Abstract: A splash plate assembly is retained in a rotary bell cup by a barbed skirt that interfaces with an inner surface of the bell cup. The splash plate assembly includes a splash plate or deflector that is secured to the front side of an insert. The insert has barbed extensions that may form a skirt around an outer periphery thereof. The insert is snapped into the front bell opening of a bell cup, and the barbed extensions elastically deform and snap back outwardly to interface with a shoulder formed in the bell cup inner surface.

Abstract: A charge ring and fluid restriction arrangement for a paint spray tool. The paint spray tool has a charge ring that is moveable along the axis of the tool body. The paint spray tool also has interchangeable pre-orifices within the tool body.

Abstract: A rotary atomizing applicator includes a shaping air system having first orifices discharging air against the outer surface of the bell cup, with the air following the bell cup and being released from the bell cup at the forward edge of the bell cup. A terminal portion of the outer surface of the bell cup directs the flow of air to shape the pattern of coating released from the bell cup. A second pattern of air is directed from outwardly and behind the bell cup inwardly toward the forward edge of the bell cup.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a grounding apparatus for use with a spray device associated with a vehicle. The grounding apparatus is biased toward the ground so that a portion of the grounding apparatus makes contact with the ground even in uneven terrain. The grounding apparatus is configured to be mounted in a receiver portion of a trailer hitch. In addition, provided herein is a system for powering a spray device with a DC power source, such as an automotive battery. The system includes an oscillator coupled to a step up transformer.

Abstract: A spray applicator system is provided with a reservoir manifold assembly having a separate reservoir for each different coating to be applied. Reservoirs are filled from a coating supply system and isolated electrically from the supply system when coating is dispensed from a reservoir to the applicator. Multiple sets of reservoirs can be used, so that an empty reservoir in one set can be filled while coating is dispensed from a reservoir in the other set. The set of reservoirs in which a reservoir is being filled is isolated electrically from the applicator, and of the set of reservoirs in which a reservoir is dispensing coating to the applicator is isolated electrically from the supply system.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a spray device including a frame having a receptacle configured to receive a self-contained spray can. The spray device further includes a first conductive element configured to contact the self-contained spray can, and a first electrical conductor extending between the first conductive element and an earth ground such that a first electrical potential of the self-contained spray can is substantially equal to a second electrical potential of the earth ground while the self-contained spray can is in contact with the first conductive element. The spray device also includes a corona-charging electrode positioned adjacent to a spray nozzle of the self-contained spray can. The corona-charging electrode is configured to emit a stream of ions toward the self-contained spray can such that a spray of fluid from the spray nozzle passes through the stream of ions and becomes electrostatically charged.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer spray coating device, in certain embodiments, has a bell cup with a generally parabolic flow surface. This generally parabolic flow surface provides additional surface area for dehydration of coating fluids, thereby improving color matching as compared to traditional bell cups, for example, by affording capability for higher wet solids content. In addition, the coating fluid accelerates along the generally parabolic flow surface, resulting in the fluid leaving the bell cup at a greater velocity than in traditional bell cups. Furthermore, a splash plate disposed adjacent the bell cup, in certain embodiments, is designed such that fluid accelerates through an annular area between the splash plate and the generally parabolic flow surface.

Abstract: A charge ring and fluid restriction arrangement for a paint spray tool. The paint spray tool has a charge ring that is moveable along the axis of the tool body. The paint spray tool also has interchangeable pre-orifices within the tool body.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer spray coating device, in certain embodiments, has a bell cup with a generally parabolic flow surface. This generally parabolic flow surface provides additional surface area for dehydration of coating fluids, thereby improving color matching as compared to traditional bell cups, for example, by affording capability for higher wet solids content. In addition, the coating fluid accelerates along the generally parabolic flow surface, resulting in the fluid leaving the bell cup at a greater velocity than in traditional bell cups. Furthermore, a splash plate disposed adjacent the bell cup, in certain embodiments, is designed such that fluid accelerates through an annular area between the splash plate and the generally parabolic flow surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a grounding apparatus for use with a spray device associated with a vehicle. The grounding apparatus is biased toward the ground so that a portion of the grounding apparatus makes contact with the ground even in uneven terrain. The grounding apparatus is configured to be mounted in a receiver portion of a trailer hitch. In addition, provided herein is a system for powering a spray device with a DC power source, such as an automotive battery. The system includes an oscillator coupled to a step up transformer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating articles with a coating material comprise forming a charged body of coating material, atomizing coating material from the charged body to form charged atomized coating material particles, and repelling the charged coating material particles from an apparatus which forms the charged body of coating material and atomizes the coating material from the charged body to form charged atomized coating material particles.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a spray device including a frame having a receptacle configured to receive a self-contained spray can. The spray device further includes a first conductive element configured to contact the self-contained spray can, and a first electrical conductor extending between the first conductive element and an earth ground such that a first electrical potential of the self-contained spray can is substantially equal to a second electrical potential of the earth ground while the self-contained spray can is in contact with the first conductive element. The spray device also includes a corona-charging electrode positioned adjacent to a spray nozzle of the self-contained spray can. The corona-charging electrode is configured to emit a stream of ions toward the self-contained spray can such that a spray of fluid from the spray nozzle passes through the stream of ions and becomes electrostatically charged.

