With Projector Heating, Cleaning Or Conditioning Patents (Class 118/302)
  • Patent number: 6569244
    Abstract: A plate member, which may be a die plate or a shim, which is adapted to be used within a fluid material dispensing system, such as, for example, a system for dispensing or distributing adhesives upon substrates, is provided with a plurality of apertures equally spaced along the longitudinal extent thereof. The apertures comprise a plurality of through-bores for respectively receiving a plurality of fasteners, which are adapted to secure the plate member to a support structure, for example, an adhesive manifold or the like. In addition to the through-bores, milled slots are also provided within the plate member, the milled slots connecting the through-bores to a free edge portion of the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Michael Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6558467
    Abstract: A tape dispensing apparatus comprising a frame, a feeding mechanism, and a wetting system. The frame has a storage area for storing tape therein. The frame also has an exit area through which tape is dispensed. The feeding mechanism is connected to the frame. The feeding mechanism feeds the tape from the storage area to the exit area. The wetting system is connected to the frame for wetting a side of the tape, and activating a moisture activated adhesive on the side of the tape. The wetting system comprises a wetting head mounted to the frame. The wetting head has a moisture releasing portion. The wetting head wets the moisture activated adhesive on the side of the tape without contact between the side of the tape and the moisture releasing portion of the wetting head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Better Packages Inc.
    Inventors: Roger F. Lay, Donald Barker
  • Patent number: 6544336
    Abstract: Several components are used in combination to effect an apparatus for a spray system, which improves the transfer characteristics and efficiency of polymer applied to the surface of a printing plate. In accordance with this invention, the apparatus comprises: a nozzle for spraying a solid stream of polymer, a circumferential conduit surrounding the polymer spray that carries heated, high-pressure air, which heats, atomizes and improves the transfer efficiency of the polymer, a mixer that allows the mixing of the polymer's constituent reagents immediately prior to the polymer entering the spray nozzle, a fast shut-off valve that allows precision control of the spray nozzle's output, a shroud equipped with vacuum to remove and recycle “overspray”, and a cleaning arm, equipped with a vacuum, that may be activated to clean unused polymer from the components of the nozzle, and to prime the spray nozzle with fresh polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Creo Inc.
    Inventor: Fernando Luis De Souza Lopes
  • Patent number: 6540829
    Abstract: A coil coating system for embedding discrete masses of material in a resinous coating on sheet metal as it is pulled from a dispensing coil through a series of rollers, said system comprising a paint pan, a roller rotating in the pan and picking up said resinous coating composition and transferring it to an applicator roller; thenceforth to the moving sheet metal, an oven, and a sprayer that can heat thermoplastic resin particles to a molten or plastic state and spray the particles to the moving sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Jack C. Allman, Ronald J. Lewarachik, Victor J. Scaricamazza
  • Patent number: 6537605
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating high-temperature components (10) by means of plasma spraying. An infrared camera (20) is used to determine the distribution of the thermal radiation (30) of the component surface (40), and to determine therefrom the temperature distribution (70) in accordance with which a method parameter (p) is set in order to reach a threshold temperature (Ts). The invention also relates to a coating device for producing a coating (15) while monitoring the surface temperature by means of an infrared camera (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Kirchner, Dieter Raake, Helge Reymann
  • Publication number: 20030047134
    Abstract: An airless spray painting system wash-out apparatus is provided to facilitate cleaning of fluid transfer pump and other components. A wash-out apparatus or element is adapted for temporary or permanent insertion between a liquid source pick-up point and where the fluid may exit the system. The wash-out element includes a body portion, a flow valve, and a wash-out hook-up valve. The flow valve is operable to control the flow of fluid from a first hose into or through the body. A wash-out hook-up is provided to couple the body of the wash-out apparatus to a cleaning fluid source or supplying line. A wash-out hook-up valve is provided to control the flow of fluid between the body and the wash-out hook-up. Alternatively, the flow valve and wash-out hook-up can be arranged within the pump housing to permit cleaning fluid to pass through and cleanse all parts of the wash-out apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Ronnie Joe Weiand
  • Publication number: 20030039761
