Dust Chamber Type Patents (Class 118/309)
  • Patent number: 6589346
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of coating the outer surface of a non-rotating pipe with a fluid including a fluid reservoir for containing fluid to be discharged onto the surface of a pipe, and a pipe receiving chamber extending through and separate from the fluid reservoir. The apparatus further includes a fluid application assembly having a plurality of fluid intake openings positioned in the fluid reservoir for the intake of fluid therefrom. The fluid intake openings are rotatable in a circular pattern within the reservoir about a path extending through the chamber. The assembly has a plurality of fluid discharge outlets in fluid communication with the fluid intake openings and directed towards the path. The fluid discharge outlets are rotatable in unison with the fluid intake openings about the path, whereby fluid entering the fluid intake openings from the reservoir is discharged through the fluid discharge outlets to coat the outer surface of a pipe being conveyed along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Bredero-Shaw Company
    Inventors: Calvin Schick, Randall Henry Danderfer
  • Patent number: 6582517
    Abstract: A compartment for powder coating of workpieces (20) which is simple in structure, cost effective, and easy to clean comprises a floor (32, 40), two sidewalls (2, 4), and two end walls (10, 12) at least one (12) of which has a door opening (16) for entry and/or exit of the workpieces (20). Two oblique walls (22, 24) are arranged symmetrically inclined with respect to each other at the inside surfaces of the sidewalls (2, 4) in the lower corner regions of the compartment, so that, together with the corner regions, they define a suction channel (34, 36) each, and with their lower edges they form suction gaps (s). The walkable floor (32) may be embodied by a stationary plate or a discharge belt. The oblique walls (22, 24) can be tilted up against or removed from the inside surfaces of the sidewalls (2, 4) for cleaning purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Wagner International AG
    Inventors: Armando Volonté, Christoph Keller, Horst Adams
  • Patent number: 6569246
    Abstract: A powder coating assembly comprising a compartment (1) in which workpieces (3) are coated with powder and which includes a discharge belt (15) for conveying excess powder to a recovery unit (5) or a filter unit (4) is characterized in that both a recovery unit (5) and a filter unit (4) are provided, each connected by a separate conduit (16; 18) to an exhaust opening (17; 19) of the compartment (1), and in that a shutoff member (42) is provided in the separate conduits (16; 18) for selectively blocking conveyance of powder to the filter unit (4) or the recovery unit (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Wagner International AG
    Inventors: Christoph Keller, Horst Adams, Bernd Lutz, Daniel Ziwica
  • Patent number: 6558468
    Abstract: A workpiece 1 is supported on a conveyor 2 through a carrier 3. A supporting portion of the workpiece 1 is vertically and horizontally rotatable to change its position to a floor conveyor position, an overhead conveyor position, and a side conveyor position. The workpiece 1 is first moved to enter a spray booth 30 in the floor conveyor position ({circle around (1)}) and then vertically rotated to the overhead conveyor position where the bottom portion thereof faces upward. An under-side coating is performed on the lower portion of a car body by a spray apparatus 31 for which the nozzle position is situated lower ({circle around (2)}). The workpiece 1 is then horizontally rotated to the side conveyor position where the left-hand side of the car body faces upward and an L-side coating is performed on the left-hand side of the car body by the same spray apparatus 31 as above ({circle around (3)}).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Masaki, Hidenobu Nishida
  • Publication number: 20030072872
    Abstract: Stucco tower and method for applying ceramic particulates to a ceramic slurry coated pattern involves positioning the ceramic slurry coated pattern in a chamber, discharging ceramic particulates downwardly onto the ceramic slurry coated pattern, and circulating air through air circulation plenums from a lower region of the chamber to an upper region thereof as the ceramic particulates are discharged. An air curtain is provided at an access opening to the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Howmet Research Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Adair, Allen W. Ely, Qizhong Diao
  • Publication number: 20030059529
    Abstract: An electrostatic powder coating apparatus including a housing with an interior coating area for receiving a workpiece. The interior coating area includes a vortex inducing surface and a pressurized air input device directs air against the surface to form a swirling pattern of air around the workpiece. A powder introducer directs charged powder into the swirling pattern of air and the powder is then electrostatically attracted to the workpiece. The powder introducer may be a powder fluidizing bed disposed in the housing or other suppliers, such as electrostatic powder spray guns. In alternative embodiments, vortex generators in the form of tubular structures connected proximate the housing inlet and outlet have tangential ports for introducing positive pressure air or inducing vacuum in the tubular structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher P. Bertellotti, Joseph Rogari
