Abstract: An improved chip termination or application wheel for applying a layer of silver paste to the edge or end of a chip including a wheel that is defined by a broad circumferential surface, for contact with the chip, the surface containing an increased surface area for accepting a larger amount of termination paste for transfer to the edge of a chip.

Abstract: In the present invention, a waste solution and a exhaust gas are guided together from a drain cup DC into a storing means through common discharge means. Naturally, the gas-liquid separation is performed within the storing means in place of performing the gas-liquid separation within the drain cup DC. Therefore, the waste solution is not solidified within the drain cup so as to plug the common discharge means. Also, a predetermined waste solution is kept stored in the storing means included in the coating apparatus of the present invention, making it possible to permit the surface of the stored waste solution to absorb the mist, and the waste solution is prevented from being solidified within the storing means. Further, since a minimum amount of the exhaust gas is kept discharged even during non-operation of the coating apparatus by using an exhaust gas damper whose degree of opening can be controlled, the waste solution stored in the storing means is prevented from being solidified.

Abstract: There is provided a suction system for use in a method of lining the internal surface of a pipe, said suction system comprises a pig receiving device to be attached to an open end of the pipe, a liquid receiving tank connected with the pig receiving device, and a suction pump connected with the liquid receiving tank. Further, a pig detecting device for detecting the passing of a pig is provided between the open end of the pipe and the pig receiving device, a suction force controlling device is provided between the pig receiving device and the liquid receiving tank, and a gas-liquid separation apparatus is provided between the liquid receiving tank and the suction pump.

Abstract: Powder coating apparatus (10) comprises an enclosure or booth (12) in which an article to be powder coated is locatable. Spray heads (24) are provided in the booth (12) to spray water over the inside of the booth (12) to remove over-spray powder coat material from the booth (12), following coating of an article, and removal thereof from the booth (12). Material washed from the booth (12) can be collected for recovery from the water.

Abstract: A plating cell adapted for electro-less plating of articles, for example, semiconductor wafers contained in a carrier or "boat", incorporates a megasonic transducer in the plating cell and a rotational drive supporting the wafer carrier in the plating cell. The megasonic transducer applies acoustic energy at megasonic frequencies to the solution in the cell during a plating operation, and the carrier is rotated at a suitable speed, e.g., 45 to 60 r.p.m. A rapid drain is provided to remove the solution from the cell quickly at the end of a plating operation, and a pair of spray tubes with a series of spray nozzles rinses the wafers with de-ionized water. Spargers at the base of the cell inject the plating solution, which proceeds generally upwards in a laminar flow, and spills over a spillway at the top of the plating tank. The spillway comprises a series of triangular teeth which avoid waves or turbulence.

Abstract: A system for pumping resist to a wafer coating machine includes a line that returns a selected proportion of the resist entering the resist pump to the resist supply tank. The return line to the tank is connected to the pump outlet at a higher point than the pump outlet to the wafer coating machine, and the resist that is returned to the tank carries substantially all of the bubbles that are carried in the resist entering the tank. The bubbles are removed from the resist in the tank and the resist can be used normally.

Abstract: A moistening apparatus includes a moistening fluid supply means. A moistening means is connected to the moistening fluid supply means for applying the moistening fluid onto the glue line of an envelope flap or onto the glue area of a postage meter or parcel register tape. Excess moistening fluid collection means are positioned with respect to the moistening means such that excess moistening fluid collects in the excess moistening fluid collection means. The collected excess moistening fluid from the excess moistening fluid collection means is moved to the moistening fluid supply means. This recirculates excess moistening fluid back to the moistening fluid supply means.

Abstract: An apparatus for surface coating or for lacquering a substrate, such as a disk-shaped substrate 2, which can be placed on a substrate carrier 14 and can be driven or given a rotating movement by means of a drive device, wherein the material or the lacquer fluid 5 to be applied is placed on the substrate 2 from a feed device 6. The fluid medium or the lacquer 4 released by the substrate support 14 is delivered at least to a first collecting reservoir 17 which is connected with at least one filter 28, from where the fluid is indirectly or directly conducted via a pump 29 to the first collecting reservoir 27, wherein an underpressure can be set between a first flow-off line 33 of the first collecting reservoir 27 and the pump 29.

Abstract: A wafer surface treating apparatus has an overflow treating tank for holding therein a chemical in which a wafer is to be soaked to perform a surface treatment of the wafer, piping for circulating the chemical overflowing from said treating tank to said treating tank, a filter unit for filtering the chemical passing through said piping to remove foreign articles from the chemical, and at least two temperature regulating mechanisms. The first temperature regulating mechanism keeps a temperature of the chemical in said treating tank at a predetermined temperature. The second temperature regulating mechanism regulates the temperature of the chemical in said filter unit to a temperature at which no deposit is produced from the chemical in said filter.

