Paint mist separating device

Abstract

The invention relates to a paint mist separating device (10) comprising a paint mist separating base device (12), a paint mist pre-separating device (14), and a paint mist separating support device (16). The paint mist separating support device (16) and the paint mist pre-separating device (14) comprise parts of the paint mist separating base device (12), and the paint mist separating support device (16) has two vanes*** (22, 24) which can be detached from a first surface of the paint mist separating base device (12). The paint mist pre-separating device (14) can preferably be removed from a second surface of the paint mist separating base device (12), said second surface lying opposite the first surface, and the paint mist pre-separating device (14) can be attached to the paint mist separating support device (16).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Paint mist separation device

[0003] The innovation proposed here concerns the technical field of the separation of particles carried along with an air stream (raw gas stream), in particular paint particles, in particular the separation of paint or varnish particles or the like carried along with a so-called paint mist or the like, i.e. a raw gas stream (paint mist separation).

[0004] Devices, namely (paint mist) separation devices - hereinafter sometimes referred to as separation devices for short - for this purpose are already known, for example in the form of the separation device described in EP 2 532 409 B and referred to therein as a filter module or in the form of the separation device described in DE 10 2014 003 608 A1 and also referred to therein as a filter module.

[0005] One object of the proposed innovation is to provide a supplement that can be used efficiently together with a separation device, for example a separation device according to EP 2 532 409 B or DE 10 2014 003 608 A1, in particular a supplement that increases a so-called service life (the duration of usability) of the respective separation device.

[0006] A separation device from which the innovation proposed here is based comprises an outer frame which itself or in its interior has one or more separation elements or separation surfaces (paint mist separation elements or paint mist separation surfaces; in short: separation elements or separation surfaces; collectively: separation stage(s)). The frame is a separation stage(s) receiving frame and the surface of the frame is the surface of the separation device. During operation, the raw gas flow laden with particles, in particular paint particles, flows through such a separation device. The frame of the separation device accordingly has a first side (front side) with an inflow opening for the raw gas flow to enter the interior of the separation device and a second side with an outflow opening for the raw gas flow to exit the separation device.The second side is, for example, the back of the frame opposite the front side.

[0007] A further separation device (pre-separator) acting as a pre-separator can be attached to the front of such a separation device. The pre-separator is located in front of the inlet opening and upstream of the separation device in relation to the raw gas flow flowing through the separation device and therefore comes into contact with the particles carried by the raw gas flow first (before the separation device). The pre-separator therefore already collects some of the particles carried by the raw gas flow. In this way, the pre-separator relieves the load on the downstream separation device and thus increases its absorption capacity and its service life. This also means that the combination of separation device and pre-separator is characterized by a longer service life compared to a separation device alone.

[0008] The innovation proposed here is also based on a combination of a separation device and a pre-separation device operating upstream of the separation device. Such a combination is itself a separation device. Therefore, the following terms are used to distinguish them: A separation device on its own is referred to as a basic paint mist separation device. A pre-separation device is referred to as a paint mist pre-separation device. A combination of a basic separation device and a pre-separation device is referred to as a paint mist separation device.

[0009] In the interest of better readability, the following abbreviations are sometimes used instead of the comparatively cumbersome terms paint mist separation base device, paint mist pre-separation device and paint mist separation device: A paint mist separation base device is also referred to as a separation base device or, for short, as a separation base; a paint mist pre-separation device is also referred to as a pre-separation device or, for short, as a pre-separator. A paint mist separation device is also referred to as a separation device or, for short, as a separator.

[0010] A separator in the form of a combination of a separation base and a pre-separator is known from the following publications attributable to the applicant of the innovation presented here: DE 20 2021 104 962 U, DE 20 2021 106 573 U, DE 20 2022 101 219 U .

[0011] From DE 20 2021 104 962 U, a separation base, referred to therein as a separation device, and a pre-separator in the form of two parts of the separation base extending from the separation base are known. From DE 20 2021 106 573 U and DE 20 2022 101 219 U, a separation base, referred to therein as a separation device, and a pre-separator are known, namely a pre-separator in the form of two parts of the separation base that can be attached to the separation base. The object stated at the outset is achieved according to the invention by means of a device having the features of claim 1, namely by means of a separator (paint mist separation device) intended for separating particles entrained with a raw gas stream. The separator comprises - as already known from the prior art - a separation base (paint mist separation base device), namely exactly one separation base, and a pre-separator (paint mist pre-separator device).The separation base is designed and configured to accommodate at least one separation stage (paint mist separation stage). The separation base is a structural element that surrounds the or each separation stage in a frame / housing-like manner. The separation base thus corresponds to what was referred to above as the frame (frame of the separation device).