  • Publication number: 20030044524
    Abstract: The device and method of the invention utilizes a vibratory trough or bed to triboelectrically charge powder paint particles. The trough is lined with polytetrafluorethylene or any other material having a dielectric constant sufficient to triboelectrically charge paint particles such that oscillation of the paint particles by a motor charges the particles. The motor has an unbalanced weight sufficient to cause a vibration on the trough. The fluidized and subsequently charged particles then attach to a grounded workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Derrick B. Hoffland
  • Publication number: 20030019425
    Abstract: A powder spray booth includes a booth canopy wall arrangement to contain powder during a spraying operation; and a booth floor that is rotatable relative to the booth wall during a spraying operation. The floor can be rotated about an axis that is also the longitudinal axis of the spray booth. The booth may be generally cylindrical in shape with a round floor. The booth canopy and top are supported on a base frame separately from the floor. By this arrangement, the floor can be rotated relative to the booth canopy. A powder extraction apparatus in the form of a low pressure duct suspended off the floor draws up powder that has collected on the floor. The extraction duct is stationary with respect to the rotating floor during a spraying operation. The floor may also be translated along the axis of rotation between a first position in which the floor can rotate and a second position in which the floor is sealed against a lower edge of the booth canopy wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Shutic, Larry Fenik, Scott Miller, Brean Bark
  • Patent number: 6503324
    Abstract: Stucco tower and method for applying ceramic particulates to a ceramic slurry coated pattern involves positioning the ceramic slurry coated pattern in a chamber, discharging ceramic particulates downwardly onto the ceramic slurry coated pattern, and circulating air through air circulation plenums from a lower region of the chamber to an upper region thereof as the ceramic particulates are discharged. An air curtain is provided at an access opening to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Howmet Research Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Adair, Allen W. Ely, Qizhong Diao
  • Publication number: 20020185064
    Abstract: A powder coating booth containment structure including first and second canopy halves, each of which is a substantially nonconductive, seamless, structural composite to substantially reduce oversprayed powder particle adhesion to the booth inner surfaces. The composite canopy halves, when assembled into a spray booth additionally including either a floor or a utility base and one or a pair of end units in the form of aperture bulkheads, vestibules, or a combination of both, are structurally sufficiently strong that no external support frame is required. The composite canopy halves can each include sidewall and ceiling portions, in an embodiment, that can be connected to a floor. In another embodiment, the canopy halves each additionally include a floor portion such that they may be connected together at a floor edge and placed atop a utility base. They may be connected to the utility base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Shutic
  • Publication number: 20020166506
    Abstract: A compartment for powder coating workpieces conveyed through an aperture for the workpieces formed in an end wall and coated by means of automatic coating equipment inside the compartment in which there is negative pressure comprises at least one manual coating station located beyond and adjacent the aperture, as seen in conveying direction of the workpieces for manually coating workpieces outside of the compartment. In this manner, on the one hand, openings in the sidewalls of the compartment for manual coating of the workpieces from the side of the compartment can be dispensed with and, on the other hand, practically unlimited free space is offered during manual coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Christoph Keller, Hans Mendler
  • Publication number: 20020150677
    Abstract: In an apparatus for supplying powder coating material, when a given supply rate Qm of powder coating material F and a carrier air flow rate Qt are inputted, whether learned data of a suction air pressure Pfm with respect to the inputted given supply rate Qm is stored in a memory or not is determined. If the data is stored, the learned data of the suction air pressure Pfm is read, and a pressure regulator for suction air is instantaneously operated to be adjusted to have the value of the read learned data. After that, the apparatus moves to PID control with the given supply rate Qm being the target value. The value of the suction air pressure Pfm when the actual supply rate equals the given supply rate Qm is stored in the memory as learned data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Tadao Morita, Hiroki Murai, Masayuki Hajima, Kazuhide Naruse, Tadashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6461431