Abstract: In the present invention, a waste solution and a exhaust gas are guided together from a drain cup DC into a storing means through common discharge means. Naturally, the gas-liquid separation is performed within the storing means in place of performing the gas-liquid separation within the drain cup DC. Therefore, the waste solution is not solidified within the drain cup so as to plug the common discharge means. Also, a predetermined waste solution is kept stored in the storing means included in the coating apparatus of the present invention, making it possible to permit the surface of the stored waste solution to absorb the mist, and the waste solution is prevented from being solidified within the storing means. Further, since a minimum amount of the exhaust gas is kept discharged even during non-operation of the coating apparatus by using an exhaust gas damper whose degree of opening can be controlled, the waste solution stored in the storing means is prevented from being solidified.

Abstract: A system automated for providing at least periodic removal of metal ions and contaminants from a chemical bath, consists of a microprocessor programmed for controlling fluid circuits of pumps and valves, for in one state of operation circulating a first predetermined quantity of the chemical bath from a first tank, through an ion exchange column, and back to the first tank; for in a second state of operation circulating deionized water from a second tank into the IEX column for displacing residual chemical bath therefrom for return to the first tank; for in a third state of operation circulating deionized water through the IEX column, and discharging the rinse water from a waste port; for in a fourth state of operation circulating regenerant acid through the ion exchange column, and discharging the used acid from a waste port; for in a fifth state of operation circulating deionized water through the IEX column for rinsing acid regenerant therefrom and discharging the same out of a waste port; and for in a six

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.

Abstract: An assembly for a seed treating device incorporating a high volume, downwardly tapered hopper with metering gates and a series of high pressure chemical nozzles which laterally introduce a measured chemical treatment to the flow of falling grain or seed inside a spray chamber. A series of valves control the flow of chemicals through the apparatus while sump pump gathers and recirculates excess chemicals from inside the spray chamber for reuse or disposal. The spray chamber exit can be closed with a water tight seal and the system flushed with water and filtered for purposes of cleansing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a coating to a continuous length of tubing. A coating chamber having entry and exit ports substantially encloses a portion of the tubing while permitting the tubing to pass continuously therethrough. Airflow into the coating chamber through the exit port strips excess coating material from the tubing surface. Air is withdrawn from the coating chamber by vacuum pumps through one or more separation chambers which separate entrained particles or droplets of coating material from the air. The coating chamber is preferably disposed at a distance from the separation chamber(s). The vacuum line connecting the coating chamber with the separation chamber(s) is preferably flexible or breakable. The separation chambers are preferably capable of being operated in series or in parallel. Adjustable masks are preferably provided at the entry and exit ports of the coating chamber. A seal is preferably provided at the entry port.

Abstract: A screening chamber for filtering paper coatings is cleaned with the use of a plurality of water sprays. The water sprays are provided by nozzles located on spray bars positioned transversely across the width of the screening chamber. The nozzles are oriented to direct selected spray patterns tangentially against the screens, and against the interior surfaces of the screening chambers, to remove particulates, debris and other contaminates which collect on the screen during the filtering process.

Abstract: In order to separate and remove a dangerous substance such as yellow phosphorus from exhaust gas generated in a semiconductor fabricating process by chemical vapor deposition, the exhaust gas is bathed in operating oil of a cooled oil tank of an oil-sealed rotary vacuum pump so that molecules of the yellow phosphorus or the like are caught by the cooled operating oil so as to be enveloped in the operating oil. Thus, a mixture operating oil of the substance and the operating oil is generated in the form of colloid. The mixture operating oil is passed through an oil filter of a filtration device so that the substance such as yellow phosphorus is precipitated by the filter and then the substance is removed. Meanwhile, the operating oil as a filtrate from which the substance has been filtered is cooled by an oil-temperature controller, and then returned to the oil-sealed rotary vacuum pump.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for automated periodic removal of metal ions and contaminants from a chemical bath comprising a latex solution containing charged latex particles and having an acidic pH, used for forming a coating by autodeposition. The system includes a tank containing a chemical bath, an ion exchange column for removing the metal ion contaminants, circulating pump, metal composition sensors, and equipment for regeneration of the ion exchange column. The system particularly includes a filter located at the inlet to the ion exchange column for removing solid particulates, including coagulated latex and debris from the coating solution, while permitting the uncoagulated latex particles to pass through to the ion exchange column.

Abstract: The invention provides a separating apparatus for removing foreign matters from magnetic toner, the separating apparatus being used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The separating apparatus comprises a filter having openings for allowing passage of the magnetic toner, a magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field for attracting the magnetic toner and causing it to pass through the filter, and a magnetic force decreasing means for decreasing a magnetic force generated by the magnetic field generating means to lessen the magnetic field for attracting the magnetic toner and causing it to pass through the filter.