[0012] A special feature of the proposed innovation is that the separator, in addition to the separation base and the pre-separator, also comprises a paint mist separation support device which, in keeping with the abbreviations introduced above, is sometimes referred to below as a support device or, for short, as a support. The pre-separator can be attached to the support; to obtain a separator as proposed here, the pre-separator is attached to the support and, in a ready-to-use separator of the type proposed here, a pre-separator is attached to the support. The support carries the pre-separator attached to it. This justifies referring to the support as a support. Alternatively, the support can also be referred to as a support structure because the support is a structural element which supports (and carries) the pre-separator or each pre-separator attached to it.A further special feature is that parts of the deposition base act as supports. In other words, this further special feature is that the support comprises parts of the deposition base. Specifically, the support that can be formed using the deposition base is created by detaching two surface sections, referred to below as wings, from a first surface of the deposition base from this surface. These two wings form the support. The support comprises these two wings.

[0013] In the state of the art according to the above-mentioned DE 20 2021 104 962 U, DE 20 2021 106 573 U, and DE 20 2022 101 219 U, the respective pre-separator is always attached directly to the respective separation base. Therefore, there is no separate support, and without such a separate support, there is consequently no separate support that encompasses parts of the separation base, nor a separate support to which a pre-separator can be attached.

[0014] The carrier, i.e. the wings encompassed by the carrier, is / are connected to the separation base or can be / are attached to the separation base. The term “detachment” means that the two wings lie with their respective surfaces in the plane of the first surface of the separation base before being detached, and that after being detached the surfaces of the wings form an angle greater than 0° with this surface, in particular an angle of approximately 45° to 90°, for example 75° to 90°, in particular approximately 75°. The wings are set off from the remaining surface of the separation base for example by means of a perforation, a punch or the like. The term “detachment” comprises a complete removal of the wings from the first surface so that they can be inserted when attached to the separation base, for example, so that after being inserted and as a result of the insertion the above-mentioned angle results.The insertion takes place by means of plug-in tabs extending from the wings into slots provided for this purpose in the surface of the separator base (plug connection), namely slots on both sides of the inlet opening and parallel to the immediately adjacent edge of the inlet opening.

[0015] However, the term "detachment" also includes the folding out of the wings from the first surface of the separation base, wherein the wings remain integrally connected to the separation base along a fold line that then functions as an articulated connection with the separation base, and the above-mentioned angle results after folding out or as a result of folding out. This folding out is also a detachment, because after folding out, each wing, with its then free edges and the area enclosed by the edges and the fold line, is detached from the first surface of the separation base. The folded-out wings are / remain connected to the separation base.

[0016] The two wings are spaced apart on both sides of the inlet opening and are either connected to the front of the separation base or can be attached to the front of the separation base, namely on the outside of the separation base. When detached and connected to the separation base, for example by plugging in, or when folded out, the two wings are spaced apart from each other. This distance is bridged by the pre-separator, which is attached to the wings. The wings carry / support the pre-separator, and the combination of the two wings and the pre-separator attached to them is given considerable stability by the attachment of the pre-separator, which is sufficient for use in paint mist separation.

[0017] Vanes that can be attached to the separation base are attached to the outside of the separation base to obtain a separator as proposed here and are attached to the outside of the separation base in a ready-to-use separator of the type proposed here. A plug-in connection can be used for attachment. For this purpose, each vane has a plug-in tab starting from the edge intended for attachment to the separation base and the separation base has a corresponding slot in its surface and parallel to the immediately adjacent edge of the inlet opening for each vane to accommodate a plug-in tab. Vanes connected to the separation base do not require attachment to the separation base because they are already connected to / remain connected to the separation base. Vanes connected to the separation base and vanes attached to the separation base point away from the adjacent surface of the separation base and outwards.

[0018] The carrier for the pre-separator acts as a support structure—hereinafter referred to collectively as the support structure—for the pre-separator attached to it. The terms "carrier" and "support structure" are synonymous. Thus, the terms "paint mist separation carrier device" and "separation carrier device" on the one hand, and "support structure" on the other, are also synonymous.

[0019] Finally, an optional special feature of the separator proposed here is what acts as the pre-separator. The pre-separator can preferably be removed from a second surface of the separation base, in particular a second surface opposite the first surface. Parts of the separation base then also function as the pre-separator. The pre-separator then also comprises parts of the separation base. The two wings for the carrier are detached from the first surface of the separation base and the pre-separator can then be removed from or on the second surface of the separation base. Material from the separation base that would otherwise be thrown away then acts as the carrier and as the pre-separator. If the pre-separator does not come from the second surface of the separation base, it is supplied separately, for example.

