Abstract: A VOC (volatile organic compounds) adsorbent material is treated with a masking agent to reduce its affinity for VOC's to a level that the material can be regenerated at a predetermined low temperature which will not desorb the masking agent. Preferably, the adsorbent material is a water adsorbent desiccant which is treated with water vapor. The treated adsorbent material is used to adsorb VOC's from gas and is periodically regenerated with heated air. The desorbed VOC's may be destroyed by oxidizing, for example, with a catalyst.

Abstract: A circuit is provided for the circulation of solvent to and from a valve having a movable component and a housing for movably housing the movable component. The movable component has a first orientation with respect to the housing in which it permits the flow of a valved fluid from the valve through a first port provided on the valve and a second orientation with respect to the housing in which it permits the flow of the valved fluid from the valve through a second port provided on the valve. The circuit includes a first passageway provided between the movable component and the housing. A third port is provided on the housing for the introduction of the solvent into the housing and a fourth port is provided on the housing for removal of the solvent from the housing. The first passageway couples the fourth port to the third port. The solvent is a solvent for the valved fluid. A reservoir is provided for the solvent, along with conduits for coupling the third and fourth ports to the reservoir.

Abstract: A coating material dispensing and charging system comprises first electrical conductors extending between first electrically non-conductive supporting members, a power supply coupled across the first conductors and articles to be coated to maintain a high magnitude electrostatic potential difference across a space defined between the first conductors and the articles, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material into the space, and a supply of coating material for the dispenser. The first electrical conductors comprise electrically conductive filaments surrounded by electrically non-conductive sheaths.

Abstract: A spray gun having a fluid flow control valve which is preferably located in a spray head. The flow control valve eliminates the need to change the spray head or fluid tip to change the flow rate in a suction feed and/or gravity feed paint spray gun when different materials are sprayed. The valve has a member which is rotatable over no greater than 3600.degree. and preferably over about 90.degree. for adjusting the flow rate. Calibration marks may be provided for setting the valve for flow rates produced by standard fluid discharge orifice sizes.

Abstract: A disposable liner for a pressure feed paint cup and a method for using such liner. A lid is removed from the paint cup and a disposable liner bag is inserted into the cup while an open end of the liner bag extends from the open cup end. The open liner bag end is folded over and protects the cup end and paint is poured into the liner bag. A disposable lid is placed over the open cup end and the open liner bag end is folded inwardly over the disposable lid. The paint cup lid is then attached to the paint cup, clamping the liner bag and disposable lid in place. As the paint cup lid is placed on the paint cup, a paint feed tube is pushed through an opening in the disposable lid. Optionally, a ring may be placed in a recess in the disposable lid to retain the folded liner bag end in place while the paint cup lid is attached to the paint cup. After painting, the liner and any remaining paint are disposed of.

Abstract: A VOC (volatile organic compounds) adsorbent material such as an alumino-silicate gel desiccant is treated with a masking agent to reduce its affinity for VOC's to a level that the material can be regenerated at a predetermined low temperature which will not desorb the masking agent. The treated adsorbent material is used to adsorb VOC's and is periodically regenerated with heated air. The treated adsorbent material may be used to adsorb VOC's from recirculated spray booth air while spraying a coating on a workpiece. Subsequent to spraying, the spray booth air is heated to above the VOC regeneration temperature to regenerate the adsorbent material and optionally to cure the applied coating. As the heated spray booth air is circulated through the adsorbent material, the previously adsorbed VOC's are desorbed. The desorbed VOC's may be destroyed by oxidizing, for example, with a catalyst.

Abstract: A valve has a housing and a component movable within the housing. The housing has first, second, third and fourth ports formed in it. The movable component has a first passageway formed in it. Movement of the movable component within the housing selectively connects the first port through the first passageway to the second port. The movable component is selectively movable to disconnect the first port and second port and to connect the second port through the first passageway to the third port. A second passageway is defined between the housing and the movable component. The fourth port is connected to the second passageway.

Abstract: A coating system comprises a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, an electrostatic high potential supply for supplying charge to the coating material, means for coupling the high potential supply across the dispenser and the article, a first reservoir, and a first valve. The first valve has a first housing providing first, second, third, fourth and fifth ports, and a first component movable within the first housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to the second port to permit the flow of coating material from the first port to the second port. The first port is coupled to the coating material source, the second port to the first reservoir, and the third port to the dispenser. The second port is coupled to the third port to permit the flow of coating material from the first reservoir to the dispenser. A source is provided for an electrically non-conductive fluid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved pneumatic valve for use in paint spray guns of the type having a pneumatic trigger operating mode. When actuated by a trigger, the valve vents a pressurized chamber in the spray gun, causing a piston to move to open air and fluid valves for initiate spraying. The pneumatic valve is in the form of a snap in module which is easily replaced without the need to remove the spray gun from the spray booth and without the need to replace a number of small parts. A small return spring and the pressurized air urge a valve poppet to a closed position. When the trigger is operated, the poppet is unseated to vent the pressurized chamber in the spray gun. The flow of air through the valve during painting prevents dirt and paint overspray from accumulating on the valve.

