Patent ID: 8389062

Claim:
A method of spraying a target object with a liquid substance from a spray gun assembly having one or more fan air orifices for controlling the width of a spray pattern perpendicular to the target object path, the spray pattern being limited in the direction of the object path to a spray region, the method comprising: transporting the target object along the target object path toward the spray region; detecting when at least a portion of the target object enters the spray region; when at least a portion of the target object enters the spray region, activating the spray gun to eject a spray of the liquid substance; performing a controlled spray operation including: as the target object passes through the spray region, dynamically controlling the width of the spray pattern to conform substantially to a width of the portion of the target object within the spray region; and continuing to transport the target object along the target object path, such that the sprayed liquid material falls substantially on the target object; and when no portion of the target object remains in the spray region, deactivating the spray gun to cease ejection of the spray of the liquid substance.