Abstract: A semi-automated coating system for providing medical devices with antimicrobial coatings is disclosed. The semi-automated coating system extends the coating solution's usable life span by minimizing exposure to light, air and temperature extremes. Moreover, the disclosed semi-automated coating system minimizes operator and environmental exposure to the coating solutions. Methods disclose techniques for preparing coating solutions, setting up the coating system and operating the device. Moreover, the systems and methods described herein minimize operator intervention with the coating processes and provide superior product consistency.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a plant for the continuous dip-coating of a metal strip (1), of the type comprising a tank (11) containing a liquid metal bath (12), a duct (13) through which the metal strip (1) runs and the lower end (13a) of which duct (13) is extended by at least two internal walls (20; 22) each located on one side of the strip (1) and directed towards the surface of the metal bath (12) in order to form at least one compartment (21; 23) for recovering the metal oxide particles and intermetallic compound particles. The duct (13) has a fixed upper part (30) and a movable lower part (31) joined together by a deformable element (32) and means (35) for positioning the movable lower part (31) with respect to the metal strip (1).

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus fills a metal such as copper or the like in fine interconnection patterns or trenches defined in a semiconductor substrate. The substrate processing apparatus has a loading/unloading unit for placing a substrate cassette to allow a substrate to be loaded and unloaded, a substrate treating unit for treating a substrate, and a transfer robot for transferring a substrate between the loading/unloading unit and the substrate treating unit. The loading/unloading unit, the substrate treating unit, and the transfer robot are installed in a single facility. The loading/unloading unit has a rotary table which is horizontally rotatable for positioning the substrate cassette in a position to detect the substrate cassette placed in the loading/unloading unit and to remove the substrate from the substrate cassette with the transfer robot.

Abstract: There is provided a copper-plating solution which, when used in plating of a substrate having an seed layer and fine recesses of a high aspect ratio, can reinforce the thin portion of the seed layer and ensures complete filling with copper of the fine recesses, and which is so stable that its performance is not lowered after a long-term continuous use thereof. The plating solution contains monovalent or divalent copper ions, a complexing agent, and an organic sulfur compound as an additive, and optionally a surfactant.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for thermally controlled processing of microelectronic workpieces with liquids. An apparatus in accordance with and embodiment of the invention includes a process vessel configured to carry a processing liquid, such as an electroless processing liquid. The vessel has a thermally transmissive wall for transferring heat to and/or from the processing liquid within. A heat transfer device, such as a reservoir that receives processing liquid spilling over from the process vessel, transfers heat to or from the processing liquid within the process vessel. The heat transfer device can also transfer heat to or from an internal or external heat source, such as a conduit carrying a heat transfer fluid, or an electrical resistance heater.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for coating a plurality of articles in batches, in particular for applying a biocompatible layer on articles adapted to come into contact with blood or body tissue, e.g. a coagulation-preventing substance so as to render the articles non-thrombogenic. A plurality of article-carrying plates (14) are stacked upon one another and have a plurality of communicating wells (18) for receiving therein a respective article to be coated. A base plate (12) defines with a bottom side of a lowermost of said article-carrying plates a distribution chamber (34) for receiving and evenly distributing a solution containing a substance to be applied to said articles. The solution is fed through the wells of the stacked plates (14) in parallel vertical flows.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the surface treatment of workpieces (12) such as vehicle bodies. One such device has a plurality of successive treatment stations (1-9), a guiding system (16, 17) having a first guiding section (16) extending in the region of the treatment stations (1-9), and a plurality of rotational mounts (13) which can move individually on said guiding system (16, 17). Each rotational mount (13) has a holding device (14) for at least one workpiece (12) and a rotational axis (15) which is arranged in such a way that the workpeice (12) in the holding device (14) can be brought into, or taken out of, one of the treatment stations (1-9) by rotation about the rotational axis (15).

Abstract: A method for encapsulating flip chip interconnects includes applying a limited quantity of encapsulating resin to the interconnect side of an integrated circuit chip, and thereafter bringing the chip together with a substrate under conditions that promote the bonding of bumps on the interconnect side of the chip with bonding pads on the substrate. In some embodiments, the step of applying resin to the chip includes dipping the interconnect side of the chip to a predetermined depth in a pool of resin, and then withdrawing the chip from the resin pool. In some embodiments the step of applying resin to the chip includes providing a reservoir having a bottom, providing a pool of resin in the reservoir to a shallow depth over the reservoir bottom, dipping the chip into the resin pool so that the bumps contact the reservoir bottom, and then withdrawing the chip from the resin pool.

