Recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system, coating system and method for recovering powders of a coating system

Abstract

A recovery device (1 ) for recovering coating powder for a coating system (100) and comprising a recovery cyclone (2), configured to recover coating powders from the feeding assembly (101 ) and / or from the separator cyclone (102) of the coating system (100), and storage means (3), configured to store the coating powders recovered by the recovery cyclone (2) so as to prevent a re-introduction thereof to a coating chamber (103) of the coating system (100).

Description

[0001] “RECOVERY DEVICE FOR RECOVERING COATING POWDERS FOR A COATING SYSTEM, COATING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECOVERING POWDERS OF A COATING SYSTEM”

[0002] *******

[0003] The present invention relates to a recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system, a coating system and a method for recovering powders from a coating system.

[0004] In particular, the present invention finds wide application in the field of powder coating systems.

[0005] Generally, powder coating systems comprise a coating chamber, in which special coating nozzles spray coating powder on the object to be coated, a powder feeding assembly, configured to feed the coating powders to the coating chamber, and a suction system, configured to suck from the coating chamber the powders that have not settled on the object to be coated and release them into a disposal container for subsequent disposal.

[0006] Disadvantageously, the disposal container receives the sucked powders during a multitude of coating processes. Therefore, inside the disposal container there is a multitude of different types of powders with respective peculiar characteristics (for example colour, size, composition...). Obviously, this mixture of powders cannot be used again for coating and, therefore, it is disposed of or used for secondary uses, for example for building insulating panels.

[0007] In order to reduce the waste induced by the coating process, some systems may comprise a separator cyclone, interposed between the suction system and the coating chamber, which withdraws the powders from the air flow and powders sucked by the suction system in such a way as to lead them back to the feeding assembly for a subsequent re- introduction to the coating chamber. The powders that remain in the suction system downstream of the separator cyclone are then released into the aforementioned disposal container. Disadvantageously, the need to change the type of coating powder results in the need to remove from the system (in particular, from the separator cyclone and from the coating chamber) the coating powders that has been previously used so as to prevent the new powders intended to be introduced into the coating chamber from being contaminated by the coating powders previously used, compromising the outcome of the entire coating process.

[0008] Therefore, following a change in the type of coating powders, the passage of the powders from the separator cyclone to the feeding assembly is prevented and all the sucked powders are directed to the disposal container, resulting in a strong reduction in the efficiency of the coating process.

[0009] In the same way, during the system cleaning steps, all the powders present in the system are sucked and directed to the disposal container, resulting in a sharp increase in process waste.

[0010] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system, a coating system and a method for recovering powders from a coating system that overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0011] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system, a coating system and a method for recovering powders from a coating system that guarantee an increase in the efficiency of the coating process.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system, a coating system and a method for recovering powders from a coating system having high operational flexibility.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system, a coating system and a method for recovering powders from a coating system that guarantee a reduction in the powder wasted during the coating process.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system, a coating system and a method for recovering powders from a coating system that allow a regeneration of contaminated powders.

[0015] The specified technical task and the specified purposes are substantially achieved by a recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system, a coating system and a method for recovering powders from a coating system comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

[0016] The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

[0017] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system, a coating system and a method for recovering powders from a coating system as illustrated in the appended drawings in which:

[0018] - figures 1A-1 B are a plurality of views of a recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system in accordance with a respective plurality of embodiments of the present invention;

[0019] - figures 2A-2D are a plurality of views of a coating system in accordance with a respective plurality of embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] With reference to the appended figures, a recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system has been indicated overall with reference numeral 1 , which will be reported below as recovery device 1 .

[0021] The recovery device 1 comprises a recovery cyclone 2 connected or connectable to a feeding assembly 101 and / or to a separator cyclone 102 of a coating system 100.

[0022] In other words, the recovery cyclone 2 may be placed in fluid communication with the feeding assembly 101 and / or the separator cyclone 102 of the coating system 100.

[0023] Advantageously, the recovery cyclone 2 is configured to recover the coating powders from the feeding assembly 101 and / or from the separator cyclone 102 of the coating system 100 preventing the powders from being sucked by the suction system 104 of the coating system 100 and released inside the disposal container 105, thereby ensuring the possibility of a subsequent regeneration.

