' 1 15. nfeans being disposed at a considerable dis-' tance above the'normal position'ofthe ar-.

ducing at will through said inlet purified? air in elthera heated or cool state, anddeflector means for causing said air as"intropass downwardl be treated without perceptible Velocity,

'125 duced to move first laterally and thereafter and envelop the article the outlet atthe base of the container extending substantially throughout one of the sides thereof.

10.'In an apparatus for treating varnished articles, the combination of a container having an air inlet at the top thereof and an air outlet at the base thereof, means for introducing at will through said inlet purified air in either a heated or cool state, deflector means for causing said air as 1n-- troduced to move laterally and thereafter nished articles, the combination of a con-v I tainer havin an air inlet at the top thereof and air out et at the base thereof, means for'introducing at will through said inlet I lyin'g the inlet and separated by an unob purified air in either a heated or cool state, means for laterally deflecting said air as introduced, said means permitting the air to thereafter envelop. the article to be treated without perceptible velocity, the outlet at the base of the container extending substantially throughout one of the sides thereof, an air chamber projecting over one wall of the container in communication with said air outlet, and suction means in communication with said air chamber.

12. In an apparatus for treating varnished articles, the combination of a substantially closed container for the article, the top Wall of which is removed a considerable distance from the top of the article to be treated, an inlet in the top .wall of the container, diffusing means at said inlet causing the air to deflect laterally and lose its velocity, an air chamber projecting over one wall of the container, draft appliances operatively associated with'said air chamher, and one wall of the container having an opening at the base thereof in communication with said airchamber.

13. In an apparatus for treating varnished articles, the combination of a container for the article to be treated having an inlet adjacent the top rthereof, means forming an air chamber in communication with said inlet, air cooling and moistening means arranged within' said" chamber, and temperature increasing means arranged within said chamber in the path of said cooled and moistened air, and. a deflector directly understructed space a considerable distance above the normal position of the article in the container.

14. In an apparatus for treating. var-.

nished articles, the combination of a container for the article to be treated having an inlet adjacent the top thereof, means forming an air chamber in communication with said inlet, air cooling and moistening means arranged within said chamber, temperature lncreasing means arranged w1 th1n said chamber, valve control means whereby the air may be introduced into the chamber without being subjected to the action of the temperature increasing means in the path of said cooled and moistened air, and a deflector directly underlying the inlet and separated by an unobstructed space aconsiderable distance above the normal position of the article in the container.

' 15.. In an apparatus for treating var-' nished articles, the combination of a container for; the article to betreated having an air inlet adjacent the top thereof, the treating chamber formed by the container being constructed and arranged whereby to leave an unobstructed space of considerable area above the article, a horizontally disposed deflector within-the chamber ad acent the inlet, means forming an air chamber in communication with said inlet, air cooling and moistening means arranged within said chamber, temperature increasing means arranged within said chamber, and a pump at the inlet end of said air chamber.

16. In an ap aratus for treating varnished articles, t e combination of a closed treating chamber, an air chamber having washing and drying means therewithin,-

means for introducing the treated air under force into the upper portion at the center of the treating chamber and for rapidly discharging the saturated or chilled air from the base at the side of the chamber.

17. In an apparatus for treating vannished articles, the combinationv of a closed treating chamber, of a height to provide an unobstructed space of considerable area.-

above the normal position of the article to be. treated therein, an .air chamber having washing and drying means therewithin, means for introducing the treated air under force into the upper portion of the treating chamber and for rapidly discharging the' saturated or chilled air-from the lower portion of'thechamber, and'means within the treating chamber for causing the. air as introduced to lose its velocity in said space before enveloping the article to be treated.

18. In an ap aratus foritreating Varnished articles, the combination of a closed container, means for introducing heated air into the container, means for interrupting the flow of said heated air intogthejcontainer, and means for introducing cool -air into the container, and a deflector positioned within th container and adapted to diffuse the air when introduced thereinto in' either a heated or cooled state whereby nished articles, t .sta'ntially closed container'forthe. article,

;nished J thereof, and an air outlet at the base there- 0f,'means. .for introducing at will through 'sald inlet air infl either a heated or cooled state, 4 means within the container adjacent the inlet for firstfdeflecting the air laterally and then permitting the same to fall downwardly into contact with the article, and an air chamber projecting over one wall of the container; in*co' outletli 20. In an a unication with said air nis'hed arti ESQP'lQhQC mbination ofv a .con-

i tainer, an airco 2e v container, and outlet adjacent-the thereof at a point ll if in he "nlet at the top.

