Abstract: The present invention discloses a fully visual flow loop system for studying hydrate blockage.

Abstract: An automatic wax dipping system is an apparatus that dips multiple bottles into wax without the manual input of a user. The apparatus includes a basin, a first receptacle, a second receptacle, a first set of heating elements, a track mechanism, and a motorized belt. The basin upholds components of the apparatus. The first receptacle houses oil and the second receptacle houses wax. The first set of heating elements heat the oil which in turn heats the wax. The track mechanism includes a plurality of rails and an at least one motorized belt. The plurality of rails upholds multiple bottles and directs the path of multiple bottles across the present invention. The at least one motorized belt forces the multiple bottles through the plurality of rails in specific lengthwise sections where the multiple bottles may require additional force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a susceptor which is for the processing chamber of protective gas and vacuum high-temperature processing installations and consists of graphite or CFC, has a tunnel-like design, and can be closed by a cover at both its ends. The invention should allow the provision of a flexibly and modularly extendable susceptor that has a material-saving design and, in particular, uniform thermal expansion. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that said susceptor (1) consists of a plurality of modules (2) aligned one next to the other along a continuous tunnel, that each module (2) consists of a tubular section (3) and a base panel (4) fixed thereto, and that the end faces (5) between each pair of modules (2) are interconnected in a form-fitting manner.

Abstract: A traveling type immersion treatment apparatus for a vehicle body has a speed control device which controls the traveling speed of the conveying traveling body according to the angle of rotation of a rotary shaft that rotates the vehicle body. Between an upright position and a 90° rotation position the forward speed of the conveying traveling body is gradually decreased in relation to a reference conveying speed; then the forward speed of the conveying traveling body is gradually increased in relation to the reference conveying speed until the vehicle body reaches a 270° rotation position from the 90° rotation position; and then the forward speed of the conveying traveling body is gradually decreased in relation to the reference conveying speed until the vehicle body returns to the original upright position from the 270° rotation position.

Abstract: An installation for dip coating articles, which are movable up to and away from at least one dip tank with the aid of a transport system. In order to be dipped and removed, they are moved onto a rotary platform of at least one stationary rotary station and are dipped into and removed from the treatment liquid by rotation of the rotary platform. Each article is fastened with the aid of a fastening device to a skid which interacts with the transport system. The fastening device has a holding structure for the article and at least two rockers which are U- or V-shaped and are fastened in a pivotable manner to the holding structure at their vertex. The two arms of the U or V have a slot into which one guide pin fastened to the skid engages and slides in the corresponding slot upon rotation of the skid.

Abstract: A chassis dip treatment station may include a process liquid tank; a line configured to convey in sequence a plurality of skids inside and outside of the station, the skids each configured to support a chassis to be treated, the conveying line comprising roller units for displacing the skids, the skids configured to move between an operating position, for supporting and displacing the skids above the tank, and a retracted non-operating position, for immersing one of the skids with the chassis inside the tank; and a system configured to vertically move the skids conveyed above the tank using the conveying line, and configured to move the one of the skids with the chassis inside and outside of the tank. The system configured to vertically move the skids may include a platform configured to support and engage the skids. The platform may be mounted on a motor-driven, transverse, rotational shaft.

Abstract: A plating jig can perform the processing of plating wherein a thickness of a plating film formed on each object to be plated becomes even when a plurality of objects to be plated are plated at a time. The plating jig is horizontally disposed, immersed in plating solution, and rotated about a rotational axis. The plating jig includes a plurality of supporting rods and a pair of end plates which support both ends of the supporting rods. The supporting rods are disposed on the circumference of the end plates. A plurality of notches are formed on the supporting rod at regular intervals along the rotational axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for molding shells for fluid-filled prosthetic implants, including spinning and rotating dip- or spray-mandrels during a devolatilization step to ensure an even covering. The mandrels may be spun during the dipping or spraying step, and/or afterward while a solvent evaporates until a gum state is formed. The techniques are particularly useful for forming hollow shells from silicone dispersions for soft implants, such as breast implants.