    Abstract: A powder spray apparatus is described including a powder booth with a scraper bar which reciprocates across the floor thereof to collect deposited overspray powder and supply it to intakes located at each end wall. The intakes are connected by a feed channel to one or more cyclone separators. An exhaust duct may also be provided for air-borne overspray powder which preferably forms part of the feed channel. Powder recovered from the cyclone separators may be passed to a common collection hopper by use of a venturi pump which transfers the powder from each separator to the hopper via a sieve located in a ventilated enclosure above the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: James Ainsworth, Christopher Eastwood, Robert Perrin
  • Patent number: 6458209
    Abstract: A powder coating booth containment structure including first and second canopy halves, each of which is a substantially nonconductive, seamless, structural composite to substantially reduce oversprayed powder particle adhesion to the booth inner surfaces. The composite canopy halves, when assembled into a spray booth additionally including either a floor or a utility base and one or a pair of end units in the form of aperture bulkheads, vestibules, or a combination of both, are structurally sufficiently strong that no external support frame is required. The composite canopy halves can each include sidewall and ceiling portions, in an embodiment, that can be connected to a floor. In another embodiment, the canopy halves each additionally include a floor portion such that they may be connected together at a floor edge and placed atop a utility base. They may be connected to the utility base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Shutic
  • Publication number: 20020092468
    Abstract: The invention relates to a powder facility used for spray coating and comprising at least one injection unit (6), at least two powder stations (2) and at least one cleaning unit (16) which are mutually displaceable in program-controlled manner in order to alternatively convey powder from one of the powder receptacles of the powder stations or to clean the powder-flow itineraries using compressed cleaning air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: ITW GEMA AG,
    Inventors: Felix Mauchle, Markus Lenherr
  • Patent number: 6361605
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying powder coating material onto large objects such as automotive, truck or other vehicle bodies includes a powder spray booth defining a controlled area within which to apply powder coating material onto the vehicle bodies, a powder kitchen located at a remote position from the powder spray booth, and, a number of feed hoppers located proximate the booth which receive powder coating material from the powder kitchen and supply it to automatically or manually manipulated powder spray guns associated with the booth. Oversprayed powder coating material is removed from the booth interior by a powder collection and recovery system which transmits the oversprayed powder back to the powder kitchen for recirculation to the powder spray guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Shutic, John F. Carlson, Thomas E. Hollstein, Keith E. Williams, Ernest J. Fena, Harry J. Lader
  • Publication number: 20020005208
    Abstract: In a system for coating human skin, a chemical composition, such as a cosmetic or medical formulation, is uniformly coated over the entire body or selected parts of the body of the person being coated. The system includes atomization of the coating composition, containment of the atomized spray, and residual recovery which together yield a novel method for applying chemical compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas J. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 6250224
    Abstract: A powder sprayer unit which provides improved spraying of powder onto printed sheets of material produced in printing presses. The powder sprayer includes a source of pressurized fluid, a source of powder, a mixer and a distributor. The mixer includes at least one fluid inlet positioned to receive fluid from the fluid source, and at least one powder inlet positioned to receive powder from the source of powder to mix the fluid and the powder forming a fluid/powder mixture. The distributor-includes a disperser positioned to disperse the mixture as it flows to a plurality of nozzles. The nozzles are positioned to spray the dispersed mixture onto specified areas of printed sheets of material having passed through the printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventors: Hans J. Hofmann, Mark A. DiRico
  • Patent number: 6245146
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for covering printed sheets with powder having a reservoir for the powder, an inlet for a carrier air stream feeding into the reservoir, an outlet for the carrier air stream loaded with powder exiting out of the reservoir and with a heating cartridge disposed in the reservoir, wherein the heating cartridge is provided with a heat conducting device. Powder can thereby be heated in a controlled, simple, and effective manner to remain in a pourable condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Weitman & Konrad GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Carlheinz Weitmann, Marcel Konrad
