Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling, organizing, and viewing a plurality of electrostatic spray gun operating parameters from a centralized control panel are provided. In this regard, a master control panel is provided that can be shared by all the guns in the system. Each of the guns has an assigned gun control subpanel in the gun control area. Each subpanel includes a selector switch which can be used to monitor and control the gun associated with that subpanel on the master control panel. Each of the subpanels also has a limited display such as a bar graph which can be used to show the electrostatic performance of the guns. The subpanel displays are configured in a tight cluster so that the operator can easily simultaneously monitor the performance of all the guns in the system to identify any guns which are not performing properly.

Abstract: Powder overspray that is extracted from a spray booth is recovered back to a powder supply that is used to supply powder to the spray guns inside the spray booth. The powder overspray extracted from the booth is separated from the high flow air stream by a separator such as a cyclone separator. The powder falls into a transfer pan and a vacuum is used to convey the powder from the transfer pan to a vacuum receiver. The powder is then discharged to the feed hopper in the feed center. The use of a vacuum to convey powder from the cyclone to the feed center in effect permits substantially all of the powder overspray to be recovered from the spray booth directly to the feed hopper with minimal dwell or residence time within the cyclone or vacuum receiver subsystems during a spraying operation. The receiver can be rotated for easy cleaning, and the vacuum line cleaned by one or more cleaning elements drawn through the vacuum line.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling, organizing, and viewing a plurality of electrostatic spray gun operating parameters from a centralized control panel are provided. In this regard, a control panel is provided having, for example, a gun control area for selecting one electrostatic spray gun of a multiple gun system, and an electrostatic control area for displaying and controlling the operational parameters of the selected electrostatic spray gun. The electrostatic control area functions essentially as a master control panel which can be shared by all the guns in the system. Each of the guns has an assigned gun control subpanel in the gun control area. Each subpanel includes a selector switch which can be used to monitor and control the gun associated with that subpanel on the master control panel. Each of the subpanels also has a limited display such as a bar graph which can be used to show the electrostatic performance of the guns.

Abstract: A quick color change powder coating system has a powder supply, a powder pump that receives powder from the powder supply through a suction pick-up tube, a spray gun and a powder hose that connects the pump to the gun. The apparatus includes a purge air switch assembly and a first air source that provides air at purge pressure to a first inlet of the purge air switch assembly. A second air source provides flow rate air to a first pump inlet and atomizing air to a second inlet of the pump via a purge air switch assembly. Powder is drawn up the tube and into the pump by suction produced by flow rate air into the pump. A purge inlet is associated with the powder inlet to the pump. The purge air switch assembly operates in response to a purge control signal to connect purge air to the atomizing inlet at the pump and to the pump's purge inlet; whereby the pump, hose and gun can be purged at the same time.

Abstract: A spray gun includes a handle portion and an extension portion. A nozzle is connected with an outer end of the extension portion. An electrode assembly is disposed in the extension portion to establish an electrical field to electrostatically charge particles of coating material. A coating material flow control member and a purge air flow control member are disposed on the handle portion. Operation of either one of the two flow control members actuates a membrane switch assembly. Operation of the purge air flow control member directs the flow of air to the coating material passage in the extension portion to remove excess coating material from the passage and from the nozzle. Different size hand grips may be mounted on the handle portion of the spray gun to accommodate operators having hands of different sizes.

Abstract: A stacking arrangement for at least two controllers in a powder spray system provides for the controllers to be vertically stacked one on top of the other, and an interlock mechanism between each pair of adjacently stacked controllers. In a preferred embodiment, the interlock mechanism comprises a tab and slot arrangement between each pair of adjacent top and bottom covers of stacked controllers. The tab and slot securely hold the stacked controllers together in a stable vertically aligned configuration. Locking plates are also provided to releasably secure the controllers together. The invention also provides a vertically adjustable cover mechanism for the stacked controllers. The cover mechanism encloses various lines that are connected to the controllers in the final assembly. The cover mechanism includes a vertically fixed cover part and an adjustable cover part that telescopically slides over the fixed cover part.