    Abstract: A curtain coating apparatus for applying a coating solution to a continuously moving web, which comprises an air jet injector for injecting air in the upstream direction of a web, provided at a position upstream of a contact point of a curtain film with the web and a shielding member shutting off entrained air generated by movement of the web, provided between the contact point and the air jet injector, thereby diminating an influence of turbulent air flow and preventing the curtain film from suction toward the air jet injector, or which further comprises a control member connected to the shielding member, the control member being provided at a position near and in parallel to the web, or which further comprises a control member and a partition wall member, both being integrated with the shielding member to form a closed space, the air jet injector and an air suction means being provided in the closed space, thereby making the closed space a subatmospheric pressure zone, can produce coated products of good qu
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI PAPER MILLS LIMITED
    Inventors: Masato Shiraishi, Kazutoshi Someya
  • Patent number: 6520190
    Abstract: A system for flushing an airless sprayer essentially reverses operation such that the spray gun is immersed in a container of water or other solvent and that fluid is pulled through the pump and flushed through the normal inlet tube. The preferred embodiment attaches a fluid bar to the front of the spray gun to redirect the fluid for flushing. This reverse flushing action allows quicker flushing using less fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Diane L. Olson, Steven E. Durkee
  • Patent number: 6503325
    Abstract: In a method of application of a coating medium by use of a spray device onto a moving surface, which in the direct application method is the surface of a material web, specifically a paper or cardboard web, an atmosphere of back-moistening and/or moistening medium for the atomized coating medium is maintained in the area of the spray device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Hess
  • Patent number: 6499631
    Abstract: In a hot melt adhesive applicator of a slot die type or other type having an air supply to an adhesive service block through solenoids controlling the ON-OFF of the pneumatic adhesive applicator valves, one or more air valves are directly mounted to the service block through an intervening air supply manifold base plate positioned atop an insulation plate to significantly decrease the air path length and decrease the response time of the air valve. The insulation element may be mounted within an elongate recess formed in the top surface of the service block. The insulation element may be formed with cutouts to reduce the mass of the insulation element and to provide better air insulation exposure between the bottom surface of the valve base manifold and the bottom of the recess exposed by the cutouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Jon C. Zook
  • Patent number: 6494953
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing liquids onto a rotating surface. In one embodiment the apparatus includes one or more dispense lines, each dispense line having a tube and a tubular fitting connected to a nozzle. In another embodiment the apparatus includes a heat exchanger providing circulation of a heat transfer medium between the annular regions defined by the tubes inside the dispense lines through a fluid channel in communication with the annular regions. A method of heating a dispense line. The method includes the steps of flowing a heating medium through the annular region of one dispense line to another through a fluid channel in communicating with the annular regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Hayes, Mark V. Peckham
  • Publication number: 20020182316
    Abstract: The invention provide a method for applying a coating to an ophthalmic lens or a mold for making the ophthalmic lens or a medical device other than ophthalmic lens. The method comprises spraying at least one layer of a coating liquid onto an ophthalmic lens using a spraying process selected from the group consisting of an air-assisted atomization and dispensing process, an ultrasonic-assisted atomization and dispensing process, a piezoelectric assisted atomization and dispensing process, an electro-mechanical jet printing process, a piezo-electric jet printing process, a piezo-electric with hydrostatic pressure jet printing process, and a thermal jet printing process. The coating can comprise a property/functionality pattern or a color image or combination of both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Allen Gilliard, Lynn Cook Winterton, Rafael Victor Andino, John Lally
  • Patent number: 6488041
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method suitable for automatic cleaning of a coating or extrusion head of a coating apparatus. The invention includes a scrubbing station wherein a combination of physical contact and strong solvent solution combine to remove coating fluid from the exterior of an extrusion head. A second cleaning station, preferably a rinsing station then further cleans the head of coating fluid and removes solvent used at a first cleaning station. The solvent used at the rinsing station is preferably self-drying thereby obviating the need for any further cleaning action. The invention also provides for the ability to prime the coating bead at the extrusion head so as to have a fully formed bead ready before the head begins coating a substrate, thereby providing an even coating across said substrate. The priming operation preferably comprises holding the head steady over a rotating priming roller while extruding fluid preferably at a constant volumetric flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: FAStar, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Gibson, John E. Hawes, Samer Mahmoud Kabbani, Ocie T. Snodgrass
