Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for subjecting articles to a forceful air stream while confined within a tumbling barrel having a perforated peripheral wall. The apparatus comprises pivotally connected shroud members that are adapted to sealingly enclose the barrel, but to leave uncovered a bottom longitudinal portion of the perforated wall. Air is blown into the shroud members about the barrel and flows into the barrel through the perforated wall and thereafter out the barrel through the uncovered wall portion, thereby forcefully flowing over the confined articles to dislodge solution clinging thereto.

Abstract: A batch of parts to be painted is put into each of a plurality of barrels rotatably mounted on an indexing turntable in angularly spaced relation therearound. A spray gun, a hot-air blower, and a cool-air blower are disposed in angularly spaced positions around the turntable respectively for spraying paint onto, heating, and cooling the parts in the barrels while the turntable is held at temporary rest between its intermittent angular movements. The sequence of the steps is repeated until the paint coating on the parts has a desired thickness thereon. A parts separator may be provided for separating the parts from each other to avoid possible paint adhesion therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying pieces in bulk, such as metal screws being electrolytically galvanized. The pieces are charged in a rotating perforated barrel through which drying air is passed. The barrel is positioned in a drying chamber which also contains a ventilator for circulating the air, an air heater and a dehumidifier. These components are arranged so that dry air is drawn through the barrel and the charge by vacuum from the portion of the barrel not filled by the charge. Flexible seals between the barrel outer casing and a suction box direct the flow of air substantially completely through the charge.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus using a walking beam transporter is provided with an indexing mechanism for enabling barrels supported on the beam to be indexed rotationally in use, either in a treatment solution or when raised above it. The drive mechanism comprises a rod extending along the transporter beam and supported in low friction bearings for linear reciprocated movement. The rod is driven by a piston and cylinder assembly housed inside the beam, via a pendulum link. Each barrel is provided with a ratchet and pawl mechanism operated from the rod via a lever link on the barrel mounting.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating pellets, such as prills, granules and the like, with a liquid coating agent, which comprises a cylindrical, obliquely disposed drum arranged for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said drum comprising means at or adjacent its higher end for the supply and input of pellets to be coated and for supplying and spraying or atomizing said liquid coating agent over the pellets introduced, and means at or adjacent its lower end for the output and discharge of coated product pellets, and further is provided with partitions arranged transversely to the axis of rotation and dividing the drum into compartments, each of said partitions having a passage opening located eccentrically relative to the axis of rotation and so that the passage openings in each pair of partitions defining a compartment are peripherally offset relatively to each other.

Abstract: A continuous-flow mixer for applying glue to wood particles used in making particleboard panels includes a rotating drum inclined at an angle to the horizontal and having at one end a glue spray nozzle aligned with the axis of rotation of the drum. Outlet openings are provided at the opposite ends of the drums such that the treated particles are conveyed by rotation of the drum and emerge unimpeded out of the drum via the outlet openings, and trickle onto a conveyor for removal of the treated particles.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuously mixing wood chips with a binder finely divided in air, the wood chips falling through a mixing drum in the form of thin layers with the air moving approximately perpendicularly to the direction of falling in a pulsating fashion.

Abstract: Apparatus to inhibit water pollution in surface treatment of metals, e.g., in coating base metal parts with an adherent coating of zinc, cadmium or similar protective metal by means of wet impact plating or electroplating, or in chromating or phosphating metal surfaces. A preferred embodiment relates to a wet impact plating process wherein the several solutions used in preparing the work, in plating it and in rinsing it are individually segregated after use and re-used in consecutive plating cycles so that release of ecologically objectionable effluent is eliminated and chemical and metal components fed into the process are conserved instead of being discarded after each plating cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for plating work pieces including irregularly-shaped workpieces of various sizes with a technique known as ion vapor deposition wherein the articles are tumbled in adjacent counter-rotating barrels, a portion of which are cathodes of a high voltage system. The barrels rotate about generally horizontal axes toward anodes positioned therebetween which supply evaporated plating material.

Abstract: Drum-type continuous washer for small parts in manufacture, e.g., fasteners. The parts, requiring oil and other soil removal, are tumble-washed therein, in steps in order: at an immersion station for tumbling the soaking parts in hot washing liquid; at a liquid-impingement station for loosening and spraying off the wetted soils by the force and cleaning action of impinged, hot sprays of continuously recycled washing liquid; at a drip-dry station for tumbling off excess liquid from within and without the individual tumbling parts, leaving them wet and hot; at a blow-dry station for rendering the hot parts damp by means of compressing and blowing-on hot, recycling-steamy atmosphere drawn from the process and preferably containing rust-inhibitor coating material; and at an evaporative dry (final dry) station for discharging the cleaned, hot, rust-proofed parts essentially moisture-free by flash drying.

