Endless Conveyer For Work Patents (Class 118/324)
  • Patent number: 5895528
    Abstract: The improvements consists on the efficient collaboration of magnetic devices and a revarnishing device which allow the lids to pass at a high speed and round-the-clock trouble-free operation, on the basis of strips (8) which house magnets (9) which hold the lid (3) while it is being carried and stop for a few tenths of a second opposite a nozzle (4) of a easy-to-open incision revarnishing device spray gun (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Ana Maria Gomariz Perez
  • Patent number: 5895687
    Abstract: A method for producing a light-sensitive material. The method includes the steps of: discharging coating solution, including the light-sensitive material, from a coater die; forming a curtain layer of coating solution by causing the coating solution to fall from a die lip of the coater die in which the curtain layer is formed with an edge guide in which an end of the edge guide is arranged in the vicinity of the die lip and the other end of the edge guide is inclined toward the coater die in relation to the vertical line from the die lip; and coating a support with the coating solution by conveying the support at the downstream end of the curtain layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Kondo, Koji Fukazawa, Akira Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 5885659
    Abstract: A curtain coating apparatus and method in which a catch pan is disposed between a curtain head and a web. The catch pan includes a receiver part used when a curtain film liquid is not coated, an upright level difference part and a shelf part having a slope in the direction of the level difference part. The catch pan is moved in the web running direction or in the opposite direction. The curtain film is received in the receiver part after stopping the coating or before starting the coating, and the tip of the shelf part is moved backward or forward from the curtain film in starting or stopping respectively, whereby an excess coated part is not produced when starting and stopping the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited
    Inventors: Shunsuke Takahashi, Yusuke Kawai
  • Patent number: 5885660
    Abstract: An apparatus for coating surfaces consists of a basin, open to the atmosphere, divided into two channels by a wall running perpendicular to the coating direction. Liquid is supplied to the primary channel, the channel farther from the curtain. A continuous, adjustable gap between the dividing wall and the bottom of the basin offers resistance to flow but passes the coating composition from the primary to the secondary channel. The secondary channel has an edge that is horizontal and relatively low so that the coating composition overflows it to form a free-falling curtain. The dividing wall, by providing flow resistance, assists in distributing the supplied coating composition along the length of the primary channel, and reduces any flow disturbances caused by the entering coating composition. The secondary channel promotes additional evening of the flow distribution before the curtain forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ruschak, Rukmini B. Lobo, Barry A. Fitzgerald, Richard A. Gilkey, David A. Wakefield
  • Patent number: 5876502
    Abstract: A glue gun type gluing apparatus has glue guns 8a and 8b for applying glue to a gluing area in a joint flap 2 of a corrugated board sheet 1 for manufacturing a box, which runs on a box manufacturing line, a sheet end detection sensor 3 for detecting the front and rear ends of the corrugated board sheet 1, an encoder 7 for measuring the travel distance of the corrugated board sheet 1, and a control unit 9 for controlling the operation of the glue guns 8a and 8b. The control unit 9 learns and stores the position of gluing area on the basis of the information from the sheet end detection sensor 3 and the encoder 7 while the corrugated board sheet 1 is run at a low speed, and restricts the acquisition of detection signals by the sensor 3 during the time from the passing of the end point of the joint flap 2 to the arrival of the start point of the next joint flap 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Nireco Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Sugimura, Yoshimitsu Ishibashi, Katsuhiko Koike, Hideaki Miyaoka
  • Patent number: 5865895
    Abstract: Syrup spray systems for producing frozen dessert cones include a manifold block defining a bore therethrough. At least one nozzle assembly is provided in fluid communication with the bore of the manifold block and having an actuator stem reciprocally movable between an inoperative condition (in which liquid syrup in the bore is prevented from being sprayed into an awaiting cone), and an operative condition (in which liquid syrup in the bore is sprayed into an awaiting cone). A control cylinder moves the actuator stem between the operative and inoperative conditions and is coupled removably to the actuator stem. In such a manner, the manifold block and the at least one nozzle assembly thereof may easily be removed from the control cylinder to permit repair and/or replacement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sweetheart Cup Company Inc.