Abstract: A coating material dispenser includes a motor provided in a housing and a bell cup mounted to the motor for rotation about an axis of rotation. The housing includes shaping gas outlet holes provided on a circle having a center on the axis of rotation. Each hole has a longitudinal axis which makes a non-zero angle with a line which passes through an opening of the hole from the housing and extends parallel to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A splash plate assembly is retained in a rotary bell cup by a barbed skirt that interfaces with an inner surface of the bell cup. The splash plate assembly includes a splash plate or deflector that is secured to the front side of an insert. The insert has barbed extensions that may form a skirt around an outer periphery thereof. The insert is snapped into the front bell opening of a bell cup, and the barbed extensions elastically deform and snap back outwardly to interface with a shoulder formed in the bell cup inner surface.

Abstract: A spray applicator system is provided with a reservoir manifold assembly having a separate reservoir for each different coating to be applied. Reservoirs are filled from a coating supply system and isolated electrically from the supply system when coating is dispensed from a reservoir to the applicator. Multiple sets of reservoirs can be used, so that an empty reservoir in one set can be filled while coating is dispensed from a reservoir in the other set. The set of reservoirs in which a reservoir is being filled is isolated electrically from the applicator, and of the set of reservoirs in which a reservoir is dispensing coating to the applicator is isolated electrically from the supply system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating articles with a coating material comprise forming a charged body of coating material, atomizing coating material from the charged body to form charged atomized coating material particles, and repelling the charged coating material particles from an apparatus which forms the charged body of coating material and atomizes the coating material from the charged body to form charged atomized coating material particles.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer includes a motor for spinning an output shaft. At least a portion of the shaft is electrically relatively non-insulative. An atomizing device is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. A passageway extends the length of the shaft. A feed tube extends through the passageway for supplying a coating material to be atomized to the atomizing device. At least a portion of the feed tube in contact with the coating material to be atomized as the coating material to be atomized flows through the feed tube toward the atomizing device is electrically relatively non-insulative. The atomizer further includes a device for promoting electrical charging of the coating material to be atomized as the coating material to be atomized is in contact with the electrically relatively non-insulative at least a portion of the feed tube.

Abstract: A coating material dispensing apparatus comprising a bell cup and a motor for rotating the bell cup about an axis of rotation of the bell cup. The motor is housed in a housing. A conduit is provided for feeding coating material to the interior of the bell cup as the bell cup is rotated by the motor. The coating material flows to an edge of the bell cup and is atomized therefrom in accordance with known principles. The housing includes an annular slot formed around the bell cup edge. Compressed air is coupled to the annular slot to generate and direct a first air stream at an exterior of the bell cup. At least one additional opening is formed in the housing radially outwardly from the annular slot. Compressed air is also coupled to the at least one additional opening to generate and direct a second air stream to combine with the first air stream to provide an air band.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer spray coating device, in certain embodiments, has a bell cup with a generally parabolic flow surface. This generally parabolic flow surface provides additional surface area for dehydration of coating fluids, thereby improving color matching as compared to traditional bell cups, for example, by affording capability for higher wet solids content. In addition, the coating fluid accelerates along the generally parabolic flow surface, resulting in the fluid leaving the bell cup at a greater velocity than in traditional bell cups. Furthermore, a splash plate disposed adjacent the bell cup, in certain embodiments, is designed such that fluid accelerates through an annular area between the splash plate and the generally parabolic flow surface.

Abstract: A canister for a coating applicator system has a flexible barrier separating a coating-containing region in the canister from a region containing a force applicator for moving the barrier to dispense the coating. While the volumes of each region change upon movement of the barrier, surfaces defining the regions remain in that region.