Abstract: A painting apparatus includes a conveyor having incrementally spaced attachment structures configured to secure objects thereon for painting and being movable to move the attachment structures between consecutive incremental positions in a downstream direction. The distance between consecutive incremental positions is generally equal to an incremental spacing between consecutive attachment structures. A washing station is disposed beneath the conveyor and is operable to clean objects disposed therein. A painting station downstream of the washing station includes a paint reservoir disposed beneath the conveyor and which contains a volume of paint. The reservoir can be raised to dispose the object within the volume of paint and lowered to thereby allow the object to be conveyed downstream from the painting incremental position. A heating station downstream of the paint reservoir applies heat to objects in a heating incremental position.

Abstract: A method and a system for regenerating a metal bath contaminated by mixed crystals, particularly a tin bath (17) in a hot-dip coating process. A partial stream of the tin bath (17) is removed from the coating tank (15) and is first of all heated above its liquidus temperature in a heating unit (24). Subsequently, the tin bath is conducted over a cooling unit (27) and, while flowing through a filter (29), is cleaned of mixed crystals coming down as a result of the cooling. The filter 29 is a ceramic foam filter made of silicon carbide. Subsequently, the regenerated tin bath (17a) is heated in a melting tank to process temperature, and returned from there to the coating tank (15).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a web handling apparatus and process ideally suited for applications involving wet chemistry. The invention involves the horizontal processing of webs in processing containers. The web is redirected into the processing container by inserting a cassette across the web and into the processing container. The cassette includes at least one functional fluid element that facilitates processing of the web. The web handling practices of the invention improve the quality of the processed web. The invention is preferably used in electrodeposition processes.

Abstract: A resonant cavity frequency sensing device is used to sense the moisture content of a substrate. Data obtained by the sensing device can be used in a feedback loop in the apparatus employing the device, to help control the operation of the apparatus in order to obtain consistent results. The sensor may employ one pair of sensing plates or an array of pairs of sensing plates to obtain data from each part of the substrate. In an illustrated embodiment, the device is used to monitor and control dip uptake in a fabric adhesive dipping process.

Abstract: An apparatus, to be used when an open end of a hollow substrate contacts a coating solution to define a solution free interior portion of the substrate, for controlling the level of the coating solution relative to the substrate interior, the apparatus including: a gas container capable of changing in volume; a channel connecting the gas container to the solution free interior portion of the substrate to allow gas flow in either direction between the gas container and the solution free interior portion; and pressure means for exerting a changeable, continuous pressure on the gas container that automatically exerts an increasingly greater pressure on the gas container as the gas container expands in volume and that automatically exerts a decreasingly lesser pressure on the gas container as the gas container decreases in

Abstract: Gas wiping apparatus and method can reliably prevent edge overcoat and splash, and has face gas wiping nozzles extending widthwise of a strip material, a pair of baffle plates spaced from an edge of the strip material, an edge wiping nozzle disposed between baffle plates at its inner edge and adjacent the strip material edge, all with critical spacings relative to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for curing coatings on optical fibers, without creating additional heat and compromising the manufacturing speed of optical fibers. The present invention uses at least one ultrasonic transducer coupled to a component of the optical fiber draw tower, such as the coating die, curing stage device or sheath, to emit ultrasound to the coating of the fiber. The use of ultrasound with current coating cure techniques, such as UV radiation curing, aids in accelerating the coating cure process through the effects of sonolysis, allowing an increase in current manufacturing speeds of optical fibers.

Abstract: Method for partially applying high viscosity liquids to a supporting material whereby the liquid is applied by means of a nozzle which opens into an orifice, and is extruded through a screen on to the supporting material, which rests on a pressure-resistant substrate, but distinguished by the geometry of the nozzle being so arranged that the nozzle outlet slit opens into an orifice which feeds the liquid to the screen, and in that orifice an increase of pressure in the liquid is generated so that the pressure in the liquid at the nozzle orifice is higher than the pressure in the nozzle outlet slit.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a pressure chamber scraper for application of a liquid medium onto a rotating drum, said pressure chamber scraper having an axially extending scraper head, that together with an axially extending dosing scraper touching the mantle surface of the drum and with a sealing scraper forms a chamber in the circumferential direction, in said chamber there is an axially extending displacement element to form a pressure compartment and an outlet compartment and leaving an application gap to the mantle surface of the drum, and the liquid medium for wetting of the mantle surface flows through said gap, wherein the medium is supplied through an inlet opening into the pressure compartment. According to the invention, it is proposed that the displacement element and scraper head have mutually facing contact surfaces which bound at least one gap between them which opens into the pressure compartment and connects it to the inlet opening, so that the medium can move into the pressure compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a vessel for a solution having a bottom end and an open top end, and defining a vertical axis perpendicular to the bottom end; (b) an insert device having a bottom surface and a top surface and nested within the vessel, wherein the insert device defines a passageway dimensioned for a substrate which is parallel to the vertical axis and extending through the insert device, and wherein the insert device also defines at least one bypass channel extending through the insert to allow solution within the vessel to flow to the top surface of the insert device; and (c) an overflow container positioned adjacent the vessel to catch solution runoff from the top surface of the insert device.