    Inventors: Edward L. Huffman, William J. Searle, Kenneth H. Bealer
  • Patent number: 5863607
    Abstract: A coating hopper (10) for coating a radiation-sensitive emulsion on a photographic support (24) is fabricated from hopper bars (12) comprising an inlet slot (16) and a discharge slot (18), said bar (12) comprising a body and hopper lip (22), wherein the body of the bar comprises a metal or metal alloy and the lip area comprises a ceramic insert (30) with a high elastic modulus and low density. The hopper with the ceramic insert prevents the formation of streaks in the emulsion coating layer or layers on the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Syamal K. Ghosh, Dilip K. Chatterjee, Edward P. Furlani
  • Patent number: 5858095
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing granules onto a moving asphalt coated sheet includes first and second granule feed chambers containing granules that are fed to a discharge slot by first and second pockets. The pockets are formed in a slidable divider positioned between the feed chambers and the discharge slot. The divider is slid between a first position and a second position by a fluid powered actuator via an actuator rod. In the first position, the first pocket is in communication with the first granule feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber and the second pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the second pocket. In the second position the first pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the first pocket and the second pocket is in communication with the second feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. White, Glenn D. Lamb, Carla A. Miller, Lawrence J. Grubka
  • Patent number: 5855670
    Abstract: A liquid distribution apparatus for distributing liquid to a dough product includes a source of liquid and an enclosure fluidly coupled to the source of liquid for receiving liquid. The enclosure includes a plurality of spaced-apart holes through which the liquid exits the enclosure. Preferably, a plurality of guide structures on the enclosure guide the liquid to a bottom surface of the enclosure whereat the liquid drops to the dough product. In a further embodiment, a plurality of guiding elements receives the liquid from the plurality of spaced-apart holes and guides the liquid to the dough product. Each guiding element includes a first end disposed proximate the enclosure to receive liquid from one of the plurality of spaced-apart holes and a second end remote from each corresponding first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Dennis B. Usgaard, John A. Peterson, Joseph G. Anton
  • Patent number: 5851291
    Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for mixing and blending liquid chemicals with a gas or air, and more particularly for providing an air and chemical mixture having the consistency of a foam substance for coating the surface of a fabric or other substrate material. The invention provides a mixing apparatus having a plurality of peristaltic type pumps that operate at a system pressure that will permit pulsed mixing of air with chemical substances without using high system pressures to achieve a predetermined mix ratio for a chemical compound. The addition of a premix unit helps to achieve the mixing by providing a two stage mixing process when used along with a blending foamer. A unique air injector of the premix unit aids in the initial injection of air into the chemical substance. The blending foamer has an improved rotor configuration and mounting to also achieve enhanced mixing. The mixing apparatus provides a foam substance of a chemical compound for coating a substrate material in a coating machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventors: Robert J. Poterala, Joseph G. Poterala
  • Patent number: 5849321
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for spray coating a paper or board web in which a coating paste or mix is applied as an aerosol to the web in an enclosed space or chamber. A flow of the coating paste flows down at least one of the interior walls of the enclosed space, thereby collecting excess coating paste aerosol and providing a seal between the web and the walls of the enclosed space. By providing this seal, the amount of excess coating paste aerosol escaping from the enclosed space and the amount of air travelling along the surface of the web are both reduced, thereby increasing the quality of the applied coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Pekka Linnonmaa
  • Patent number: 5847963
    Abstract: A source reduction analysis software in a paint application system to minimize paint usage. The differences in paint volumes per paint applicators' settings are identified. These settings include trigger point count settings, and/or pushout count settings, and/or fluid pressure settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Stephen N. Gaiski
  • Patent number: 5837324
    Abstract: Precise control of the wetting of an edge guide by a coating fluid (i.e., the wetting profile) can be achieved by providing a wetting line below which the coating fluid will wet the surface of the edge guide. Preferably, the height of the wetting line corresponds to a predetermined depth profile of a coating fluid flowing down a coater face. Optionally, a non-wetting surface can be provided above the wetting line, and the non-wetting surface can optionally have a low energy coating provided thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Aparna V. Bhave, Thomas M. Milbourn