" i i nished-'.articles, the combination of a container havinganinlet in the top thereof midway ,between the sides v 'being'spaced upwardly-j a considerable dis-- nished articles, the combination duit communicating with thetopof the c1 'aine'r, an air chamber for both-heated 'and' 'cool; air, and means for in;

trodu'cing at will heated-or cool air into. said 0011 tainer'havin .1 anloutlet at the base thereof and means.- or causing the air discharged: from the outlet t'ofltravel over the outs de y Y tamer-having an inlet in the topthereof .slrbstantially- {midway between 'the sides thereof, the top Wall 'of the contai'ner beingv uit from said chamber,'said con:

of one ofthe walls of the container. i 21. In an apparatus.- for treating vars of a container having an inlet inf the top thereof substantially midway between the-sides of the same, the top wall of the container beticle to be treated, {an adjustable'diffusing element underlying thQ'inIet opening of the tainer having an air said "con steads,'the acontainer having an inlet} in the top thereof substantially at itscenter; the topl. wall ofl'the' container tance'above the normal'pos'ition' of the artijwcle t be treated, a difiiusing'f'element-under- 1' 5 lying'the inlet opening of thegcont ainer and adjacent thereto; alligair chamber, "overlying .a side walloffthe container, and the con.-

tainer having an equatinthe lower portion thereof leading directly'into said air cham- -ber..v v 1 t I a .123; In can apparatus'forjtreating fvarthe combinationjof' a suban air chamber, means within the chamber dividing the'same into a heating and coolconduit, an auxiliary branch pipe leading from the cool air chamber to the conduit, valve controlled means for said pipes, and

the article only after it with the top leading from the heated air chamber to the ppalr atus 'rfor treating 'varing spaced upwardly a considerable dis-' tance above the normal *position of the 'arg Q Q ma ng vararticles. 'such as bed- 7 ably above the space to be occupied by the article under treatment. 124,. In an apparatus for treating varnished articles, the combination of a sub.

stantially closed container for the article,

an air chamber, means within the chamber dividing the same into a heating and cooling chamber, a conduit in communication of. the container, a branch pipe conduit, an auxiliary branch pipe leading from the cool air-chamber to the conduit,

valvecontrolled means forsaid pipes, a dif-,

fusing element arranged at the inlet of the container adapted to intercept andlaterally deflectthe air on its in'troductionint'othe container, said element being positioned .a

considerable distance above the normal p0 1- p Q tion of the article, and air purifying means I at the inlet end of the air'c'hamber}; ,25; In an apparatus for treating varnished articles, the combination of a conspaced upwardlya considerable" distance above the article to be treated and a diffusing element underlying the "inlet opening I of" the container, substantially as and for the purposedescribed, and means for d1s-' chargingthe air introduced at the. top at a wall ofthe container.

-26-. In an apparatus for] treating varsubstantially 4 thereof, 1 the top wall of the container being I I spaced upwardly a considerable distanceabove the'article to be treated and a diflus ing element underlying the inlet opening of thecontainer,substantially as and for the I, purpose described," and means for adjustably supporting said diffusing element. 2 In an apparatus for treating var.-

nished articles, thecombination of a container having an inlet in the top thereof substantially midway between the "sides thereof, the top wall of the container being spaced upwardly a considerable'distance' above the article to be treated and a difl'usmg element underlying the inlet opening of the container, substantiallyas and for the purpose described, inclosing: walls for the side walls of the containerspaced laterally therefrom to provide air passages, the side -walls of the container having an extended outlet at the base thereof leading to said passages.