Abstract: In electric plating of supplying a current between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode as a plated body immersed in a plating solution thereby forming a plated film comprising a conductor on a surface of the cathode electrode, a preliminary electrolytic electrode that comes in contact with the plating solution before the cathode electrode comes in contact with the plating solution is disposed, and the cathode electrode is brought into contact with the plating solution while supplying a preliminary electrolytic current between the preliminary electrolytic electrode and the anode electrode, whereby a uniform plated film with no voids can be formed while suppressing dissolution of the underlying conductive film in the electric plating treatment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a combinatorial coating library including a coating system operatively coupled to at least one of a plurality of materials suitable for forming at least one coating layer on a surface of one or more substrates and a curing system operative to apply at least one of a plurality of curing environments to each of a plurality of regions associated with the at least one coating layer. The curing system including a scanning mirror system having a mirrored surface positionable relative to an incoming radiation beam, wherein the mirrored surface is positionable to direct the incoming radiation beam to a selected one of the plurality of regions associated with the coating layer. The combinatorial coating library comprising a predetermined combination of at least one of the plurality of materials and at least one of the plurality of curing environments associated with each of the plurality of regions.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved apparatus for manufacturing printed circuit boards which solves the problem of immersion bath contaminants being plated-out onto electrically-conductive, circuit functional pads, (board-features) by introducing into the bath system a mechanism for attracting those contaminants to non-functional “micro-thieves” which are electrically-conductive, non-circuit-functional pads having substantially smaller dimensions than those of the smallest board-feature, thereby taking advantage of previously unknown immersion bath uncontrolled strike phenomena, whereby the contaminants are directed to the micro-thieves and away from the board-features. Application of the micro-thieves in the immersion bath environment also produces plated features, of both finer and larger geometries, having flatter surfaces and a more uniform plated thickness for all features on the printed circuit board (PCB), than previously obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a photoreceptor substrate, such as a photoreceptor belt or a photoreceptor drum, consists of at least one photoreceptor coating fluid reservoir or diptank. The diptank defines an inlet at one end and a conduit with an orifice at the other end. The conduit includes at least one porous element such as a grid, screen or mesh arranged for suspending a plurality of layers of non-contaminating rounded objects, such as stainless steel or glass beads, in the bottom of the conduit. Photoreceptor coating solution supplied to the inlet is thereby forced to flow through the plurality of layers of beads prior to coating a photoreceptor substrate that is inserted through the orifice. As a result, the uniformity of the coating solution is improved as it coats the photoreceptor substrate, thereby reducing coating defects in the finished photoreceptor belt or drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a photoreceptor substrate, such as a photoreceptor belt or a photoreceptor drum, consists of at least one photoreceptor coating fluid reservoir or diptank. The diptank defines an inlet at one end and a conduit with an orifice at the other end. The conduit includes at least one porous element such as a grid, screen or mesh arranged for suspending a plurality of layers of non-contaminating rounded objects, such as stainless steel or glass beads, in the bottom of the conduit. Photoreceptor coating solution supplied to the inlet is thereby forced to flow through the plurality of layers of beads prior to coating a photoreceptor substrate that is inserted through the orifice. As a result, the uniformity of the coating solution is improved as it coats the photoreceptor substrate, thereby reducing coating defects in the finished photoreceptor belt or drum.

