Abstract: An electrostatic spray coating gun for applying coating materials which have high to moderately high electrical voltage electrical system, improved hydraulic seals, and is adaptable to apply porcelain enamel coatings in slurry form. The gun has a flexible and resilient electrode in the form of an elongated coil spring. This form of electrode substantially eliminates the likelihood of scratching or puncturing the skin of an operator or repairman, and allows the electrode to return to its proper orientation after being bumped, while exhibiting proper paint charging characteristics for use in electrostatic spray coating. The electrode is positioned forward of a flat-fan spray nozzle and is displaced from the axis of the spray by means of an extension assembly which can be angularly displaced about the axis of the spray. The gun further incorporates improved packingless bellows sealing between an opening into the coating conduit in the barrel of the gun and a control rod for a needle valve in the conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing hot viscous liquids such as molten adhesives, either in a continuous bead or as spaced unitary deposits. In preferred form, the apparatus includes a heat exchanger in the form of a fluid manifold which functions to elevate and maintain the temperature of the molten adhesive, just prior to dispensing it, above that temperature level at which the molten adhesive is supplied to the apparatus.

Abstract: In a system for treating articles automatically while the articles are in a stopped treating position, an improved triggering circuit activates the treating device. In one embodiment, multiple cans are simultaneously spray coated by a corresponding number of spray coating guns. An indexing type conveyor with pockets for holding cans moves cans along the same path until a group of pockets holds cans in spraying positions proximate a group of coating guns. When the conveyor has moved a sufficient distance to bring the group of cans to the proper spraying positions, the conveyor is stopped for a predetermined period of dwell time sufficient to complete the spraying operation before the conveyor is again moved. A separate proximity sensor for each spraying position determines the presence or absence of a can in each spraying position independently. Any given spray gun is activated only if the sensor associated with that spraying position has sensed the presence of a can for some predetermined interval of time.