[0024] In this regard, it should be noted that, due to the high degree of impurities present inside the disposal container 105, once they arrive in the disposal container 105, the coating powders become waste powders as they can no longer be regenerated but only destined to secondary uses such as, for example, the manufacture of insulating panels. In this discussion, the definition “waste powders” will be used to indicate the coating powders destined to or contained in the disposal container 105.

[0025] In accordance with some possible embodiments, the recovery cyclone 2 is connected to the feeding assembly 101 and to the separator cyclone 102 and the fluid communication between them can be allowed or prohibited as a function of the operational needs. For example, during or following a change of the powders fed to the coating chamber 103 and / or during the cleaning operations, the fluid communication can be allowed in such a way as to achieve the recovery of the contaminated powders for a subsequent regeneration. In this discussion, the definition “contaminated powders” refers to those powders that, for example due to a change in the powders of the coating system, may contain at least traces of powders of different types. Unlike “waste powders”, the “contaminated powders” have limited traces of a powder of different type and / or of impurities and can therefore be destined to a subsequent regeneration process. For example, the contaminated powders that have been recovered following a change of the powders are predominantly made up of the new powders and have only limited traces of the previously used powder. The recovery device 1 further comprises storage means 3 configured to store the coating powders recovered by the recovery cyclone 2 so as to prevent a re-introduction thereof to a coating chamber 103 of the coating system 100. In other words, the storage means 3 is configured to recover the contaminated powders. In accordance with an advantageous aspect, the storage means 3 is separated and independent from the disposal container 105 of the coating system 100.

[0026] In this way, the recovery device 1 allows to recover the residual powders remained inside the coating system 100 at the end of the coating process and / or the powders contaminated due to changes in the type of powder allowing a subsequent regeneration. These powders, in fact, have a limited level of impurities and their recovery allows a subsequent regeneration thereof. As previously highlighted, waste powders, on the other hand, have a high degree of impurities and, therefore, cannot be destined to subsequent regeneration.

[0027] Purely by way of non-limiting example, the recovery cyclone 2 can be connected or connectable to a discharge opening 108 for discharging the powders of the separator cyclone 102 to recover contaminated powders following a change of the powders of the coating system 100.

[0028] Preferably, the recovery cyclone 2 is connected downstream of the separator cyclone 102 to recover at least the contaminated powders.

[0029] In accordance with an advantageous aspect, the recovery cyclone 2 is configured to recover powders contaminated due to a change of the powder fed from the feeding assembly 101 to the coating chamber 103 and present in the feeding assembly 101 and / or in the coating chamber 103 and / or in the separator cyclone 102 of the coating system 100.

[0030] According to a further advantageous aspect, the storage means 3 is configured to store powders contaminated due to a change of the powder fed from the feeding assembly 101 to the coating chamber 103 and present in the feeding assembly 101 and / or in the separator cyclone 102 of the coating system 100 so as to prevent an introduction of the contaminated powders to the coating chamber 103 of the coating system 100.

[0031] The recovery device 1 can be configured to allow and / or prohibit a fluid communication between the feeding assembly 101 and the separator cyclone 102 and / or between the feeding assembly 101 and the suction system 104 of the coating system 100 so as to allow and / or prohibit an inflow of the powders to the disposal container 105.

[0032] In accordance with some possible embodiments of the present invention and as illustrated in figures 2A and 2D, the recovery device 1 may comprise a valve system 7 adapted to allow and / or prohibit a communication between the separator cyclone 102 and / or the feeding assembly 101 and / or the recovery device 1. In this way, the recovery device 1 can prevent, following a change of the coating powders, the powders still present inside the separator cyclone 102 from contaminating the new coating powders placed inside the feeding assembly 101. In particular, the powders contaminated due to the powder change are recovered by the recovery cyclone 2 and, therefore, stored by the storage means 3 for a subsequent regeneration.

[0033] In other words, the recovery device 1 allows the recovery of the contaminated powders present inside the coating system, ensuring an increase in the operational efficiency of the coating process and reducing powder waste due to powder change operations.

[0034] According to further possible embodiments, the valve system 7 can have different conformations and / or be arranged, for example, also between the recovery device 1 and the feeding assembly 101 without altering the inventive concept underlying the present invention.