Abstract: An apparatus for making metal films comprises an air tight chamber; a rotatable cylindrical cage to receive substrates therein, said rotatable cage constituting an anode; and cathode means of sputtering metal material disposed coaxially of said rotatable cylindrical cage. When a sputtering power source such as DC power source or asymmetrical AC power source is applied across the cage and the cathode of sputtering metal material, metal atoms are sputtered from the cathode means and then deposited on the substrates in the cage. The cage may have partitions or radial walls provided in a circumferential direction about the axis of rotation, so that the substrates may be received in the cage in a separate manner. Alternatively, the cage may be open at the inner periphery and in this case, the cathode means may be disposed inside of the cage.

Abstract: A device suitable for coating popcorn with cheese, butter, or the like comprises an axle positioned at an acute angle to a horizontal plane, means for rotating the axle, and four vessel-gripping prongs releasably secured to the axle for rotation therewith. The prongs, which are formed from two U-shaped members, are spaced radially from each other and each has a portion which lies generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the axle.

Abstract: A plurality of single-crystal epitaxial layers of semiconductors are simultaneously grown on a plurality of suitable substrates from the liquid phase by a method which includes the step of consecutively, and at times simultaneously, supplying small portions of liquid solution from a solution reservoir onto all the surfaces of the substrates in a plurality of wells which are provided on a surface of a rotatable circular lower plate so that epitaxial growth can be simultaneously carried out in all wells. The solution reservoir is positioned on a radius of the lower plate on which a circular upper plate is also provided in a non-rotatable state relative to the solution reservoir. Small portions of liquid solution are supplied by rotating the lower plate relative to the upper plate and the solution reservoir, and constrained in shape and volume which are adjusted by the upper plate and the wells. The composition and doping level of epitaxial layers are controlled through vapor-liquid communication.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning fibrous materials includes an automatic laundry dryer, usually of the substantially horizontally rotating tumbling drum type, having a substantially vertical door which closes the drum, which door has fastened to the inside thereof a conditioning article from which conditioning agent is removable on contact with the tumbling fibrous materials and becomes deposited on them. Also disclosed is a method of conditioning fibrous materials in such an apparatus.

Abstract: A plastic polehydral electroplating barrel whose rails, end heads and perforate panels are made of a mineral or fiberglass-filled thermoplastic resin, preferably fiberglass-filled polypropylene, in which the perforate panels are made of modules which when abutted edge to edge form the 30 or 36 inch panel, each module being made of a relatively thin perforate plate injection molded to contain an increased number of square drainage holes and a plurality of crossed ribs upstanding from the plate to strengthen it, those edges of the modules which engage in the rail and head grooves being reinforced to reduce load stress at the connecting points. The modules can be held in abutting relation unconnected to each other in the final barrel assembly, or can be interconnected by tongues and grooves, or can be welded together. The ribbed injection molded perforate panels can be used as inserts to make barrel halves or barrel bodies by matched metal low pressure molding.

Abstract: Machine for sequentially rotating and tilting a container having materials therein for wetting or impregnating a tape to be used for forming an orthopedic cast, the machine having a turntable rotatable about a horizontal axis, a platform on the turntable for receiving the container base and rotatable about an axis transverse to the turntable axis and a clamp on the turntable for clamping the container on the platform. The turntable is rotatable by a first motor and the platform is rotatable by a second motor mounted on the turntable. The first and second motors are sequentially energized by a motor driven timing means to (a) tilt the container from its upright position to a position 45.degree. from the vertical, (b) intermittently spin the container, (c) invert the container, (d) spin the container, (e) return the container to its upright position and (f) spin the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the iron content of a zinc phosphating process. The processing bath is continuously aerated and agitated to precipitate iron compounds out of solution and maintain the precipitate in suspension. The bath is constantly recirculated through a series of settling tanks or a single compartmentalized tank wherein the precipitate is settled out of solution and from which relatively clarified solution is discharged back to the processing bath. Periodically iron bearing sediment is removed from the settling tanks for disposal as solid waste.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying wet coal granules or particles by introducing a liquid petroleum or coal derivative into the wet granular material, either before feeding into a dryer, or while it is fed, or at some point along the dryer cylinder embodying my prior patent 3,401,923. Thus the danger of explosion or obnoxious dust resulting from dry coal is eliminated and the calorific value of the coal is greatly increased. A modification of the air lock shown in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,401,923 is also made for improving the passage of heated particles into the housing.

