Abstract: A canister (12) for a coating applicator system has a flexible barrier separating a coating-containing region in the canister (12) 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 the same region through out all movement of the barrier.

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 spray applicator cleaning system and a method includes a valve and control means for discharging air and solvent in alternating bursts to shaping air nozzles, a coating supply conduit and a dedicated cleaning nozzle on the applicator.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning an atomizer includes a cleaning device including an opening sized to receive at least a portion of the atomizer. The cleaning device includes a solvent coupling for supplying solvent to wash an exterior surface of the atomizer and an opening through which waste solvent is discharged. A first conduit is formed in a first closed curve around the opening. The first conduit includes a first sidewall. A supply of drying gas or mixture of gases is coupled to the first conduit. At least a first passageway is provided through the first sidewall. An outer end of the or each first passageway directs a first flow of drying gas or mixture of gases onto the exterior surface of the atomizer to dry the exterior surface of the atomizer as the atomizer is withdrawn from the opening.

Abstract: A rotary atomizing applicator is provided with passages directing ambient air to an area of low-pressure created behind a rotary atomizer of the applicator. The passages have ambient air openings thereto remote from the rotary atomizer. When a low-pressure area is created by the pumping effect from the rotary atomizer, ambient air is drawn through the passages to reduce the low-pressure area.

Abstract: A bell cup includes an interior defined by an axially rearward metal back region, an axially forward metal discharge edge, and a metal side region extending from the back region toward the discharge edge and terminating at the discharge edge. The back region includes a port having a forward end through which coating material to be atomized is supplied to the interior, and a metal intermediate portion between the forward end and the side region. The intermediate portion is oriented axially further away from the discharge edge than the forward end is axially from the discharge edge.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided for a pulverulent material entrained in a stream of a transporting gas or mixture of gases. The apparatus includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes an interior into which the stream flows and a perimetral discharge edge. The second member includes a side facing the interior and a perimetral discharge edge. A discharge opening is defined between the discharge edges of the first and second members. A dimension of the discharge opening is determined by one or more third members. Each third member has a first end adjacent the first member and a second end adjacent the second member. The third members have non-uniform transverse sections. A transverse section of each third member between its first and second ends has a smaller area than the transverse section of each third member at one its first and second ends.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided for a pulverulent material entrained in a stream of a transporting gas or mixture of gases. The apparatus includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes an interior into which the stream flows and a perimetral discharge edge. The second member includes a side facing the interior and a perimetral discharge edge. A discharge opening is defined between the discharge edges of the first and second members. A dimension of the discharge opening is determined by one or more third members. Each third member has a first end adjacent the first member and a second end adjacent the second member. The third members have non-uniform transverse sections. A transverse section of each third member between its first and second ends has a smaller area than the transverse section of each third member at one its first and second ends.

Abstract: A bell cup includes an interior defined by an axially rearward metal back region, an axially forward metal discharge edge, and a metal side region extending from the back region toward the discharge edge and terminating at the discharge edge. The back region includes a port having a forward end through which coating material to be atomized is supplied to the interior, and a metal intermediate portion between the forward end and the side region. The intermediate portion is oriented axially further away from the discharge edge than the forward end is axially from the discharge edge.

Abstract: An improved hand held rotary atomizer spray gun is disclosed. The spray gun includes a housing with a depending handle. A paint tube within the housing delivers paint to a rotatable bell atomizer which is mounted adjacent the front of the gun. A turbine assembly includes a turbine rotor which drives a turbine shaft which mounts the bell atomizer. The turbine shaft is supported by a bearing air chamber. A turbine air passageway and a bearing air passageway supply turbine air to the turbine rotor and bearing air to the bearing air chamber. When a trigger is squeezed paint is supplied to the atomizer bell while turbine air rotates the turbine shaft and the bell atomizer. An air shuttle assembly prevents air flow to the turbine unless sufficient bearing air is flowing to the bearing air chamber. In a preferred embodiment shaping air is supplied to shaping air openings in a housing air cap and the atomizer bell includes serrations on its inner edge.

Abstract: An improved HVLP spray gun which operates from an air supply source and an improved nozzle therefor are disclosed. The HVLP gun has a fluid nozzle including a first, integral, laterally extending portion including pressure reduction orifices which are calibrated, relative to a fluid passage in the nozzle, so that the spray gun operates as an HVLP spray gun. The fluid nozzle includes a second laterally extending portion including a surface, against which atomization air impinges after exiting the calibrated pressure reduction orifices, and a plurality of longitudinally extending air distribution holes, wherein atomization air, after passing through the calibrated pressure reduction orifices, is directed radially outwardly in an expansion chamber where the low velocity air is pressure equalized before exiting through the air distribution holes and being directed within the air cap inwardly toward a fluid atomizing annulus.

Abstract: A quick disconnect for a coating material dispensing device includes a passageway through which coating material is supplied from a supply conduit for dispensing. The supply conduit includes a first region along its length provided with a surrounding O-ring. The passageway includes a sidewall providing a second region along its length in which the first region resides when the supply conduit is positioned in a use orientation in the dispensing device. The second region compresses the O-ring into fluid-tight sealing orientation against the passageway sidewall in the second region when the supply conduit is inserted into the passageway into its use orientation.

Abstract: A device for atomizing and dispensing a first liquid coating material onto a first group of one or more articles to be coated by the first coating material and then for dispensing a second liquid coating material onto a second group of one or more articles to be coated by the second coating material. The device includes at least one atomizer providing a first flow rate of the first and second coating materials required for high quality atomization of the first and second coating materials, and a second outlet providing a second and substantially greater flow rate of the first and second coating materials and lower quality atomization than the first atomizer, or no atomization. A first conduit couples the second outlet to the first atomizer. A second conduit couples the first atomizer to a source of fluid to be dispensed. A valve controls the flow of liquid to the second outlet.

Abstract: An electrically isolating pressure feed paint reservoir suitable for holding electrically conductive paint applied with an electrostatic spray gun. A paint container is located in an electrically insulated housing which is mounted on a dolly for portability. The housing also mounts a pneumatically operated paint pump for delivering pressurized paint to the spray gun. When a lid to the housing is removed the high voltage power source is turned off and any high voltage present in the housing is discharged through a resistor.

Abstract: A housing for a coating applicator having a pair of mating housing members which define a chamber for a portion of a coating applicator and which are supported and retained by a front and rear bulkhead, the rear bulkhead having a spring means urging at least one of the housing members against the front bulkhead.