  • Patent number: 6190455
    Abstract: A finely-divided powder spray apparatus of the invention comprises a spray nozzle pipe disposed at a position spaced apart from a member to be sprayed a prescribed interval; a support unit of the spray nozzle pipe for supporting it so that it can be inclined; a first joint unit disposed to the upper end of the spray nozzle pipe; two linearly-moving actuators that each move in respective linear paths that are fixed relative to each other and each provided with a second joint unit; and two rods for coupling each of the second joint units with the first joint unit; wherein the finely-divided powder is sprayed onto the member to be sprayed from the spray nozzle pipe which is inclined in an arbitrary direction by combining the movements of the two linearly-moving actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignees: Nisshin Flour Milling Co., Ltd., Nisshin Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Doi, Masaki Ban
  • Patent number: 6187098
    Abstract: A powder coating cabin includes a column-like housing defining an interior space between a ceiling and a bottom, with the bottom being substantially of flat configuration, and a coating unit arranged on the housing for spraying powder onto an object. The powder coating unit is further provided with a cleaning unit which is so received in the housing as to be movable between a stand-by position in which the cleaning unit is arranged at least partially underneath the bottom and an operative phase for automatically cleaning at least the inner wall surfaces of the housing, whereby the bottom is suitably so designed as to clear a passage for the cleaning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Erich Krämer, Matthias Krämer
  • Patent number: 6168828
    Abstract: A gas feed system for detonation gun apparatus having a labyrinth shaped gas path. The labyrinth is positioned between the fuel and oxygen supply and the combustion chamber of a detonation gun. The labyrinth allows the fuel and oxygen supply to flow into the combustion and precludes and migration of the detonation wave front into the fuel supply by destroying that portion of the detonation wave front that enters the labyrinth. The labyrinth gas feed system increases safety, reliability and productivity of the detonation coating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Aerostar Coating, S.L.
    Inventors: Alexandr Vladimirovich Chernyshov, Georgy Yur'evich Barykin
  • Patent number: 6129039
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for evenly applying an atomized adhesive for bonding a die to a leadframe is disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a hood in communication with an air supply and a vacuum plenum that encompass a semiconductor device component located in a target area during adhesive application so that the adhesive is selectively applied to specific portions of the leadframe or other semiconductor device component and adhesive is not allowed outside the system. A mask or stencil may be employed for further prevention of adhesive application to undesired areas. An air purge may be employed to direct the adhesive mist toward the component to be coated. In another embodiment, a fine adhesive spray is directed against the surface of the workpiece to be coated, selected areas being masked to prevent coating. Wafers may be coated as well as leadframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sven Evers
  • Patent number: 6071348
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a powder coating system, comprising at least one coating device, a coating compartment and a suction system in the coating compartment. In the method, a workpiece is passed through a coating compartment. The coating powder is discharged by the coating device to the workpiece and excess coating powder is sucked off from the coating compartment, wherein the powder mass flow of the coating powder discharged by the or each coating device is detected and the suction system is controlled in accordance with the powder mass flow. For this purpose the invention provides a powder coating system comprising a measuring means for detecting the powder mass flow of the coating powder discharged by the or any coating device, and an actuator means for setting the suction system in accordance with the powder mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Wagner Inaternational AG
    Inventors: Kurt Seitz, Markus Hasler, Horst Adams
  • Patent number: 6068702
    Abstract: Apparatus for powder coating various types of parts using different powder coating techniques. The apparatus includes a powder coating hood in which the coating operation takes place and a powder collection booth connected to the hood for drawing air and excess powder out of the hood. An air circulation system is provided in the collection booth for drawing excess air and powder from the hood. An air flow regulator is provided to adjust the draw of air and powder between low and high amounts. A low amount is, for example, useful for electrostatic fluidized bed coating, while a higher amount may be useful for spray coating techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Bertellotti, Jennifer Daling, Visveshwar Reddy, David Seales, Vincent Sutton