  • Patent number: 6488773
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for spraying a molten thermoplastic polymer composition onto a substrate. The thermal spray apparatus of the present invention includes a source of pressurized molten polymer material, a source of pressurized hot gas, and a spray head which is in fluid communication with the source of pressurized molten polymer material and a source of pressurized hot gas. The pressurized hot gas forms a flowstream as it exits the spray head and acts to atomize and transport the molten polymer material, in a molten state, to the substrate so that the substrate is coated. The molten polymer is atomized into relatively uniform particulates of molten plastic which aids in applying a uniform coating to the subject substrate. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Plastic Stuff, LLC
    Inventors: Walter L. Ehrhardt, Dennis L. Turocy
  • Publication number: 20020139300
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating a material to be coated with a solution is disclosed, preferably for coating pharmaceuticals. A spray bar having a spray gun receptacle, a solution inlet conduit and an atomizing air conduit is disclosed. The spray gun is positionable in the spray gun receptacle and has a body portion adapted to fit in the receptacle and an insertion portion having a sealable orifice at a spraying end thereof. The body portion has an internal void constructed and arranged to be in fluid communication with the solution inlet conduit and the atomizing air conduit when the spray gun is positioned in the spray gun receptacle and the insertion portion is in an open position. The insertion portion is moveable between an open position defining a passage between the body portion void and the spraying end orifice a closed position sealing the insertion portion against the body portion to close said passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: James T. Wlodarczyk
  • Patent number: 6458424
    Abstract: When replacing a paint cartridge (25) on the coating apparatus (11), a replenished paint cartridge of a next paint color is picked up from one of paint replenisher units (55a to 55n) by one gripper member (101) of a cartridge gripper (100). In the next place, while the replenished paint cartridge (25) is being continuously gripped on one gripper member (101), a consumed or empty paint cartridge (25) is gripped and removed from the housing (12) by the other gripper member (102). Then, the replenished paint cartridge on one gripper member (101) is loaded on the housing (12), and the empty paint cartridge (25) is returned to a corresponding one of the paint replenisher units (55a to 55n). Thus, the paint cartridges (25) can be replaced in a significantly simplified manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshida, Hidetsugu Matsuda, Toshio Hosoda
  • Publication number: 20020123011
    Abstract: A heating apparatus for a substrate to be processed with a coating film has a chamber with an inner space, a heating plate heating the substrate to be processed in the inner space, and a partition member. The heating plate has a support surface which supports the substrate to be processed within the chamber. The partition member is arranged in the chamber so as to face the support surface. The partition member partitions the inner space into first and second spaces, and has a plurality of pores which allow the first and second spaces to communicate with each other. The support surface of the heating plate is set in the first space. An air stream formation mechanism forming an air stream is arranged in the second space. This mechanism discharges a substance evaporated from the photoresist film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenji Kawano, Shinichi Ito, Eishi Shiobara, Daisuke Kawamura, Kei Hayasaki
  • Publication number: 20020108562
    Abstract: A spray gluing unit in a machine for wrapping products advancing along a pass line comprises a gluer equipped with a nozzle having an outlet from which adhesive is directed onto a wrapping material enveloping the products, and a cleaning station equipped with a first movable member carrying a scraper blade and a wetting pad to which silicone oil is supplied; the scraper blade and the wetting pad are designed to interact with a flat surface of the gluer and with an end face of the outlet, occupying substantially the same plane, so as to remove any residual adhesive from the gluer and keep the outlet moistened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Alver Tacchi, Silvano Boriani, Fausto Negrini, Alessandro Minarelli
  • Publication number: 20020100416
    Abstract: A deposition system is used for depositing particles onto a substrate, such as a wafer in a deposition chamber. The particles are carried in an aerosol that is generated an atomizer that includes an impaction plate for removing large particles before the aerosol is discharged, and which has an output that is provided through a particle classifier to the deposition chamber. Various branches of flow lines are used such that the aerosol that has classified particles in it, is mixed with a clean dry gas prior to discharge into the deposition chamber, and selectively the aerosol can be directed to the deposition chamber without having the particles classified. The lines carrying the aerosol can be initially connected to a vacuum source that will quickly draw the aerosol closely adjacent to the deposition chamber to avoid delays between deposition cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: James J. Sun, Benjamin Y. H. Liu
