Abstract: Following the application of plastic extrudate to transmission medium being moved along a path of travel to provide an insulative covering, the covered medium is moved through a cooling medium and then through an air wipe device (20). The air wipe device, which is effective to remove any of the cooling medium remaining on an outer surface of the cover, comprises a helically extending manifold (42). Spaced along inner surfaces (51, 52) of the manifold are a plurality of sets of orifices (50--50) from which air is directed into engagement with the moving transmission medium. Each set of orifices is arranged to direct streams of air toward the path of travel and hence into engagement with the transmission medium in a manner such that cooling medium is removed from the entire outer surface of the transmission medium. Also each set of orifices is such that the air which is directed toward the moving transmission media does not reengage the air wipe device.

Abstract: An automotive body delivered in a direction, and covers such as an engine hood and a trunk lid and doors of the automotive body are opened and held in an open position. Thereafter, prescribed areas of the automotive body are coated, and those doors which are located downstream with respect to the direction in which the automotive body is delivered and those areas of the automotive body which correspond to those doors which are located upstream with respect to the same direction, are coated. Thereafter, the covers and the doors of the automotive body are closed.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of reagent to a microscope slide or the like includes a spray chamber and a carousel adapted to hold a plurality of slides and to be mounted for rotation in the spray chamber. Nozzles are mounted to spray reagent onto the slides in the carousel as they rotate by the nozzles. Accurate control of the time during which the reagent is sprayed from the nozzles is obtained by placing a control valve in the flow line between a reagent pump and the nozzle and operating the valve to control flow of reagent. Control circuitry coordinates operation of the pumps, valves, and rotation of the carousel to accurately cause spray of reagent onto the slides.

Abstract: A spray painting device having a first spray mechanism and a second spray mechanism located downstream of the first spray mechanism in an assembly line along which an automobile body is conveyed. A spray head of the first spray mechanism is fixed at a constant height when spraying paint onto a side outer panel portion which is situated over a front or rear wheel of the automobile chassis, and is moved up and down when spraying paint onto a side outer panel portion which is not situated over the front or rear wheel. A spray head of the second spray mechanism is located so that a constant distance is maintained between the spray heads and the side outer panel to spray a uniform coat of paint onto the side outer panel.

Abstract: A spraying nozzle of an installation for varnishing hollow bodies from their interiors and especially for varnishing metallic tubes or cans are connected with a spraying nozzle supporting device by a pivotal joint. In the driven out position of the supporting device when the nozzles are out of the hollow bodies, the spraying nozzles can be rotated through an angle and positioned in a tubular clearing device of a purification plant. The article to be sprayed and the spray nozzle are arranged so that the nozzles and the article may be moved relatively to cause the nozzle to enter into the article and move along its interior and spray the article interior as relative movement between the article and the nozzle is carried out and the nozzle and the article, and a cleaning apparatus are arranged so that the nozzle and the article can move relatively for drawing the nozzle out of the article and they can be shifted relatively through an angle and positioned into cooperative engagement with the cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus for depositing a pattern of material, such as hot-melt adhesive, onto a substrate comprises a supplying mechanism for forming a first and at least a second substantially continuous stream of the selected material, and a gas-directing mechanism for forming a plurality of gas streams. The gas streams have selected velocities and are arranged to entrain the material streams to impart a swirling motion to each of the material streams as it moves toward the substrate. A transport mechanism moves the substrate relative to the supply mechanism along a selected machine direction. A regulating mechanism controls the supplying mechanism and gas-directing mechanism to direct the material stream in a selected path toward the substrate and deposit the material in adjacent semi-cycloidal patterns on the substrate while closely controlling a selected cross-directional positioning of one or more of the deposited patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating both sides of boards, in particular, printed circuit boards includes a conveyor and a liquid coating station. The apparatus may include a station for feeding boards to the conveyor and particularly to a movable board holder configured to grip the circuit boards at their outer edges. The coating station located in the conveyor path coats the boards one side at a time. A board rotating station is located at one end of the conveyor and a board drying station is configured to simultaneously dry both sides of the boards.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the electrostatic lacquering of printed circuit boards formed with continuous holes as soldering places for connecting wires. The characterizing feature of the apparatus is that the printed circuit boards, continuously conveyed in a suspended position, are lacquered on one side, then turned over, lacquered on the other side, and the two layers of lacquer are then immediately dried simultaneously.