  • Patent number: 5830274
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for controlling the spray of positively-charged coating particles towards a grounded or negatively-charged dielectric material having a dielectric constant less than 4.0 and in the form of a hollow container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald B. Jones, Leland H. Carlblom, Ken W. Niederst, Paul S. Chirgott
  • Patent number: 5795389
    Abstract: A device is provided for placing sharply demarcated patches on roofing products such as shingles or sheeting without the need for a double layer of asphalt. After the base sheet has been covered with a layer of coating asphalt, granules to form the patch are dropped on the base sheet through a hole in a belt which moves parallel to and just above the base sheet. The moving hole in the belt ensures that the patches will have sharp leading and trailing edges. The belt can have several holes for different size patches, and/or different blends of granules can be applied through the same or different holes. After the patches have been applied, the remainder of the sheet is covered with granules. Alternatively, the granules which drop on the spaces on the belt between the belt openings can be applied to the base sheet to form sharp edged patches, while the granules dropping through the holes in the belt can be removed and collected for re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Iko Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Henry Koschitzky
  • Patent number: 5789023
    Abstract: A fountain applicator for applying coating liquid onto a web of paper carried past the applicator, has a coating liquid flow path that includes a curved surface along which a sheet of the coating liquid is flowed to subject the sheet to centrifugal force to cause air entrained in the coating liquid to move away from one side of the sheet that is toward the curved surface, so that the one side is relatively free of entrained air. After being flowed along the curved surface, the sheet of coating liquid is directed toward the web in a free standing jet curtain of coating liquid, to contact the web surface primarily with the one relatively air-free side of the coating liquid sheet to decrease the occurrence of skip coating on the web surface, especially when the web is traveling past the applicator at high speeds. The coating is applied in excess onto the web surface and is metered and leveled to a desired coat weight by a downstream doctor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Consolidated Papers, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne A. Damrau
  • Patent number: 5773094
    Abstract: A paint curtain device is proposed in which object (13) to be painted are moved through a paint curtain (5) consisting of liquid paint. In order to make possible the optimal orientation of the objects (13) to be painted, while passing through the paint curtain (5) they are continuously fixed in place on holding means (25) of a conveying system (12) which crosses through the paint curtain (5) when passing through the area of a lateral edge (16). Furthermore, a method for painting objects (13) is proposed for whose execution the paint curtain device is suited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: KSK Industrielackierungen GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Kruckel
  • Patent number: 5773093
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is to control the generation of the contamination of a coating apparatus and web tearing which originate in an excess portion of coating color produced when commencing and terminating the coating in curtain coating. Means for solving the subject described above is a curtain coating apparatus in which a curtain film 5 flowing down vertically from a lip head 3 is allowed to contact a continuously running web 9 to form a coated layer, wherein a receiving pan 1 in which at least a coating plate disposed at the tip thereof can move in the running direction of the web 9 is disposed under the lip head 3; the coating plate 2 is connected with one end of the receiving pan 1; and the tip of the coating plate 2 has a function of being capable of sliding in a contact state with the web 9 in commencing and terminating the coating of the curtain film 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited
    Inventors: Kameo Mitani, Haruhiko Ichimura
  • Patent number: 5769949
    Abstract: A system for applying a coating to an article of manufacture comprises a first conveyor assembly which conveys articles through a coating booth for application of a coating. The first conveyor assembly has a section aligned with and in close proximity to a section of a second conveyor assembly at which the articles are transferred to the second conveyor assembly. The second conveyor assembly transports the articles to a bake oven wherein the coating is baked on the articles. By this arrangement, residual coating material is not baked on the carriers of the first conveyor assembly and hence coating removal processes to clean the carriers are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: CHS Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: William J. Cienkus, Stephen A. Gourley, Frank L. Corral