  • Patent number: 6419750
    Abstract: Device for dispensing fluid, especially glue, with a main body and several application modules attached to the main body, each of which has a fluid canal which can be connected to a source of fluid and ends in an output orifice, as well as an application valve for optional interruption and release of the flow of fluid. At least one application module has an electrically operable application valve and at least one application module has a pneumatically operable application valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: John Tabak, Hendrik-Jan Righolt
  • Patent number: 6401651
    Abstract: A spray apparatus for spraying oily confectionery raw material, wherein a nozzle cap is disposed around a nozzle, the nozzle cap is interlocked with a nozzle-cap-bar drive disc through a nozzle cap driving bar, the nozzle-cap-bar drive disc is coupled with a cap-bar drive motor so that the nozzle-cap-bar drive disc is lengthwise moved to a desired position. The spray apparatus can independently control a spraying area and a particle size of the sprayed oily confectionery material in simple and automatic manner when the oily confectionery raw material is sprayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Keizo Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6399518
    Abstract: A resist coating and developing processing apparatus comprises an airflow forming mechanism for forming airflows from the tops of a cassette station, a processing station, and an interface section toward the bottoms and a controller for controlling the airflow forming mechanism, in which the processing station includes draft openings communicating with the cassette station and the interface section respectively. The controller controls the airflow forming mechanism so that the pressure in the processing station becomes higher than the pressures in the cassette station and the interface section to form flows of air from the processing station into the cassette station and the interface section. Thereby, influence of impurity components such as particles, alkaline components, and the like and changes in atmosphere such as temperature, humidity, and the like exerted on processing can be effectively precluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Issei Ueda
  • Patent number: 6387184
    Abstract: A system and method for modularly interfacing wet components of a coating apparatus to the remainder of the coating apparatus comprising a station whereupon a substrate is located. A fluid cart houses the wet components of the apparatus which comprise a dispensing head in fluid connection to the fluid cart. The fluid cart can be connected to a station and a variety of different types of coating operations subsequently performed. The fluid can be readily disconnected from the station after the coating operation is complete, permitting a different fluid cart to be attached to the same station. The first fluid cart can then receive required servicing without idling the station to which it had been attached. Various embodiments of the means for coating the substrate and powering and controlling equipment of the coating apparatus are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: FAStar, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Gibson, Carl W. Newquist, John E. Hawes, Altaf A. Poonawala, Scott A. Snodgrass, Samer Mahmoud Kabbani
  • Patent number: 6383331
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for discharging two or more media with media nozzles (15, 25, 35) in which each media nozzle is located on a media arm (10, 20, 30), with a suspension device for each media arm, so that the media arms can perform pivoting movements separately from one another around same axis (Z). Further, the invention relates to a unit for treating in each case a disk-shaped object (2) with at least two media, with a carrier for holding the disk-shaped object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: SEZ Semiconductor-Equipment Zubehor fur die Halbeiterfertigung AG
    Inventor: Franz Sumnitsch
  • Patent number: 6371174
    Abstract: An adhesive supply unit for melting solid and quasi/solid materials, such as polyurethane (PUR) and other hot melt adhesives, is disclosed. The unit features an air control system that automatically starts, when the hopper lid is closed, to remove moisture from the moisture laden air in the hopper interior by alternately applying a vacuum to the hopper interior and then replacing the air with plant air that has passed through a series of dryers and filters. The dryers/filters, valving mechanisms and tubing are mounted directly to the machine body with a panel bolted to the machine, eliminating the need for storing the air control system on a separate cart. A sensor verifies that the hopper lid is securely closed before automatically initiating the drying/purging cycles which are repeated a number of times to assure appropriate dehumidification of air to acceptable levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon C. Zook, J. R. Chapman, Dieter Heerdt
  • Publication number: 20020040677