[0035] For example, during the cleaning operations of the coating system 100, the valve system 7 can be configured to allow and / or prohibit a fluid communication between the feeding assembly 101 and the suction system 104 so that the recovery device 1 can recover the residual powders present inside the feeding assembly 101. Advantageously, the recovery cyclone 2 and / or the storage means 3 can therefore be configured to recover and store the coating powders even during a cleaning and / or powder change step of the coating system 100, giving particular operational flexibility to the coating system 100.

[0036] Purely by way of non-limiting example, the storage means 3 may comprise a housing 30 configured to house a storage container adapted to store the recovered coating powders.

[0037] For example, the aforementioned storage container may be the same container inside which the powders were placed prior to their use. In other words, during a cleaning step of the coating system 100, the container adapted to contain the powder fed to the coating chamber 103 and arranged in the coating step inside the feeding assembly 101 can be stowed in the housing 30 so that the powders recovered by the recovery cyclone 2 are stored in the same container inside which the powders were placed before their use.

[0038] In this way, residual and / or contaminated coating powders can be recovered and placed back into the respective containers, ensuring easy recognition and tracking for subsequent regeneration operations.

[0039] Advantageously, the storage means 3 can be associated or associable with a stocking system, preferably comprising a vertical magazine, configured to stock at least one of the aforementioned storage containers. Furthermore, the storage means 3 may comprise at least one containment body 6 configured to store the recovered coating powders.

[0040] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention and as illustrated in figure 1 B, the storage means 3 may comprise a plurality of mutually independent containment bodies 6. In particular, the containment bodies 6 are configured to allow a selective storage of the coating powders recovered by the recovery cyclone 2.

[0041] For example, the storage means 3 can be configured to selectively store the powders in respective containment bodies 6 as a function of the particular type of the powder recovered. In accordance with an advantageous aspect, the recovery device 1 can be reversibly connected to the coating system 100 to recover, if necessary, the coating powders thereof.

[0042] In other words, the recovery device 1 can be a stand-alone device and / or can be connected to the coating system 100 if necessary, for example in conjunction with the cleaning and / or powder change operations.

[0043] Purely by way of non-limiting example, the recovery device 1 may comprise movement means (not illustrated in the appended figures) configured to allow a movement of the recovery device 1 between a plurality of different operating positions.

[0044] In accordance with further possible embodiments of the present invention, the recovery device 1 can be integrated in a coating system 100 without altering the inventive concept underlying the present invention.

[0045] Advantageously, the recovery device 1 may comprise ventilation means 4 configured to generate a flow of fluid and coating powders from the feeding assembly 101 and / or from the separator cyclone 102 of the coating system 100 to the recovery device 1 , preferably to the storage means 3. In particular, the recovery cyclone 2 can be activated on the aforementioned flow to recover the coating powders.

[0046] In this way, the recovery cyclone 2 can recover the residual powders remained inside the system at the end of the coating process and / or the powders contaminated due to changes in the type of powder preventing them from being sucked by the suction system 104 and deposited inside the disposal container 105.

[0047] Advantageously, the ventilation means 4 can be separated and independent from the suction system 104 of the coating system 100 allowing an inflow of powder to the storage means 3 even during an inactivity of the suction system 104, for example, in conjunction with a cleaning step of the coating system 100.

[0048] For example, the ventilation means 4 may comprise a suction fan 5 active on the recovery cyclone 2 to promote a passage of the flow of fluid and powders through the recovery cyclone 2.

[0049] In accordance with some possible embodiments and as illustrated in the appended figures, the recovery cyclone 2 can have an inflow opening 20, adapted to allow an inflow of fluid and coating powders from the feeding assembly 101 and / or from the separator cyclone 102 of the coating system 100 to the recovery cyclone 2 preferably under the action of the ventilation means 4, an outflow opening 21 , adapted to allow an outflow of fluid from the recovery cyclone 2 preferably under the action of the ventilation means 4, and a recovery opening 22, adapted to allow the release of the recovered coating powders to the storage means 3.

[0050] According to a further advantageous aspect, the recovery device 1 may comprise weighing means configured to generate a signal representative of the amount of coating powders recovered by the recovery cyclone 2 and / or stored by the storage means 3.

[0051] By way of non-limiting example, the weighing means can be active or activatable on the aforementioned storage container and / or on the containment bodies 6.