  • Patent number: 5763013
    Abstract: The present invention is an edge blade attached to an edge guide for removing an edge of a falling curtain. The edge of the falling curtain is intercepted by the edge blade and is vacuumed away by a vacuum tube disposed near the edge blade wherein the air flow is blocked to said suction means from the outboard direction and directing said suction means to draw air from the inboard direction towards the curtain; and flushing liquid is distributed to encompass the intercepted liquids of the free falling curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William D. Devine, Douglas B. Humby, Kenneth J. Ruschak
  • Patent number: 5750444
    Abstract: A breathable laminate comprises at least two porous webs laminated together with a porous adhesive matrix, preferably a random fibrous adhesive pattern having a coat weight of between 1.5 and 12 grams per square meter. The two or more porous webs comprise woven or non-woven materials and the resulting breathable fabric or laminate has good hand and flexibility. Breathable fabric is adhered to foam by such random fibrous adhesive patterns of similar coat weights. Coating widths of up to 80 inches or more are produced in a slot die fed by a selected plurality of recessed lands within the die, with motors and pumps controlled to maintain consistent, uniform coat weights regardless of coat widths and substrate speeds selected. Single ply coated webs, apparatus and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Curt Jarrell, Manfred Kubo, Hans-Jurgen Meissner, Gustav Rieckmann, Jurgen Benecke
  • Patent number: 5743962
    Abstract: A work is applied with a solvent-containing thermosetting coating composition to a thickness larger than a limit thickness over which the coating composition on a surface of the work extending in a vertical direction will normally run or sag in a coating zone. After applied with the coating composition, the work is rotated about a substantially horizontal axis to prevent the coating composition on the vertical surface of the work from running or sagging and is conveyed through a heat-hardening zone for hardening the coating composition applied to the work by heating by a conveyor line. The conveyor line includes a pair of conveyors which are separated from each other upstream of a position where the coating composition is applied to the work to a thickness larger than said limit thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Ogasawara, Shinji Katayama
  • Patent number: 5741558
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for powder coating three dimensional articles (12) carried on a conveyor (14) includes a controller (36) for controlling the rate at which coating material is discharged from a gun (16), so that the rate is proportional to the surface area of the surface portions of the article (12) as they pass the gun (16). Some surface portions topographically have a greater surface area which must be covered, while others are flat or have cut-out regions, requiring less coverage or no coverage at all. In powder coating operations, the discharge rate is controlled via automatic or programmed control of an electro-pneumatic air regulator (42) which regulates the supply of pressurized air to a powder pump (24) connected to the spray gun (16). The apparatus (10) assures uniformity in coating for a three dimensional article (12) with multiple surface portions of varying topography such as curves, angles, cut outs, etc., while minimizing the amount of wasted coating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Otani, Hidetaka Tsukamoto, Makoto Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 5733376
    Abstract: Apparatus for sequentially coating opposite major surfaces of a workpiece such as a printed circuit board and wherein the amount of manual handling is significantly reduced. Boards are arranged end-to-end preferably in closely spaced fashion upon a conveyor having an adjustable drive. First and second spray assemblies provide a low pressure spray having a substantially oval-shaped spray pattern and are arranged upon guide tracks to move in a reciprocating fashion in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the conveyor for coating opposing surfaces of the workpiece. The speed of movement of the spray heads and the extreme ends of the range of movement are adjustable by controlling the operation of a drive motor to create a substantially Z-shaped spray pattern on the workpiece with the size of the Z-shaped pattern being a function of the conveyor speed spray head assembly, drive speed and range of movement of each spray head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Argus International
    Inventor: Bernard J. Costello
  • Patent number: 5733608
    Abstract: A system for coating a substrate with ultra-thin layers in stripes includes moving the substrate through a coating station and forming a composite layer including coating fluids and a carrier fluid. The composite layer flows at a rate that is sufficiently high to form a continuous flowing fluid bridge of composite layer to the substrate surface and to contact the substrate with the flowing composite layer to interpose the coating layers between the substrate and the carrier fluid. The carrier fluid is removed while leaving the coating fluid deposited on the substrate as a coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Kessel, William K. Leonard