    Abstract: A dispenser device for dryable fluids is positioned at a product packaging machine dispenser station, with a first conveyor for feeding pieces of packaging material through the dispenser station, and a second conveyor for feeding the products to be packaged; the dispenser device being between the first and the second conveyors and designed to dispense a dryable fluid, consisting of an adhesive substance, onto the pieces at the dispenser station; the device having a dispenser part, with a plurality of nozzles for dispensing the adhesive substance and being located in a cylindrical shell of a hollow body; the shell having an opening which is opposite the pieces in the dispenser station, and the dispenser part being mobile relative to the hollow body between an operating position, in which the nozzles are at the opening, and a non-operating position in which the nozzles are at least at a cleaning and/or washing station inside a sealed chamber formed by the dispenser part and the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Publication number: 20020026896
    Abstract: In a solution treatment apparatus, a nozzle for discharging a treatment solution toward a substrate held by a spin chuck includes a discharge opening for discharging the treatment solution on a surface of the substrate. A collision body against which the treatment solution discharged from the nozzle collides is disposed between the discharge opening of the nozzle and the substrate. Since the collision body is disposed between the discharge opening and the substrate, even when the discharge pressure of the treatment solution is high, the discharged treatment solution once collides against the collision body so that the discharge speed on reaching the substrate is reduced, damage to the substrate is eased, and the amount of air entering into the discharged treatment solution is decreased. Accordingly, no micro-bubble occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Takashi Takekuma
  • Patent number: 6332923
    Abstract: A liquid spray for depositing a coating on a surface of a substrate includes a support bracket and a liquid atomizer operatively connected to the support bracket to spray a liquid spray system also includes an auxiliary air nozzle operatively connected to the support bracket to spray a stream of air to meet the liquid spray just above the surface of the substrate. The support bracket is positioned at a predetermined angle relative to the surface of the substrate for depositing a liquid spray coating on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lee Crawley, Daryl Middleton, James Arthur Davis, Kanwal Bhatia, Robert Franklin Tweadey
  • Patent number: 6322856
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmatron for a plasma coating apparatus including an anode having an axial bore through which gas is passed around a cathode and an electric arc is established between the anode and cathode. A powder feed line or conduit is connected between the anode and a powder feed source. The feed line has a straight section along a portion of its length terminating at the axial bore of the anode. The straight section of feed line has a ratio of length to internal diameter at least about 4.8, preferably 10 and even more preferably 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Gary A. Hislop
  • Patent number: 6319560
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating the outer surface of a workpiece comprises disposing a workpiece in a fixed position along an axis and rotating a thermal spray gun around the axis on a support with a thermal spray thereof directed towards the axis. The powder, fuel and oxygen are rotatably coupling to the gun and the thermal spray gun and the support are moving along the axis while rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Metco (US) Inc.
    Inventors: David Hawley, Montia Nestler, Kevin Varley
  • Publication number: 20010041227
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmatron for a plasma coating apparatus including an anode having an axial bore through which gas is passed around a cathode and an electric arc is established between the anode and cathode. A powder feed line or conduit is connected between the anode and a powder feed source. The feed line has a straight section along a portion of its length terminating at the axial bore of the anode. The straight section of feed line has a ratio of length to internal diameter at least about 4.8, preferably 10 and even more preferably 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Gary A. Hislop
  • Publication number: 20010039919
    Abstract: A method for chemical vapor deposition using a very fine atomization or vaporization of a reagent containing liquid or liquid-like fluid near its supercritical temperature, where the resulting atomized or vaporized solution is entered into a flame or a plasma torch, and a powder is formed or a coating is deposited onto a substrate. The combustion flame can be stable from 10 torr to multiple atmospheres, and provides the energetic environment in which the reagent contained within the fluid can be reacted to form the desired powder or coating material on a substrate. The plasma torch likewise produces the required energy environment, but, unlike the flame, no oxidizer is needed so materials stable in only very low oxygen partial pressures can be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Andrew T. Hunt, Helmut G. Hornis
  • Patent number: 6309463