Abstract: A coating applicator is provided for depositing a film on a surface of glass and other substrates by chemical vapor deposition. The applicator includes a pair of opposing coating nozzles for applying a vaporized coating chemical reactant in a carrier gas to the surface at such a concentration and velocity that coating of the surface is achieved under substantially reaction rate controlled conditions. Each coating nozzle is positioned adjacent the surface with a small clearance therebetween which is open to the outside atmosphere. The opposing coating nozzles are directed toward each other at a selected angle with respect to a normal to the surface of the substrate. The angle and the clearance provides a condition where there is substantially no intermixing of coating vapors with the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: Coating defects are overcome which occur in the prior art as a result of positional tolerance variations between an automatic spraying device and a part, as the part, e.g., an automobile body, is transported along a conveying system into the spray booth of a coating station during a series coating operation using lacquering robots to apply paint. The distance between at least one fixed reference point on the coating apparatus and a reference point on the automobile body is measured during a preparatory coating operation and stored in the processing program of an operation controlling computer as a standard reference distance value. The reference distance is remeasured for each automobile body during subsequent series coating operations and then compared to the standard reference distance value. The processing program then corrects the movements of the lacquering robots as a function of the calculated deviation to elimate the coating defects arising out of positional tolerance variations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for coating adhesive for mounting parts onto a printed substrate in which an adhesive coating nozzle is arranged in correspondence to the printed substrate placed on an X-Y table controlled to be moved in an X-Y direction, and said coating nozzle is operated to coat the adhesive within an adhesive storage tank in position on each of the printed substrates, at which a waste coating is carried out for said coating nozzle before the latter perform the coating operation with respect to the printed substrate, whereby even if the adhesive trickles from the end of the nozzle to bring forth the liquid-drip state, the adhesive in the liquid-drip state is eliminated by the waste coating of the coating nozzle to prevent the adhesive in the amount more than as needed from being coated on the printed substrate, thus always maintaining a stable amount of coating thereby positively preventing occurrence of irregularities in quantity.

Abstract: A painting system for painting a finned-tube heat exchanger suspended from a conveyor line so as to be conveyed thereby, comprises: (i) means for spraying on said heat exchanger with a water-soluble paint; (ii) means for air-blowing on said heat exchanger; and (iii) means for electrostatic spraying on said heat exchanger with a solvent-soluble paint. Each of spray nozzle assemblies and air-blow nozzle assemblies of said means issues paint spray or air blow to fins of said heat exchanger in a direction parallel to said fins. This painting system further comprises a scraper means for recovering said water-soluble paint sprayed and reached a wall member during spraying and air blow.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for continuously and sequentially applying Durabond.TM. treatment chemicals or any similar chemical system used in the manufacture of multilayer printed circuit boards. The device of the invention generally comprises a mechanized conveyor line having spray manifolds positioned above and below the line at various points so as to effect the desired sequential spraying of the treatment chemicals and rinse solution. Chemical containment sumps or tanks are specifically sized so as to provide coordinate solution volumes, thereby minimizing the need for intermittent shut down of the line to replenish individual solutions. The provision of such coordinated solution volumes also prevents chemical waste. A multistage water rinse is employed at one point in the inventive process to insure that all excess immersion tin solution is thoroughly rinsed from the surfaces of the circuit board layers. Such multistage rinse includes at least one high pressure water rinse in excess of 100 psi.

Abstract: A method of coating articles comprises providing a plurality of coating dispensing devices at each station in a coating material application line, each device being connected to a common source of coating material. Coating material is dispensed fron only one device while measuring the flow rate of coating material therethrough. When the measured flow rate falls below a predetermined threshold, flow through the device is automatically terminated and switched to another device. Apparatus for practicing the method includes a plurality of dispensing devices connected to a common coating source through respective flow rate sensors. A programmable logic control station connected to the sensors and the devices is used to control the operation of the dispensing devices.

Abstract: A lumber end sealing machine involves a pass-through design utilizing a single exhaust system and the use of traveling and rotating sealer paint spray guns. An exhaust chamber is centered over the conveyor with spray guns located at both the conveyor entrance and exit openings of the exhaust chamber. The spray guns are formed to both transversely and rotatingly pass through an end face of the package of lumber which is stopped at the center of the exhaust system. The spray guns are supported on a vertical rod suspended from a carriage with transverse movement through the use of a pneumatic rodless piston and rotational movement of the spray guns by rotation of the vertical rod by means of a cam follower mechanism engaged with a curved profile bar.

