Abstract: A method of manufacturing comprises the steps of providing a batch of articles containing one or more articles in a common step in a process of being manufactured with a machine detectable tag, providing at least one station in the manufacturing process with a detector for detecting the tag, providing a link between the at least one station and a controller, signaling detection by the detector of the presence of the tag to the controller over the link, and assigning the highest priority for processing through the at least one station to the batch.

Abstract: A fire-extinguishant system includes a source of extinguishant, such as carbon dioxide, a fusible length of plastic tubing, such as one-half-inch-outside-diameter polyethylene tubing, with the end closed, and a conduit and valve system for connecting the extinguishant source to the fusible tubing. The valving system pressurizes the fusible tubing at a low pressure, and this low-pressure signal is coupled to a pilot input port in the valve system. When this low-pressure pilot signal is interrupted, the piloted valve switches to supply extinguishant at full pressure through the fusible tubing. If the fusible tubing has been melted, such as by a fire, the extinguishant exits through the melted portion to extinguish the fire. The low-pressure pilot signal can, however, be interrupted manually by the valve system. In this case, the full-pressure extinguishant supply to the fusible tube ruptures the tube and releases extinguishant. This provides a manual extinguishant control for the system.

Abstract: An electrostatic, coating-dispensing apparatus includes an electrode upon which an electrostatic potential is impressed. The electrostatic potential is developed by a switching circuit, autotransformer and voltage multiplier from rectified line voltage. The entire apparatus is housed in a hand-held applicator to which line voltage is supplied. In one embodiment, suitable for the hobbyist, the apparatus includes a socket defined at one end thereof for interchangeably receiving containers holding various colors or types of coating material. Each container includes an electrode for contacting the first-mentioned electrode. The containers are shaped to fit snugly into the socket to hold the two electrodes in contact. An outer end wall of each container has a mesh portion through which charged particles of coating material from the interior of the container pass when the apparatus is activated.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the flow rate of charged particulate coating material between a device for dispensing the coating material and an article, or "target," to be coated by such material to account for factors, such as variations in the profile or contour of the target, or movement of the target transversely to the direction of motion of a conveyor upon which the target is being conveyed past the device or head, which might otherwise cause variations in the thickness of the coating material. The particles migrate in a known manner under the influence of an electrical field toward the target for deposition on the target to coat it at high deposition efficiency. The system continuously monitors the current flow to the target. The system feeds back this current flow related signal to a coating material flow rate servomechanism.

Abstract: A system for electrostatic deposition of a coating on an article from a charging device includes a direct current high voltage supply having first and second terminals across which the high voltage is impressed. The article to be coated is held at a potential substantially equal to the potential on one of the high voltage terminals. The article is suspended for relatively free movement toward and away from the device. The system includes a high-speed switch coupled between the high voltage terminals and a control circuit for controlling the switch. A sensing resistor in the high voltage output circuit monitors the current between the high voltage terminals. The control circuit includes a slope-detecting or fixed difference circuit responsive to the sensed current to detect too-rapid changes therein, such changes being indicative of close proximity of the article to the charging device and the possibility of high voltage arcing therebetween.

Abstract: An electrostatic, coating-dispensing apparatus includes an electrode upon which an electrostatic potential is impressed. The electrostatic potential is developed by a switching circuit, autotransformer and voltage multiplier from rectified line voltage. The entire apparatus is housed in a hand-held applicator to which line voltage is supplied. The apparatus includes a socket defined at one end thereof for interchangeably receiving containers holding various colors or types of coating material. Each container includes an electrode for contacting the first-mentioned electrode. The containers are shaped to fit snugly into the socket to hold the two electrodes in contact. An outer end wall of each container has a mesh portion through which charged particles of coating material from the interior of the container pass when the apparatus is activated.

Abstract: A system for electrostatic deposition of a coating on an article from a charging device includes a direct current high voltage supply having first and second terminals across which the high voltage is impressed. The article to be coated is held at a potential substantially equal to the potential on one of the high voltage terminals. The article is suspended for relatively free movement toward and away from the device. The system includes a high-speed switch coupled between the high voltage terminals and a control circuit for controlling the switch. A sensing resistor in the high voltage output circuit monitors the current between the high voltage terminals. The control circuit includes a slope-detecting or fixed difference circuit responsive to the sensed current to detect too-rapid changes therein, such changes being indicative of close proximity of the article to the charging device and the possibility of high voltage arcing therebetween.