Abstract: An apparatus for transporting powder from a powder container is adapted to engage a wall of the powder container. The apparatus is adapted to support a pickup tube with a region of the pickup tube through which powder is picked up from the powder container adjacent the lowermost interior region of the powder container.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder coating system usable for coating articles transported along a substantially non-conductive article transport conveyor belt supported by a substantially non-conductive slide member. The system includes a substantially non-conductive coating booth with an open side portion supported by an upright support member disposed on a movable base member. The coating booth is laterally movable toward and away from the conveyor, and the coating booth is movable along the upright support member so as to position the coating booth downwardly toward and upwardly away from the conveyor. An electrostatic coating applicator is directed into the coating booth for applying powder coating to articles transported along the conveyor. A coating collector includes a coating booth exhaust duct coupled to the coating booth, and a conveyor exhaust duct laterally movable toward and away from the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for fluidizing a pulverulent material in a stream of fluidizing gas includes a membrane through which the fluidizing gas can flow but the pulverulent material cannot, a first fluidizing gas gallery on a first side of the membrane, a second fluidized pulverulent material gallery on a second side of the membrane, a passageway out of the second gallery for the removal of fluidized pulverulent material therefrom, and apparatus for generating a signal indicative of fluidizing gas pressure inside the second gallery and controlling fluidizing gas pressure in the second gallery in response to the generated signal. The passageway accommodates a conveyor having multiple conveying sections. At least a first of the multiple conveying sections is located adjacent an inlet opening of a housing for the conveyor. The first conveying section is generally coextensive with the inlet opening. A conveyor drive mechanism is selectively engageable with the conveyor.

Abstract: A powder coating booth and a construction method therefor comprise a pair of inflatable polymer walls defining between them a booth inner space, a booth entry end and a booth exit end, and supporting the inflatable walls in spaced orientation to define between them the booth inner space. A mechanism is provided between the walls for recovery of powder which does not adhere to articles conveyed through the booth inner space. The polymer walls comprise one or more cells. The step of providing the polymer walls comprises inflating the cells. The method also includes the step of covering the cells with a sheet of polymer film forming an envelope for the cells. Illustratively, the cells comprise a layer of bubble packaging material. Alternatively, the polymer walls comprise thermoformed cores and a polymer film envelope enveloping each core and closed to provide suitable inflation of each wall. Illustratively, the inflatable walls are supported in spaced orientation by a conventional powder spray booth.

Abstract: A pulverulent coating material application and reclaiming system comprises a booth including a floor, a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed ends. Articles to be coated are conveyed through the booth between the walls and above the floor for coating by the pulverulent material. A dispenser dispenses pulverulent material onto the articles as they are conveyed through the booth. A receptacle is provided under the floor for reclaiming pulverulent material which does not adhere to the articles. The floor terminates short of ends of the booth to define adjacent to the ends entries to the receptacle for reclaimed pulverulent material. A floor wiping mechanism includes a wiper, low friction mountings on the wiper to permit low friction movement of the wiper on the floor, scraping blades mounted on the wiper in contact with the floor, and a prime mover for reciprocating the wiper at intervals lengthwise of the floor to return pulverulent material accumulated on the floor therefrom into the entries.

Abstract: A flow of gas entraining particulate material is passed through a filter having an upstream side and a downstream side, with the particulate material remaining on the upstream side while the gas flows to the downstream side. The downstream side exhausts through an opening into a plenum chamber wherein a second valve is provided for intermittently providing a cleaning gas flow in the reverse direction through the filter to remove particulate material from the upstream side. Cleaning gas under pressure is provided to the second valve, opening of the second valve permitting cleaning gas to flow therefrom. A first valve controls gas flow through the opening, the first valve operating in synchronism with the second valve substantially to stop flow through the filter from the upstream side to the downstream side when the second valve provides the cleaning gas flow. The first valve includes a cylindrical throat having a first end and a second end.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a fusible granular precursor of a protective and/or decorative coating to the surface of an article. The apparatus includes a dispenser for dispensing a stream of the fusible granular precursor in a stream of a bearing fluid, a recovery mechanism for recovering fusible granular precursor that does not adhere to the surface of the article, and mounting hardware for mounting the dispenser within the recovery mechanism. The recovery mechanism is coupled to a reclaim facility for reclaiming fusible granular precursor recovered by the recovery mechanism. The recovery mechanism includes first and second manifolds, a blower for establishing subambient pressures in the first and second manifolds, a first series of inlets generally surrounding the dispenser and coupled to the first manifold, and a second series of inlets coupled to the second manifold.