Abstract: A recirculating paint supply system supplies single or multiple paint coatings to paint spray stations arranged in parallel or series relation, each station including manually operated flexible monoline and coaxial conduits to supply paint to a spray gun. In one aspect of the invention, the fluid connectors inhibit paint build up which might otherwise contaminate the paint line and include unique quick disconnect ball valves each having a closure member to inhibit paint splash back upon disconnection, a ball valve having a unique seal for the ball, a compression seal arrangement in a flow enabling/disabling H-connector, a H-connector having a connecting mechanism to allow simultaneous opening and closing of ball valves, a Y-shaped connector to mix two paint coatings, and a Y-shaped connector to interconnect the supply and recirculating lines to rows of spray stations.

Abstract: A recirculating paint supply system supplies single or multiple paint coatings to paint spray stations arranged in parallel or series relation, each station including manually operated flexible monoline and coaxial conduits to supply paint to a spray gun. In one aspect of the invention, the fluid connectors inhibit paint build up which might otherwise contaminate the paint line and include a unique quick disconnect ball valve to inhibit paint splash back, a ball valve having a unique seal for the ball, a compression seal arrangement in a flow enabling/disabling H-connector, a Y-shaped connector to mix two paint coatings, and a Y-shaped connector to interconnect the supply and recirculating lines to rows of spray stations. In another aspect, unexpected benefits are found from the selective use of glass-filled nylon and stainless steel components in the fluid connectors.

Abstract: An automatic tack-off machine comprises a generally cylindrical rotary brush for lifting dust, dirt and sanding particles from the surface of a body to be painted without contacting the surface and a control system to position the brush is spaced noncontacting relation to the surfaces to be cleaned. The brush has strands of polymeric material that are radially extended and electrostatically charged by rotation with the control system operating to position the free ends of the strands in close proximity to the body. An ionizing system neutralizes the static charge in the strands to enable a vacuum system to remove the dirt particles from the brush.

Abstract: A multiple hose assembly including a plurality of hose portions which are disposed in a first direction in a substantially parallel and a substantially planar arrangement. In addition, the multiple hose assembly further includes a plurality of support members for securing the hose portions in the substantially parallel and the substantially planar arrangement. The support members used for securing the hose portions are disposed in a second direction which is different from the first direction.

Abstract: A flexible coaxial conduit in a recirculating paint supply system disposed between a flow control restrictor connected to a paint spray nozzle and a pressurized paint supply line and return line for supplying paint to the nozzle in a quantity in excess of that required to insure continued recirculation and uniformity in the composition and quality of the liquid coating composition. The coaxial conduit is substantially transparent and in the preferred embodiments, the outer tube is of a composite construction to provide optimum flexibility while retaining resistivity to the attack from the liquid paint composition and from solvents.

Abstract: A flexible coaxial conduit in a recirculating paint supply system disposed between a flow control restrictor connected to a paint spray nozzle and a pressurized paint supply line and return line for supplying paint to the nozzle in a quantity in excess of that required to provide continued recirculation and uniformity in the composition and quality of the liquid coating composition. The coaxial conduit is substantially transparent and in a preferred embodiment, the outer tube is of a composite construction to provide optimum flexibility while retaining resistivity to the attack from the liquid paint composition.

Abstract: A liquid flow shut-off valve has a one piece housing with an internal ball valve biased by a coil spring to a normal position axially separated from its valve seat, precompression of the coil spring being adjusted so that a predetermined drop in downstream pressure allows upstream pressure to seat the ball valve and stop flow.