Patent ID: 8474402

Claim:
A container coating apparatus, comprising: an electrostatic coating material application device being connected to a first electrical energy source and being adapted to receive coating material from a supply, said material application device being adapted to spray coating material onto a container during a coating operation; and a support member for supporting the container, said support member being adapted to support the container when it is being coated by said coating material application device, said support member comprising a non-metallic charge transfer portion that directly contacts a surface of the container when the container is supported by said support member, said non-metallic charge transfer portion being connectable to a second electrical energy source; said charge transfer portion comprises a first charge transfer element of said support member that is connectable to said electrical energy source and a second charge transfer element of said support member, said first charge transfer element and said second charge transfer element being electrically connected with each other; said first charge transfer element and said second charge transfer element being spatially separated from each other, said second charge transfer element comprising an annular outer surface that contacts the container; and said first charge transfer element and said second charge transfer element being comprised of non-metallic charge transfer material.