Abstract: An electroless plating system is provided. The system includes a first vacuum chuck supporting a first wafer and a second vacuum chuck supporting a second wafer such that a top surface of the second wafer is opposing a top surface of the first wafer. The system also includes a fluid delivery system configured to deliver a plating solution to the top surface of the first wafer, wherein in response to delivery of the plating solution, the top surface of the second wafer is brought proximate to the top surface of the first wafer so that the plating solution contacts both top surfaces. A method for applying an electroless plating solution to a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A dipping apparatus for dipping the workpiece W in a treatment bath. The workpiece is transferred while fixed on a conveying traveling body 2, and each one flipped upside down together into the treatment bath for carrying out a surface treatment of the workpiece W. The dipping apparatus is provided with a positioning and fixing device to position the conveying traveling body 2 onto the guide rail 17a on the rotation base 15 at a fixed position and to fix the conveying traveling body 2 to the rotation base 15. A feeding mechanism feeds the conveying traveling body 2 to the fixed position on the rotation base 15.

Abstract: A traveling type dipping apparatus in a painting system of a vehicle body of an automobile, usable as mechanism to rotate and dip the vehicle body having been supported on a conveying traveling body horizontally in a forward facing direction in a treatment liquid while conveying the vehicle body.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a fluid to a convolutely wound roll of web substrate is disclosed. The apparatus provides for a fluid applicator having a manifold and a first surface. The fluid is fluidly displaceable from the manifold to the first surface through at least one opening disposed therein. The convolutely wound roll of web substrate is disposable upon the first surface. At least a portion of the fluid is fluidly displaced from the first surface to the convolutely wound roll of web substrate. Any of the fluid not fluidly displaced from the first surface to the convolutely wound roll of web substrate is not displaceable back into then manifold.

Abstract: A device for driving, dipping and turning bodyworks of motor vehicles, vans, truck cabs and metal article vessels, into processing basin, and for withdrawing the above elements from the processing basins, comprises a slidable framework, which can slide on sliding rails, supporting a pair of arms bearing, at free end portions thereof, a swinging shaft adapted to bear a supporting skid for supporting a bodywork, the sliding framework comprising at least a winch driving a drum, for winding a rope coupled to a respective arm at the swinging shaft, the slidable framework further comprises at least a rack, therealong an end portion of the respective arms coupled to framework slides.

Abstract: The invention relates to the electrical contacting of planar goods 1 in the form of segments in in-line plants for the electrolytic and/or wet chemical treatment of the treatment side 10 of the good by applying electrical external current while keeping the upper contacting side 9 dry and dipping the treatment side 10 into the treatment liquid 11. By use of the known transport systems having upper and lower transport and/or contact means, treatment liquid 11 is transferred from the lower means to the upper ones so that the top side of the good is often inadmissibly wetted and the upper contacts are electroplated, therefore needing to be continuously de-metallized, thus requiring a larger effort. According to the invention, the level is lowered in the region of upper contacts 6. Therefore, the same cannot be wetted, even when no good is present in the region of the contacts 6. This is achieved by means of down pipes 5 which are assigned to each contact 6.

Abstract: Systems and methods for molding shells for fluid-filled prosthetic implants, including spinning and rotating dip- or spray-mandrels during a devolatilization step to ensure an even covering. The mandrels may be spun during the dipping or spraying step, and/or afterward while a solvent evaporates until a gum state is formed. The techniques are particularly useful for forming hollow shells from silicone dispersions for soft implants, such as breast implants.

Abstract: A dip coating apparatus includes a housing and a workpiece holder movably and rotatably received in the housing. The housing includes an immersing portion configured for carrying out immersion process and a drying portion configured for carrying out drying process. The inner spaces of the immersing portion and the drying portion are communicated with each other. The lifting workpiece holder is configured for fixed workpieces thereon and moving and rotating relative to the immersing portion and the drying portion of the housing. The workpieces are driven by the lifting-rotating to carry out the immersion process and the drying process.