  • Patent number: 5733597
    Abstract: Coating dispenser apparatus and methods which utilize a snuff back device for removing a small amount of coating material from the discharge passage of the dispenser upon shut-off thereof at the end of a coating run. A control is provided which discharges the material removed from the discharge passage back into the discharge passage upon a predetermined delay after the start of the next coating run. The disclosed methods contemplate the discharge of coating material back into the discharge passage in the middle of the next coating pattern, or depending on the application, during any segment of the next coating pattern after a defined leading edge of the pattern is created, during which segment the coating material discharged back into the discharge pattern smoothly blends into the coating pattern as it is applied to a substrate. The apparatus and methods are especially useful for applying conformal coating patterns onto circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Schmitkons, James Turner, Marcus P. Zupan, Antonio Rivas, Jurgen Benecke, Arthur Cieplik, Thomas Burmester, Bentley Boger
  • Patent number: 5728220
    Abstract: A tire soaper apparatus including a soaper station and a conveyor for selectively advancing tires to the soaping station. The soaping station is characterized by a translationally mounted rotator for being moved into engagement with a tire to thereby rotate it, a pivotally mounted soap applicator located above the conveyor for selectively contacting the beads of the tire, and a soap dispensing circuit for selectively providing soap at the soap applicator for applying soap to the beads of the tire. The soap applicator is pivoted into the central opening of the tire and engages, via bead receptacles, each of the beads thereof. The tire is rotated by the rotator rotating against the tread of thereof, wherein the rotator moves translationally toward the soap applicator so that the tire is squeezed therebetween with the beads seated in the bead receptacles and soap transferred to the beads as the tire rotates in relation to the soap applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Ultimation, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Curcuri, Jack T. Curcuri, Craig J. Hudock
  • Patent number: 5725910
    Abstract: The present invention is an edge blade attached to an edge guide for removing an edge of a falling curtain. The edge of the falling curtain is intercepted by the edge blade and is vacuumed away by a vacuum tube disposed near the edge blade wherein the blade is extending from the edge guide into the falling curtain to intercept a part of the free falling curtain and positioning the blade above the impingement of the falling curtain on the support wherein the blade is angled into the free falling curtain so that the blade is closest to the support where the part of the free falling curtain is intercepted and farthest from the support at the edge guide. Air to the vacuum tube is blocked from the outboard direction, and the tube is directed to draw air from the inboard direction towards the curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William D. Devine, Douglas B. Humby, Kenneth J. Ruschak
  • Patent number: 5725666
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for improving the uniformity of a liquid curtain in a curtain coating system. The apparatus comprises means for, prior to the coating of the medium, forcing the liquid composition which flows on the forward face of the lip to wet the rear face of the lip of the coating device over a predetermined distance greater than the distance over which the liquid composition would naturally wet the rear face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Baumlin
  • Patent number: 5725665
    Abstract: The present invention provides an enclosure for a coating apparatus, the coating apparatus being of the type comprising a coater face adapted for the flow of a fluid thereover. The fluid flows over the coater face in the form of a film having one or more edges contacting the coating apparatus at one or more "edge contact surfaces." The enclosure defines a partially enclosed space above one or more of the edge contact surfaces. The atmosphere within the partially enclosed space can be at least partially saturated with solvent vapor to prevent or inhibit drying of coating fluid at the edge contact surfaces. Also, the enclosure has a shape that allows visibility of and access to a substantial portion of the coater face of the coating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Thomas M. Milbourn, Aparna V. Bhave, Lawrence B. Wallace
  • Patent number: 5700524
    Abstract: A method of coating moveable supports at high speeds comprises moving a support along a path through a coating zone; forming two or more layers including a topmost layer of coating liquids to form a liquid coating composition; and applying the liquid coating composition to the moving support wherein the topmost layer of the liquid coating composition is shear thinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph W. Hoff, Douglas S. Finnicum, Steven J. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 5698260