    Abstract: A device for direct or indirect application of a liquid or viscous coating medium onto a moving material web, specifically a paper or cardboard web, includes an applicator unit which, in the direct application method, applies the coating medium in the form of a coating layer directly onto the material web at a point of application. In the indirect application method, the coating medium is first applied onto an applicator element, for example an applicator roll, which then transfers, at the point of application, the coating medium to the material web in the form of a coating layer. In addition, a drying device for drying of the coating layer is provided downstream from the point of application, viewed in the direction of flow of the material web. In the applicator unit, a device for moistening and/or warming the material web, coating medium or the coating layer is additionally provided before the drying device, viewed in the flow direction of the material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Hess, Rüdiger Kurtz, Benjamin Mendéz-Gallon
  • Patent number: 6299688
    Abstract: A developer nozzle used to apply developer and other chemicals to a wafer in the processing of semiconductors is kept free of hardened developer or other chemicals by placing a comb-like device in a position that will let the comb be inserted into the spray holes of the nozzle when the nozzle is not in use. The teeth of the comb are tapered for easy insertion by the robot or other programmed device that controls motion of the nozzle. Although hardened developer is the principal concern in such processing, an appropriate comb can be used to maintain the cleanliness of other nozzles used in semiconductor processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent L. Marinaro, Eric R. Kent
  • Patent number: 6284047
    Abstract: A rotary atomizing head type coating system capable of multiple color changes in the course of a coating operation. A housing (12) with a coating machine (19) is mounted on a wrist portion (5) of a coating robot. Provided for the coating system are a plural number of feeder units (29) which serve as separate sources for a variety of paint colors and which each accommodate a paint valve (40) and a solvent valve (41). Through paint hoses (42) and solvent hoses (43), the respective feeder unit (29) are connected to paint supply lines (49) of different colors and a solvent supply line (52). In order to supply paint of different colors to the coating machine (19) during a coating operation, the feeder units (29) are selectively and replaceably loaded into the housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: ABB K. K.
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshida, Akihiko Arichi
  • Patent number: 6284043
    Abstract: In a solution treatment apparatus, a nozzle for discharging a treatment solution toward a substrate held by a spin chuck includes a discharge opening for discharging the treatment solution on a surface of the substrate. A collision body against which the treatment solution discharged from the nozzle collides is disposed between the discharge opening of the nozzle and the substrate. Since the collision body is disposed between the discharge opening and the substrate, even when the discharge pressure of the treatment solution is high, the discharged treatment solution once collides against the collision body so that the discharge speed on reaching the substrate is reduced, damage to the substrate is eased, and the amount of air entering into the discharged treatment solution is decreased. Accordingly, no micro-bubble occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Takekuma
  • Patent number: 6273103
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for cleaning the printhead of a continuous ink jet printing system. A cleaning fluid is introduced and used to flush ink residues and debris from the interior of the drop generator, the exterior of the orifice plate, the charge plate face and the catcher face. This system and method removes dried ink residues and other debris and deposits by providing a cleaning fluid with a low surface tension to dissolve or flush away the unwanted material from the orifices. This is particularly advantageous in that the flushing and rinsing is accomplished without mechanical contact which could abrade or damage the orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Scitex Digital Printing, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Enz, John N. Blum, Dan C. Lyman, John C. Loyd, Robert J. Simon
  • Patent number: 6258167
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a film of a process liquid, comprising a mounting table for supporting the substrate to be processed substantially horizontally, a process liquid supply device for supplying a process liquid for processing the substrate, a linear nozzle having a header space which has a length substantially corresponding to a diameter of the substrate and a liquid discharge portion, the header space mutually communicating with the liquid discharge portion, a liquid inlet port which communicates with the process liquid supply device and whose opening is formed above the header space, a moving device for relatively moving the linear nozzle and the mounting table while the liquid discharge portion faces the substrate on the mounting table, and a control device for controlling a viscosity of the photoresist solution within the header space or controlling a temperature of the developing liquid in the header space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yukihiro Kawano, Takashi Takekuma
