Abstract: A system including an electrically-driven mixing device for mixing a water or solvent-based coating is provided. The mixing device includes a supply container, a rotary agitator shaft and an agitator disposed within the container and coupled to the agitator shaft to rotate therewith. The agitator mixes a coating contained within the container upon rotation of the agitator shaft. The solvent-based coating creates a flammable vapor environment around the container wherein a source of ignition is capable of igniting flammable vapors in the environment. A drive mechanism includes an electric motor having a rotary output shaft disposed outside of the environment and a mechanical power transmission coupled to the output shaft of the motor and to the agitator shaft of the device to transfer torque from the output shaft to the agitator shaft to mix any coating in the container.

Abstract: A manually-operated air atomizing device includes a trigger-operated valve which generates pneumatic control signals. The atomizing air, fan air and fluid supply are varied according to the position of the trigger. A set of preprogrammed valves control the proportion of atomizing air, fan air and fluid delivered to the atomizing device in response to the pneumatic control signals.

Abstract: A spray gun uses hot, high volume, low pressure (HVLP) air to atomize a coating material at a spray head of the gun. The coating material may be water-based adhesive or paint which may include a relatively small amount of solvent. The coating material may also be a high viscosity, solvent-based paint such as a polyester or urethane. The spray gun includes a plunger mechanism and a trigger which generate an air pressure control signal which opens a valve to allow the hot HVLP air to come to the front of the spray gun. Thermally insulated hot air hoses couple the spray gun to a source of hot air such as a heater conversion unit. Teflon tubes thermally insulate the coating material from the hot air as the coating material is received by the spray gun. A plastic shroud thermally insulates and concentrates a hot air coating material mixture during atomization of the coating material at a spray head of the spray gun. The hot air has a temperature in the range of 250.degree. F. to 350.degree. F.

Abstract: A spray gun including a rotatable spray head for creating a spiral flow of shaping air to more effectively apply multiple coats of liquid spray onto an article without dripping. The spiral flow of shaping or fanning air is further created by a turbine mechanism or air distributor. A drive mechanism, including a reversible motor, alternately rotates the spray head in either a clockwise direction or a counter clockwise direction relative to a housing assembly of the spray gun, depending on the direction of movement of the spray gun. In this way, the spray gun can effectively apply the liquid spray to the sides of an article, such as a grill, having a plurality of parallel, spaced portions. Preferably, the motor is an air motor having a drive shaft on which gearing is mounted for rotation therewith. A cylindrical portion of the housing assembly rotatably supports the spray head by bearings mounted thereon.

Abstract: A spray gun including a turbine mechanism for reducing the turbulence of fanning air to more effectively control the shaping of a conical spray pattern. A spiral flow of fanning air is created by the turbine mechanism. The amount of pressurized air flowing through the turbine mechanism is controlled by a valve mechanism to provide a greater or lesser amount of fanning air. The improved spray gun is particularly useful in paint spray systems wherein air having a flow rate in excess of 5 CFM and a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi over atmospheric is communicated to the spray head of the spray gun. In one embodiment, the turbine and valve mechanisms include first and second sets of circumferentially-spaced inclined vanes, respectively, which cooperate to create the spiral flow of air. The valve mechanism includes an annular valve member which supports the second set of vanes. The turbine mechanism includes a turbine member which supports the first set of vanes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for electrostatically spray coating an article in a coating zone with a liquid coating material, such as paint, wherein air is supplied to the spray head of an air spray gun at an atomizing air flow rate in excess of 5 CFM and at a delivery pressure of less than 15 psi to atomize the liquid coating material. At this combination of relatively low pressure and relatively high volume of air the transfer efficiency is substantially higher than for conventional air spray guns. A turbine unit filters and heats the air so that the air has a temperature in excess of 70.degree. F. at the spray head. An elongated conductive rod is reciprocably supported within a nozzle of the spray head to create an electrical charge differential between the atomized liquid coating material and the article in the coating zone when charged by a high voltage source. Preferably, the rod is positioned within a liquid discharge orifice of the nozzle to alternatively open and close the nozzle.