Abstract: A fluent, electrically non-insulative coating composition for an electrically non-conductive rotary atomizer comprises about one-tenth to about one-seventh, by weight, short oil alkyds, about one-fourth to about one-third, by weight, phenolic, and about one-half to about two-thirds, by weight, powdered mixture of oxides of antimony and tin, all in a fluid carrier.

Abstract: A two component external mix spray gun having a pneumatically operated valve for controlling the injection of a catalyst into pattern shaping air passages in the gun. The catalyst is contacted with the atomized fluid externally to the spray gun. A trigger sequentially operates air and fluid valves to provide atomization air and pattern shaping air prior to opening the fluid valve. The pneumatic catalyst valve is responsive to an increase in the air pressure downstream from the air valve to inject the catalyst into the pattern shaping air prior to the opening of the fluid valve. The catalyst impinges on the atomized fluid eternally to the spray gun along with the pattern shaping air. The invention may be incorporated in either a hand held spray gun with a manual trigger or an automatic spray gun with a controller.

Abstract: A coating system comprises a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, an electrostatic high potential for supplying charge to the coating material, means for coupling the high potential supply across the dispenser and the article, a first reservoir, and a first valve. The first valve has a first housing providing first, second, third, fourth and fifth ports, and a first component movable within the first housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to second port to permit the flow of coating material from the first port to the second port. The first port is coupled to the coating material source, the second port to the first reservoir, and the third port to the dispenser. The second port is coupled to the third port to permit the flow of coating material from the first reservoir to the dispenser. A source is provided for an electrically non-conductive fluid.

Abstract: A system for atomizing and dispensing powder comprises a fluidized powder bed for entraining the powder fluidized in a bearing air stream, a dispenser, and a motor for rotating the dispenser. The dispenser has a somewhat bell-shaped interior. The motor has an output shaft having a first passageway extending lengthwise thereof. A feed tube extends through the first passageway. The fluidized powder is fed to an end of the feed tube passageway remote from the dispenser to be supplied through the feed tube to the interior as the motor rotates the dispenser. A diffuser is mounted within the interior. A discharge slot is defined between the dispenser and an edge of the diffuser. The feed tube is mounted so that it does not rotate with the output shaft. The diffuser includes a back side facing the interior and bounded by the edge. The back side includes a generally part-spherical concavity into which the fluidized powder is directed from the feed tube.

Abstract: A fluent, electrically non-insulative coating composition for an electrically non-conductive rotary atomizer comprises about one-tenth to about one-seventh, by weight, short oil alkyds, about one-fourth to about one-third, by weight, phenolic, and about one-half to about two-thirds, by weight, powdered mixture of oxides of antimony and tin, all in a fluid carrier.

Abstract: A resistor housing includes passageways to accommodate high potential electrical connectors. Connection is made from one of the connectors through a high voltage cable assembly to one output of a power supply. The cable assembly includes a length of high voltage, high-flex, shielded coaxial high voltage cable. The center conductor of the cable is finished at both ends with a banana plug. The shield of the cable is terminated. A sleeve of, for example, heat-shrinkable semi-rigid, multiple wall polyolefin, is slipped onto the stripped end of the cable over the exposed shield and the end of the cable jacket. A length of heat-shrinkable tetrafluroethylene (TFE) is slipped over the sleeve and the adjacent region of cable jacket, shrunk, and trimmed flush with the end of the polyolefin sleeve. Paint or solvent from a trigger/dump/solvent manifold is supplied through a feed tube. The feed tube is constructed from an electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: A hand held paint spray gun having a top mounted paint cup which extends from the rear of a gun body at an angle of 30.degree..+-.10.degree. to an axis about which the atomized paint is discharged. A retainer ring secures a lid on the cup. The lid seals to both the inside and the outside of the cup. The double seals reduce the risk of paint leakage. Preferably, the gun operates with suction paint feed which is augmented by gravity feed when paint in the cup is located above a nozzle assembly on the gun. To facilitate cleaning and to allow the gun to spray in an upward direction, the paint may be sealed in a collapsible closed bag located in the cup. With the closed bag and the suction feed, the gun will operate when aimed in all directions. The gun is easily cleaned by forcing solvent from the nozzle assembly back into the bag and disposing of the bag containing any remaining paint and the used solvent.

Abstract: A robot is provided for manipulating an atomizing device. The robot has an arm having a proximal end for coupling to a robot controller and a distal end for supporting the atomizing device. The atomizing device is coupled to the source of fluid to be atomized. The coupling includes a first flexible conduit having a first end coupled to the source of fluid and a rotary fluid coupler for coupling a second end of the first flexible conduit to the atomizing device.

Abstract: An improved hand held spray gun. The spray gun includes at least one manual trigger which when squeezed moves a valve needle to initiate fluid flow. A knob is provided to adjust the maximum fluid flow when the trigger is squeezed. When the trigger is released, a compression spring returns the valve needle to its closed position. An over travel spring is compressed only if an excessive force is applied to the trigger to prevent damage to the spray gun. The over travel spring is stronger than the valve needle return spring so that it compresses only after the spray gun is fully on. If the maximum fluid flow adjustment knob is turned too far, compressed air is vented through the knob as a tactile warning to the spray gun operator to not turn the knob further. The vented air also may whistle to provide an audible warning that the knob should not be turned further.