    Abstract: A plurality of petri dishes or other glass or plastic containers are coated on the inside bottom surface of the containers by passing the containers through a coating or layering apparatus. The apparatus includes an indexing conveyor to sequentially pass the open containers through a filling station where an amount of a coating material is applied while tilting the container to one side thereby distributing the material to the entire bottom surface of the container. The containers are conveyed to an aspirating station to aspirate excess material while tilting the container toward the aspirating nozzle. Subsequent to the aspiration step, the containers are tilted in the opposite direction to distribute the material in the container. The material is then dried and the containers stacked and packaged. The coating material includes metal ions such as calcium or other divalent metal ions, in a suitable carrier that is able to bond the bottom inside surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: RCR Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan N. Roth, Gordon Bontrager
  • Patent number: 5693143
    Abstract: A coating product sprayer device forms an overhead or lateral machine including a member carrying at least one sprayer mobile relative to objects to be coated and at least one lateral gantry carrying this member, which is adjustable in position in an opening in a front of the gantry. This member is moved up and down and/or with a lateral tracking movement by at least one coupling member such as a drive belt. At least one sealing panel closes off at least part of the opening and is fixed to one such flexible coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Sames S.A.
    Inventors: Van Tan Pham, Jose Rodrigues, Caryl Thome
  • Patent number: 5685911
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing intermittent, discrete patterns of coating material, such as hot melt adhesive, onto discrete substrates or substrate areas, such as book spines, sift-proof carton flaps and pinch-bottom bags. The adhesive patterns have sharp, square leading and trailing edges, as well as side edges. A slot nozzle die has elongated air slots along the slot extrusion opening. In the operation of the apparatus, the air flow is initiated from both air slots prior to the initiation of the hot melt flow. Also, the air flow is continued beyond that point in time, when the hot melt flow ceases. The delays between the operations of the air flow and the hot melt flow are on the order of micro seconds. Coating weights down to 1 gram per square meter at about 350 meters per minute substrate speed are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: John Raterman, Jurgen Benecke, Arthur Cieplik, Thomas Burmester, Michael L. Gill
  • Patent number: 5683750
    Abstract: A method of coating moveable supports at high speeds comprises moving the support along a path through a coating zone, forming two or more layers of coating liquids including an actual top coat layer to form a liquid composition (with a slide hopper coating a plurality of outlets for coating liquids) and applying a starting top most layer of coating liquid, which layer has a lower viscosity than that of the actual top coat layer, to the liquid coating composition either through the first outlet of the hopper or through an x-hopper located between the first outlet and coating zone, applying the coating composition and starting top most layer, and terminating the application of the starting top most layer when the coating operation is at steady state. Apparatus for carrying out this method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph W. Hoff, Douglas S. Finnicum, Steven J. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 5679160
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a barrier coating on a portion of discrete objects such as fasteners utilizing a liquid coating material is provided. The present invention introduces either a plurality of loose or interconnected parts onto a magnetized conveyor system and optically senses when parts are present. When parts are sensed, the sensor triggers a discrete shot of liquid coating material such as a fluorocarbon to be deposited onto a predetermined portion of each part. These parts can then be transferred to a second magnetized conveyor system that supports an opposite surface of the parts than the first conveyor. The invention can also remove excess coating material and also be provided with dryers or heaters to fix the coating material to the parts if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: ND Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Wallace, Charles M. Stempien, Joseph A. Lopetrone
  • Patent number: 5679408
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for application of an adhesive or equivalent onto a moving material web, wherein the adhesive is applied by means of at least one applicator device (20) through at least one nozzle (30) onto the face of the material web to consititute an adhesive strip (G) in the longitudinal direction of the material web (W). In the method, the material web (W) is made to run at an invariable distance from the nozzle (30) end placed next to the material web (W). The adhesive is passed onto the material web (W) through the nozzle (30) in the applicator head (31) of the applicator device (20), and the applicator head (31) the nozzle (30) for the adhesive washed for the next cycle of use in a container space (23) in the applicator device (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Pekka Eronen