Abstract: Objects, (4) especially vehicle bodies (4), are guided through a painting installation comprising at least one bath (2) in a continuous translation movement, by means of a transport device (5). Immersion devices carry the objects using a carrier structure (61) which is connected to the transport device (5) in such a way that it can be pivoted by a pivoting arm (50, 51). A first drive device (54, 55, 56, 57) causes a pivoting movement of the pivoting arm (50, 51) about a first axis. A second drive device (78, 79, 80, 81) is used to pivot the carrier structure (61) about the second axis, in relation to the pivoting arm (50, 51). One such immersion device enables very different kinematics of the immersing and emerging movement to be carried out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles, having an extended useful life, which are used in contact with high temperature molten aluminum or molten zinc baths. One aspect of the invention encompasses articles, such as bearings, bushings, couplings or rollers, used in contact with molten aluminum or molten zinc which is coated with a high density coating consisting of a metal selected from Groups Vb, VIb, or VIIb metals (preferably molybdenum or tungsten), in pure or alloyed form. These coatings generally have a thickness of from about 0.06 to about 0.30 inch. Another aspect of the present invention encompasses a roll for guiding steel strip through a high temperature aluminizing bath, which utilizes a multi-layer structure, the first primer layer being a Group Vb, VIb or VIIb metal, preferably tungsten or molybdenum (in pure or alloyed form), the second layer comprising MCrAlY in which M is either nickel or cobalt, and the third layer comprising a refractory metal oxide of Al, Zr, Si or Cr.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for a plurality of cylindrical light sensitive members each for use in an electrophotography, is provided with a coating tank in which a coating liquid is stored; a dipping device to lift down the plurality of cylindrical base members into the coating liquid and to lift up the plurality of cylindrical base members above the coating liquid so that the plurality of cylindrical base members are coated with the coating liquid; and a plurality of drying hoods corresponding in number to the plurality of cylindrical base members and provided above the coating tank so that each of the plurality of cylindrical base members is lifted up from the coating tank into a respective drying hood among the plurality of cylindrical base members.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for treating a surface of a substrate for electrolytic or electroless plating of metals in integrated circuit manufacturing. In one embodiment the method includes forming a barrier layer on a substrate. A metal-seed layer is then formed on the barrier layer. The method continues by performing in situ surface treatment of the metal-seed layer to form a passivation layer on the metal-seed layer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for collecting and encapsulating with a coating agent particles dispersed in a fluid at supercritical pressure and an installation for implementing said method. Said method is characterised in that it comprises steps which consist in: expanding said fluid at a pressure less than its critical pressure, so as to bring it to a gaseous state; causing said gas to trickle down in a liquid consisting of a solution substantially saturated with the coating agent in a solvent in which the particles are insoluble, so as to exact at least partially the solvent; and causing the coating agent to precipitate onto the particles thereby forming microcapsules.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a substrate in an electrochemical deposition system are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided for securing a substrate in an electrochemical deposition system having a contact ring for contacting a plating surface of the substrate, a thrust plate having an annular shoulder at least partially formed therein, the thrust plate adapted to move axially relative to the contact surface, and a flexible seal disposed on the thrust plate comprising a base portion for attaching to the annular shoulder of the thrust plate and a body portion extending outwardly from the base portion and defining a sealing surface for engaging a back surface of the substrate. The apparatus may be disposed in an electrochemical deposition system.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for efficiently applying a coating to each of a plurality of objects selected from the group consisting of ophthalmic lenses, molds for making ophthalmic lenses, and other medical devices, the method comprising dipping the plurality of objects into a coating bath containing a coating solution having a coating material; and creating with a means a convective current flow and thereby forcing a coating solution flowing over and under each of the plurality of ophthalmic lenses. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of objects are held in baskets which are pre-conditioned to have a first layer of polyelectrolytes and a second layer of aqueous solution or have a mixed layer of polyelectrolytes and aqueous solution on the surfaces of the baskets.

Abstract: An application device for applying an application medium to at least one side of a moving product web, the web having a running direction. The application device includes at least one roll supporting the web, at least one pocket between at least one roll and at least one side, at least one pocket having a size and a shape, at least one feed apparatus including a metering element, the metering element having at least one discharge nozzle projecting into at least one pocket and at least one application chamber designed into the metering element, at least one discharge nozzle discharging the application medium onto the web in a first direction and proximate to at least one application chamber, the first direction approximately orthogonal to the running direction.

Abstract: A catalyst composition is applied to an interior of a hollow substrate. The composition is coated on the substrate by immersing the substrate into a vessel containing a bath of coating slurry. A vacuum is then applied to the partially immersed substrate. The intensity of the vacuum and its application time is sufficient to draw the coating slurry upwardly from the bath into each of a plurality of channels located in the interior of the hollow substrate. After removing the substrate from the bath it is rotated 180°. A blast of pressurized air is applied at an intensity and for a time sufficient to distribute the coating slurry within the channels of the substrate to form a uniform coating profile therein.