[0052] Advantageously, the recovery device 1 may comprise a control unit (not illustrated in the appended figures) configured to selectively move the recovery device 1 between an active configuration, in which it allows an inflow of powders to the recovery cyclone 2, and an inactive configuration, in which it prohibits an inflow of powders to the recovery cyclone 2.

[0053] Purely by way of non-limiting example, the control unit may be configured to control the valve system 7 and / or the ventilation means 4.

[0054] In this way, the control unit allows to guarantee to the recovery device 1 a marked operational flexibility allowing it to be activated as needed and as a function of the operational needs dictated, for example, by the needs of the coating process.

[0055] For example, the control unit can place the recovery device 1 in the active configuration in conjunction with a cleaning of the system and / or a change of the coating powders so that the recovery of the powders is maximized and the process waste is minimized. Furthermore, the control unit can place the recovery device 1 in the inactive configuration during the normal operation of the coating system as the powders reaching the separator cyclone 102 are almost completely re-introduced into the powder unit and, thus, into the coating chamber.

[0056] In this discussion, the definition “normal operation” referred to the coating system is intended to indicate the common operation of the system 100 during the coating process. This operation differs from the cleaning and / or powder change steps due to the substantial absence of contaminated powders inside the system 100.

[0057] According to an advantageous aspect, the control unit is operatively associated or associable with the coating system 100 to allow an inflow of powders to the recovery cyclone 2 during a cleaning and / or powder change step of the coating system 100. Furthermore, the control unit is operatively associated or associable with the coating system 100 to prevent an inflow of powders to the recovery cyclone 2 during a normal operation of the coating system 100.

[0058] In accordance with an advantageous aspect, the recovery device 1 comprises tracking means 40 active on the storage means 3 for tracking the coating powders recovered from the storage means 3. In particular, the control unit can be configured to selectively move the recovery device 1 between the active configuration and the inactive configuration as a function of such tracking.

[0059] For example, the tracking means 40 may comprise at least one detector operatively associated with the storage means 3 and configured to detect a recovery code representative of the recovered powder. In particular, the recovery code can be arranged on a storage container adapted to contain the powder recovered from the storage means 3. Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to compare the recovery code and an introduction code, representative of the powder fed to the coating chamber 103, and allow an inflow of powders to the recovery cyclone 2 if the recovery code corresponds to the introduction code or prohibit an inflow of powders to the recovery cyclone 2 if the recovery code does not correspond to the introduction code.

[0060] Advantageously, the at least one detector may comprise a camera and / or a QR code reader and / or a bar code reader and / or a scanner ensuring marked operational flexibility to the recovery device 1 .

[0061] In accordance with an advantageous aspect, the at least one detector faces the aforementioned housing 30 in order to detect the introduction code arranged on the storage container.

[0062] With particular reference to figures 2A-2B and 2D, the tracking means 40 comprises a first detector 41 , operatively associated with the storage means 3 and configured to detect the recovery code, and a second detector 42, operatively associated with the feeding assembly 101 and configured to detect the introduction code. For example, the introduction code may be arranged on a container adapted to contain the powder fed to the coating chamber 103.

[0063] Preferably, the first detector 41 is connected to the storage means 3 for detecting the recovery code. Furthermore, the second detector 42 is preferably connected or connectable to the feeding assembly 101 for detecting the introduction code. For example, the second detector 42 may be arranged inside the feeding assembly 101 .

[0064] Alternatively, the second detector 42 may not be provided and the introduction code may be entered by the user without altering the inventive concept underlying the present invention.

[0065] According to an advantageous aspect, the tracking means 40 comprises a tracking unit (not illustrated in the appended figures), preferably a labelling machine or a printer, adapted to generate the recovery code to be applied to the storage container. For example, the second detector 42 may detect the introduction code and the tracking unit may be configured to print a label to be applied to the storage container accordingly.

[0066] The control unit may comprise a user interface adapted to allow, if necessary, an interaction with a user.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to manage the storage of the powders inside the aforementioned containment bodies 6.

[0068] For example, the control unit may be configured to track and / or catalogue the stored powders, preferably as a function of the specifications of the coating process.

[0069] In conjunction with a powder change, for example, the control unit may be configured to manage a distribution of the powders inside the containment bodies 6 and to keep track of which powders may have contributed to the contamination of the recovered powder.

[0070] Furthermore, the control unit may be operatively connected to the weighing means for determining, tracking and / or reporting the amount of recovered powders.