  • Patent number: 5676755
    Abstract: A coater is provided for coating objects with a liquid material. The coater includes a flume that has an entry and an exit end, a supply of liquid coating material upon which the objects float, and a circulation system. The circulation system delivers the liquid material to the entry end of the flume so that the liquid material flows toward and out the exit end. The coater also includes a conveyor that loads the objects into the flume and a conveyor that receives the objects at the exit end of the flume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: George Koch Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Siemers, Donald E. Miller, Larry J. Head, Jeffrey L. Dexter
  • Patent number: 5672376
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for application of liquid materials onto substrates is provided. The present invention allows high speed selective application of curable liquids to a continuous succession of discrete substrates and subsequent curing of those liquids in order to form a solid or foamed coating on at least a portion of the substrates. The present invention provides increased speed efficiency and adherence of the liquid cured onto the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: ND Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Wallace
  • Patent number: 5662968
    Abstract: In a method of painting a building board being conveyed on a conveyor by means of a spray painting apparatus so that a plurality of colors of gradated or shaded patterns are formed, a plurality of spray guns are connected to a plurality of paint supply systems supplying different colors of paint, respectively. The spray guns are arranged in parallel to a direction in which the building board is conveyed. With the spray guns being reciprocated in a direction crossing the direction in which the building board is conveyed, each of the spray guns is intermittently turned on and off so that the paints of colors different from one another are sprayed from the spray guns onto the surface of the building board. The relation between a speed of the reciprocation of each spray gun and a speed of conveyance of the building board is expressed by L.ltoreq.P.times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Nichiha Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5658383
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying a liquid coating to an irregularly shaped workpiece comprises a housing defining a coating chamber having an inlet and an exit. A conveyor system is adapted to convey the workpiece into the inlet, through the coating chamber, and out the exit. A plurality of sprayheads are mounted in the coating chamber, in generally surrounding relation to the workpiece, and arranged at various angles with respect to the workpiece, for spraying the liquid coating toward the workpiece. A plenum structure is connected to the housing and defines a plenum chamber communicating with the coating chamber. A vacuum system is associated with the plenum chamber for drawing a vacuum thereon. A blower system adjacent the exit of the coating chamber blows air into the coating chamber toward the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventor: Taylor K. Cutshall
  • Patent number: 5656332
    Abstract: A long continuous tube, strip or like material has a coating of brazing powders applied and formed thereon. It may be cut to sections of specific length when actually used. A uniform coating of brazing powders is applied in specific quantities and fixed onto the long continuous tube, strip or like material. A travel path has a tube made from aluminum or aluminum alloy running therealong. At least one spray gun section projects a coating mixture of brazing powders toward the travel path. A pressurized air supply section supplies pressurized air to the spray gun section, and a coating mixture supply section includes a coating mixture circulating arrangement and a feed line. A drying section is provided downstream of each respective spray gun section, and a rewinding section is provided at the end of the travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Aluminum Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Saito, Hiroto Momosaki, Ken Tohma
  • Patent number: 5656084
    Abstract: Blanks (10) for hinge-lid packs are provided with glue in the form of glue spots (29). A plurality of rows of glue spots, namely spot rows (33 to 36), are distributed over the blank (10) in such a manner that the pack collar (84) and the inner wrapping (82) are sufficiently fixed, and that a lid inner tab (22) is permanently connected to a lid front wall (20). The glue spots (29) are applied by a gluing unit (37) which can be removed as a unit from the packaging machine and which is connected to a glue container via a main glue line (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Michael Schlenker
  • Patent number: 5654040