Abstract: A method for applying a sealant to a component, in which the sealant is applied to a part of or the entirety of a sealing surface of the component, comprises the steps of: disposing in the sealant, an abutting member approximately in parallel to a surface of the sealant, which is a liquid, formed into a film of a specified thickness; pressing the sealing surface of the component to the abutting member in the sealant formed into the film; and transferring the sealant to the sealing surface of the component by pulling the component apart from the sealant.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the modifying of substrates such as monofilaments, bundles of monofilaments, and fibrous structural material with a modifying agent. The modifying agent is suspended or dissolved in a supercritical fluid, near-critical fluid, superheated fluid, superheated liquid, or a liquified gas and is deposited by rapidly altering the pressure in a chamber to deposit the modifying material onto the substrate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for coating metal strip, particularly cold-rolled steel strip, with a coating metal which is in the molten state. The metal strip is heated and annealed in a heating furnace and subsequently the required strip temperature and surface properties are adjusted in a cooling zone. The strip is conducted through a coating container and, following the coating container in strip pulling direction, the coating metal thickness and the solidification process are controlled by a gas-operated stripping device. The operating gas for the stripping device is preheated in a partial area of the cooling zone of the heating furnace.

Abstract: Denture baths comprise an outer container for containing an aqueous composition; means for supporting a denture in the container, which means allow the denture to be immersed in the aqueous composition; and an aqueous composition. The aqueous composition comprises a polymeric coating agent having a surface tension in 0.1% aqueous solution of less than 37 mNm−1 and a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 or greater. In addition, the denture baths comprise a means for passing the denture through an interface of the aqueous composition with the surrounding air, the means being selected from means for draining the composition from a position beneath the denture and means for lifting the denture through the interface.

Abstract: A method of coating a photoconductive element for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and an apparatus therefore are disclosed. A plurality of cylindrical bodies are immersed in a bath, which stores a coating liquid, at the same time and then lifted out of the bath. As a result, a photoconductive film is formed on each cylindrical body.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a tank with a closed base end and an open top end, and adapted to contain a coating formulation; and a receiver member with at least a cone shape, where the base of the cone is attached to the interior and to the base end of the tank and adapted to receive an article for coating.

Abstract: A resin application station has processing units for heating dynamo-electric machine components. In one or more of the processing units batches of components are placed in fixtures on vertically rotating support plates. The vertically rotating support plates are mounted in cabinets. Heated air is circulated in the cabinets to control the ambient temperature. The components travel through regions of the controlled temperature ambient as the support plates rotate and are heated to process temperatures. Intermittent rotation of a support plate in a unit allows loading and unloading of an individual component from the unit while the support plate is stationary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving interfacial chemical reactions in electroless depositions of metals, in which the substrate to be plated is pre-heated prior to its immersion in the various processing solutions that require elevated temperatures, and especially before immersion in the electroless plating solution. The pre-heating is carried out to a temperature that is needed to bring about the desired chemical reaction at the substrate-solution interface, allowing the bath of that process step to operate significantly below the temperature that would have been needed if the panel had not been pre-heated, and below the solution temperature of current practice. According to another aspect of the present invention, the electroless plating apparatus for plating a workpiece operates in a vertical mode and it comprises a heating station, with the panel to be plated returning to the heating station as dictated by the temperature required for a given process step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a denture, comprising passing the denture through the air interface of an aqueous composition comprising a polymeric coating agent, especially a silicone polymer, having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 or greater.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for coating tubular members, such as stents, and also provides a method for coating tubular members. The invention improves manufacturing efficiencies of existing manual-dipping technology for stents and also addresses manufacturing problems from stents having plural surface apertures associated with the presence of excess liquid, inconsistent drying of the liquid and blockage.

Abstract: An installation for the treatment of objects in a defined gas atmosphere whose oxygen content is smaller than that of air and with which environmentally damaging treatment gases are produced with a housing with an entry opening and with an exit opening for the objects passing through, conveyed through the housing, with a first treatment zone in the housing, which comprises the entry opening and which produces the treatment gas for the production of a process gas atmosphere, with a second treatment zone which is connected to the exit opening and which is connected to the first treatment zone via a passage opening for the objects and in which the atmosphere is lean of treatment gas and oxygen, with a circulation for the process gas with which a ventilator suctions process gas from the first treatment zone and sends it via a filter device which holds back the treatment gas, with a first sluice which is allocated to the entry opening and which is flowed upon by the purified process gas coming from the filter

Abstract: A plating cell has an inner plating bath container for performing electroplating on a work piece (e.g., a wafer) submerged in a solution contained by the inner plating bath container. A reclaim inlet funnels any solution overflowing the inner plating bath container back into a reservoir container to be circulated back into the inner plating bath container. A waste channel is also provided having an inlet at a different height than the inlet of the reclaim channel. After electroplating, the wafer is lifted to a position and spun. While spinning, the wafer is thoroughly rinse with, for example, ultra pure water. The spin rate and height of the wafer determine whether the water and solution are reclaimed through the reclaim channel or disposed through the waste channel.