[0071] The control unit can also be operatively connected to the movement means to achieve a movement of the recovery device 1 between a plurality of operating positions.

[0072] For example, the control unit can allow an automated and / or remote- controlled and / or autonomous movement of the recovery device 1 between the aforementioned operating positions.

[0073] In accordance with a further aspect the present invention relates to a coating system 100 comprising a coating chamber 103 configured to house at least partially at least one object to be coated.

[0074] The system 100 further comprises a feeding assembly 101 , configured to feed coating powders to the coating chamber 103. For example, the feeding assembly 101 may have a respective housing 110 adapted to house a container adapted to contain the powder fed to the coating chamber 103. Furthermore, the system 100 comprises a separator cyclone 102, in fluid communication with the coating chamber 103 for withdrawing a portion of the coating powders from the coating chamber 103. In particular, the separator cyclone 102 is configured to feed the aforementioned portion of coating powders to the feeding assembly 101. In this way, the coating powders that, during the normal operation of the system 100, have not settled on the object to be coated are returned to the feeding assembly 101 to be fed back to the coating chamber 103.

[0075] The system 100 further comprises a recovery device for recovering the coating powders that is connected or connectable to the feeding assembly 101 and / or to the separator cyclone 102. In particular, the recovery device for recovering coating powders is configured to recover the powders contaminated due to a change of the powders supplied to the coating chamber 103 by the feeding assembly 101 and / or remained inside the system 100, for example during cleaning operations.

[0076] Advantageously, the aforementioned recovery device can be a recovery device 1 in accordance with what has been previously described, guaranteeing a marked operational efficiency to the coating system 100. Preferably, the system 100 comprises a suction system 104 configured to suck from the coating chamber 103 the powders that have not settled on the object to be coated and transport them to the separator cyclone 102 and / or release them into the disposal container 105 for subsequent disposal.

[0077] For example, the suction system 104 is configured to generate a suction flow that moves at least the coating powders from the coating chamber 103 to the separator cyclone 102. In addition, the suction system 104 is in fluid communication with the disposal container 105 to release therein coating powders remained inside the suction system 104 downstream of the separator cyclone 102 for subsequent disposal.

[0078] In accordance with some possible embodiments of the present invention, the suction system 104 may also be connectable in fluid communication with the feeding assembly 101 .

[0079] In this way, the suction system 104 can suck the waste powders present inside the system 100 and release them into the disposal container 105 for subsequent disposal.

[0080] It should be pointed out that the storage means 3 is separated and independent from the suction system 104 and from the disposal container 105.

[0081] Preferably, the separator cyclone 102 may have an inlet opening 106, in fluid communication with said coating chamber 103 to allow a portion of the coating powders coming from the coating chamber 103 to enter into the separator cyclone 102, and an outlet opening 107, in fluid communication with the suction system 104 of the coating system 100.

[0082] Furthermore, the separator cyclone 102 may have a discharge opening 108 for the aforementioned portion of powder to exit from the separator cyclone 102.

[0083] In particular, the recovery cyclone 2 can be connected or connectable to the discharge opening 108 for discharging the powders of the separator cyclone 102, for example, to recover the powders contaminated following a change of the powders of the coating system 100 and present in the separator cyclone 102.

[0084] In other words, the recovery cyclone 2 may be connectable downstream of the separator cyclone 102.

[0085] The coating system 100 may further comprise a stocking system (not illustrated in the appended figures), preferably comprising a vertical magazine, connected or connectable to the storage means 3 for stocking the powders recovered by the recovery device 1 .

[0086] In accordance with a further aspect the present invention relates to a method for recovering powders of a coating system comprising the step of sucking a flow of fluid and coating powders from a feeding assembly 101 and / or from a separator cyclone 102 of a coating system 100. Furthermore, the method comprises the step of storing the powders recovered from the suction step so as to prevent a re-introduction thereof to a coating chamber 103 of the coating system 100.

[0087] Preferably, the step of storing the recovered powders is performed by collecting the sucked coating powders in an independent container separated from a disposal container 105 of the coating system 100 in such a way as to allow a regeneration of the recovered powders. In this regard, it should be noted that the powders placed in the disposal container 105 are waste powders and, therefore, cannot be regenerated as they contain a high level of impurities. On the contrary, the recovered powders are traceable and classifiable and can be easily regenerated thanks to the limited level of impurities contained in them.