Abstract: An improved handling device for driving, immersing/removing and rotating motor vehicle, truck cabin, van and metal article vessel bodyworks into/from processing basins is characterized in that said device comprises a sliding frame designed for sliding on sliding rails, driven by one or two driving chains, and supporting a pair of arms bearing, at their free end portion, a swinging platform, in turn adapted to bear a skid for supporting a bodywork, the sliding frame comprising one or two winch assemblies driving respective pulleys thereon are entrained ropes, belts, chains or the like, and being associated with a respective arm at a swinging shaft, said sliding frame comprising moreover two rack assemblies, therealong slide respective end portions of the arms coupled to the frame, said swinging platform being driven by a chain driving system.

Abstract: Techniques for arranging materials on a substrate are provided. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a driver for providing a rotational force, an outer body having an inner surface, and an inner body having an outer surface and disposed within the outer body in a concentric relationship therewith. The inner body may be coupled to the driver to be rotated by the rotational force. The system may further comprise a coupler attached to the outer body in order to retain a substrate, which forms at least one patterned groove therein. A fluid channel, which may be defined between the inner and outer bodies, may be filled with a fluid medium containing materials such as nano materials. When the inner body rotates via the rotational force, the materials contained in the fluid medium may be arranged in the patterned groove of the substrate.

Abstract: Provided are an evaporation apparatus and a thin film forming method using the same. The evaporation apparatus and the thin film forming method are used to form a uniform thin film, even for a large substrate, and can be easily employed without changing equipment even if a substrate size is changed. The evaporation apparatus includes a first evaporation source, a second evaporation source separated from the first evaporation source, and a compensation member disposed between a target object and the first and second evaporation sources. The compensation member performs a linear movement simultaneously with the first and second evaporation sources. The compensation member includes a first compensation plate disposed in a position corresponding to the first evaporation source, and a second compensation plate disposed in a position corresponding to the second evaporation source.

Abstract: A traveling type dipping apparatus in a painting system of a vehicle body of an automobile, usable as mechanism to rotate and dip the vehicle body having been supported on a conveying traveling body horizontally in a forward facing direction in a treatment liquid while conveying the vehicle body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing system for a melt dip coating apparatus for coating a metal strip with a metal melt (200). The melt dip coating apparatus comprises a roller dipping into the metal melt for deflecting or stabilizing the metal strip as the latter passes through the metal melt (200), the roller having a roller body and a roller journal (224) and an airlock which surrounds the roller journal (224) with an airlock chamber (232), and a means for feeding the gaseous medium with a gas pressure into the airlock chamber (232) in order to seal off the airlock chamber (232) with respect to the metal melt (200).

Abstract: An apparatus for coating the surface of a lens includes a carousel having a central hub and a plurality of arms. A drive shaft is mounted to each arm, with a magnetic clutch and a lens holder being operatively attached to the drive shaft. The carousel is configured to be raised, rotated, and lowered into a series of workstations for processing the lens in a predetermined sequence. A workstation has associated therewith a spin drive attached to a reciprocating arm assembly. The spin drive includes a magnetic clutch which may be coupled to the magnetic clutch of any one of the arms on the carousel, such that a rotation generated by the spin drive is transferred to the drive shaft, and the lens holder. The arm assembly is capable of being extended and retracted to selectively engage and disengage the carousel.

Abstract: An enamel flow coating process and apparatus is arranged as a four arm Ferris wheel like apparatus which is mounted over a bathtub like tank which holds enamel slip. Coils of steel tubing formed into heat exchangers are mounted to the arms of the wheel to rotate and to pivot. The wheel is rotated between four stations. In the first station, a coil is loaded onto the wheel. In a second station the coil is pivoted into the tank of enamel slip, where it is coated, and withdrawn by operation of a pivoting bracket. The coated coils are rotated through third and fourth stations where the coating solidifies, and the coated heat exchanger is removed, and replaced with an uncoated one in the first station. After leaving the wheel, the heat exchanger is fired and installed in a water storage tank.