Abstract: An electroplating barrel for immersion in an electroplating electrolyte or other treatment liquid and for tumbling therein a bulk-mass of small parts, made of either electrolessly metal-coated plastics (synthetic resins) or of metals. The tumbling barrel consists essentially of a pair of spaced end walls, an annular treatment chamber defined by inner and outer peripheral walls between the end walls, and cathodic contacts, the length of the barrel being significantly less than the average overall diameter thereof.

Abstract: Wood chips used in making composition board are coated with a resinous liquid binder by first applying a coating of the resinous liquid to the inner surface of a moving wall portion of an enclosure for the chips and then moving the coated wall beneath the chips while simultaneously wiping the chips across the coated wall surface to remove resin from the surface and coat the chips. In an illustrated embodiment, the enclosure is a revolving drum with stationary end walls. Uncoated chips are fed into the drum through one end wall while coated chips are discharged through the opposite end wall. The interior of the drum is partitioned into a resin-applying compartment and a chip compartment. A spray applicator in the former applies resin to the inner surface of the revolving drum upstream of the chips while rapidly rotating paddles within the chip compartment move the particles into contact with the resin-coated inner surface of the drum.

Abstract: A novel method for applying adjuvants to fabric employing a tumbler-type dryer is disclosed. To achieve uniform distribution in the dryer, the adjuvant, in accordance with the present invention, is diluted with a diluent spreadable under the dryer conditions, the concentration of the adjuvant in the diluent being effective but not in excess of about 95% by weight. Novel compositions of matter suitable for use in the practice of this invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plant for chromizing metal articles, comprising: a furnace mounted on a framework tiltably about its transverse axis. Set up lengthwise within the furnace and rotatably about its longitudinal axis is a retort with two chambers and an appliance adapted to preclude the arbitrary pouring over of granular chromium-containing material from one chamber into another.One of the chambers is fitted with a tube for supplying gas therein and another one with a reagent-supply tube and with a tube for discharging reaction products or feeding gas.Said appliance comprises a screw secured in a retort throat and a partition arranged in front of the screw on the side of the working chamber and fitted with holes sufficient for the grains of the chromium-containing material to pass through but insufficient for the passage of articles.Chromizing apparatus includes a horizontal mounted retort which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, pivotal about its transverse axis and has a working chamber and an auxiliary chamber.

Abstract: A method for concomitant particulate deposition in electroless plating wherein objects to be plated are subjected to tumbling during the plating process.

Abstract: A nonsymmetrical electroplating barrel having two end pieces and six sides, one side being a door opening suitable for loading and unloading the barrel. The door opening having a width greater than each of the other five sides. The two sides closest to the door opening being of the same width but being of a smaller width than the door and the other three sides. The three sides farthest from the door being of uniform width. The purpose of the dimensional limitations is to increase the inside volume of the electroplating barrel while using a conventional pair of end pieces thereby allowing the larger volume barrel to be substituted in conventional sizes of electroplating tanks.

Abstract: A tumbling drum assembly includes a freely rotatable barrel having an opening in the side thereof and disposed within a driven cage member including a panel closure for said opening. In one direction of cage rotation, the panel is carried to a position to seal said opening and means cooperate to subsequently rotate the barrel. In a reverse direction of cage rotation the panel is carried away from the sealing position and means rotate the barrel in said reverse direction whereby to locate the opening for a discharging operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for enrobing discrete objects. The device includes a perforated drum adapted to receive and tumble a charge of discrete objects to be coated and which is rotatable about its horizontal axis. The tumbling charge is periodically wetted with coating material and is dried by a stream of selectively conditioned air passed through the charge. During the initial phase of each drying operation a high velocity conditioned air stream employing a high percentage of reconditioned air is employed that effects rapid drying without deleteriously affecting the surface of the coated objects. During the final phase of each drying operation velocities are reduced and higher percentages of unrecirculated conditioned air is employed to assure continuity of drying with a concomitant production of an optimum surface of coating material thereon.