  • Patent number: 6042892
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for coating zinc on steel sheets for use on automobiles and electronic apparatuses are disclosed. A fluidized bed forming chamber is provided to fluidize zinc powders in carrying out a zinc coating on a heated steel sheet, so that not only a uniformly coated layer but also a thick coated layer can be obtained. The apparatus for continuously coating zinc on a steel sheet according to the present invention includes a zinc coating chamber for forming a fluidized bed of zinc powders, for passing a heated steel sheet through the fluidized bed of the zinc powders, and for making the zinc powders melt-adhere on the steel sheet during its passing through the fluidized bed. A fluidized bed forming chamber forms a fluidized bed of the zinc powders by making the zinc powders suspended by spouting a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Hean Kim, Jin Hwan Chung, Noi Ha Cho
  • Patent number: 6019845
    Abstract: A method for coating an inner surface of a metal tube comprises supplying a hot-melt resin powdery paint floating in air together with an air stream into the metal tube which has been pre-heated and rotating around it's horizontal center axis. An apparatus used for the method comprises a rotating means for supporting and rotating the metal tube, fluidizing bed tank for floating the powdery paint in air, a paint supply pipe, an air pipe and a Y-shaped mixing pipe through which the powdery paint is supplied to the inside of the metal tube in the form of a jet. The inner surface of the metal tube can be coated uniformly in a very short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Senkichi Nakakoshi
  • Patent number: 5928423
    Abstract: A color-changing powder supply system for use in powder coating, etc. which can perform the color changing in a shorter time, has a simpler structure, requires less expensive equipment cost and installation/setup cost, and can be operated more easily and surely than prior art systems, and a powder coating system which has a high effective rate of operation by utilizing the powder supply system. The pneumatically fed powder supply system comprises a powder tank, a powder supply apparatus detachably connected to the powder tank, and means for cleaning the powder supply apparatus. The powder coating system employs the pneumatically fed powder supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Rid Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Toyota, deceased, Yasuhiro Sawada
  • Patent number: 5891249
    Abstract: A method for producing continuous and discontinuous fiber metal matrix composites (CFMMC). The method uses aerosolization of finely divided metal powders in a controlled atmosphere which prevents explosions to coat the fibers and then the metal coated fibers are consolidated to form the CFMMC. The composites are useful as heat sinks for electrical components and in applications where a structural reinforced metal matrix composite is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Thomas R. Bieler, Viswanadha R. Yallapragada, Huizhong Wang, Lawrence T. Drzal
  • Patent number: 5882404
    Abstract: Powder coating apparatus (10) comprises an enclosure or booth (12) in which an article to be powder coated is locatable. Spray heads (24) are provided in the booth (12) to spray water over the inside of the booth (12) to remove over-spray powder coat material from the booth (12), following coating of an article, and removal thereof from the booth (12). Material washed from the booth (12) can be collected for recovery from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Edward Christopher Gummer
  • Patent number: 5861062
    Abstract: A workpiece spray-painting device having at least two painting booths arranged on the conveying track of the workpieces, with each booth being designed in two separate parts that may be separated from each other. A spraying device for coating the workpieces is movable on a track between the booths when the booth parts are separated from each other so that the spray device may be positioned in one or the other of the booths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Tegometall (International) AG
    Inventor: Herbert Reiss
  • Patent number: 5833751
    Abstract: A powder coating booth comprising a pair of identical polycarbonate shells disposed opposite each other to define a coating chamber having smooth, curvilinear internal surfaces to facilitate the recovery and recycle of excess coating powder. Narrowed down end openings are provided to help confine the excess powder. A thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl carbonate or polycarbonate is formed in a large thermoforming machine with vacuum and pressure to fabricate the components of the coating chamber, which may be up to ten feet wide, ten feet tall, and thirty feet long or longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hoosier Fiberglass Industries, Inc
    Inventor: Richard R. Tucker
  • Patent number: 5814152
