Abstract: A method of storing tomato paste and like corrosive materials, a method for lining drum shells, lids and filling hole covers, and a lining therefore, prior to the assembly of these parts to make steel drums. The above are carried out by pre-treating such parts by spraying with an alkaline solution, iron phosphate and also can be treated with a standard rust inhibitor. The interiors of the drum parts are coated by electrostatic spray application with a thermosetting epoxy-based powder to a specified thickness which eliminates subsequent cracking and subsequent vulnerability to destructive substances such as tomato paste and other more corrosive chemicals. The drum parts are preheated prior to the application of the powder to accelerate the fusion of the powder particle coating as well as reduce the associated material application problems. After application of the powder to the container interiors, the components are again subjected to oven temperatures to set and cure the coating.

Abstract: Drum parts, i.e. heads, bottoms and lids, are conveyed through pre-treatment, resin powder spray, and resin curing stations by a monorail conveyor system which has improved hold down means and shield means to prevent the parts from swinging and to prevent the outer side of the parts from being coated.

Abstract: Drums are supported for rotation on idler rollers carried by an intermittently operable conveyor, and when the drums reach a predetermined position in which their longitudinal axes are aligned with telescopically movable coating material applicator heads the conveyor movement of the drums is stopped and an overhead assembly is moved downwardly into engagement with the drum shells to hold them down and rotate them while the coating applicator heads move inwardly and outwardly of the shells.