Patent ID: 7963728

Claim:
A method, comprising: providing a flexible bag containing powder paint comprising an open top configured to receive at least one feed tube, wherein the flexible bag comprises a lower portion opposite the open top, and further wherein at least one attachment member is connected to the flexible bag; supporting the flexible bag from at least one support member of a moveable lifting apparatus, wherein the flexible bag is supported from the at least one support member by the at least one attachment member connected to the flexible bag; raising the at least one support member, thereby lifting the flexible bag; moving the lifting apparatus and flexible bag supported using the at least one support member from a storage area to proximate the at least one feed tube; lowering the bag on top of a fixture, wherein the fixture comprises a receiving member and a base for supporting the receiving member over which the bag is positioned; positioning at least the lower portion of the flexible bag adjacent and in contact with the receiving member of the fixture sized and configured to receive at least the lower portion of the flexible bag, wherein positioning at least the lower portion of the flexible bag comprises conforming at least the lower portion of the flexible bag to a decreasingly smaller cross-section when measured along a vertical axis towards the ground, wherein the at least one support member extends over at least a portion of the fixture in a fixed position relative to ground such that at least the lower portion of the flexible bag is in contact with the receiving member during delivery of the powder paint from the lowermost portion of the flexible bag and at least until the lowermost portion of the flexile bag is empty; positioning the at least one feed tube into the flexible bag; aspirating the powder paint through the at least one tube to an electrostatic finishing apparatus, wherein as the powder paint level is decreased the tube is permitted to move to a lower position in the flexible bag and is directed towards the lowermost portion of the flexible bag by the receiving member, wherein the powder paint is aspirated through the at least one tube from the lowermost portion of the flexible bag while at least the lower portion is in contact with and being conformed to the decreasingly smaller cross-section by the receiving member; vibrating the fixture, wherein the powder paint is assisted in moving to the lowermost portion of the flexible bag while at least the lower portion is in contact with and being conformed to the decreasingly smaller cross-section by the receiving member as the powder paint is aspirated and at least until the lowermost portion of the flexile bag is empty; and providing a tube guide positioned proximate the open top of the flexible bag, the tube guide configured and arranged to guide the at least one feed tube into the flexible bag.