Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Color change systems for electrostatic coating apparatus are characterized by a dielectric manifold in-line between supplies of different colors of coating materials and a material supply line to the apparatus. To initiate a coating operation, a selected color of material is provided through the manifold to fill the supply line, whereafter the manifold is flushed clean of the material. A high electrostatic charging voltage is then applied to the coating apparatus while the material in the line is supplied to the apparatus for being electrostatically charged and emitted by the apparatus to coat an article. For conductive coating materials, during the coating operation the high charging voltage conducted through the material in the hose is blocked by the nonconductive dielectric manifold and cannot reach and charge the material supplies, so there is no need for a protective enclosure around the supplies of leakage of charging current to the supplies. In one embodiment the color change system is manually operable, and in another it is automatically operable.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim