Process and apparatus for coating components of a shopping cart and a product
A process and apparatus for coating components against corrosion and for durability. The process including cleaning the metal parts with cleaners and acid dips, rinsing, then dip coating the component with a nickel layer followed by a chemical sealant. The nickel-plated component may then be powder coated and cured. Alternatively, the nickel-plated component may be further layered with a dip-coated layer of chromium to produce durable and corrosion resistant properties.
1 . A process for plating a component for a shopping cart or carrying conveyance, the process comprising the steps of:
cleaning the component by a cleaning solution;
rinsing the component at least one time to remove the cleaning solution;
dipping the component into a nickel bath to produce a nickel-plating having a thickness of approximately 0.35-2 mil-inch thick;
rinsing the nickel-plated component at least one time; and
electrostatically spraying a powder coating over the nickel-plating,
wherein the nickel-plating and powder coat produces a substantially corrosion and abrasion resistant component.
2 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
before the electrostatic spraying step, dipping the nickel-plated component in a chromium bath to produce a chromium plating having a thickness of substantially 0.0002-0.1 mil-inch thick; and
rinsing the nickel-chromium plated component at least one time after the dipping the nickel-plated component in the chromium bath step.
3 . The process of claim 2 , wherein each of the rinsing steps is approximately 0.5-2 minutes.
4 . The process of claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
sealing the nickel-chromium plated component with a chemical sealer before the electrostatic spraying step; and
rinsing the chemical sealer from the nickel-chromium plated component.
5 . The process of claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
drying the nickel-chromium plated component;
applying the powder coating after the drying step to the nickel-chromium plated component; and
after the drying step, curing the nickel-chromium plated component.
6 . The process of claim 5 , wherein the drying step includes heating the nickel-chromium plated component approximately 5-10 minutes, +/−20%, in a temperature of about 325 degrees F., +/−20%, and then cooling the nickel-chromium plated component.
7 . The process of claim 2 , wherein the applying a powder coating step takes approximately 1-2 minutes.
8 . The process of claim 5 , wherein in the curing step includes heating the nickel-chromium component to about 425 degrees F. for about 15-20 minutes.
9 . The process of claim 8 , further includes cooling the nickel-chromium component.
10 . The process of claim 2 , wherein the applying the powder coating includes electrostatically spraying the powder coating to produce a thickness of about 3-5 mil-inch.
11 . The process of claim 1 , wherein cleaning the component step includes immersing the component in a caustic cleaner.
12 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning the component step includes immersing the component in a first electro cleaner.
13 . The process of claim 12 , wherein the cleaning step includes immersing the component in a second electro cleaner.
14 . The process of claim 13 , further comprising the step of immersing the component in an acid dip after the second electro cleaner step.
15 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
before the electrostatically sealing step, sealing the nickel plated component with a chemical sealer; and
rinsing the sealed nickel plated component at least one time.
16 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
before the electrostatically spraying step, drying the nickel plated component by heating to a temperature of approximately 325 degrees F. +/−20%, and then cooling the nickel plated component; and
after the electrostatically spraying step, curing the nickel plated sprayed component by heating to approximately 425 degrees F. +/−20% and then cooling.
17 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the powder is applied to the nickel plated component to a thickness of about 3-5 mil-inch.
18 . A process for plating a component for a shopping cart or carrying conveyance, the process comprising the steps of:
cleaning the component by immersion in a cleaning solution;
rinsing the component at least one time to remove the cleaning solution;
dipping the component into a nickel bath to produce a nickel-plated component having a nickel plating substantially 0.35-2 mil-inch thick; and
dipping the nickel-plated component in a chromium bath to produce a nickel-chromium plated component having a chromium plating substantially 0.0002-0.1 mil-inch thick.
19 . The process of claim 18 , further comprising the steps of:
sealing the nickel-chromium plating with a chemical sealer; and
rinsing the sealed nickel-chromium plating at least one time.
20 . The process of claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:
drying the nickel-chromium plated component;
applying a powder coating to the nickel-chromium plated component to provide a finish; and
curing the nickel-chromium plated and powder coated component.
21 . The process of claim 20 , wherein the drying step includes drying the nickel-chromium plated component approximately 5-10 minutes, +/−20%, in a temperature of about 325 degrees F., +/−20%, and cooling the nickel-chromium plated component.
22 . The process of claim 20 , wherein the applying a powder steps includes electrostatically spraying the powder coating to produce a powder coating thickness of about 3-5 mil-inch.
23 . The process of claim 20 , wherein in the curing step includes heating the nickel-chromium plated component to approximately 425 degrees F., +/−20%, for approximately 15-20 minutes, +/−20%, and then cooling the nickel-chromium plated component.
24 . An apparatus for plating a component, comprising:
a means for cleaning the component by immersion in a cleaning solution;
a means for rinsing the component at least one time to remove the cleaning solution;
a means for dipping the component into a nickel bath to produce a nickel-plated component having a nickel plating substantially 0.35-2 mil-inch thick;
a means for rinsing the nickel-plated component at least one time,
a means for dipping the nickel-plated component in a chromium bath to produce a nickel-chromium plated component having a chromium plating substantially 0.0002-0.1 mil-inch thick;
a means for rinsing the nickel-chromium plated component at least one time,
a means for sealing the nickel-chromium plated component with a chemical sealer;
a means for rinsing the sealed nickel-chromium plated component at least one time;
a means for drying the nickel-chromium plated component by heating;
a means for applying a powder coating to the nickel-chromium plated component to provide a finish; and
a means for curing the nickel-chromium plated and powder sprayed component.
25 . The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the means for drying the nickel-chromium plated component is an oven capable of heating to a temperature of about 325 degrees F., +/−20% for approximately 5-10 minutes, +/−20%.
26 . A shopping cart having one or more components, the one or more components of the shopping cart having a metal like structure with a nickel chromium plating and an electrostatic sprayed powder coating applied over the nickel chromium plating, the nickel having a thickness in range of approximately 0.35-2 mil-inch thick, the chromium plating having a thickness in a range of approximately 0.0002-0.1 mil-inch thick, and the powder coating having a thickness in a range of approximately 3-5 mil-inch.