[0020] The advantage of the separation device proposed here is that the pre-separator and, if necessary, additional pre-separators (at least one pre-separator) can be mounted on the support. The pre-separator also connects the vanes to each other and bridges the gap between the vanes.

[0021] The installation of the pre-separator provides additional separation efficiency upstream of the separation base (before in the sense of upstream). This increases the separation efficiency / capacity and thus the service life of the combination. The possible installation of additional pre-separators results in even greater separation efficiency upstream of the separation base.

[0022] The innovation proposed here creates a simple and efficient way of installing an additional (paint mist) separation device upstream of a respective separation base. The carrier and the pre-separator attached to it act as such an additional separation device. The combination now comprises an increased number of separation stages, because the separation base comprises at least one separation stage, and the additional separation device, in the form of the pre-separator, comprises yet another separation stage.

[0023] A separation base, for example a separation base as known from EP 2 532 409 B, is regularly placed in a so-called extraction wall or an extraction floor for paint mist separation. Such an extraction wall and such an extraction floor have compartments in a matrix-like structure, each for accommodating a separation base (separation base device). An extraction wall / extraction floor accommodates a plurality of separation base devices in the respective compartments.

[0024] The absorption capacity of an extraction wall / extraction floor depends on the number of compartments and the absorption capacity of the basic separation devices located in the compartments. In particular, in an existing system (painting system, painting line, or the like), the number of compartments cannot be increased, at least not easily. The absorption capacity of each basic separation device depends on its dimensions and therefore on the dimensions of the respective compartment. Also, and again especially, in an existing system, the dimensions of the compartments cannot be increased, at least not easily. The absorption capacity of each extraction wall / extraction floor is therefore fixed.

[0025] Since, according to the approach proposed here, a further separation device can be installed in front of / upstream of a respective separation base, it is now possible to increase the absorption capacity of a respective extraction wall / extraction base by installing a further separation device of the type proposed here (support with a pre-separator) in front of at least one separation base. To increase the absorption capacity of a respective extraction wall / extraction base, preferably a plurality of separation base devices are each provided with such a further separation device, preferably each separation base device.

[0026] Since the carrier and the pre-separator comprise parts of the separation base, no or only comparatively little additional material is required for the carrier and the pre-separator and the carrier and pre-separator are easy to manufacture, namely even by low-skilled personnel and / or can be manufactured at the place of use of the separation device.

[0027] The claims filed with the application are drafting suggestions without prejudice to the attainment of further protection. Since the features of the dependent claims, in particular, may constitute separate and independent inventions in view of the state of the art on the priority date, the applicant reserves the right to make these or further combinations of features previously disclosed only in the description and / or drawings the subject of independent claims or declarations of division. They may also contain independent inventions having a design independent of the subject matter of the respective claims referred to.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the innovation proposed here, the detachment of the two wings from the first surface of the separation base creates an inlet opening for the entry of a raw gas stream into the interior of the separation base, and the removal of the pre-separator from the second surface of the separation base creates an outlet opening for the exit of the raw gas stream from the interior of the separation base, namely in each case completely or at least partially. The first surface is therefore the surface with the inlet opening, and the opposite second surface is correspondingly the surface with the outlet opening. Folded-out wings are always folded out of the surface with the inlet opening, and the pre-separator is correspondingly removed from the surface with the outlet opening.If the vanes have been removed and then inserted later, it is possible to remove the vanes from the surface with the outlet opening and, accordingly, to remove the pre-separator from the surface with the inlet opening. However, inserting or similarly inserting the vanes always takes place on or in the surface with the inlet opening. Removing the vanes and removing the pre-separator therefore opens the inlet and outlet openings. An open inlet opening and an open outlet opening are required anyway for paint mist separation. Removing the vanes and removing the pre-separator are therefore part of a measure that is required anyway.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment of the innovation proposed here, the two wings extend from opposite edges of the inlet opening. The wings can then also be referred to as doors into the separation base. Each wing is then, in a sense, a door leaf of a two-leaf door. Opening the inlet opening, i.e. removing the wings / door leaves to obtain the inlet opening and to obtain the support structure, is then a process that even low-skilled personnel can carry out intuitively. This embodiment of the innovation proposed here can also be briefly described as follows: the wings in the separation base are opened and are open for use for paint mist separation, and the pre-separator can be attached to the wings and is attached for use for paint mist separation.