28-. In an apparatus for treatmg varnished articles, the combination of an elon gated horizontally disposed container, a longitudinally extending centrally disposed conduit arranged on the top wall of the conconduit for introducing properly treated air thereinto, a plurality of inlet openings in the top wall of the container in communica tion with said conduit, and a deflector underlying each of said inlet openings substantially as and ,for the purpose described.

.29. In an apparatus for treating var-- .nished articles, the combination of an elongated horizontally disposed container, a longitudinally extending centrally disposed conduit arranged on the top wall of the container,'1neans in communication with said. conduit for introducing properly treated air thereinto, a plurality of inlet openings in the top wall of the container in communication wlth said conduit, a deflector underlying each of said inlet openings substantially as and for the purpose described, auxiliary conduits arranged on the top of the container extending longitudinally thereof adj acent its sides, means forming air chambers extending over the sides of the container and in communication with the auxiliary conduits, the side walls of the container having outlet openings at the base thereof in communication with said air chambers. A

30. In an apparatus for treating varnished articles, the combination of an elonga'ted' horizontally disposed container, ;a longitudinally extending centrally disposed conduit arranged-on the top wall of the container, means. in communication with said conduit for introducing properly treated air thereinto, a 'plurallty of inlet openings in the to'p'wall of the container in communication with saidconduit, av deflector underlying each of said inlet openings substantially as and for the purpose described, auxiliary conduits arranged on the top of the container extending longitudinally thereof adjacent its sides, meansforming air chambers extending over the .sides of the container the auxiliary conduits, the side walls of the container having outlet openings at-the base thereof in communication with said air chambers, and air exhausting means in communication with said auxiliary conduits.

31. In an apparatus for treating varnished articles,- the'combination of a pair of elongated horizontally disposed containers separated from one another by air spaces, a conduit positioned onthe topw l of each container extending, longitudinally thereof intermediate the sides of the container, a plurality of openings in the top wall of each container in communication wi said conduits, an air chamber adjacent. oneend of the containers and a conduit in communicaand in communication with thereof in communication with the separat ing air spaces. I

'32. In an apparatus for treating varnished articles, the combination of a pair of horizontally disposed elongated containers,

the top walls of which have-a plurality of air inlet openings arranged intermediate the sides of the container, a longitudinally disposed conduit on the top Wall of each container in communication with said openings, an air chamber, and'means dividing said air chamber into a heating chamber and a cooling chamber, means establishing communication between the air heating chamber and said conduits and means establishing communication between the aircooled chamber and said conduits.

33. In an apparatus for treating varnished articles, the combination of a pair of horizontally disposed elongated containers,

.the top walls of which have a plurality of air inlet openings arranged intermediate the sides of the container, a longitudinally disposed conduit on the top wall of each container in communication with said openings, an air chamber, and means dividing said air chamber into wheatirig chamber and a cool ing chamber, means establishing communication between the air heating chamber and said conduits and means establishing communication between the air cooled chamber and said conduits, a valvecontrol for each of the two last mentioned means, an air space between the containers and an outlet adjacent the base of the containers communicating with said air space.

3 L In an apparatus for treating varnished or enameled bedsteads and the like,

the combination of a container ot a height to receive the article in the lower portion thereof and constructed to leave an unobstructed air space thereupon, a horizontally extending conduit arranged on the top Wall of the container, means in communication with said'conduit for introducing properly treated air thereinto, the top wall having a substantially centrally disposed opening in tending over one side of the container and in communication with the auxiliary conduit, the container having an outlet opening adjacent the base-and communicating wit said side air chamber.

' 35. In an, apparatus for treating varnished or enameled bedsteads and the like,

' the combination of a pair of containers, the

top walls of each of which having an air inlet opening adjacent the center thereof, a

conduit positioned on the top Wall in comspace therebetween and an air outlet adja- 10 munication with said inlet opening, an air cent the base thereof in communication with chamber, means dividing said air chamber said air space.

into a heating chamber and a cooling cham-c In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my ber, means establishin communication besignature in the presence of two Witnesses.

\ tween the air heating 0 amber and said con- CICERO M. GUNLIFFE.

duits, and means establishing communica Witnesses: tion between the air cooled chamber and said H. M. ZERBE;

conduits, the-said containers having an air W. E; SMITH.

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