Abstract: System to re-circulate the treatment material in processes of surface treatment and finishing, which can be employed in association with a pickling and/or acid washing plant (12) or in association with a plant (12) for metal-coating with heat, the plant (12) comprising at least one dip tank (13) containing the treatment material (11), which is caused to circulate advantageously in countercurrent to the material to be treated, which is advantageously strip (14), the treatment material (11) being able to consist of acid baths or molten metal, such as zinc or aluminum, the dip tank (13) comprising a discharge conduit (18) and a feeder conduit (17), the system comprising at least two vessels (16a-16b) which can be hermetically sealed and are of a type resistant to pressure and which are positioned in parallel and associated with the discharge conduit (18) and with the feeder conduit (17), each of the vessels (16a-16b) including an independent inlet closure (20) and an independent outlet closure (19), each of the

Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing and controlling finer particles in a powder coating system returns the finer particles to the spraying apparatus to be sprayed on parts by the system. Finer particles are continuously removed from the system by application onto parts, and the accumulation of fines is thereby prevented. The finer particles may be sprayed through specially adapted spray guns, which also permits the utilization of the special advantages of spraying fine powder materials. By removing fine powder particles from the system before they build up, the present invention improves the powder coating operation in various respects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a coating to a continuous length of tubing. A coating chamber having entry and exit ports substantially encloses a portion of the tubing while permitting the tubing to pass continuously therethrough. Airflow into the coating chamber through the exit port strips excess coating material from the tubing surface. Air is withdrawn from the coating chamber by vacuum pumps through one or more separation chambers which separate entrained particles or droplets of coating material from the air. The coating chamber is preferably disposed at a distance from the separation chamber(s). The vacuum line connecting the coating chamber with the separation chamber(s) is preferably flexible or breakable. The separation chambers are preferably capable of being operated in series or in parallel. Adjustable masks are preferably provided at the entry and exit ports of the coating chamber. A seal is preferably provided at the entry port.

Abstract: A low contaminant level is maintained in a high flow rate paper machine coating fluid circulation system by shunting a significant minority portion of the total flow through a full flow, atmospherically open, self-cleaning screen having a fine mesh screen cloth. Accept flow from the open screen is directed to the flow inlet of an entrained air purging apparatus for dispersing consolidated particulates of excessive size. Flow from the particulate disbursing apparatus is thereafter pumped through an enclosed pressure screen of moderate screen mesh.

Abstract: Apparatus for soldering, leveling and cooling printed circuit panels including a preheater, a fluxer, and soldering, leveling and cooling stations. The cooperation of the soldering, leveling and cooling stations provides for efficient processing of printed circuit panels. The soldering station, which includes a solder immersion chamber through which the panels are conveyed, provides an oil coating on the solder to minimize formation of dross. Automatic replenishment of oil through use of suitable flux on the panels to be soldered provide continuous cleaning of the soldering system to permit extended operation. A cooling table transports the soldered panels on a cushion of air to prevent marring.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and apparatus are provided for coating a substrate with a strongly adherent hydroxyapatite coating, which allows for ingrowth of natural bone and strong bonding between the coating and the substrate. The procedure provides for coating under conditions which form sticky particles which bind to the substrate to form a crystalline hydroxyapatite coating. The coating has particular application for prostheses, where porous areas of the prostheses are completely coated with a thin sturdy coating of hydroxyapatite.The apparatus includes a coating trough in which the substrates are present and the reactive components added. The medium is recirculated in an outer circuit through a distribution tank solution preparation tank and coating trough. Means are provided for maintaining temperature and pH. The substrates are maintained in a line normal to the flow in the trough and can be rotated to ensure even coating.

Abstract: Deaeration apparatus for removing entrained air from liquid paper coating and method includes a cylindrical vortex tube which has an inlet end with a vortex generator insert formed with helical flighting surrounding a solid center shaft. The flighting has an outer diameter which is proportioned to be received in the tube inlet and causes a vortex flow to the coating material. A rejects conduit is positioned in the outlet end of the vortex tube with an opening which faces the vortex generator insert and which is positioned on the axial center of the tube and spaced from the vortex generator. The entrained gas forms as bubbles on the vortex generator shaft and form a column immediately downstream of the insert so that the base of the column is at the inner end of the generator shaft and extends toward and into the rejects conduit. The very small bubbles are also carried by the mass flow of the coating toward the outlet end of the tube and into the open end of the reject conduit.

Abstract: A liquid to powder spray booth conversion insert compartment is provided that can be rolled up to a conventional wet paint spray booth to convert it to dry powder usage. A pleated fiber filter having a pore size of 20 microns inclined above powder collection trays is provided to allow collection and reuse of the powdered materials. A prefilter of progressive weave filter material is provided at the input side of the compartment to remove large size matter while allowing the sprayed powder particles to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A vacuum-coating apparatus has the vacuum-coating chamber mounted on an upright housing part of the upper end of which the suction generator is provided and whose lower end communicates with a horizontal housing part containing the coating-liquid supply. The liquid circulator includes a cartridge filter for removing solids from the liquid which is fed to the coating chamber and which has a conical easily-replaceable filter unit. The air from the changer is directed downwardly along an adjustable air-control plate on the underside of an air-guide plate and then upwardly around an edge of the air-control plate.