  • Publication number: 20010003968
    Abstract: The present invention is a film forming unit for forming a film on a substrate by supplying a coating solution on the substrate from a discharge nozzle, including moving means for moving the discharge nozzle, wherein the moving means comprises a supporting member for supporting the discharge nozzle, a moving member for moving the supporting member, a guide shaft passing through bearing portion which is formed in the supporting member, and an air supply mechanism for supplying air to a space between the bearing portion and the guide shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Takahiro Kitano, Masateru Morikawa, Yukihiko Esaki, Nobukazu Ishizaka, Norihisa Koga, Kazuhiro Takeshita, Hirofumi Ookuma, Masami Akimoto
  • Patent number: 6248168
    Abstract: Prior to transfer of an wafer W, a mixed gas is being generated and exhausted, thereby fluctuation of concentration and temperature of a solvent component at the beginning of gas introduction into a chamber 3 is suppressed. A step of gelling after the wafer W is carried into an aging unit is divided into several steps. Until a temperature of the wafer W reaches a predetermined treatment temperature, an average concentration of the solvent component in a mixed gas is gradually raised relative to the temperature of the wafer W. Thereby, immediately after the wafer W is transferred into a sealed chamber, the gas of the solvent component is prevented from condensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Makoto Muramatsu, Yoji Mizutani, Kazutoshi Yano, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Patent number: 6238746
    Abstract: A painting method and a painting apparatus are disclosed, in which a few kinds of five to eight primary color paints are transferred along corresponding paint-transferring lines, and at a primary color paint selecting/extracting unit 6 provided at an intermediate of the painting apparatus 1 necessary primary color paints are selected and extracted for a certain amount and transferred into a paint-transferring passage 5, and then the extracted primary color paints are mixed at an agitating unit 7 provided at an intermediate of the paint-transferring passage 5 such that a suitable color paint having a certain viscosity is prepared. The suitable color paint thus prepared is then transferred to a spray gun G. A washing unit C is provided at the beginning end of the paint-transferring passage 5. When changing the color paint, the common paint-transferring passage 5 is cleaned by washing liquid ejected from the washing unit C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidemoto Fukuoka, Emitsu Tajima, Koutarou Hirata, Tetsuya Yasuda
  • Patent number: 6238484
    Abstract: A reactive hot-melt adhesive coating machine capable of preventing a nozzle clogging by a simple construction is disclosed. A reactive hot-melt adhesive in a molten state supplied from an adhesive storage tank is fed to a spray means through an adhesive feeding passage. A cleaning fluid which is not curable reacting with moisture content in the ambient air is stored in a cleaning fluid storage tank. The cleaning fluid storage tank is connected to the adhesive feeding passage through a cleaning fluid feeding passage and a change-over valve. The change-over valve functions to disconnect the cleaning fluid feeding passage from the adhesive feeding passage when the reactive hot-melt adhesive is sprayed out of nozzles, and connect the cleaning fluid feeding passage to the adhesive feeding passage to discharge the cleaning fluid out of the nozzles when the nozzles are cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6235111
    Abstract: A phosphatizing system for phosphatizing an object including a closed-loop phosphatizing assembly is provided configured to pass a phosphatizing reagent solution over an object during a phosphatizing procedure. The phosphatizing assembly includes a collection compartment in fluid communication with a run-off portion of a subfloor assembly supporting the object for receipt of substantially all the reagent run-off fluids from the subfloor assembly. A storage assembly is configured to pass a rinsing solution over the object to wash the reagent solution therefrom during a finishing rinse procedure performed after the phosphatizing procedure. This storage assembly includes a storage compartment in fluid communication with the run-off portion for receipt of substantially all the rinsing/reagent run-off fluids from the subfloor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: EZ Environmental Solutions, Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Comiso, Vincent J. Ferrari, Neil J. Bailer, Michael D. Damron, Nhan Nguyen Thanh Lam
  • Patent number: 6235115
    Abstract: Two coating supply tubes extend parallel to one another and run the full width of a moving substrate in the cross machine direction. Coating is supplied separately to each supply tube from opposite ends. The supply tubes discharge coating through spaced metering holes into an application chamber defined between a sidewall mounted to each supply tube. The counterflow arrangement of the coating supply tubes results in the fall off of coating pressure in one tube being canceled out by the increased pressure in the other tube. The fall off may be further counteracted by varying the spacing between metering holes the greater the distance from the coating inlet, by varying the diameter of the metering holes, or both. The tendency of the heated coating to cause a temperature gradient may be counteracted by cantilevering the applicator head on arms from a support beam through which a temperature-controlling fluid is circulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Bassett, Roger L. Goecks