Abstract: A coating hood for applying uniform protective coatings to glass containers, while minimizing the escape of noxious fumes from the hood to the ambient atmosphere, which includes a pair of spaced side walls having inclined end surfaces adjacent the entrance and exit ends to reduce the amount of stagnant ambient air thereat; coating air supply slots in the side walls for supplying process air to the containers; and finish air supply slots positioned at a height above the coating air supply slots for supplying coating free air.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for applying a colorant material to the surface of a plastic insulation material which has been applied to an elongated material such as a metallic conductor (22) or an optical fiber which is being moved at any of a wide range of speeds along a path of travel. The colorant material is applied by nozzles which are staggered along the path of travel and which direct the colorant into engagement with the plastic insulation material at different radial directions. A first plurality of nozzles (46--46) each cause the colorant to be in a spray pattern (45) which is in the area of a plane. Advantageously, those nozzles cooperate to stabilize the conductor and prevent undulations thereof as the conductor is moved along its path of travel. A second plurality of nozzles (50--50) cause the colorant to be in a solid conical pattern (53).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying a sealing material to vehicle bodies which are arranged in series such that front and rear sections of the bodies face each other. A first and a second sealing robots are provided on transversely opposite sides of the vehicle bodies. The first sealing robot is operated to apply the sealing material to one of two areas in an engine room covered by an engine hood of one of the two successive bodies, and the second sealing robot is operated to apply the sealing material to the other area in the engine room, or to one of two areas in a luggage compartment covered by a luggage compartment door of the other of the two successive bodies. The two areas in each of the engine room and the luggage compartment are divided by longitudinal centerlines of the two successive bodies. The first and second sealing robots are further operated to apply the sealing material to the areas in the engine room and luggage compartment, respectively, which areas have not been sealed.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a coating to semiconductor chips mounted within apertures in a dielectric film. The film containing the semiconductor chips and input-output connectors is fed from a reel past an applicator for applying the coating on one side of the chips. After passing through a curing chamber, the film passes about a substantially square sprocket so as to reverse the direction of travel. The sprocket is of such a dimension that the film bends on a line between each individual chip or a selected group of chips. The strip then passes by another applicator for coating the other side of the chips. After passing through the curing chamber, including a substantially square sprocket, the film is wound on a driven sprocket. The coating may be a silicone composition, an epoxy resin, or a urethane composition.

Abstract: A nozzle and a method for applying adhesive to join two surfaces. The nozzle has a body member and a conical tip extending from an outlet face of the body member. A first pair of gas passageways is disposed on a side of the conical tip opposite a second pair of gas passageways. Each of the four gas passageways has a dispensing orifice at the outlet face of the nozzle body. The pairs of passageways are inwardly directed to project streams of gas, preferably air, parallel opposed sides of the conical tip. Thus, the streams of air converge at a distance from the outlet face beyond the apex of the conical tip. These streams of air cradle a stream of material issuing from the apex of the conical tip and cause an oscillatory zig-zag deposition of material. The deposition on a first surface has a resonant frequency and has smooth, controlled radius turns at its edges. A second surface is then brought into contact with the first surface while the adhesive is still in a fluid state.

Abstract: A system for applying a coating of wax and fungicide to the surface of fruit applies the coating in two stages. The first stage sprays onto the fruit a mixture of both wax and fungicide, while a second stage sprays onto the fruit wax alone. The fungicide is thereby concentrated immediately adjacent the fruit, where it is most effective in controlling fruit decay, and the wax is at its full concentration at the outside of the coating, where it can provide an optimum surface shine.

Abstract: A moving part has material initially applied to it a predetermined distance from its leading edge. Whenever a sensor senses a notch in a flange of the moving part, application of material to the moving part is stopped for a predetermined distance prior to the start of the notch to a predetermined distance beyond the notch. Application of material to the moving part is finally stopped a predetermined distance prior to its trailing edge. Two separate sensors are used to control each of three spray guns for applying the material in the selected areas.

Abstract: A method of inspecting the inner and/or outer circumferential surface of a tubular member includes the steps of moving an inspection apparatus along the tubular member and during movement along the member sequentially cleaning the inner and/or outer circumferential surface and optically scanning the entire 360.degree. of the inner and/or outer circumferential surface of the elongate member. The foregoing steps are performed in a single forward pass of the inspection apparatus along the tubular member and in a return pass the tubular member is applied with a corrosion preventing material which in the return pass is dried. An apparatus for performing the method is disclosed and the apparatus is capable of determining dimensional faults and inspecting for, inter alia, cavitation, reeding and scale inclusion.