Abstract: An installation for treating articles, especially vehicle bodies, comprises at least one treatment zone, in particular a bath containing a treatment liquid, into which the articles are introduced. The articles are conveyed through the installation in a continuous or intermittent translational movement. To this end, the installation comprises at least two transport carriages combined to form a pair, which in turn each comprise a running gear and at least one swivel arm, which is connected to the respective running gear so as to be swivellable about a first pivot pin and with which a supporting structure for the article to be treated is connected so as to be swivellable about a second pivot pin. The unit includes the two transport carriages effecting a correlated movement actually has six degrees of freedom of motion, wherein drives are provided for at least three of these degrees of freedom of motion.

Abstract: A device (10) is provided for handling workpieces, in particular vehicle chassis (22) of modular construction, and having a first module with a handling line (12) in turn having one or several handling regions (14) for surface handling of the workpieces (22), and a guide device (44) along the handling line (12). A second module has one or several carriages (20b) to which the workpieces (22) may be fixed and moved along the guide device (44). Various types of second module may be combined with the first module to achieve various configurations of the whole device (10) with regard to throughput and flexibility.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating the surface of a lens includes a carousel having a central hub and a plurality of arms. A drive shaft is mounted to each arm, with a magnetic clutch and a lens holder being operatively attached to the drive shaft. The carousel is configured to be raised, rotated, and lowered into a series of workstations for processing the lens in a predetermined sequence. A workstation has associated therewith a spin drive attached to a reciprocating arm assembly. The spin drive includes a magnetic clutch which may be coupled to the magnetic clutch of any one of the arms on the carousel, such that a rotation generated by the spin drive is transferred to the drive shaft, and the lens holder. The arm assembly is capable of being extended and retracted to selectively engage and disengage the carousel.

Abstract: An operating arm (12) supported on a movable body (3) is operated to move downwards, and a supporting body (14) located on the front end section of the operating arm (12) is rotated about an axis in the lateral direction of a processing line (L), whereby a conveyance object (M) supported on the supporting body (14) is immersed in a processing liquid in a processing liquid tank (1) and processed by the same. Furthermore, the conveyance object (M) is removed from the processing liquid, during which operation the supporting member (14) is rotated in accordance with the shape of the conveyance object (M), thereby controlling the angle of the conveyance object (M) upon introduction into the processing liquid, the angle of the conveyance object (M) during immersion in the processing liquid, and the angle of the conveyance object (M) upon removal from the processing liquid.

Abstract: A carrier 3 that is moveably supported on the side of a conveyor 2 is provided with a rotational shaft 4 projecting laterally therefrom. A workpiece 1 is mounted on the rotational shaft 4 in an upright condition, wherein the workpiece 1 is arranged to vertically rotate 360° in the same plane by rotating the rotational shaft 4 360° around its axis. With this construction, the workpiece position can be continuously changed to a floor conveyor position, an overhead conveyor position and to the floor conveyor position without transfer of the workpiece 1.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for making coated articles with one or more layers by dip, spray or flow coating. In one aspect, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for making coated containers, preferably comprising polyethylene terephthalate, from coated preforms. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and method permit the coated container or preform to be made in an energy-efficient manner that reduces the danger of coating damage and thus increases the efficacy of the final container.

Abstract: An installation for treating, in particular coating, articles, especially vehicle bodies, comprises at least one bath, in which a treatment liquid, in particular a paint, is located. The articles are intended to be immersed therein. A conveyor with which the articles are conveyed through the installation in a continuous or intermittent translational movement comprises a plurality of transport carriages, which run in guided manner on running surfaces. Each transport carriage comprises a separate drive for translational movement and a drive operating independently thereof for the immersion movement. The installation thus constructed is extraordinarily flexible, since the immersion movement does not have to correlate with the translational movement.

