Grid-Belt Coating Blow-Off for Closed Underside Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coating machines struggle to form thin, closed coatings on objects using higher viscosity coating masses, as they are not well-suited for forming uniform coatings on all surfaces, especially on the underside of objects.

Innovation Solution

A method and coating machine that utilizes gas jets to blow off excess coating mass from the underside and sides of objects on a grid belt, with specific angles and positions to ensure complete coverage and prevent lifting, combined with a blow-off device positioned below the grid belt to minimize contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional coating machine with blower positioned above the grid belt is used, then coating mass can be applied to objects, but excess coating mass cannot be effectively removed from the underside of objects, resulting in non-closed coatings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating uniformity and closureVSAvoidcoating mass removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blow-off device is inverted and positioned below the grid belt, blowing upward to remove excess coating mass from the underside of objects. This inversion allows effective removal of coating from surfaces that were previously inaccessible to conventional downward-blowing systems, enabling complete closed coatings on all object surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The blow-off device operates from a different spatial dimension (below the grid belt rather than above), creating upward-directed gas jets that access the underside of objects. This dimensional change enables comprehensive coating closure by addressing the previously neglected underside surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the blower is positioned above the grid belt, then the structure is simpler, but the blow-off device gets heavily contaminated with coating mass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblow-off device positioningVSAvoidcoating mass contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Positioning the blow-off device below the grid belt inverts the conventional arrangement, placing the blow-off device in a location that is less exposed to falling coating mass. This reduces contamination while maintaining effective excess coating removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The grid belt acts as an intermediary barrier between the coating application zone and the blow-off device. By positioning the blow-off device below the grid belt, the grid belt structure shields the blow-off device from direct exposure to coating mass, reducing contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If gas jets are directed at high angles to remove excess coating, then coating removal is more effective, but objects may be lifted from the grid belt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexcess coating removal efficiencyVSAvoidobject positioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Gas jets are directed upward from below the grid belt at angles oriented to push excess coating off the underside of objects without creating upward lift forces. The inverted positioning allows the gas jets to act from beneath, directing force laterally or downward rather than upward, preventing object displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas jet angles are specifically optimized for different regions: jets targeted at the underside of objects use angles that effectively remove coating without lifting, while jets in other areas use angles suited to their specific geometry. This localized angle optimization maintains both removal efficiency and object stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Achieves thin, closed coatings on all sides of objects, even with higher viscosity coating masses, by effectively removing excess coating from the underside and sides, ensuring uniform application and reducing contamination of the blow-off device.

Implementation Method 1

The step of blowing off excess applied coating mass from the objects includes blowing out at least one first gas jet at a first blow-out position that is located below the undersides of the objects resting on the upper run and, with respect to the conveying direction, laterally beside the undersides of the objects resting on the upper run

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas jet: Jet

Data Source

PatentUS20260042116A1Method of coating and coating machine

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 SOLLICH GMBH & CO KGAA

AI summary

Various embodiments include methods and machines for coating objects with a flowable coating mass, where the coating mass is applied to the objects. Excess applied coating mass is blown off from the objects resting on an upper run of a grid belt and conveyed by moving the upper run in a conveying direction. From undersides of the objects resting on the upper run and conveyed by moving the upper run in the conveying direction, the excess applied coating mass is blown off using at least one first gas jet which is blown out at a first blow-out position, that is arranged below the undersides of the objects and, with respect to the conveying direction, laterally beside the undersides of the objects.