Abstract: Vehicle washing apparatus positioned above or at the side of the path followed by a vehicle to be washed. For side washing apparatus, pairs of spaced nozzles are reciprocated in a vertical plane to provide vertical coverage. The nozzles of a pair are angled toward each other, so that one nozzle sprays the front of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches, both nozzles spray the side of the vehicle as the vehicle passes, and the other nozzle sprays the rear of the vehicle as it departs. For top washing apparatus, the pairs of spaced nozzles are reciprocated in a horizontal plane to provide horizontal coverage. The angle nozzles contribute to the washing of the front and rear of a vehicle in addition to washing the top surfaces.

Abstract: An automatic spray coating apparatus for vehicle bodies comprises first and second cocating stations, said first coating station being provided with a coating robot for coating a front door on one of the sides and the vicinity thereof and a coating robot for coating a rear door on the other side and the vicinity thereof, said second coating station being provided with two coating robots for respectively coating the other doors and the vicinity thereof, and at least one coating robot which coats the insides of an engine compartment and trunk, while the vehicle body is standing still at least one of the first or second coating stations. According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required for coating vehicle bodies with a smaller number of coating stations and to efficiently coat vehicle bodies without interference between coating robots.

Abstract: In the first embodiment of this invention, an inner panel portion of a front door region of a vehicle body and an inner panel portion of a rear door region of a vehicle body on each side of a 4-door type vehicle are painted respectively by a pair of front and rear painting robots located on side portions of a painting stage. In the second embodiment, an inner panel portion of the door region of a vehicle body on each side of a 2-door type vehicle is painted by dividing into halves the area to be painted by the front and rear painting robots on each side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A painting apparatus for a vehicle body is provided. The painting apparatus comprises a long paint booth through which the vehicle is conveyed, the paint booth including a plurality of stages positioned longitudinally in series, at least some of the plurality of stages being provided with painting robots disposed therein such that while the vehicle body is passed through the painting booth, inner and outer panel regions thereof are painted by the painting robots, wherein the vehicle body is stopped at each of the stages. Each of the painting robots comprises a multi-axis robot and bell-type atomizer attached thereto, and the plurality of stages are in communication with one another without partitions therebetween.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying a flow of insulating material such as silicone to predetermined locations on printed circuit boards to avoid damaging the components on the circuit boards, such as solenoids and buzzers, whose functions will be impaired by the application of such material thereto. The apparatus is comprised of a pump which delivers a flow of insulating material to a manifold, the manifold having a plurality of lengths of flexible tubing attached thereto which serve as nozzles for dispensing the flow of insulating material. A printed circuit board is mounted on a conveyor and the conveyor is advanced until the printed circuit board is under the manifold, at which time the manifold is lowered to place the nozzles in close proximity to the printed circuit board so that the flow of insulating material will be directed to predetermined locations on the printed circuit board. The flexible nozzles are selectively positioned to direct the flow to those predetermined locations.

Abstract: Two paint spray guns (2) are mounted on a common manifold block (14) by means of which trigger air, atomizing air and paint are fed to the guns. Each spray gun (2) is individually controlled by a respective solenoid valve (28) also supported on the manifold block. The apparatus is mounted on a robot arm (52) and is maneuvered thereby to undertake a painting operation. During each stage of the painting operation a selected one of the spray guns is positioned adjacent a surface to be painted and then operated to apply paint. The painting operation can be performed very quickly as the movements required of the robot are simpler and therefore faster than those of a conventional painting robot having just a single spray gun.