Abstract: A quick color change powder coating system has a powder supply, a powder pump that receives powder from the powder supply through a suction pick-up tube, a spray gun and a powder hose that connects the pump to the gun. The apparatus includes a purge air switch assembly and a first air source that provides air at purge pressure to a first inlet of the purge air switch assembly. A second air source provides flow rate air to a first pump inlet and atomizing air to a second inlet of the pump via a purge air switch assembly. Powder is drawn up the tube and into the pump by suction produced by flow rate air into the pump. A purge inlet is associated with the powder inlet to the pump. The purge air switch assembly operates in response to a purge control signal to connect purge air to the atomizing inlet at the pump and to the pump's purge inlet; whereby the pump, hose and gun can be purged at the same time.

Abstract: A powder coating control system comprising a plurality of gun controls associated with a like plurality of powder spray guns. Each of the gun controls stores a plurality of presets spray parameters. Each of the gun controls responds to part identification signals and part position signals to select in real time one of the stored presets of spray parameters and trigger its respective powder spray gun ON and OFF to apply a powder coating to the moving part in accordance with the selected set of spray parameters. The control system further permits a gun purge cycle to be programmed either before or after the powder coating process is executed. The control system automatically initializes and brings each of the gun controls to an operable state on-line with the system control.

Abstract: A powder coating control system comprising a plurality of gun controls associated with a like plurality of powder spray guns. Each of the gun controls stores a plurality of presets spray parameters. Each of the gun controls responds to part identification signals and part position signals to select in real time one of the stored presets of spray parameters and trigger its respective powder spray gun ON and OFF to apply a powder coating to the moving part in accordance with the selected set of spray parameters. The control system further permits a gun purge cycle to be programmed either before or after the powder coating process is executed. The control system automatically initializes and brings each of the gun controls to an operable state on-line with the system control.

Abstract: A powder coating control system comprising a plurality of gun controls associated with a like plurality of powder spray guns. Each of the gun controls stores a plurality of presets spray parameters. Each of the gun controls responds to part identification signals and part position signals to select in real time one of the stored presets of spray parameters and trigger its respective powder spray gun ON and OFF to apply a powder coating to the moving part in accordance with the selected set of spray parameters. The control system further permits a gun purge cycle to be programmed either before or after the powder coating process is executed. The control system automatically initializes and brings each of the gun controls to an operable state on-line with the system control.

Abstract: A powder coating control system comprising a plurality of gun controls associated with a like plurality of powder spray guns. Each of the gun controls stores a plurality of presets spray parameters. Each of the gun controls responds to part identification signals and part position signals to select in real time one of the stored presets of spray parameters and trigger its respective powder spray gun ON and OFF to apply a powder coating to the moving part in accordance with the selected set of spray parameters. The control system further permits a gun purge cycle to be programmed either before or after the powder coating process is executed. The control system automatically initializes and brings each of the gun controls to an operable state on-line with the system control.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for measuring the strength of an adhesive bond, a dispenser applies adhesive to a substrate for a prescribed period of time, a conveyor moves the substrate to a compressing station within a preselected open time, after which time a compressor compresses the substrate against another substrate to form an adhesive bond therebetween, the bond being formed under a substantially constant compression force and for a preselected compression time. During the latter portion of the compression time, the bonded substrates are moved together at a substantially constant rate of speed through a transition distance, one of the substrates contacting a stop plate at the end of the compression time to prevent further movement while the other of the substrates continues at the substantially costant rate of speed to break the bond.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a plastics coated paperboard web with a sterilizing liquid such as hydrogen peroxide, the web adapted to be folded and cut to form aseptic packages for filling with foodstuffs such as fruit juices and milk. The apparatus includes a pair of rolls between which the web is moved and is coated. The lower (applicator) roll of the pair is provided with continuous helical grooves and is partially immersed in a bath of sterilizing liquid. The configuration of the grooved surface of the applicator roll has been found to be critical in meeting coating standards in the field of aseptic packaging. The grooves make a pitch angle of from 5.degree. to 12.degree. with the longitudinal axis of the applicator roll, with a preferred angle of 9.degree.. Either single grooves or crossed grooves may be used, with the land area of this roll being from 60 to 80%. The applicator roll is manufactured from stainless steel (#316).