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spraying a liquid or hot melt material involve placing the material in a plurality of parallel grooves arranged across the entire width of a movable member and then causing a compressed gas to impinge upon the material in the grooves, thereby to spray the material from the grooves toward a substrate, as by extending, fiberizing or atomizing the material, or by mixing a gas with the material. For some materials of relatively high viscosity, a scraper is used to scrape the material from the grooves, and the compressed gas impinges the material while it is on the scraper, thereby to cause spraying. This provides a wide band deposition of a liquid or hot melt material with uniform material distribution across the entire width, along with improved ability to quantify the amount of material deposited on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 5641544
    Abstract: A system for coating a substrate with an ultra-thin layer includes moving the substrate through a coating station and forming a composite layer including a coming fluid and a carrier fluid. The composite layer flows at a rate that is sufficiently high to form a continuous flowing fluid bridge of composite layer to the substrate surface and to contact the substrate with the flowing composite layer to interpose the coating layer between the substrate and the carrier fluid. The carrier fluid is removed while leaving the coating fluid deposited on the substrate as a coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kurt C. Melancon, Carl R. Kessel, William K. Leonard
  • Patent number: 5637148
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for coating printed circuit boards on both sides are described in which the printed circuit boards are transported through several consecutive processing stations of a coating installation. In a first coating station, one side of the printed circuit boards is wet-coated with preferably UV-hardenable plastics and the printed circuit boards are subjected to vapour-removal and drying in a first vapour-removal and drying station. The printed circuit boards are turned and, in a second coating station, their second side is wet-coated with preferably UV-hardenable plastics and then are subjected to vapour-removal and drying in a second vapour-removal and drying station. The boards are finally transferred from the coating installation to other processing apparatuses for further processing. In the coating operation, the printed circuit boards are transported in opposite directions through the two coating stations which are arranged side by side in two parallel lines of apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Kaspar Kuster, Anton Ruegge
  • Patent number: 5633044
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for spray coating a paper or board web in which a coating paste or mix is applied as an aerosol to the web in an enclosed space or chamber. A flow of the coating paste flows down at least one of the interior walls of the enclosed space, thereby collecting excess coating paste aerosol and providing a seal between the web and the walls of the enclosed space. By providing this seal, the amount of excess coating paste aerosol escaping from the enclosed space and the amount of air travelling along the surface of the web are both reduced, thereby increasing the quality of the applied coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Pekka Linnonmaa
  • Patent number: 5624715
    Abstract: A method for curtain coating a moving support with a liquid coating material. An evacuating device is utilized to evacuate air carried along with the moving support. A device for carrying out the method includes a pourer having a pourer lip, a pouring roll carrying a support, and an evacuating device which is disposed in front of the curtain. The evacuating device includes an evacuating blade having a front edge facing the curtain. The front edge is provided with a slot which is connected to a vacuum installation. The method and device allow a substantial stabilization of the curtain at its point of contact with the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Ilford AG
    Inventors: Markus Gueggi, Maurice Pasquier, Peter Schweizer
  • Patent number: 5622561
    Abstract: A system and a process is provided for reducing the dust formation during the transfer of a particulate material on an endless conveyor belt. During transfer of the material on the conveyor belt the material is first sprayed with a wetting agent then by application of a plow the moving material is lifted from the bottom of the belt and is diverted towards the side edges of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces. The material is then again sprayed then contacted with baffles to redirect the material from the side edges towards the center of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces which are then again sprayed with a wetting agent to substantially eliminate dusting. The plow and baffle combination can also be used for uniformly mixing two or more particulate materials on a moving belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Cummins, David L. Roussel
  • Patent number: 5622599
    Abstract: A method of applying a film of coating material to a web of pulp product on a machine and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The coating material is directed in a fluid against the surface of a web of pulp product in the form of a high volume low velocity atomized spray mist from high volume low pressure spray nozzles with an exiting air pressure from the spray nozzle of 1 to 10 psig, preferably 3 to 6 psig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventors: Barry Sproule, Marian Corak, Nick Saltarelli