Abstract: Glass containers are taken to a high temperature in an annealing furnace and removed from the annealing furnace belt by grips of a gripping device. The gripping device is then moved by a handling device first vertically upwards, then horizontally above a fluidized bed and then downwards into the fluidized bed in order to coat the glass containers with a powder, it is then taken upwards out of the fluidized bed and finally moved horizontally over a conveyor belt. There, the glass containers are released from the gripping device and set down on the conveyor belt which takes the powder-coated glass containers through a second curing region in which the powder coating is cured to form a substantially duroplastic layer.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a layer of particulates on a substrate, comprising: a) fastening a first substrate to a second substrate; b) while the first substrate is fastened to the second substrate, submerging at least a portion of the first substrate in a liquid; c) suspending particulates on an upper surface of the liquid; d) moving the submerged first substrate relative to the suspended particulates to form a layer of the particulates supported on the first substrate; and e) removing the first substrate from the second substrate.

Abstract: Device for coating sidewalls or flanks (6) of a spacer frame (7) for insulating glass panes with an adhesive or sealant, in which the spacer frame consists of a plurality of members (8); the device having a conveyor (1) that defines a conveying direction (2) and on which one of said members (8) of the spacer frame (7) is laid down to be conveyed by said conveyor (1); a support (9) provided above the conveyor (1) for supporting those members (8) of the spacer frame (7) that project upwardly from the conveyor (1); opposing nozzles (4) provided on both sides of the conveyor (1) for applying said adhesive or sealant to the flanks (6) of the respective member (8) of the spacer frame (7) laid down on the conveyor (1); and guide rolls (10, 10a, 11, 11a) located above the conveyor (1) that guide the respective member (8) of the spacer frame (7) laid down on the conveyor (1) by bearing against both flanks (6) of this member (8) with their outer circumferential surface (20), or at least with an edge of said circumferen

Abstract: A coating facility of reducing storage spaces and equipments upon storing works thereby decreasing the installation cost. During operation of conveying lines between each of steps, works W conveyed from a preceding step are loaded to hangers H of an overhead conveyor 2 at a loading position P1, applied with pretreatment and coating, transferred at a transferring position P2 to carriers T of a floor conveyor 9, dried and then re-transferred again at a re-transferring position P3 to the overhead conveyor 2, down loaded from the hangers H at an unloading position P4 and conveyed to a succeeding step.

Abstract: A continuous flow particulate material blender includes a tubular housing having an input on a first end of the housing and an output on a second end of the housing. A shaft is mounted for rotation within the housing and includes ribbon flighting to urge the flow of particulate material towards the output, flow bars for mixing the particulate material in the direction of the flow and retarder bars for mixing the particulate material against the flow. Located near the first end of the housing are fluid additive lines and a dry additive dispenser for supplying additives to the particulate material. An end plate is mounted on both ends of the housing. An aperture in each of the end plates receives a respective end of the shaft. Bearings mounted externally on each end of the housing support the shaft. The rotation of the shaft is driven by a motor mounted on the first end of the housing which connects to the shaft through a gearbox.

Abstract: A continuous plating system which is horizontal, allows for submersion of the entire article to be plated, and is useful for alloy plating. The invention provides a link/hinge conveyor system, the conveyor acts as the conductor, numerous processes/baths are possible, and difficult to plate alloys, such as a tin/bismuth plate can be produced. Homogeneous alloys are possible with the present invention. Also disclosed are novel dryer and rinse systems for use with the continuous plating system.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for galvanizing threaded rods, comprising conveying threaded rods while horizontally oriented through a bath of molten zinc, then simultaneously spinning the threaded rods in horizontal orientation at sufficient rotational velocity to remove excess molten zinc therefrom by centrifugal force and conveying the threaded rods to a cooling bath. The automated apparatus then conveys the zinc coated threaded rods through a cooling bath to solidify the molten zinc coating and then collects cooled zinc coated threaded rods to permit efficient removal thereof from the apparatus. A rotary conveyor mechanism of the automated apparatus conveys the threaded rods through a molten zinc bath and removes excess molten zinc therefrom by rolling the coated threaded rods down an inclined zinc removal platform.

