Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring a characteristic of fluid flow through a fluid dispenser that permit adverse flow conditions to be monitored, analyzed and displayed to an operator. The monitor samples either the static or firing pressure a predetermined number of times and calculates an average static and firing pressure over the sampling period. The average pressure values are compared to high and low warning and alarm limits and warning and alarm error codes are produced as a function thereof. In addition, individual sampled values are compared to the high and low warning and alarm limits and pressure values exceeding the limits during a sampling period are counted. Warning and alarm error codes are produced as a function of the counted values exceeding predetermined count values.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring a characteristic of fluid flow through a fluid dispenser that permit adverse flow conditions to be monitored, analyzed and displayed to an operator. The monitor samples either the static or firing pressure a predetermined number of times and calculates an average static and firing pressure over the sampling period. The average pressure values are compared to high and low warning and alarm limits and warning and alarm error codes are produced as a function thereof. In addition, individual sampled values are compared to the high and low warning and alarm limits and pressure values exceeding the limits during a sampling period are counted. Warning and alarm error codes are produced as a function of the counted values exceeding predetermined count values.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a welding assembly which forms a seam in a tubular can body. A coating assembly applies coating material to an inner side surface of the seam. Coating material is conducted to the coating assembly through a main conduit. A monitor assembly, in the main conduit, includes a housing having an inlet valve and an outlet valve. An orifice is disposed within the housing between the inlet and outlet valves. A transducer senses fluid pressure downstream from the orifice. The inlet and outlet valves are operable to direct the coating material flow to and from a bypass conduit. This enables the orifice and/or the transducer to be repaired or replaced without interrupting operation of the coating assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, the monitor assembly is disposed ahead of the welding assembly and coating assembly. In another embodiment of the invention, the monitor assembly is disposed between the welding assembly and the coating assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring a characteristic of fluid flow through a fluid dispenser that permit adverse flow conditions to be monitored, analyzed and displayed to an operator. The monitor samples either the static or firing pressure a predetermined number of times and calculates an average static and firing pressure over the sampling period. The average pressure values are compared to high and low warning and alarm limits and warning and alarm error codes are produced as a function thereof. In addition, individual sampled values are compared to the high and low warning and alarm limits and pressure values exceeding the limits during a sampling period are counted. Warning and alarm error codes are produced as a function of the counted values exceeding predetermined count values.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a coating gun nozzle used in spraying the inner surface of cans with a coating material comprises a cleaning nozzle of a cleaning gun for spraying a cleaning solution onto the spray nozzle to remove oversprayed coating material collecting thereon. The cleaning nozzle is secured to an end of an elongated cleaning gun extension and is positioned above a spray nozzle secured to one end of a coating gun extension for Spraying cleaning solution onto said spray nozzle. Cover sleeves, forming liquid-tight seals with the cleaning and spray nozzles, have removable friction engagement with the cleaning and spray gun extensions to shield the cleaning and spray guns from oversprayed coating material. A control system controls the operation of the coating and cleaning guns.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a coating gun nozzle used in spraying the inner surface of cans with a coating material comprises a cleaning nozzle of a cleaning gun for spraying a cleaning solution onto the coating gun nozzle to remove oversprayed coating material collecting thereon. The cleaning nozzle is secured to an end of an elongated cleaning gun extension and is positioned above the coating gun nozzle secured to one end of a coating gun extension for spraying cleaning solution onto the coating gun nozzle. Cover sleeves, forming liquid-tight seals with the cleaning and coating gun nozzles, have removable friction engagement with the cleaning and coating gun extensions to shield the cleaning and coating guns from oversprayed coating material. A control system controls the operation of the coating and cleaning guns.