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating the surface of a substrate suspends a coating material above the surface of the substrate and irradiates both the coating material and the underlying surface of the substrate. By irradiating both the coating material and the underlying surface of the substrate, a first portion of the coating material is melted to form an at least partially molten droplet of coating material. In addition, at least a second portion of the coating material is ablated to thereby create an ablation plume which propels the at least partially molten droplet of coating material toward the substrate. Thus, a metallic powder can be suspended within a carrier and can be directed along the substrate so as to be irradiated by a pulse of laser energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Thaler
  • Patent number: 5810926
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for evenly applying an atomized adhesive for bonding a die to a leadframe is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a hood in communication with an air supply and a vacuum plenum that encompass a semiconductor device component located in a target area during adhesive application so that the adhesive is selectively applied to specific portions of the leadframe or other semiconductor device component and adhesive is not allowed outside the system. A mask or stencil may be employed for further prevention of adhesive application to undesired areas. An air purge may be employed to direct the adhesive mist toward the component to be coated. In another embodiment, a fine adhesive spray is directed against the surface of the workpiece to be coated, selected areas being masked to prevent coating. Wafers may be coated as well as leadframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sven Evers
  • Patent number: 5800615
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coating an article on a flat line, powder coating system comprises a powder coating booth with a reduced inlet opening for articles to be coated and an enlarged outlet opening for coated articles. Powder spray guns of the tribo-electric type, or having internal charging electrodes, are arranged in rows with parallel tube spray heads and are disposed at a shallow angle with respect to the conveyor to spray powder onto the articles generally in the direction of conveyor movement. Baffle plates are installed under the spray guns so that any powder which collects on the spray guns does not fall on the articles being coated. Oversprayed powder is collected from a part of the booth intermediate the spray guns and the enlarged outlet opening. Preferably, the thickness of powder coating on the articles in the precured condition is measured and the system is controlled so that the coating thickness is uniform and of the desired thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Peter G. Lambert, John Binder, Ivan E. Frost, Stephen F. Brattoli, Jr., Eric P. Fritz
  • Patent number: 5800876
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the outflow of fluid powder from a container can be used for controlling the expulsion of powder out of a powder-spraying apparatus for electrostatic coating. The disadvantages of a mechanical closing device are avoided by introducing closing air into an extraction pipe for extracting fluidized powder out of a container. The closing air is introduced through a pipe which opens into an orifice in the casing of the extraction pipe. The mass flow of fluidized powder can be controlled by an appropriate setting of a pressure in the extraction pipe in relation to the pressure in the fluid bed, that is to say by the introduction of closing air at an appropriate pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Gunter Borner, Johann Nienburg, Jorg Sopka, Josef Wittmann
  • Patent number: 5743958
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying powder coating material onto large objects such as automotive, truck or other vehicle bodies includes a powder spray booth defining a controlled area within which to apply powder coating material onto the vehicle bodies, a powder kitchen located at a remote position from the powder spray booth, and, a number of feed hoppers located proximate the booth which receive powder coating material from the powder kitchen and supply it to automatically or manually manipulated powder spray guns associated with the booth. Oversprayed powder coating material is removed from the booth interior by a powder collection and recovery system which transmits the oversprayed powder back to the powder kitchen for recirculation to the powder spray guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Shutic
  • Patent number: 5695826
    Abstract: An electrostatic powder coating apparatus comprising a powder reservoir, a gas flow injection chamber, a diffusion chamber and a coating chamber and method for coating a substrate or target objects. The injection chamber receives powder from the reservoir at a controlled rate. The powder particulates awe entrained by a gas flow within the injection chamber. The diffusion chamber receives the particulates from the injection chamber. The diffusion chamber deaccelerates the particulates and creates a particulate cloud. The coating chamber receives the particulate cloud. A housing encloses the coating chamber. The coating chamber is isolated from the ambient atmosphere. The coating chamber has a cloud inlet and a cloud outlet. The cloud flows through the coating chamber from the inlet to the outlet. One or more deflectors, within the chamber, define a passage and two or more pockets adjoining the substrate or target objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Terronics Development Corporation