[0088] According to an advantageous aspect, the method comprises the step of detecting a recovery code, arranged on a storage container adapted to contain the recovered powder, representative of the recovered powder and the step of comparing the recovery code and an introduction code, representative of the powder fed to the coating chamber 103. In particular, the method comprises the step of performing the suction step if the recovery code corresponds to the introduction code and / or prohibiting the suction step if the recovery code does not correspond to the introduction code.

[0089] In accordance with one aspect, the method may comprise a step of shutting down the coating system 100 prior to the suction step. In this way, the method may provide for recovering contaminated powders during a cleaning of the system and / or may allow for a change of the powders contained in the feeding assembly 101.

[0090] According to a further advantageous aspect, the method may comprise the step of changing the coating powder to be fed to the coating chamber 103 prior to the suction step. Furthermore, the method may comprise the step of feeding the coating powder to the coating chamber 103. In particular, the suction step can be performed during and / or after the step of changing the coating powder in such a way as to recover at least partially the powders contaminated due to the powders already present inside the coating system 100.

[0091] Preferably, the method comprises the steps of setting up a recovery device 1 for recovering the coating powders in accordance with what was previously described and performing the aforementioned suction step by generating a flow of fluid and coating powders from a feeding assembly 101 and / or from a separator cyclone 102 of a coating system 100 to the recovery device 1.

[0092] Furthermore, the method comprises the step of activating the recovery cyclone 2 of the recovery device 1 on the flow to recover the coating powders and the step of storing the powders recovered by the recovery cyclone 2 through the storage means 3 so as to prevent a re-introduction thereof to the coating chamber 103 of the coating system 100.

[0093] Preferably, the step of activating the recovery cyclone 2 is performed during and / or after the step of changing the powders of the coating system 100 in such a way as to recover at least partially the powders contaminated by the powders already present inside the coating system 100.

[0094] The method may comprise a step of setting the activation duration of the recovery cyclone so as to adjust, for example, the duration of the powder recovery process.

[0095] Preferably, the method may comprise a step of allowing and / or prohibiting a fluid communication between the feeding assembly 101 and the separator cyclone 102 and / or between the feeding assembly 101 and the suction system 104 of the coating system 100 in such a way as to allow and / or prevent an inflow of the powders to the disposal container 105.

[0096] In particular, the step of allowing and / or disabling fluid communication may comprise a sub-step of operating a valve system 7.

[0097] For example, the method may provide for prohibiting a fluid communication between the feeding assembly 101 and the suction system 104 so that, during cleaning operations, the recovery device 1 can recover the residual powders present inside the feeding assembly 101 .

[0098] Furthermore, the method may provide for prohibiting the fluid communication between the feeding assembly 101 and the separator cyclone 102 so as to prevent, following a change of the coating powders, the powders still present inside the separator cyclone 102 from contaminating the new coating powders placed inside the feeding assembly 101 .

[0099] In accordance with a further advantageous aspect, the step of storing the recovered coating powders may comprise a sub-step of selectively storing the coating powders recovered by the recovery cyclone 2 in a plurality of mutually independent containment bodies 6.

[0100] Furthermore, the method may comprise a step for stocking, for example by means of a preferably automated vertical magazine, the powders recovered by the recovery device 1 .

[0101] In particular, the storing step and / or the stocking step may comprise a substep of cataloguing the powders recovered by the recovery device 1 .

[0102] Further, the method may comprise a step of weighing the powders recovered by the recovery device 1 .

[0103] Advantageously, the method may further comprise a step of regenerating the recovered coating powders to allow a subsequent use thereof in a coating system. For example, the regeneration step may comprise grinding, sieving and / or blending operations.

[0104] It is therefore noted that the present invention achieves the proposed objects by realizing a recovery device for recovering coating powders for a coating system, a coating system and a method for recovering the powders of a coating system capable of increasing the efficiency of the coating process thanks to the presence of a recovery cyclone connectable to the feeding assembly and / or to the separator cyclone of a coating system for recovering coating powders and storage means configured to store the recovered coating powders so as to prevent a re-introduction thereof to the coating chamber of the coating system.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A recovery device (1) for recovering coating powders for a coating system (100), said recovery device (1 ) comprising:- a recovery cyclone (2) connected or connectable to a feeding assembly (101 ) and / or to a separator cyclone (102) of a coating system (100), said recovery cyclone (2) being configured to recover coating powders from the feeding assembly (101) and / or from the separator cyclone (102) of the coating system (100);- storage means (3) configured to store the coating powders recovered by said recovery cyclone (2) so as to prevent a re-introduction thereof to a coating chamber (103) of the coating system (100).