Abstract: A magnetic conveyor system for transporting ferromagnetic cans through an immersion or electro-immersion coating bath includes a magnetic infeed conveyor for transporting the cans toward an inlet end of the coating bath, a magnetic coating conveyor for removing the cans from the infeed conveyor and transporting them through the coating bath, and a magnetic outfeed conveyor for removing the cans from the coating conveyor at an outlet end of the coating bath. The magnetic coating conveyor includes an endless conveyor belt which defines inclined inlet and outlet runs relative to a surface of the coating bath. The cans are transported on the conveyor belt with a closed bottom of each can magnetically held to the conveyor belt and an open top of each can facing outwardly from the belt. The cans are transported into the coating bath at the inlet run with the closed bottom of each can entering the bath before the open top.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inverting a plurality of plate-like materials to provide for the treatment of plate-like material using techniques that must be applied to the surface from a direction other than from above the material, such as from beneath the material in meniscus coating techniques. The apparatus includes a base, a back attached to the base, a top that is removably attachable to the base for retaining a cassette between the top and the base and retractable material holders attached to the base for engaging and disengaging the plate-like material. In a preferred embodiment, the retractable material holders are in the form of support blocks having notches corresponding the edges of the plate-like material that are reciprocally moved by a side actuator to enable the blocks to engage and disengage the plate-like material.

Abstract: A system including the method and apparatus for encapsulating electric wire splices wherein a plurality of electrical conductors in substantially aligned opposed relationship are electrically spliced and an encapsulation mass of thermoplastic dielectric material forms an insulative jacket over the splice. Encapsulation is produced by coating the spliced conductors with a liquified hot melt sealant, agitating and projecting the sealant toward the splice to fill small interstices between the conductors, removing the coated splice and conductors from the liquid sealant and drying the sealant into a dielectric jacket surrounding the splice.

Abstract: In a simple car body surface treatment device, the car body (16) is brought into and taken out of the treatment bath (1) exclusively by rotation of a revolving device (2). The car body (16) arranged on a loading carriage (11) is detachably connected to the revolving device (2). In addition, conveyors (12, 13, 17, 18) are provided for carrying the loading carriage (11) on to or away from the revolving device (2). The device is characterized by the conveyors (12, 13, 17, 18) being located outside of the treatment bath (1). The conveyors (17, 18) located in the area of rotation of the revolving device (2) may be moved out of and into this area.

Abstract: Process for coating hollow objects exhibiting an opening, and beverage cans in particular, in which the hollow objects are immersed completely and with the opening downward in a paint-filled submersion bath, the openings being moved into the vicinity of nozzles for the paint, which are located underneath the surface of the liquid in the submersion bath and which at least partially displace the air trapped in the hollow objects immersed in the submersion bath by means of streams of paint discharging from the nozzles. With this process hollow objects can be painted uniformly inside and outside in one step without its being necessary to turn them either to fill them with paint when immersed in the submersion bath or to drain them after their being lifted out of the bath.

Abstract: In order to create a simple car body surface treatment device, a car body is introduced into and removed again from the treatment bath (11) simply by being rotated by a rotating device (2), at the same time as another car body is pushed onto and secured to said rotating device or conveyed past said device. The car body is fixed to a loading carriage (5) and is pushed by means of some driven rotary rollers (3a) onto the rotating device (2). By means of fastening devices (4a, 4b) the loading carriage (5) is detachably secured to the car body on the rotating device (2). By rotating through 180.degree. around an axis of rotation (7), the rotating device (2) dips together with the car body over its tail or front side into the treatment bath (11). While one car body is submerged, another loading carriage (5) together with the car body fastened thereon may be conveyed by the driven rotary rollers (3b) past the rotating device (2) for subsequent treatment, over the top surface of the rotating device (2).