    Inventor: Eduardo C. Escallon
  • Patent number: 5693362
    Abstract: The apparatus has a container which contains a first filter. During operation, this separates the first interior region containing particulate material from a second interior region. The latter is connected to a downstream dust separator. This has a housing which contains a second filter. The apparatus furthermore has a fan, at least one dust concentration sensor and a control device connected to this and to the fan. During fluidization and treatment of the particulate material in the first interior region of the container, the dust concentration in the oxygen-containing gas flowing from the first filter to the second filter and usually consisting of air is measured. If the dust concentration is at least equal to a predetermined limit below the lower explosion limit, the control device switches off the fan. This makes it possible to keep the pressures generated by any dust explosion relatively small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Glatt Maschinen-und Apparatebau AG
    Inventors: Gunther Boos, Winfried Doetsch, Lutz Donnerhack, Wolfgang Hungerbach, Matthias Tondar
  • Patent number: 5690995
    Abstract: A spray booth for use in the spray coating of articles with coating powder. The spray booth forms a coating space which at a bottom is bounded by powder collection means. The powder collection means is divided into an inner collection means and a surrounding outer collection means for the separate collection of surplus powder and the separate removal of the entire surplus powder from the booth. The outer collection means collects surplus coating powder dropping off the inside surfaces of the booth walls. Since this powder may be contaminated with different color or different types of powder from previous spraying operations, it is discarded as waste. The inner collection means collects pure surplus powder which has not touched the booth wall surfaces. This pure surplus powder is recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Gema Volstatic AG
    Inventors: Gallus Fischli, Silvano Gelain, Markus Lenherr
  • Patent number: 5681390
    Abstract: A spray booth in which objects are coated by spraying with a finely divided coating material, the booth including: a housing composed of a ceiling which has a lower surface, a plurality of walls each having an inner surface and a floor, the surfaces delimiting a spray space; a system for recovering finely divided material not deposited on the objects; at least one scraping bar for scraping finely divided material off of at least one surface selected from the lower surface and an inner surface; and an operating mechanism for supporting and displacing the scraping bar along the at least one surface. The booth is scraped by first scraping one of the lower surfaces of the ceiling and the inner surface of at least one of the walls, and then scraping the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Sames S.A.
    Inventor: Adrien Lacchia
  • Patent number: 5647906
    Abstract: An environmentally compatible pipe cleaning station having an elongated incoming pipe feeder for receiving a length of pipe thereon to be cleaned, a cleaning station through which the pipe is axially and rotationally advanced onto an elongated pipe receiving system that is in axial alignment with the incoming pipe feeder and which then axially passes the length of pipe back through the cleaning station, an elongated secondary pipe feeder system adjacent the incoming pipe feeder lateral transfer apparatus for moving the cleaned pipe onto an adjacent paralleled secondary pipe feeder, a coating booth in axial alignment with the secondary pipe feeder through which a length of pipe is fed and is spray coated, and an outgoing pipe receiver system in alignment with a secondary pipe feeder for receiving the cleaned and coated pipe which is ready to be removed for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignees: A-Z Terminal Corporation, Leonard Smith
    Inventors: John W. Monday, Joseph C. Ottaviani, Leonard R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5630875
    Abstract: Apparatus for coating the interior surfaces of metal containers by electrostatic deposition of specific polyolefin compositions on the separate parts of the containers prior to assembly of the containers and melting of the polyolefin compositions, which includesa first spray booth containing at least one electrostatic powder spraying device for spraying a polyolefin composition powder, the first spray booth being adapted for spraying the bottoms and lids of the containers,means for conveying the bottoms and lids of containers in the first spray booth,a second spray booth containing at least one electrostatic powder spraying device for spraying a polyolefin composition powder, the second spray booth being adapted for spraying the bodies of the containers,means for conveying the bodies of containers in the second spray booth, andat least one electrostatic generator connected to the spraying devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Montell North America Inc.
