# US 9,433,956 B2 · Twist tip air cap assembly including an integral sleeve for a spray gun > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,956 B2 - Document ID: US9433956B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/603,351 - Filed: 2015-01-22 - Published: 2015-05-14 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2010-10-20 - Assignees: Carlisle Fluid Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Finishing Brands Holdings Inc. - Inventors: Mitchell M. Drozd; Paul R. Micheli; Nekheel S. Gajjar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433956B2 ## CPC - B05B 7/0815: {with at least one gas jet intersecting a jet constituted by a liquid or a mixture containing a liquid for controlling the shape of the latter} - B05B 7/0823: {comprising a rotatable spray pattern adjusting plate controlling the flow rate of the spray shaping gas jets} - B05B 7/0861: {with one single jet constituted by a liquid or a mixture containing a liquid and several gas jets (B05B7/0815 takes precedence)} - B05B 7/12: designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages - B05B 15/531: using backflow - B05B 15/534: by reversing the nozzle relative to the supply conduit - B05B 3/02: with rotating elements (electric spraying discharge apparatus characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements B05B5/04) - B05B 3/0202: {being deflecting elements (the liquid driven rotor being a deflecting rotating element B05B3/0426; discharging over substantially the whole periphery of the rotating member B05B3/10)} - B05B 5/025: Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns - B05B 12/122: {responsive to presence or shape of target (B05B12/124 takes precedence)} - B05B 12/1418: {for supplying several liquids or other fluent materials in selected proportions to a single spray outlet (controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid G05D11/02)} - B05B 12/1472: {separate supply lines supplying different materials to separate outlets of the spraying apparatus (B05B12/1454 takes precedence)} - B05B 13/04: the spray heads being moved during {spraying} operation - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) ## Abstract The present technique provides a system and method for improving a tip assembly for a spray coating device. An exemplary spray coating device of the present technique has a twist tip with air-assist channels. The twist tip may be applied to a spray gun and provides a portion of the fluid flow passage of the gun. Rotation of the twist tip alters the fluid flow path, resulting in increased operator control. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spray system, comprising: a fluid spray tip assembly, comprising: a fluid passage positioned along a fluid flow axis; a bore positioned orthogonal to the fluid passage; and an exterior surface surrounding a downstream portion of the fluid passage, wherein the exterior surface comprises a first recess comprising a first plurality of openings and a second recess spaced apart from the first recess and comprising a second plurality of openings, wherein the first and the second plurality of openings are configured to channel air outwards from the exterior surface and towards a flow path downstream of the fluid spray tip assembly, wherein the first and second plurality of openings are recessed relative to a fluid ejection opening in the fluid spray tip assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first recess and the second recess comprise a racetrack-shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first and second plurality of openings are disposed within the recess such that the first and second plurality of openings are angled relative to the fluid passage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first and second plurality of openings are disposed on a banked portion of the first recess and the second recess, respectively. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising at least one groove or channel disposed on the exterior surface, wherein the at least one groove or channel intersects a portion of the first or second recess. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second recesses comprise a racetrack shape having a major diameter and a minor diameter, and wherein the at least one groove or channel is orthogonal to the major diameter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second plurality of openings are fluidly coupled to an air passage that is separate from the fluid passage. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising a twist tip configured to be inserted into the bore of the air cap, wherein the twist tip comprises an internal bore configured to be coaxially aligned with the fluid passage. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising a finger guard coupled to the exterior surface of the fluid spray tip assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface comprises a groove or channel partially about the fluid passage, wherein the groove or channel is configured to mate with a complementary feature on a finger guard to secure the finger guard to the exterior surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein at least one opening of the first plurality openings and the second plurality of openings is aligned with a central axis of the at least one groove or channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second plurality of openings each comprise at least three openings. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of openings, the second plurality of openings, or both, comprises first and second openings disposed at respective first and second distances away from the fluid flow axis, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second recesses each have a maximum depth that varies in a radial direction, a circumferential direction, or both, relative t the fluid flow axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second recesses each curve in a radial direction relative to the fluid flow axis. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second recesses each curve and gradually increase toward the fluid flow axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second recesses each have a circumferential width that decreases in an outward radial direction away from the fluid flow axis.