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said recovery cyclone (2) is configured to recover coating powders contaminated due to a change of the powder fed from the feeding assembly (101 ) to the coating chamber (103) of the coating system (100) and present in the feeding assembly(101 ) and / or in the coating chamber (103) and / or in the separator cyclone(102) of the coating system (100).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said storage means (3) is configured to store contaminated coating powders due to a change of the powder fed from the feeding assembly (101 ) to the coating chamber (103) of the coating system (100) and present in the feeding assembly (101) and / or in the separator cyclone (102) of the coating system (100) so as to prevent an introduction of the contaminated powders to the coating chamber (103) of the coating system (100).

4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising ventilation means (4) configured to generate a flow of fluid and coating powders from the feeding assembly (101) and / or from the separator cyclone (102) of the coating system (100) to said recoverydevice (1 ); and wherein said recovery cyclone (2) is activatable on said flow to recover the coating powders.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said ventilation means (4) is separated and independent from a suction system (104) of the coating system (100).

6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit configured to selectively move said recovery device (1 ) between an active configuration, in which it allows an inflow of powders to said recovery cyclone (2), and an inactive configuration, in which it prohibits an inflow of powders to said recovery cyclone (2).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said control unit is operatively associated or associable with the coating system (100) to allow an inflow of powders to said recovery cyclone (2) during a step for cleaning and / or changing the powders of the coating system (100); and / or wherein said control unit is operatively associated or associable with the coating system (100) to prevent an inflow of powders to said recovery cyclone (2) during a normal operation of the coating system (100).

8. The device according to claim 6 or 7, comprising tracking means (40), active on said storage means (3) for tracking the coating powders recovered from said storage means (3); and wherein said control unit is configured to selectively move said recovery device (1 ) between said active configuration and said inactive configuration as a function of said tracking.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said tracking means comprises at least one detector (41 , 42) operatively associated with said storage means (3) and configured to detect a recovery coderepresentative of the recovered powder, said recovery code being arranged on a storage container adapted to contain the powder recovered from said storage means (3); wherein said control unit is configured to compare said recovery code and an introduction code, representative of the powder fed to the coating chamber (103), and allow an inflow of powders to said recovery cyclone (2) if said recovery code corresponds to said introduction code; and wherein said control unit is configured to compare said recovery code and said introduction code and prohibit an inflow of powders to said recovery cyclone (2) if said recovery code does not correspond to said introduction code.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said at least one detector (41 , 42) comprises a camera and / or a QR code reader and / or a bar code reader and / or a scanner.11 . The device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said storage means (3) defines a housing (30) configured to house a storage container adapted to store the recovered coating powders; and wherein said at least one detector faces said housing to detect said introduction code arranged on the storage container.

12. The device according to one or more of claims 9-11 , wherein said tracking means comprises a first detector (41 ), operatively associated with said storage means (3) and configured to detect said recovery code, and a second detector (42), operatively associated with the feeding assembly (101 ) and configured to detect said introduction code; said introduction code being arranged on a container adapted to contain the powder fed to the coating chamber (103).

13. The device according to one or more of claims 9-12, wherein said first detector (41 ) is connected to said storage means (3) for detecting saidrecovery code; and wherein said second detector (42) is connected or connectable to the feeding assembly (101 ) for detecting said introduction code.

14. The device according to one or more of claims 9-13, wherein said tracking means comprises a tracking unit, preferably a labelling machine, adapted to generate said recovery code to be applied to the storage container.

15. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising weighing means configured to generate a signal representative of the amount of coating powders recovered by said recovery cyclone (2) and / or stored by said storage means (3).

16. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said storage means (3) comprises a plurality of mutually independent containment bodies (6), said containment bodies (6) being configured to store selectively the coating powders recovered by said recovery cyclone (2).

17. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said recovery cyclone (2) is connected or connectable to a discharge opening (108) for discharging the powders of the separator cyclone (102) to recover the contaminated powders following a change of the powders of the coating system (100).

