Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment a system is provided that includes an aerosol spray can, a receiver configured to electrically insulate the commercially available aerosol spray can, and a nozzle headpiece configured to couple to a neck portion of the aerosol spray can. Further, the nozzle headpiece is configured to electrostatically charge the aerosol spray can, and the nozzle headpiece includes an electrostatically charged passage.

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 system, in certain embodiments, includes a spray device having a frame with a receptacle configured to receive a self-contained spray can, a trigger assembly disposed within the frame and configured to selectively engage a spray of fluid from a spray nozzle of the self-contained spray can, a grounding system having a first conductive element configured to contact the self-contained spray can, and an electrostatic charge system coupled to the grounding system. The first conductive element includes a first tooth configured to extend at least partially into an exterior surface of the self-contained spray can.

Abstract: A coating dispensing device includes a trigger assembly for actuating the coating dispensing device to dispense coating material and a nozzle through which the coating material is dispensed. The coating dispensing device further includes a first port adapted to supply compressed gas to the coating dispensing device and a second port adapted to supply coating material to the coating dispensing device. The coating dispensing device further includes a generator having a shaft. A turbine wheel is mounted on the shaft. Compressed gas coupled to the first port impinges upon the turbine wheel to spin the shaft, producing voltage. An electrode adjacent the nozzle is coupled to the generator to receive electricity therefrom to electrostatically charge the coating material. First and second seals seal the shaft where the shaft protrudes from the generator at its ends.

Abstract: A power module of electrostatic tool is provided with an air flow switch. The air flow switch receives an air flow through one passage and outputs two portions of that air flow through two other passages when the air flow exceeds a threshold pressure.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray tool is provided to output an electrostatically charged spray. The electrostatic spray tool includes a portable power module. The portable power module includes an air flow switch configured to regulate air flow within the portable power module and a turbine generator configured to generate a voltage from the air flow.

Abstract: A module for mounting on the end of a handle of a coating material dispensing device comprises at least a coating material fitting for coupling to a source of coating material. The module further includes a first fractional module component and a second fractional module component. The coating material fitting is captured between the first fractional module component and the second fractional module component when the first and second fractional module components are assembled together.

Abstract: A compressed gas-aided coating dispensing device includes a valve controlling the flow of compressed gas through the device. The device includes a port for coupling to a source of compressed gas and a port through which the compressed gas flows downstream from the valve. The valve includes a first valve member and a first seat cooperating to control flow through the device, and an operating member for controlling the relative positions of the first valve member and first seat. The valve further includes a second valve member and a second seat. The operating member also controls the relative positions of the second valve member and the second seat. The operating member controls the relative positions of the first valve member and first seat and the second valve member and second seat.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a spray device having a frame with a receptacle configured to receive a self-contained spray can, a trigger assembly disposed within the frame and configured to selectively engage a spray of fluid from a spray nozzle of the self-contained spray can, a grounding system having a first conductive element configured to contact the self-contained spray can, and an electrostatic charge system coupled to the grounding system. The first conductive element includes a first tooth configured to extend at least partially into an exterior surface of the self-contained spray can.

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 dispensing device includes an orifice for coupling to a reservoir for the coating material. The orifice is surrounded by a surface including at least one wall defining at least one groove. The reservoir includes a complementary surface including at least one wall defining at least one groove. The at least one groove and at least one wall surrounding the orifice respectively receive and are received in the at least one wall and at least one groove of the complementary surface of the reservoir to provide a labyrinth seal between the orifice and an exterior surface of the coating material dispensing device.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment a system is provided that includes an aerosol spray can, a receiver configured to electrically insulate the commercially available aerosol spray can, and a nozzle headpiece configured to couple to a neck portion of the aerosol spray can. Further, the nozzle headpiece is configured to electrostatically charge the aerosol spray can, and the nozzle headpiece includes an electrostatically charged passage.

Abstract: A coating material dispensing device includes an orifice for coupling to a reservoir for the coating material. The orifice is surrounded by a surface including at least one wall defining at least one groove. The reservoir includes a complementary surface including at least one wall defining at least one groove. The at least one groove and at least one wall surrounding the orifice respectively receive and are received in the at least one wall and at least one groove of the complementary surface of the reservoir to provide a labyrinth seal between the orifice and an exterior surface of the coating material dispensing device.

Abstract: A coating dispensing device includes a trigger assembly for actuating the coating dispensing device to dispense coating material and a nozzle through which the coating material is dispensed. The coating dispensing device further includes a first port adapted to supply compressed gas to the coating dispensing device and a second port adapted to supply coating material to the coating dispensing device. The coating dispensing device further includes a generator having a shaft. A turbine wheel is mounted on the shaft. Compressed gas coupled to the first port impinges upon the turbine wheel to spin the shaft, producing voltage. An electrode adjacent the nozzle is coupled to the generator to receive electricity therefrom to electrostatically charge the coating material. First and second seals seal the shaft where the shaft protrudes from the generator at its ends.

Abstract: A module for mounting on the end of a handle of a coating material dispensing device comprises at least a coating material fitting for coupling to a source of coating material. The module further includes a first fractional module component and a second fractional module component. The coating material fitting is captured between the first fractional module component and the second fractional module component when the first and second fractional module components are assembled together.

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 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.

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.