[0030] Advantageously, the two wings are / remain integrally and articulatedly connected to the separation base even when detached and functioning as a support structure. With wings that are articulatedly connected to the separation base, detachment from the first surface results in the wings folding out of this surface. The advantage of such a one-piece connection is that the wings do not normally get lost. A further advantage is that the one-piece connection with the separation base ensures a very strong and resilient connection between the support / support structure and the separation base. A good and strong connection to the separation base is necessary because the pre-separator attached to the support experiences a considerable increase in weight during paint overspray separation.

[0031] To attach the pre-separator to the support, i.e., to the two wings, it is advantageous for the two wings to have a plug-in tab (at least one plug-in tab) on at least one edge each, and for the pre-separator to have a slot (at least one slot on each side) on each side. The pre-separator can then be attached to the support, i.e., to the two wings, by inserting a plug-in tab into a respective slot. The resulting plug-in connection ensures a sufficiently secure attachment of the pre-separator to the support and is straightforward to manufacture.

[0032] It is advantageous for the wings to have a slanted edge and for the plug-in tabs to extend from the slanted edges. The wings have a slanted edge if they are triangular (a general, flat triangle). A slanted edge is also possible, however, if the wings are trapezoidal (a flat quadrilateral with two parallel sides). As the plug-in tabs each extend from a slanted edge, this results in a slanted orientation of the pre-separator attached to the wings. This type of slanted orientation has proven to be advantageous for a pre-separator. Adhesive substances can run down the slanted surface and solidify as they run down, preventing them from dripping off the surface of the pre-separator.However, any substances that drip down will drip at a distance from the front of the separating base and will therefore not contribute to sticking or the like of the separating base in the compartment that houses the separating base.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment of the innovation proposed here, a removable / foldable support is provided in addition to the removable / foldable wings to achieve even greater stability for the combination of support and pre-separator. The support is preferably created—like the wings—by detaching / folding out from the first surface of the separator base, i.e., from the same surface as the wings.

[0034] In a further advantageous embodiment of the innovation proposed here, the inlet opening comprises a plurality of inlet areas, including an inlet area which, for example, is located at the top in a ready-to-use separator base (upper separator area). This upper separator area has a trapezoidal shape. The trapezoidal inlet area is delimited by two parallel, spaced-apart edges and two further edges, in particular of equal length, connecting the end points of the two parallel edges, one of the two parallel edges being longer than the other (isosceles trapezoid).This is an opening as described in DE 20 2022 101 219 U, to which reference is made here to avoid unnecessary repetition and which, with this reference, is to be deemed included in the description presented here with its full disclosure content regarding the shape and function of this opening. In keeping with the trapezoidal inflow area, the pre-separator has a plug-in tab on one edge which is set off from the remaining surface of the pre-separator by means of lateral slits, namely a plug-in tab as also described in DE 20 2022 101 219 U, to which reference is also made here to avoid unnecessary repetition and which, with this reference, is to be deemed included in the description presented here with its full disclosure content regarding the shape and function of this plug-in tab. The plug-in tab is intended to be inserted into the trapezoidal opening.The pre-separator is inserted into the area of ​​the longer of the two parallel edges of the trapezoidal opening, and the plug-in tab is placed on the two diagonal edges of the trapezoidal opening in the area of ​​the side slots. The pre-separator then sinks or is pressed down until the diagonal edges reach the bottom of the side slots. The pre-separator is now fixed in the trapezoidal opening. This fixation, together with the fixation on the wings, ensures a stable and durable attachment of the pre-separator.

[0035] The innovation proposed here is also the use of a carrier, which comprises parts of a separation base, for attaching at least one pre-separator to the carrier and thus at least indirectly to the separation base. This results in a separation device as described here and below, which comprises the separation base, the carrier and the pre-separator. For design details of a separation device resulting from such use of a support structure, reference is made to the above statements and to the explanations in the special description section. The pre-separator results in an increased service life of the separation device.

[0036] The innovation proposed here is furthermore also a method for producing a separation device as described here and below. The separation device is a separation device intended and configured for separating particles carried along with a raw gas stream, in particular paint particles. The separation device comprises a separation base (paint mist separation base device), a pre-separator (paint mist pre-separator device) and a carrier (paint mist separation carrier device), and the carrier comprises parts of the separation base. The method for obtaining the separation device (paint mist separation device) comprises the following method steps: To obtain the carrier, two wings are detached from a first surface of the separation base, for example folded out or removed, and inserted laterally next to the inlet opening.For example, the pre-separator is removed from the second surface and attached to the two wings. To attach the pre-separator to the wings, for example, plug-in tabs extending from the wings are inserted into slots on the edge of a flat central surface of the pre-separator, creating a plug-in connection.

