Nozzle apparatus and method for dispensing powder coating material

A method for dispensing powdered material from a container, comprising the steps of:

• providing a nozzle having a shaft with a tip portion and a securing portion, and a first passageway extending through said nozzle;
• puncturing a wall of said container using said tip portion;
• inserting said tip portion into said container, at least in part;
• positioning said nozzle to cause said securing portion to engage said container to secure said nozzle therein;
• and
• coupling said nozzle to a conveying means;
• and
• transporting said powdered material through said first passageway from said tip portion to said conveying means.

A nozzle for dispensing powdered material from a container, comprising:

• a shaft having a tip portion and a securing portion;
• a first fitting;
• a first passageway extending from said tip portion to said first fitting;
• and
• a gripping portion;
• said tip portion being adapted to puncture a wall of the container and extend into the container;
• said nozzle being adapted to be positioned to cause said securing portion to engage said container to secure the nozzle therein;
• said first fitting being adapted to be coupled to a conveying means to cause said powdered material to be transported through said first passageway from said tip portion to said first fitting;
• said securing portion comprises a threaded portion;
• said gripping portion is adapted to allow the nozzle to be rotated to cause said threaded portion to threadedly engage said container to secure the nozzle therein;
• and
• said threaded portion has a diameter which increases from a first portion which is proximate to said tip portion to a second portion which is distal from said tip portion, to facilitate the securing of the nozzle in said container.

A method for dispensing powdered material from a container, comprising the steps of:

• providing a nozzle having a shaft with a tip portion and a securing portion, and a first passageway extending through said nozzle;
• puncturing a wall of said container using said tip portion;
• inserting said tip portion into said container, at least in part;
• and
• positioning said nozzle to cause said securing portion to engage said container to secure said nozzle therein;
• wherein:
• said nozzle is adapted to be coupled to a conveying means to cause said powdered material to be transported through said first passageway from said tip portion to said conveying means;
• and
• said nozzle includes a second passageway which is carried within said shaft, at least in part, and extends into said container, at least in part, when said nozzle is secured in said container, said method comprising the further step of:
• coupling a pressurized gas source to said second passageway to cause pressurized gas to be transported into said container.