    Inventors: Gian L. Rigosi, Roberto Marzola, Gian P. Guidetti, Dino Bacci, Georges Asperti
  • Patent number: 5618589
    Abstract: This method and apparatus provide for uniformly coating a hot elongate member with a powder coating. The elongate member and power carry an electrostatic charge which aids in providing the uniform powder coating. This method and apparatus electrostatically charge and heat the elongated member prior to entering a powder coating booth. In the booth, we sequentially discharge the powder coating, electrostatically charge the powder coating and then coat the elongated member with the charged powder coating. In one development, this method and apparatus uniformly powder coats window lineals directly on a pultrusion line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger A. McFarland
  • Patent number: 5540776
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying powdered coating to a workpiece--particularly to electric motor armatures and stators--including features relating to handling and masking of workpieces before, during and after coating, is provided. A first feature of the invention is the inclusion of all coating steps--e.g., coating, cleaning and precuring--as modules in a single treatment station on the production line. The treatment station can also be enclosed in a single housing to contain excess powder from both the coating and cleaning processes, so that a single powder recovery system can be used to recover the excess powder from both processes. The invention also includes a handling system for removing the workpiece from the production line, inserting it into the treatment station and moving it past the various modules in the treatment station, withdrawing it from the treatment station, and returning it to the armature production line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Axis USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Sandor Habsburg-Lothringen
  • Patent number: 5520736
    Abstract: A vent block for use in controlling powder surging in a flame spray coating system having a flame spray gun with an eductor disposed inside the gun, the vent block being disposed between the powder source and the gun, the vent block having intersecting powder and vent air flow paths communicating with an outlet flow path, the cross-sectional areas of the powder and vent air flow paths being substantially equal to each other, and the combined cross-sectional areas of the powder and vent air flow paths being about one half the cross-sectional area of the outlet flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Plastic Flamecoat Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Long, Mark Dobek
  • Patent number: 5512100
    Abstract: A powder coating system includes a powder spray booth having a single fan module which is operatively connected to at least two filter modules, each capable of being moved into position beneath or along side the powder spray booth and then moved out of position in order to permit access to the booth by another filter module. Each filter module contains a number of cartridge filters and a powder collection chamber wherein oversprayed powder removed from the booth interior can be collected for reuse or circulation back to one or more spray guns associated with the booth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Gratus Ingram, Reuven I. Meyers, Timothy G. Chambers
  • Patent number: 5484504
    Abstract: Devices for loading beneficial insect eggs are disclosed which have a string supply, an egg receptacle, and a provision for applying glue. The devices provide an economical and alternative strategy for the delivery of beneficial insect eggs to agricultural commodities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Walker L. Tedders, Jr., John L. Blythe
  • Patent number: 5403528
    Abstract: Packaging and/or storing atactic polypropylene or other amorphous poly alpha olefins is accomplished by first heating a mass of the olefin material to a molten state and then cooling the molten mass of olefin material to an extrusion temperature. Next, the formless mass of atactic polypropylene is extruded and cut into a succession of pellets. Inert dust-like material is sprayed onto the cutting surfaces and the surface of the olefin material so that the natural tendency of the material to stick to itself and to other objects is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Rexene Corporation
    Inventor: J. Nick Fowler
  • Patent number: 5346553
    Abstract: A booth for the spray coating of workpieces with a powder coating material has a cleaning device for cleaning the interior of the booth. The walls, ceiling and floor constitute the interior contour of the booth and the cleaning device is dimensioned so that a working gap exists between the cleaning device carrier and the interior contour of the booth. The working gap is bridged elastically by cleaning elements that scrape the booth interior to dislodge powder material that has settled. A vacuum source connected to the cleaning device then sucks the powder material released from the interior surfaces for recycling of the powder and cleaning of the booth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Farb-Tec Gesellschaft fur Beschichtungskabinen
    Inventor: Joachim Pingel