Abstract: A coating hood for applying protective coatings to glass containers, includes a pair of spaced side walls; a supply of vaporized or atomized coating chemical in a carrier gas; a conveyor for transporting the glass containers to be coated longitudinally through the coating hood; a hood ceiling with a plurality of openings positioned at the level of the container finishes for supplying coating free air across the finish of the containers; the openings on one side of the containers are offset in the longitudinal direction of the hood with respect to the openings on the other side of the containers; each opening supplying an envelope of the coating free air across the finish of the containers such that lateral boundaries of the envelope of each opening on one side of the containers are substantially coincident with lateral boundaries of the envelopes of the offset and laterally adjacent openings on the other side of the containers; and a blower for supplying the coating free air to the openings.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus of transporting and coating substrates within a confined longitudinal passageway. The method is characterized by the transport and coating of substrates without human or mechanical contact. The method includes supplying a fluid medium into the confined passageway and discharging the fluid medium from the passageway, such that the moving fluid cushions while longitudinally transporting the substrate within the passageway.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for depositing a high-quality metallic coating on a steel strip. In this process, one or several metals or metal alloys are continuously evaporated in a thermal plasma from nonoxidizing gas and transformed into the highly ionized state of the thermal plasma. Subsequently, the metal ions contained in the plasma are electrostatically deposited on the steel strip at a pressure elevated by 100 Pa to 5000 Pa relative to the ambient pressure. During coating, the steel strip is held at a uniform temperature and coated at a rate of 40 m/min to 600 m/min.

Abstract: Spaced apart, hollow, can bodies are formed around a stubhorn and moved past a spray nozzle for spray coating the inside seams of the can bodies. Each can body is received from a conveyor and moved past the spray nozzle at a sufficiently reduced speed to allow the succeeding can body to move into contact with the preceding can body. The spray nozzle continuously sprays the seams of the can bodies, which form in effect a continuous "tube" of can bodies moving past the nozzle. Each can body is conveyed away from the coating station at a speed preferably corresponding to the input conveyor speed so that the spacing between the can bodies is restored. Conveying apparatus at the coating station is provided with a one-way clutch to accommodate conveyor overrunning when uncoated cans are received and when coated cans are drawn away.

Abstract: When cooling hot metal strip, it is known to employ headers which apply continuous curtains of water across the width of the strip. The headers above the strip are inclined to each other so that the curtains extend across the width of the strip and are spaced apart horizontally by a greater distance at one edge of the strip than at the other edge.

Abstract: Apparatus for directing a stream of fluid against a pliant substrate panel traveling through the apparatus, the panel including a pair of opposed generally parallel planar surfaces co-terminating at the edge defining the periphery of the panel. The apparatus includes means for supporting the substrate to prevent the substrate from bending or fluttering when a pressurized fluid stream is directed against the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming, by melt-spinning techniques, a laminated ribbon structure consisting, for example, of a semiconductor disposed on a metal ribbon substrate. The substrate may be 10-50 .mu.m thick and the semiconductor may be 10-50 .mu.m thick, for example; typically the ribbon width is about one millimeter to several centimeters.

Abstract: A method of forming a wall covering which forms a plurality of horizontal colored sections wherein the colored sections are smoothly blended into each other forming no visual break from one color to the next. The machine is utilized wherein the uncolored ground is moved until a given length of the ground is located within a paint spray chamber. The ground is then fixed in position and a paint nozzle assembly moved laterally across the ground producing the desired colored pattern on the ground. The ground is then moved from the paint spray chamber into a drying chamber and from the drying chamber onto a collecting roll.

Abstract: From knowledge of the fact that the pattern of the film of coating produced on a surface by spray coating varies with the distance between the nozzle of the spray gun and surface, the nozzle 2 of a spray gun 1 that is disposed facing an outermost end of a surface to be coated is axially inclined so that the external ridge-line of the fan-shaped spray produced thereby is almost perpendicularly with or slightly inwardly inclined to the plane of the surface, the distance as measured along the ridge-line between the nozzle and the surface being selected so that the spray gun can produce in the surface W a film of coating sharply defined at the contour, without unwanted spots of paint called the "tails" at both ends of the film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling and coating the inside seam of a hot welded can body. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a spray gun having a two-orifice nozzle assembly. Operation of the gun causes coating material to be sprayed concurrently from both orifices onto a seam of a can body passing by the nozzle. The first orifice emits a partially atomized spray of coating material on the seam to cool the seam and the second orifice emits an unatomized flow coat of material over the seam. The first spray acts to cool the seam making it more receptive for the coating material applied from the second orifice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a dust inhibitor consisting of a 50% oil, 50% water emulsion in a ratio of 0.5% by weight to milled fiberglass blowing wool is disclosed. The apparatus senses the weight of fiberglass being milled and selectively and automatically sprays the emulsion on the fiberglass as it is being transported through the production system.

Abstract: A printed circuit board conveyor apparatus has a conveyor for moving a planar circuit board components mounted on frames, in a vertical plane, seriatim, along a first path through a spray treatment area. The components are then raised and returned toward a starting point along a second path with additional processing occurring during the return trip. The use of an overhead return along with positive positioning of the components provides substantial efficiency and allows precision and accuracy in treatment of printed circuit board components while minimizing floor space requirements.

