Abstract: The present invention provides antibacterial zeolite exhibiting a less discoloring action, obtained by treating the surface of zeolite supporting an antibacterial metal with 0.5 to 20% by weight, based on said zeolite, of a composition comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of a hydrolyzable silane and/or oligomer thereof which comprises 10 to 100% by weight of a hydrolyzable silane and/or oligomer thereof having an aryl group; (B) 1 to 1000 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane having a basic nitrogen atom; and (C) 0.2 to 250 parts by weight of an acid which is soluble in water and which can form a salt with the aforesaid (B). The present antibacterial zeolite exhibits a remarkably less action of discoloring an organic polymer which contains the antibacterial zeolite when the polymer blend is placed under the influence of heat or the sunshine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for powder coating three dimensional articles (12) carried on a conveyor (14) includes a controller (36) for controlling the rate at which coating material is discharged from a gun (16), so that the rate is proportional to the surface area of the surface portions of the article (12) as they pass the gun (16). Some surface portions topographically have a greater surface area which must be covered, while others are flat or have cut-out regions, requiring less coverage or no coverage at all. In powder coating operations, the discharge rate is controlled via automatic or programmed control of an electro-pneumatic air regulator (42) which regulates the supply of pressurized air to a powder pump (24) connected to the spray gun (16). The apparatus (10) assures uniformity in coating for a three dimensional article (12) with multiple surface portions of varying topography such as curves, angles, cut outs, etc., while minimizing the amount of wasted coating material.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a powder coating booth used to coat elongated articles while oriented vertically includes a pair of opposing vertical walls forming a coating booth, powder spray guns extending through the walls to powder coat articles located therebetween and an overhead conveyor for carrying the elongated articles along a coating line between the walls. A platform mounted to an elevator is vertically movable to any desired elevation in the booth, thereby to enable a cleaning person to clean accumulated powder from the inner surfaces of the walls after a job is finished or when a new color is used. The platform and elevator may be located below the booth, along the coating line. Alternatively, the platform and elevator may be located at a cleaning station away from the coating line and the booth moved to the cleaning station on a wheel-supported rack.