[0037] A particular advantage which applies to the innovation proposed here as a whole is that the support on the one hand and the pre-separator on the other hand (i.e. both of them) take up hardly any space until they are used. The support, namely the two wings it encompasses, as well as the pre-separator are flat and lie in the plane of the relevant surface of the separation base until they are used and therefore take up hardly any space, or at least no additional space which is not already taken up by the separation base itself. The separation base can advantageously be shipped flat. A separation base which is shipped flat is only prepared at the place of use to accommodate at least one separation stage, in particular it is unfolded and fixed in the unfolded state.Compared to large-volume separation devices, flat shipping can save transport costs and / or a larger quantity of parts can be shipped at the same transport costs.

[0038] The manual measures for maintaining the separation device, namely in particular the attachment, insertion, removal and / or folding out, for maintaining the support and for attaching the pre-separator to it, are extremely simple, can be carried out even by low-skilled personnel, in particular directly at the place of use, and also require very little time.

[0039] Cardboard, paperboard (particularly solid or corrugated cardboard), plastic, metal (particularly pyrolysis-resistant metal) or the like can be used as materials for the separation base - and thus also for the support comprising parts of the separation base and likewise for the pre-separator. Where it is mentioned here and below with regard to the support that it comprises parts of the separation base, this expressly also means that the support comprises precisely the two wings mentioned, in particular only the two wings, and that the wings are former material of the separation base.

[0040] To avoid unnecessary repetition, the following applies to the description presented here: features and details described in connection with the separation device and any possible embodiments naturally also apply in connection with their use and the method for their manufacture, and vice versa. Accordingly, the method can also be further developed using individual or multiple method features that relate to design details of the separation device and its purpose. Likewise, the separation device can be further developed by means for carrying out method steps carried out within the scope of the method.Consequently, features and details that are described in connection with the separation device or in connection with its use or its manufacture are each reciprocal, i.e. method features are regarded as material features (device features), namely, for example, as means comprised by the separation device for carrying out a method step or a sequence of method steps, and device features are regarded as method features, namely, for example, a concrete use of a structural detail of the separation device. This note is intended to mean that, with regard to the disclosure, reciprocal reference is or can always be made to the individual device, method or use aspects of the innovation proposed here.

[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Corresponding objects or elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures. However, for the sake of clarity, the reference symbols are not repeated in all figures. In this respect, reference is made to one of the preceding figures.

[0042] The exemplary embodiments are not to be understood as limiting the invention. Rather, additions and modifications are also entirely possible within the scope of the present disclosure, in particular those which, for example, can be derived by a person skilled in the art with regard to solving the problem through the combination or modification of individual features or method steps described in the general or specific description and contained in the claims and / or the drawings, and which, through combinable features, lead to a new subject matter or to new method steps or method step sequences.

[0043] It shows

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a paint mist separation device with a paint mist separation base device, a paint mist pre-separation device and a paint mist separation carrier device,

[0045] Fig. 2 shows the paint mist separator base device from Figure 1 with wings intended for use as a paint mist separator support device,

[0046] Fig. 3 shows the paint mist separator base device from Figure 1 with the wings folded out (opened) from the paint mist separator base device,

[0047] Fig. 4 and

[0048] Fig. 5 shows a paint mist pre-separation device according to Figure 1 in a flat state in a plan view or an isometric view,

[0049] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the process of attaching the paint mist pre-separation devices to the wings and to the paint mist separation base device,

[0050] Fig . 7 and

[0051] Fig. 8 shows the material for obtaining a paint mist separation base device in a flat state. The illustration in Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a paint mist separation device 10 proposed here. Such a device is often referred to below as a separation device 10 or, for short, as a separator 10.

[0052] The separation device 10 comprises a paint mist separation base device 12, a paint mist pre-separation device 14, and a paint mist separation support device 16. A paint mist separation base device 12, a paint mist pre-separation device 14, and a paint mist separation support device 16 are often referred to below as a separation base 12, pre-separator 14, and support 16, respectively. The terms support device 16 or support structure 16 are also sometimes used for a paint mist separation support device 16.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the support 16 comprises two vanes 22, 24 connected to the separation base 12. Each vane 22, 24 is a part of the support 16. In the embodiment shown, exactly one pre-separator 14 is attached to the support 16, namely at least to the support 16 and its vanes 22, 24.

