Abstract: An apparatus includes a welding assembly which forms a seam in a tubular can body. A coating assembly applies coating material to an inner side surface of the seam. Coating material is conducted to the coating assembly through a main conduit. A monitor assembly, in the main conduit, includes a housing having an inlet valve and an outlet valve. An orifice is disposed within the housing between the inlet and outlet valves. A transducer senses fluid pressure downstream from the orifice. The inlet and outlet valves are operable to direct the coating material flow to and from a bypass conduit. This enables the orifice and/or the transducer to be repaired or replaced without interrupting operation of the coating assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, the monitor assembly is disposed ahead of the welding assembly and coating assembly. In another embodiment of the invention, the monitor assembly is disposed between the welding assembly and the coating assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying powder coating material includes a rotatable turret which moves articles to and from a work station. A powder spray gun is operable to spray a pattern onto each of the articles in turn while the article is at the work station. The powder flows through the spray gun as a series of pulses. A diverter assembly is operable to divert a portion of each pulse of powder away from the nozzle to more sharply define the pulse. An excess powder collector draws a flow of powder away from the work station. A virgin powder container supplies powder to a powder collector container which supplies powder to a powder feed container which supplies powder to the spray gun. Sensors associated with the virgin, collector and feed containers ensure that a predetermined quantity of powder is maintained in each container. During transport of powder from the virgin and collector containers, the containers and their associated pumps are vibrated to facilitate the flow of powder.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying powder coating material includes a rotatable turret which moves articles to and from a work station. A powder spray gun is operable to spray a pattern onto each of the articles in turn while the article is at the work station. The powder flows through the spray gun as a series of pulses. A diverter assembly is operable to divert a portion of each pulse of powder away from the nozzle to more sharply define the pulse. An excess powder collector draws a flow of powder away from the work station. A virgin powder container supplies powder to a powder collector container which supplies powder to a powder feed container which supplies powder to the spray gun. Sensors associated with the virgin, collector and feed containers ensure that a predetermined quantity of powder is maintained in each container. During transport of powder from the virgin and collector containers, the containers and their associated pumps are vibrated to facilitate the flow of powder.

Abstract: A device for applying or spraying viscous materials, preferably molten thermoplastic materials, has a discharge nozzle, which is supplied through separate lines with viscous material and heated gas. The supplied gas is conducted to the discharge nozzle by way of a heat exchanger, which contains a sintered metal insert thermally coupled to a heating device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating molten thermoplastic material foam by separately pressurizing the molten thermoplastic material and a gas and by delivering that material and gas sequentially to a premixing chamber, through a sintered metal insert and a post mixing chamber, to a discharge orifice of a spray nozzle. The apparatus for practicing this method comprises a nozzle assembly, including a nozzle adaptor and a nozzle, the adaptor of which has flow passages for delivering the pressurized gas and molten material to a premixing cavity and subsequently to and through a sintered metal insert contained within the nozzle.