SPRAY GUN CLEANING ARRANGEMENTS

摘要

Apparatus and methods are provided for removing powder overspray from the exterior surfaces within a spray booth, especially the exterior surfaces of a spray gun assembly. These surfaces may include the spray gun housing and nozzle, a tube mount housing for the tube mount configurations, and in some embodiments the various hoses and lines that are coupled to the spray gun in a bar mount configuration. In one embodiment, powder overspray is removed from such surfaces or other surfaces within the spray booth by applying a cleaning or powder removal agent/article in contact with the surfaces to knock off, wipe, blow or otherwise remove the powder overspray. The cleaning agent/article may take many forms, including but not limited to fluids including air or liquid, negative pressure or suction, charged ions, positive pressure within the spray gun assembly, or any number and variety of cleaning devices such as but not limited to brushes, cloth, sponges, wipers and so on. A number of embodiments are described, including but not limited to the use of vacuum or negative pressure nozzles, negative pressure with a cleaning media, a cryogenic rinse, wiping contact articles such as rags, brushes, sponges or rubber/plastic wipers, oppositely charged particles, and air flow pressurized air from within the spray gun assembly so as to blow off or knock off the powder overspray via a flexible boot or bladder.