Abstract: A bulk unloader for emptying powder from an original box-shaped shipping container has a support platform with a cradle angularly mounted thereto for holding the container in a tilted position so that one of its corners is lower than the others. A vibrator, attached to the cradle, loosens the powder to facilitate movement of the powder towards the container's lowest corner. A pump connected to the outlet end of a hollow pick-up tube, having an inlet end positioned adjacent the container's lowest corner, draws powder from the container, into the inlet end of the pick-up tube, and then transfers the powder to a powder spray gun. The lower end of the pick-up tube is designed to prevent the plastic bag lining the shipping container from blocking the inlet end of the pick-up tube. A vibration dampening is provided between the cradle and the support platform to prevent vibrations from being transferred from the cradle to the support platform.

Abstract: A bulk unloader for emptying powder from an original box-shaped shipping container has a support platform with a cradle angularly mounted thereto for holding the containers in a tilted position so that one of its corners is lower than the others. A vibrator, attached to the cradle, loosens the powder to facilitate movement of the powder towards the container's lowest corner. A pump connected to the outlet end of a hollow pick-up tube, having an inlet end positioned adjacent the container's lowest corner, draws powder from the container, into the inlet end of the pick-up tube, and then transfers the powder to a powder spray gun. The lower end of the pick-up tube is designed to prevent the plastic bag lining the shipping container from blocking the inlet end of the pick-up tube. A vibration dampening isolation mount is provided between the cradle and the support platform to prevent vibrations from being transferred from the cradle to the support platform.

Abstract: A spray gun carriage assembly is disclosed which provides rapid and accurate reciprocating vertical movement of a spray gun mounted on the assembly, with the stroke of the gun movement being readily adjustable. The spray gun carriage is also movable in two additional axes, i.e., in a horizontal plane. A horizontally extending boom is reciprocated vertically to move the spray gun up and down relative to a workpiece, such as a workpiece being conveyed past the carriage assembly. A first shock absorber mechanism dampens the moment of inertia of the boom, and a second shock absorber mechanism dampens the linear inertia associated with vertical movements of the boom, thus providing for quick and accurate spray gun movements and faster and more efficient spraying. A mechanism is further provided for pivoting spray guns mounted adjacent the end of the boom to yield still further adjustment of spray direction. A quick change flight bar facilitates rapid changeover of the spray guns used with the assembly.

Abstract: An improved powder pump for pumping air entrained solid particulate powder material comprising a pneumatic conveyor line within which there is located a low pressure venturi pumping chamber. This venturi pumping chamber is intersected by a powder supply passage through which powder is drawn into the conveyor line. Located within the powder supply passage is a rotatable tubular powder diffuser through which the powder passes in the course of passage through the powder supply passage. Rotation of the diffuser is effected by atomizing or metering air flow to the powder flow passage upstream of the venturi pumping chamber. This atomizing air flow, in addition to effecting rotation of the diffuser, also controls the rate of flow of powder through the powder supply passage and into the venturi pumping chamber.