Method and apparatus for reducing coating buildup on feed tubes

A bell cup for attachment to the shaft of a rotator to be rotated by the rotator to atomize coating material supplied to an interior of the bell cup, the bell cup interior defined by an axially rearward metal back region, an axially forward metal discharge edge, and a metal side region extending from the back region toward the discharge edge and terminating at the discharge edge, the back region including a port having a forward end through which coating material to be atomized is supplied to the interior, the back region including an intermediate portion between the forward end and the side region, the intermediate portion being oriented axially further away from the discharge edge than the forward end is axially from the discharge edge.

A method of atomizing coating material, the method including providing a bell cup having an interior defined by an axially rearward metal back region, an axially forward metal discharge edge, and a metal side region extending from the back region toward the discharge edge and terminating at the discharge edge, the back region including a port having a forward end, the back region including an intermediate portion between the forward end and the side region, the intermediate portion being oriented axially further away from the discharge edge than the forward end is axially from the discharge edge, rotating the bell cup about a rotational axis, and feeding liquid coating material to the port.

A method of atomizing coating material, the method including providing a rotator having an output shaft rotatable about an axis, providing a passageway extending longitudinally along the shaft, coupling a bell cup to the shaft, defining in the bell cup an interior having an axially rearward metal back region including a port having a forward end, an axially forward metal discharge edge, and a metal side region extending from the back region toward the discharge edge and terminating at the discharge edge, also providing on the back region a metal intermediate portion between the forward end and the side region and oriented axially further away from the discharge edge than the forward end is axially from the discharge edge, and providing in the passageway a feed tube, terminating the feed tube at a discharge end substantially coplanar with the forward end, and discharging liquid coating material through the discharge end.

A method of dispensing coating material including providing a bell cup having an axis of rotation, defining in the bell cup an interior including an axially rearward metal back region, an axially forward metal discharge edge, and a metal side region extending from the back region toward the discharge edge and terminating at the discharge edge, including in the back region a port having a forward end through which coating material to be atomized is supplied to the interior, including in the back region a metal intermediate portion between the forward end and the side region and oriented axially further away from the discharge edge than the forward end is axially from the discharge edge, rotating the bell cup about its axis, and feeding coating material to the forward end.

Apparatus for atomizing coating material, the apparatus including bell cup means for defining an interior including an axially rearward metal back region, an axially forward metal discharge edge, and a metal side region extending from the back region toward the discharge edge and terminating at the discharge edge, the back region including a port having a forward end, the back region including a metal intermediate portion between the forward end and the side region, the intermediate portion being oriented axially further away from the discharge edge than the forward end is axially from the discharge edge, means for rotating the bell cup means about a rotational axis, and means for feeding liquid coating material to the port.

Apparatus for atomizing coating material, the apparatus including bell cup means for defining an interior having an axially rearward metal back region including a port having a forward end, an axially forward metal discharge edge, a metal side region extending from the back region toward the discharge edge and terminating at the discharge edge, and a metal intermediate portion between the forward end and the side region and oriented axially further away from the discharge edge than the forward end is axially from the discharge edge, means for rotating the bell cup means about its axis, the means for rotating the bell cup means having an output shaft rotatable about an axis, the output shaft having a passageway extending longitudinally along the output shaft, means for coupling the bell cup means to the output shaft, and means in the passageway for supplying coating material to the interior, the means for supplying coating material terminating at a discharge end substantially coplanar with the forward end.

Apparatus for dispensing coating material including bell cup means defining an axis of rotation and an interior including an axially rearward metal back region, an axially forward metal discharge edge, and a metal side region extending from the back region toward the discharge edge and terminating at the discharge edge, the back region including port means having a forward end through which coating material to be atomized is supplied to the interior, the back region further including an intermediate portion between the forward end and the side region and oriented axially further away from the discharge edge than the forward end is axially from the discharge edge, means for rotating the bell cup about its axis, and means for feeding coating material to the forward end.