[0054] The illustrations in Figures 2 and 3 show the separator base 12 from Figure 1, each viewed from its front side and the inlet opening 20 located there. The illustration in Figure 2 shows the separator base 12 with two wings 22, 24. The illustration in Figure 3 shows the same separator base 12 in the open state, i.e., with the wings 22, 24 folded out.

[0055] The inlet opening 20 in the front of the separation base 12 is structured for the purpose of paint mist separation and, for example, comprises inlet areas in the form of openings in a grid structure. The reference lines in Figures 2 and 3 correspond to the edge lines of one of several inlet areas in the front of the separation base 12. In the embodiment shown, the entirety of the inlet areas forms the inlet opening 20.

[0056] In a pre-separator 14 attached to the support 16, i.e., to its vanes 22, 24, the vanes 22, 24 are open to a 75° position, as shown in Figure 3. In principle, positions in a range of approximately 45° to 90° are possible and useful, for example, positions in a range of 75° to 90°, in particular a position in a range of approximately 75°. In the open state, the inlet opening 20 is exposed. The inlet opening 20 allows—in a manner known per se—the inflow of a raw gas stream laden with particles, in particular paint particles, into the interior of the separation base 12.

[0057] Figure 4 shows a top view of an embodiment of a pre-separator 14, and Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the same pre-separator 14. Like the inlet opening 20, the pre-separator 14 is structured for the purpose of paint mist separation and, for example, includes openings in a grid structure.

[0058] For attaching a pre-separator 14 to the support 16, namely the wings 22, 24 encompassed thereby, the wings 22, 24 have plug-in tabs 30, and the pre-separator 14 has slots 32. The wings 22, 24 have the plug-in tabs 30 at the edge of one of their edges. The pre-separator 14 has the slots 32 in its surface, each adjacent to and parallel to two first, opposite sides. In addition to these two first sides, the pre-separator 14 also has two second, opposite sides, which will be discussed further below.

[0059] When attaching the pre-separator 14 to the support 16, the plug-in tabs 30 (wing plug-in tabs 30) are inserted into the slots 32 of the pre-separator 14, resulting in a plug-in connection; the pre-separator 14 is attached to the support 16, namely to its wings 22, 24, by means of this plug-in connection. Alternatively, the attachment of the pre-separator 14 to the support 16 can also be described in such a way that the pre-separator 14 is placed onto the plug-in tabs 30 of the wings 22, 24 by means of its slots 32 and is finally plugged in. This also results in a plug-in connection, and the pre-separator 14 is attached to the support 16 by means of the plug-in connection, namely by means of the plug-in tabs 30 and the slots 32.

[0060] For the plug-in tabs 30 on the wings 22, 24 - and for plug-in tabs in general - the following applies: whenever a plug-in tab 30 is mentioned, a plurality of plug-in tabs 30 must also be read ("at least one plug-in tab"). When there are a plurality of plug-in tabs 30, a corresponding plurality of slots 32, namely slots 32 in the pre-separator 14 or slots in general, is required for inserting the plug-in tabs 30. Accordingly, whenever a slot 32 is mentioned, a possible plurality of slots 32 must also be read ("at least one slot", one slot for each plug-in tab).

[0061] The figures show an embodiment with vanes 22, 24 having a trapezoidal shape. Each wing 22, 24 has a long side (base). The long side of the wing 22, 24 is connected to the separation base 12 or attached to the separation base 12. A short side parallel to the long side lies opposite the long side. Two oblique sides connect the long and short sides. The plug-in tab 30 of the respective wing 22, 24 is located on one of the oblique sides, namely the longer oblique side. A pre-separator 14 attached to the wings 22, 24 is therefore inclined to the plane of the front side of the separation base 12. The course of the longer oblique side of the wings 22, 24 determines the position of the pre-separator 14 and its orientation.

[0062] In an advantageous embodiment, the pre-separator 14 is attached not only to the vanes 22, 24, but also to the separator base 12, namely to the inlet opening 20, more precisely to one of the inlet areas of the inlet opening 20. For this purpose, one of the two second sides of the pre-separator 14 is designed accordingly, namely as a plug-in tab 34. The plug-in tab 34 is separated from the remaining surface of the pre-separator 14 by means of lateral slots 36. These slots 36 run parallel to the outer edge of the plug-in tab 34 and are open to the edge of the pre-separator 14, namely to the edge of the two first sides of the pre-separator 14. Due to these slots 36, lugs 38 result above the slots 36, i.e., in the direction of the free edge of the plug-in tab 34.

[0063] By means of the slots 36, the pre-separator 14 is attached to the separator base 12, namely to the inlet opening 20 and there to a trapezoidal inlet area 40 encompassed thereby (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 6).

[0064] The trapezoidal inflow region 40 is delimited by two parallel edges spaced apart from one another and two oblique edges, in particular of equal length, connecting the end points of the two parallel edges. One of the two parallel edges is longer than the other. The longer edge is also longer than a width of the plug-in tab 34 and the shorter of these two edges is shorter than this width, with the width of the plug-in tab 34 being measured along its long free outer edge. In other words: the plug-in tab 34 can be inserted into the trapezoidal inflow region 40 in the region of the longer edge thereof, whereas after such insertion it is not possible to pull the plug-in tab 34 out in the region of the shorter edge of the trapezoidal inflow region 40.

[0065] During and in connection with the insertion of the plug-in tab 34 into the inflow area 40, the pre-separator 14 is placed with its slots 36 onto the inclined edges of the inflow area 40. These edges engage in the slots 36, and the pre-separator 14 is thus also attached to the separator base 12, namely, in addition to being attached to the vanes 22, 24, it is also attached to the separator base 12 and its inflow opening 20.

[0066] For further details of this application, reference is made to the aforementioned earlier application of the same applicant with publication number DE 20 2022 101 219 U.

[0067] The embodiment shown in the figures includes an optional support 42 for the pre-separator 14 attached to the wings 22, 24. In the embodiment shown, the support 42 can be folded out of the separator base 12. To support the pre-separator 14, the free end of the support 42 can be inserted or is inserted into one of the openings in the pre-separator 14, as can be seen in the illustration in Figure 1.

[0068] The illustrations in Figure 7 and Figure 8 each show, by way of example, a separation base 12 - or better: the material intended to obtain a separation base 12 - in a flat state, i.e. a state which is suitable for shipping, as well as in a state before unfolding to obtain the cubic, in particular cube-shaped configuration shown in the preceding figures.

[0069] In the situation shown in Figure 7, the view falls on two wings 22, 24 which, after being detached, namely folded out, release the inlet opening 20, namely, in the embodiment shown, release part of the inlet opening 20. The illustration in Figure 8 shows the opposite underside of the material from Figure 7. As an example, the material is shown with an opening 46 which, after being folded out to obtain the cubic, in particular cube-shaped configuration shown in the preceding figures, functions as an outflow opening (the reference line goes to the edge of the opening 46) of the separation base 12. The pre-separator 14, for example, originates from this area of ​​the material and has already been removed in the situation shown in Figure 8.

[0070] The material for a separation base 12 for attaching at least one wing 22, 24 to the separation base 12 has a similar appearance in the flat state as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The notches 44 shown in Figures 7 and 8 allow the material to be erected to obtain a separation base 12 as shown in the preceding figures.

[0071] The illustrations in the figures show configurations with detached / detachable vanes 22, 24, namely vanes 22, 24 that are folded out / folded out of the separation base 12. Alternatively, detached / detachable vanes 22, 24, namely vanes 22, 24 that are removed / removable from the separation base 12, are also possible. Such vanes 22, 24 originate from the region of the inflow opening 20 and / or the outflow opening and are attached (and can be attached) in the region of the inflow opening 20 and on both sides of the inflow opening 20. For attachment, a plug-in connection can be considered, with, on the one hand, slots in the separator base 12 on both sides of the inlet opening 20 and parallel to the immediately adjacent edge of the inlet opening 20, and, on the other hand, plug-in tabs on the wings 22, 24. Attachment to the separator base 12 is achieved by inserting the plug-in tabs into the slots.As an alternative to wings 22, 24 that are completely folded out / foldable out or wings 22, 24 that are completely removed / removable, a mixed form can also be considered in which one of the wings 22, 24 is folded out / foldable out and the other wing 22, 24 is removed / removable and attached / can be attached to the separating base 12.

[0072] Individual, foreground aspects of the description submitted here can be briefly summarized as follows: A separation device 10 (paint mist separation device 10) is specified. This comprises a separation base 12 (paint mist separation base device 12), a pre-separator 14 (paint mist pre-separator device 14) and a carrier 16 (paint mist separation carrier device 16). The separation base 12 is intended and designed to accommodate at least one separation stage (paint mist separation stage). The special feature is that the pre-separator 14 and the carrier 16 comprise parts of the separation base 12 (optionally, the pre-separator 14 or the carrier 16 comprise exclusively parts of the frame, even more optionally the pre-separator 14 and the carrier 16 comprise exclusively parts of the frame). The carrier 16 comprises two wings 22, 24 connected to the separation base 12 or attachable to the separation base 12.These two wings 22, 24 can be detached / removed from a first surface of the separation base 12. The carrier 16 is created by detaching these two wings 22, 24 from the first surface of the separation base 12. The pre-separator 14 can be removed, for example, from a second surface of the separation base 12, in particular a second surface opposite the first surface. Finally, the pre-separator 14 can be attached to the carrier 16, namely to its wings 22, 24, and is attached there for use together with the separation base 12 and is attached there in a separation device prepared for use.