18. A coating system (100) comprising:- a coating chamber (103) configured to house at least partially at least one object to be subjected to coating;- a feeding assembly (101 ) configured to feed coating powders to said coating chamber (103);- a separator cyclone (102) in fluid communication with said coating chamber (103) for withdrawing a portion of the coating powders from said coating chamber (103), said separator cyclone (102) being configured to feed said portion of coating powders to said feeding assembly (101 );- a recovery device for recovering coating powders connected to or connectable to said feeding assembly (101 ) and / or to said separator cyclone (102), said recovery device for recovering coating powders comprising:- a recovery cyclone (2) configured to recover coating powders from said feeding assembly (101 ) and / or from said separator cyclone(102);- storage means (3) configured to store the coating powders recovered by said recovery cyclone (2) so as to prevent a re- introduction thereof to said coating chamber (103).

19. The coating system (100) according to claim 18, wherein said recovery device for recovering coating powders is a recovery device (1 ) for recovering coating powders according to one or more of claims 1 -17.

20. The coating system (100) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein said separator cyclone (102) has:- an inlet opening (106) in fluid communication with said coating chamber(103) to allow the entry of a portion of the coating powders coming from said coating chamber (103);- an outlet opening (107) in fluid communication with a suction system(104) of said coating system (100);- a discharge opening (108) for said portion of powder to exit from said separator cyclone (102); and wherein said recovery cyclone (2) is connected or connectable to said powder discharge opening (108) of said separator cyclone (102) to recover coating powders contaminated due to a change of the powder fed from thefeeding assembly (101 ) to the coating chamber (103) and present in the separator cyclone (102).

21. The coating system (100) according to one or more of claims 18-20, comprising a suction system (104) configured to suck from the coating chamber (103) the powders that have not settled on the object to be coated and to transport them to the separator cyclone (102) and / or release them into the disposal container (105) for subsequent disposal; and wherein said storage means (3) is separated and independent from said disposal container (105).

22. The coating system (100) according to one or more of claims 18-21 , further comprising a stocking system, preferably comprising a vertical magazine, connected or connectable to said storage means (3) for stocking the powders recovered by said recovery device.

23. A method for recovering the powders of a coating system (100) comprising the steps of:- sucking a flow of coating fluid and powders from a feeding assembly (101 ) and / or from a separator cyclone (102) of a coating system (100);- storing the powders recovered from said suction step so as to prevent a re-introduction thereof to a coating chamber (103) of the coating system (100).

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said step of storing the recovered powders is performed by collecting the sucked coating powders in an independent container separated from a disposal container (105) of the coating system (100) in such a way as to allow a regeneration of the recovered powders.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, comprising the steps of:- detecting a recovery code representative of the recovered powder arranged on a storage container adapted to contain the recovered powder;- comparing said recovery code and an introduction code, representative of the powder fed to the coating chamber (103); - performing said suction step if said recovery code corresponds to said introduction code; and / or prohibiting said suction step if said recovery code does not correspond to said introduction code.

26. The method according to one or more of claims 23-25, comprising a step of shutting down the coating system (100) prior to said suction step.

27. The method according to one or more of claims 23-26, comprising the steps of:- changing the coating powder to be fed to the coating chamber (103) prior to said suction step;- feeding the coating powder to the coating chamber (103); and wherein said suction step is performed during and / or after said step of changing the coating powder in such a way as to recover at least partially the powders contaminated due to the powders already present inside the coating system (100).

28. The method for recovering the powders of a coating system (100) comprising the steps of:- setting up a recovery device (1 ) for recovering the coating powders according to one or more of claims 1 -17;- performing said suction step by generating a flow of fluid and coating powders from a feeding assembly (101 ) and / or from a separator cyclone (102) of a coating system (100) to said recovery device (1 );- activating said recovery cyclone (2) of said recovery device (1 ) on said flow to recover the coating powders;- storing the powders recovered by said recovery cyclone (2) through saidstorage means (3).

29. The method according to claim 28, comprising a step of prohibiting fluid communication between the feeding assembly (101 ) and the separator cyclone (102) and / or between the feeding assembly (101 ) and the suction system (104) of the coating system (100).

30. The method according to one or more of claims 23-29, comprising a step of regenerating the recovered coating powders.

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