Abstract: A fiber bundle workpiece is coated with a particulate material during passage about a plurality of pulleys arranged to establish a serpentine travel path portion through a coating zone. The pulleys have arcuate grooves extending thereabout, which cause the fiber bundle to twist axially, and the fibers of the bundle move with respect to one another as the fiber bundle moves along the serpentine path. These two actions increase coating efficiency and the penetration of particulate material into the fiber bundle. The travel path portion will preferably lie in a horizontal plane, and the coating unit will normally constitute an electrostatic fluidized bed of particulate material. After exiting the coating zone, the fiber bundle may pass through an oven to partially melt the particulate material, and thereby cause the particles to adhesively attach to the fiber bundle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequentially coating fluorescent lamps with a protective coating. The lamps are advanced continuously through coating apparatus which prepares the surfaces of the lamps for coating, then dips the lamps in a bath of liquid coating material, and subsequently cures the liquid coating material. The lamps may be labeled prior to coating, such that the coating provides tamper resistance for the labeling, in addition to containment of shattered glass and lamp contents in the event of breakage of the lamp.

Abstract: A dipping head dips planar arrays of electronic components, disposed in carriers, into sheets of termination paste that are conveyed to a dipping site by a conveyor having an upper planar surface. The sheets are produced atop the conveyor by a doctoring device. The conveyor can be a belt, preferably an endless belt of stainless steel. A wear plate provides vertical support for the belt at the dipping site in order to maintain the planarity of the sheet of termination paste. Preferably the wear plate is perforated with a vacuum source below to hold the belt snug against the plate. The doctoring device is located before (referenced to the direction of belt travel) the dipping site and can be a reservoir of paste riding atop the belt with the paste selectively metered out by raising or lowering of the blade against the belt. A scraper blade can be located after the dipping site to recover leftover paste and guide it into a device which pumps the paste through a filter and back to the reservoir.

Abstract: A preform transfer and coating apparatus and method is provided which utilizes a carrier plate to receive a newly-molded batch of preforms from the molding apparatus preform handling plate. A transfer apparatus automatically moves the carrier plate from a preform-receiving position to a preform-coating position where the preforms are dipped into a coating liquid, after which the coated preforms are moved transversely back towards a starting position where they are discharged into a gaylord or onto a conveyor which feeds a standard gaylord packaging system. There is also a sample-taking apparatus which removes preforms prior to coating.

Abstract: The present invention includes a first coating section, a second coating section and a device for transferring products from the first to the second sections. The first section includes a feeding and loading station for depositing products onto product holders retained in product carrier plates. The products are advanced to a first dipping station in the first section to coat a first portion of the product. The plates are then advanced to a first rotating station in the first station and rotated at least one revolution for spreading the coating over that first portion. The plates are then advanced to a dryer that extends over the first section of the coating apparatus and the coating is dried. The transfer device transfers the products to the second section of the coating apparatus in such a manner to expose the uncoated portion of the products. The plates are then advanced to identical dipping and rotating stations and dryer as in the first section.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for coating a product such as a medicament in the shape of a tablet. The apparatus includes a plurality of plates for receiving and retaining the products and means for advancing the plates on a conveyor to various processing stations. At a dipping station, a dipping means lowers and raises at least one plate into a first coating tank for coating at least a portion of the product. At a rotating station, a rotation means rotates one of the plates containing the product for spreading the coating on the product. After rotation, a first elevator transfers the plates from the conveyor to a dryer disposed above the conveyor. A second elevator transfers the plates from the dryer back to the conveyor for further processing. The dryer includes complementary acting pusher bars for transporting a plurality of plates horizontally along a plurality of vertically spaced guides.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating products with two colors including a first coating section, a second coating section and a side to side transfer device for transferring products from the first to the second sections. The transfer device includes a pair of plate grippers each having a movable upper jaw and a movable lower jaw. The upper and lower jaws are each adapted to receive and retain a product carrier plate. The transfer device includes a cam follower that precisely closes the upper and lower jaws so that carrier plates located in the jaws are positioned in registration with each other in order to clamp product between the plates and to maintain the product clamped in the plates while the grippers are transferred between the first and second conveyor guides. An unloading station includes breaker pins for breaking a seal that may be formed between the coating material applied in the first coating section and the carrier plates.