[0073] glossary

[0074] Separator = Separation device = Paint mist separation device

[0075] Separation base = paint mist separation base device Pre-separator = impact separator = paint mist pre-separation device

[0076] Carrier = support structure = carrier device = paint mist separation carrier device

[0077] Reference symbol list

[0078] 10 Paint mist separator, separator

[0079] 12 paint mist separation base device, separation base device, separation base

[0080] 14 Paint mist pre-separator device, pre-separator device, pre-separator 16 Paint mist separator support device, separator support device, support, support structure

[0081] 18 -- free --

[0082] 20 Inlet opening (in the paint mist separator base device), 24 Wing (part of the separator base; to maintain the support structure), 28 -- free -

[0083] 30 Plug-in tab (on the wing; for insertion into a slot in the surface of the pre-separator), wing plug-in tab

[0084] 32 Slot (in the surface of the pre-separator; for inserting a plug-in tab from the wing / wing plug-in tab)

[0085] 34 Plug-in tab (on the pre-separator; for insertion into an inflow area encompassed by the inflow opening)

[0086] 36 Slot (in the surface of the pre-separator; separates the plug-in tab on the pre-separator from the rest of the pre-separator surface)

[0087] 38 Nose (on the side of the plug-in tab on the pre-separator)

[0088] 40 Inflow area (of the inflow opening)

[0089] 42 Support (for the pre-separator)

[0090] 44 incisions (in the material to obtain a separation base)

[0091] 46 Opening (functions, for example, as an outlet opening)

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 03 July 2025 (03.07.2025) 1. A paint mist separation device (10) comprising a paint mist separation base device (12), a paint mist pre-separation device (14) and a paint mist separation carrier device (16), wherein the paint mist separation carrier device (16) and the paint mist pre-separation device (14) comprise parts of the material intended to receive the paint mist separation base device (12), wherein the paint mist separation carrier device (16) comprises two wings (22, 24) which are connected to the paint mist separation base device (12) or can be attached to the paint mist separation base device (12) and can be removed from a first surface of the material intended to receive the paint mist separation base device (12), and wherein the paint mist pre-separation device (14) can be attached to the paint mist separation carrier device (16).

2. Paint mist separation device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the detachment of the two wings (22, 24) releases an inflow opening (20) for the entry of a raw gas stream into the interior of the paint mist separation base device (12), wherein the paint mist pre-separation device (14) is removable on a second surface of the material intended to receive the paint mist separation base device (12), and wherein the removal of the paint mist pre-separation device (14) on the second surface releases an outflow opening for the exit of the raw gas stream from the interior of the paint mist separation base device (12). 31 AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 3. Paint mist separating device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two wings (22, 24) extend from opposite edges of the inlet opening (20).

4. Paint mist separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two wings (22, 24) remain integrally and articulately connected to the paint mist separation base device (12) even when detached and functioning as a paint mist separation support device (16).

5. Paint mist separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two wings (22, 24) each have a plug-in tab (30) on at least one edge, wherein the paint mist pre-separation device (14) has two slots (32) on the side and wherein the paint mist pre-separation device (14) can be attached to the paint mist separation support device (16), namely to the two wings (22, 24), by the plug-in tabs (30) being inserted into the slots (32).

6. Paint mist separator (10) according to claim 5, wherein the wings (22, 24) have a triangular shape or a trapezoidal shape and wherein the plug-in tabs (30) extend from an oblique edge of the wings (22, 24). 32 AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 7. A method for producing a paint mist separator device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein to obtain the paint mist separator support device (16) the two wings (22, 24) are removed from the first surface of the material intended to receive the paint mist separation base device (12) and wherein the paint mist pre-separation device (14) is attached to the two wings (22, 24). 33 AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) [0001]Declaration pursuant to Article 19(1) [0002]The amended claims now distinguish -- with reference to the original disclosure on page 23, line 33 to page 24, line 4 -- between, on the one hand, the paint mist separation base device and, on the other hand, the material intended to maintain the paint mist separation base device. [0003]The latter is used for the paint mist pre-separation device and the paint mist separation support device. [0004]34 [0005]DECLARATION REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 19 (1)

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