  • Patent number: 6224672
    Abstract: A plate member, which may be a die plate or a shim, which is adapted to be used within a fluid material dispensing system, such as, for example, a system for dispensing or distributing adhesives upon substrates, is provided with a plurality of apertures equally spaced along the longitudinal extent thereof. The apertures comprise a plurality of throughbores for respectively receiving a plurality of fasteners, which are adapted to secure the plate member to a support structure, for example, an adhesive manifold or the like. In addition to the through-bores, milled slots are also provided within the plate member, the milled slots connecting the through-bores to a free edge portion of the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Michael Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6217654
    Abstract: Powder spray coating equipment includes a spraying system (2), an injector (26) to pneumatically convey powder to the spraying system (2), and at least one flushing-air intake (73) to supply flushing compressed air into the air/powder path at a flushing-air supply site where the flow impedance to the flushing compressed air is less everywhere in the downstream direction through the spraying system (2) than in the upstream direction as far as through the injector (26) in order to drive flushing compressed air from the flushing air intake (73) through the air/powder path and out of the spraying system (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: ITW Gema AG
    Inventors: Felix Mauchle, Heinz Höfler
  • Patent number: 6217944
    Abstract: An automatic coating apparatus. A rotary atomizing head is washed with the fluid supplied from its front side by a washing nozzle. A coating machine is mounted on a coating robot for moving in arbitrary directions, while an atomizing head washer is located in the vicinity of the coating robot. At the time of a washing operation, the coating robot is actuated to put the rotary atomizing head into a waste liquid collecting container of the atomizing head washer. In this state, thinner is discharged from the washing nozzle toward the front side of the hub member of the rotary atomizing head. Thinner is then allowed to flow into the rotary atomizing head through solvent outlet holes in the hub member to wash off deposited paint from the rotary atomizing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshida, Hidetsugu Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6146695
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous protective film, consisting of a thermoplastic synthetic material, which is applied to the inner side of the longitudinal weld of sheet metal pipes which are supplied end to end across the welding arm of a welding machine and an adjacent applicator arm. The thermoplastic synthetic material is continuously melted and applied using an applicator nozzle across at least the entire width of the weld. The thermoplastic synthetic material fed continuously is preheated, melted and conveyed to the applicator nozzle in a homogeneous liquid state. The discharge opening of the nozzle is subsequently guided at an adjustable constant distance from the inner side of the longitudinal weld of the sheet metal pipes, and the liquid synthetic material is applied in metered quantities. The melting apparatus for carrying out the process comprises means for guiding the discharge opening of the applicator nozzle. The means are, for example, a follow up roller, a sliding block, or a probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Ernst M. Frey
  • Patent number: 6143075
    Abstract: A photo-fiber link glue control system (10) for accurately placing a pattern of glue on a sequential series of targets traveling with a conveyor (54) through the system (10). The system (10) includes an air reservoir (18) and a glue tank (24) for storing glue to be applied to the series of targets. A glue head (32) is connected to receive glue from the glue tank (24) for application to the series of targets. The lead and trailing edge of the target is detected by photo-eye sensors (44, 46) which generate a target position signal indicative of the sensed position. The pressure within the air reservoir (18) and glue tank (24) are monitored and a control device (36) stores a pattern in which the glue is to be applied to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Edward E Osbon
  • Patent number: 6125787
    Abstract: A spray apparatus for spraying oily confectionery row material, wherein a nozzle cap is disposed around a nozzle, the nozzle cap is interlocked with a nozzle-cap-bar drive disc through a nozzle cap driving bar, and the nozzle-cap-bar drive disc is coupled with a cap-bar drive motor so that the nozzle-cap-bar drive disc is lengthwise moved to a desired position. The spray apparatus can independently control a spraying area and a particle size of the sprayed oily confectionery material in simple and automatic manner when the oily confectionery raw material is sprayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keizo Mochizuki