Abstract: A spray apparatus is disclosed which is capable of producing a sharp-edged layer of coating in overlap over the surfaces coated in a different color so as to provide a distinctly divided two-tone pattern of wide dimensions without using masking tape. The spray apparatus comprises a first spray means and at least one second spray means different in nozzle design from the first spray means. In the first spray means, a film of coating is produced by an airless type paint discharge nozzle discharging a spray of atomized paint under pressure in an otherwise conical shape which is to be altered in spray formation by a jet of pressurized air whose axis is offset from the axis of the spray of paint and this film is thick enough along one edge and in the center while decreasing in coating toward the opposite edge.

Abstract: A vertical-feed conveyor for cylindrical objects and the like utilized twin counter-rotating helical feed screws. The thread of the feed screws is shaped so as to create conveyance troughs which are closely dimensioned to the object to be moved. The variable pitch of the screws creates zones of acceleration, deceleration and dwell so that the objects may be sequentially delivered to predetermined indexing stations where various processes may be performed upon the objects such as; internal spray coating, capping, electronic non-destructive testing, etc. The points of dwell along the feed screws are achieved by the shape of the radial sidewalls of the feed screws which at those points extend part way around the screw in radial planes of the screw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating edible food containers with flavored barrier coatings. The coating material is allowed to flow into the interior of the container to coat the same. The containers are then manipulated to remove the excess and dried. A coating is then flown onto the exterior of the container which is subsequently dried.

Abstract: This machine for spray painting hides, cardboard, and the like, while being carried on a moving blanket, comprises spray guns mounted in-line transversely to the blanket and adjustable simultaneously, as well as being easily installed and interchangeable. For a uniform distribution of the paint being sprayed, the spray gun jets are swept by jets or sheets of air issued from nozzles reciprocating with at least one component transverse to the blanket direction of movement. Moreover, the machine is equipped, in the proximities of the spray line, with nozzles for generating air sheets which have the function of trapping onto the workpiece the fumes rebounding from the spraying process.

Abstract: A printed circuit board conveyor apparatus has a conveyor for moving a planar circuit board components mounted on frames, in a vertical plane, seriatim, along a first path through a spray treatment area. The components are then raised and returned toward a starting point along a second path with additional processing occurring during the return trip. The use of an overhead return along with positive positioning of the components provides substantial efficiency and allows precision and accuracy in treatment of printed circuit board components while minimizing floor space requirements.

Abstract: Apparatus for directing a stream of fluid against a pliant substrate panel traveling through the apparatus, the panel including a pair of opposed generally parallel planar surfaces co-terminating at the edge defining the periphery of the panel.

Abstract: A coating hood for applying coating fluid to vitreous articles such as bottles or the like. Coating fluid is applied through a plurality of coating manifolds within the hood, and these manifolds on opposite sides of the hood are offset with respect to each other so as to avoid creating a zone of fluid stagnation within the hood.

Abstract: Apparatus for spraying at least one finishing substance onto a material (such as leather) passing a plurality of spray booths having sprayer devices associated therewith. Various inputs relating to (a) sprayer device position, (b) the location and area of material on a moving conveyor carrying the material, (c) conveyor movement, and (d) other related inputs are directed to a single computer unit which communicates command signals which effect the closing of selected normally open valves corresponding to respective sprayer devices. The apparatus provides for limited overspray, accounts for delay following a computer command signal due to valve response time, and include various corrections related to embodiments having sprayer devices which move in nonrectilinear paths. A rotary transformer coupling for improving communication between the computer unit and the valves is provided in rotating sprayer arrangements which have a plurality of sprayer devices, each of which follows a circular path.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system incorporating aligned cylinders through which a cable is moved. The cylinders have jet nozzles connected to respective manifolds which are adapted for receiving different fluids for treating the cable. Control apparatus is provided for operating the cylinder stages simultaneously, and permitting manual selection of any one or combination of such operations. With fluid applied to all nozzles simultaneously, the cable is successively blast cleaned with water, jet dried with air, and jet lubricated with oil. Also shown is control apparatus adapted to control a motor for moving the cable through the cylinders. The air drying station includes nozzles for moving the air tangentially and from the exit to the entrance end of the air cylinder, for drying the cable and preventing water from the cleaning station from entering the drying station.