Misting apparatus for application of coating materials to skin surface

• US 6,387,081 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2000
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SUNLESS Incorporated (Sunless Holding Co.)
• Original Assignee: Mystic Tan Incorporated (Sunless Holding Co.)
• Inventors: Cooper, Troy H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Kim M.
• Application Number:
  US09/521,283
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 424/401, 424/405, 424/400, 132/320, 132/333, 604/19, 604/289, 604/290, 604/209
• US Class Current: 604/289
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/057 Spray nozzles; Generating atomised liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/207 Vibration, e.g. ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/25 specially adapted for the application of sunscreen, tanning or self-tanning lotions
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 13/0405 with reciprocating or oscillating spray heads B05B13/0436, B05B13/0442, B05B13/0447, B05B13/0468 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 13/041 with spray heads reciprocating along a straight line
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 14/42 using electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 16/00 Spray booths arrangements for collecting, re-using or eliminating excess spraying material in spray booths B05B14/40
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/03 characterised by the use of gas , e.g. electrostatically assisted pneumatic spraying B05B5/04, B05B5/043, B05B5/047 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/08 Plant for applying liquids or other fluent materials to objects
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/087 Arrangements of electrodes, e.g. of charging, shielding, collecting electrodes B05B5/12, B05B5/14 take precedence; arrangements of electrodes on the discharge apparatus B05B5/0533
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/16 Arrangements for supplying liquids or other fluent material
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for electrostatically coating a human with a coating composition. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an enclosure; a mount positioned on the enclosure; an electrostatic nozzle connected to the mount, the electrostatic nozzle for passing the coating composition; and a grounding connection positioned inside the enclosure, the grounding connection capable of electrically grounding the human; wherein the coating composition passed through the electrostatic nozzle is depositable upon the human. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the enclosure includes a first wall wherein the mount is positioned on the first wall; and a second wall positioned substantially opposite the first wall, the second wall including a portion curved about an axis.

Claims

1. An apparatus for electrostatically coating a human with a coating composition, the apparatus comprising:

an enclosure;

a mount positioned on the enclosure;

an electrostatic nozzle connected to the mount, the electrostatic nozzle for passing the coating composition; and

means inside the enclosure for electrically grounding the human;

wherein the coating composition passed through the electrostatic nozzle is depositable upon the human.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises:

a first wall wherein the mount is positioned on the first wall; and

a second wall positioned substantially opposite the first wall, the second wall including a portion curved about an axis.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portion of the second wall curved about an axis forms a parabolic curve.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portion of the second wall curved about an axis forms an elliptical curve.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portion of the second wall curved about an axis forms a circular curve.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure has a circular cross section corresponding to a vertical plane intersecting the enclosure.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises:

a door for permitting the human to enter the enclosure.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the grounding connection comprises is a grounding plate positionable for contact with the human.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a fluid path connected to the electrostatic nozzle, the fluid path for carrying the coating composition to the electrostatic nozzle.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a reservoir connected to the fluid path, the reservoir for storing the coating composition.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a dielectric material.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means to electrically charge the enclosure.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic nozzle is configurable to pass an atomized and electrically charged coating composition.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust means placed proximate to the enclosure, the exhaust means for at least removing a portion of the coating composition passed by the electrostatic nozzle.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the exhaust means comprises an exhaust fan.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the exhaust means is substantially formed of a dielectric material.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a mount moving means secured to the mount, wherein the mount is movable by the mount moving means such that the mount and the electrostatic nozzle are movable.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the mount moving means comprises a worm drive.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the mount moving means is configured to move the mount in a vertical direction.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the mount moving means is configured to pivot the mount in a vertical plane.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the mount moving means is configured to pivot the mount in a horizontal plane.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic nozzles first electrostatic nozzle and the mount is a first mount, the apparatus further comprising:

a second mount positioned on the enclosure; and

a second electrostatic nozzle connected to the second mount, the second electrostatic nozzle for passing the coating composition.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the second mount is located separate from the first mount.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a misting chamber positioned adjacent to the enclosure, the misting chamber for substantially directing the coating composition into the enclosure.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a compressed air supply connected to the electrostatic nozzle, the compressed air supply for providing compressed air to the electrostatic nozzle.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the compressed air supply comprises an air compressor.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the compressed air supply comprises an air tank.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

an air flow regulator for regulating the pressure of the compressed air provided to the electrostatic nozzle.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a conduit connected to the electrostatic nozzle, the conduit for receiving compressed air for use by the electrostatic nozzle.

30. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a reservoir for storing the coating composition;

a coating composition line connected to the reservoir and the electrostatic nozzle, the coating composition line for carrying the coating composition from the reservoir to the electrostatic nozzle; and

a compressed air intake connected to the reservoir, the compressed air intake for receiving compressed air.

31. A method for applying a coating composition to a human, the method comprising the steps of;

providing a coating solution;

providing an electrostatic nozzle for spraying the coating solution;

atomizing the coating solution;

electrically charging the coating solution;

grounding a floor upon which a human stands;

directing the electrically charged and atomized coating solution towards the human; and

depositing at least a portion of the electrically charged and atomized coating solution on the human.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of atomizing occurs before the step of electrically charging.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of electrically charging occurs before the step of atomizing.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

the step of electrically attracting the coating solution towards the human.

35. The method of claim 31, further comprising the steps of:

providing an enclosure for enclosing the human;

electrically repelling the coating solution from at least a portion of the enclosure.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps of:

extracting at least a portion of the coating solution from the enclosure, the extracted at least a portion of the coating solution not being deposited on the human.

37. The method of claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

moving the electrostatic nozzle.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of moving the electrostatic nozzle includes the step of moving the electrostatic nozzle in a vertical direction.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of moving the electrostatic nozzle includes the step of oscillating the electrostatic nozzle.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the step of moving the electrostatic nozzle includes the step of oscillating the electrostatic nozzle in a vertical plane.