Abstract: A system of gating orifices for continuous pressure infiltration processes eliminates blow-out of the pressurized molten metal matrix material and friction damage to the infiltrated perform. The system includes three or more orifices along a vertical path of an upwardly moving perform which passes from vacuum or atmospheric pressure into a pressurized infiltrating bath of molten metal, then into a pressurized atmosphere in which the matrix fully solidifies, and from there to an atmospheric environment. The entering orifice, at the bottom of the pressurized bath, is elongated in the direction of the perform movement to provide a temperature gradient from above the matrix material melting temperature at the bath to below the solidification temperature farthest from the bath. The resulting liquid-mushy-solid sequence of the matrix material forms a solidification seal to prevent blow out of the pressurized molten metal.

Abstract: A suction tip is moved between a seed-attracting position and a seed-releasing position when a rotary member is rotated by a drive source. The suction tip is moved upwardly and downwardly by an actuator attached to the rotary member. A gel-discharging mechanism disposed in alignment with the seed-releasing position includes a reciprocatable piston. When the piston moves front, a pressure is applied on gel, by which a hollow nozzle plunger opens a valve to allow the discharge of the gel. When the piston moves back, gel is supplemented. A portion of the gel discharged drops by its own weight, while the remainder forms a gel layer that closes the lower end of the hollow nozzle plunger. At the seed-releasing position, the suction tip is driven by the actuator to be lowered into the hollow portion to release the seed on the gel layer. Extremely small seeds can be reliably supplied on the gel layer at the lower end of the hollow portion.

Abstract: A system of gating orifices for continuous pressure infiltration processes eliminates blow-out of the pressurized molten metal matrix material and friction damage to the infiltrated preform. The system includes three or more orifices along a vertical path of an upwardly moving preform which passes from vacuum or atmospheric pressure into a pressurized infiltrating bath of molten metal, then into a pressurized atmosphere in which the matrix fully solidifies, and from there to an atmospheric environment. The entering orifice, at the bottom of the pressurized bath, is elongated in the direction of the preform movement to provide a temperature gradient from above the matrix material melting temperature at the bath to below the solidification temperature farthest from the bath. The resulting liquid-mushy-solid sequence of the matrix material forms a solidification seal to prevent blow out of the pressurized molten metal.

Abstract: A processing section in a gel coat processing unit for seeds to uniform the coating amount of seeds with gelatinizer to change a grain diameter of coated seeds without taking plenty of time and labor nor cost.

Abstract: Each suction tip on a support member is moved between a seed-sucking position and a seed-supplying position by a drive source (20) at a supplying unit, and a seed vessel is moved up and down by a drive source (40). A pressurizing plunger is moved front by a drive source (50) at a nozzle unit and pressurizes the gel inside a gel flow channel to move a cutting plunger up and open a valve to allow gel to be discharged. A part of the gel discharged drops, and the remainder forms a layer on which a seed is supplied. A counter of a controller counts the number of unsuccessful seed-sucking operations, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined number of times, the running of the apparatus is stopped. If a suction tip does not suck a seed at the seed-supplying position, instead of moving the pressurizing plunger front, another suction tip is moved to the positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for dip coating comprising a drum having an outer surface to be coated, an upper end and a lower end, at least one coating vessel having a bottom, an open top and a cylindrically shaped vertical interior wall having a diameter greater than the diameter of the drum, an inlet at the bottom of the vessel, the inlet adapted to feed flowing coating fluid into the vessel, a mandrel adapted to maintain the outer surface of the drum in a concentric relationship with the vertical interior wall of the cylindrical coating vessel while the drum is immersed in the flowing coating material, the outer surface of the drum being radially spaced from the vertical interior wall of the cylindrical coating vessel, and at least one flow regulating member adapted to maintain laminar flow motion of the coating material as the fluid passes between the outer surface of the drum and the vertical inner wall of the vessel.