Abstract: In a high speed electro-coating apparatus having a plurality of electro-coating cells arranged around the periphery of a rotable turntable, each can is placed upright on a cell lid below a hollow cell body and is introduced into that body by upward movement of the cell lid. Separate simultaneous flows of electro-coating fluid fill and immerse the can, and each cell receives electro-coating current via slip-ring segments carried on the turntable past respective sets of brushes which are disposed at the respective electro-coating stations. Control apparatus is arranged to feed current to the brush sets only during the periods of turntable rotation during which each brush has full contact with an adjacent slip-ring segment. An infeed device has a rotable turret from which radiate a plurality of can holders which act to transfer cans from a screw-type infeed conveyor along an encircling guide rail to an infeed station of the apparatus.

Abstract: An outfeed transfer device has a rotatable turret from which radiate a plurality of can grippers each of which is arranged to grip a can delivered to it at an outfeed station of an electro-coating apparatus, and then to rotate the can, so as to empty fluid still remaining in it, before releasing it in the inverted draining position on to an outfeed conveyor. Each can gripper comprises a jaw assembly carried on a radial shaft which is mounted for rotation in a turret side wall. A pinion fixed on that shaft is rotated by a vertical rack which is slidably carried in transverse walls of the turret. Each jaw assembly is operated by a slidable shaft carried co-axially in the associated radial shaft. The respective racks and co-axial shafts are driven by cam followers biased against stationary cams disposed within the turret.

Abstract: In a high speed apparatus having a rotating turntable, an infeed device has a rotatable turret from which radiate a plurality of can holders which act to transfer cans from an infeed conveyor along an encircling guide rail to the rotating table. A cam element enclosed in the turret may cyclically retract each holder to cause the can to follow the periphery of the rotating turntable.

Abstract: An apparatus for electro-coating disc-like workpieces (can ends for food cans) comprises an electrolyte tank and a carrier wheel mounted for rotation with one third of its periphery in the electrolyte. The wheel carries equi-spaced pallets, each defining a pocket for holding a workpiece with its periphery in good electrical contact with the pallet while the pallet is carried by the wheel through the electrolyte adjacent a counter electrode. Energisation of the pallets is achieved by sliprings each having three conductive segments connected to respective pallets spaced equally around the wheel. Adjacent segments in adjacent sliprings are staggered for sequential energisation of the pallets while submerged in the electrolyte. Electrical control means (a) test for the presence of a workpiece in a pocket, and for the degree of workpiece contact with its pocket, and (b) control the electric current passing to each separate pallet.

Abstract: In an high speed electro-coating apparatus having a plurality of electro-coating cells (96) arranged around the periphery of a rotatable turnable (14), each can (128) is placed upright on a cell lid (100) below a hollow cell body (94) and is introduced into that body (94) by upward movement of the cell lid (100). Separate simultaneous flows of electro-coating fluid fill and immerse the can (128), and each cell (96) receives electro-coating current pulses via slip-ring segments (272-278) carried on the turnable (14) past respective sets of brushes (286) which are disposed at the respective electro-coating stations. Control apparatus (300,302) is arranged to feed current to the brush sets only during the periods of turntable rotation during which each brush (286) has full contact with an adjacent slip-ring segment (278) and for as long as such full contact is maintained.