Abstract: A device for separating a moving fiber from processing fluid is disclosed and claimed. A chamber defining hydrophilic and hydrophobic flow paths respectively is exemplified. The device is placed so that substantially all water associated with processing exits via the hydrophilic path while the fiber exits via the hydrophobic path.

Abstract: A solid three-dimensional article is formed from a liquid medium by initially coating a layer of the liquid medium on an apertured support plate. An initial cross-section or profile of the article then is formed by solidifying the liquid medium, or at least a portion thereof, on the support plate. An expandable member at a bottom of a container for holding a supply of the liquid medium, then is expanded an incremental amount to raise the level of the liquid medium in the container upward through the apertured support plate to a level above the support plate so as to form a meniscus around the solidified cross-section or profile of the article. The solidified cross-section or profile of the article then is coated with an additional layer of the liquid medium, causing the meniscus to break and the just-added liquid medium layer and the previous liquid medium to merge, whereupon the additional layer is essentially immediately solidified to form another cross-section or profile of the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a black matrix-type phosphor screen of a cathode ray tube is disclosed, which includes a carbon coating nozzle for coating a carbon slurry on a cathode ray tube panel, a tank for containing the carbon slurry, a supplying system for supplying the carbon slurry from the carbon slurry tank into the carbon coating nozzle and a collecting system for collecting excess carbon slurry produced from the carbon coating nozzle back into the carbon slurry tank, and a carbon slurry regenerating device using an ion-exchange resin is provided. The regenerating device can be placed in at least one of the supplying system, the collecting system and the carbon slurry tank.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing sludge from a spray booth tank using a single pump for withdrawing liquid including sludge from the tank. A portion of the liquid from the pump is returned to the tank through eductors for agitating liquid in the tank. At least a portion of the liquid from the pump flows through a hydrocyclone separator. Sludge from the separator is collected in a settling tank. A small portion of the clarified liquid from the separator flows through an aspirator pump to the booth tank and the remainder of the clarified liquid is returned directly to the booth tank. The aspirator pump returns excess liquid from the settling tank to the booth tank.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor for occluded water is provided to detect the surface water level as in a spray booth tank. The water level sensor may control the water level in the tank or it may be used to maintain a relatively constant outflow of water from the tank through a vertically movable weir. The weir is moved in response to changes in the liquid level detected by the sensor which includes an electronic signal sensor capable of detecting a level of a liquid relative thereto. The sensor is mounted in an elongated housing that has its lower end disposed in the liquid in the reservoir. The upper end of the housing is vented to the atmosphere to equalize the pressure between the interior thereof and the atmosphere ambient the housing. A flexible diaphragm is secured to the housing so as to seal the open lower end, and a substantially pure test liquid is held within the housing isolated from the liquid in the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention is a painting and filtration system wherein the system is capable of non-continuous operation, and wherein the system is capable of automatically removing impurities from the filtration system during operation. The system is particularly characterized by utilizing a solvent holding tank associated with a filtration unit, and sensors located in the solvent holding tank which generate signals to a controller which functions to activate and deactive the filtration system and functions to control the flow of liquid throughout the system so that the filtration unit can be cleaned when necessary during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing bubbles in paint comprises a sealed container having an upper section and a lower section divided by a plate having one or more slit-like through holes and a pressure reducing device connected to the lower section. A paint coating system includes the bubble removing apparatus, a tank for storing a new paint, a first pipe line to feed paint from the tank to the upper section of the sealed container, a curtain flow coater or a roll coater communicated with the lower section of the sealed container so as to receive paint without bubbles, and a vessel to collect paint which does not contribute to form a coating layer.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering charge-bearing solid pigment particles from a fluid dispersant in a liquid toner, wherein the system includes a particle-accumulating surface spaced apart from a complementary electrically biased electrode surface to define a channel therebetween. The channel has a mouth in gravity-feed relation to an outlet. Liquid toner is introduced at the mouth to cause flow within the channel. The bias of the electrode, however, sets up an electric field in the channel directing charge-bearing solid pigment particles away from the electrode surface so that only substantially particle-free fluid dispersant reaches the outlet. A slime rich in charge-bearing solid pigment particles collects on the particle-accumulation surface which is moved in a direction opposite of toner flow. At a location remote from the electrode, the solid pigment particles are removed from the particle-accumulating surface and are stored for later remixing with the fluid dispersant to form fresh toner.

Abstract: A pipeline arranged so that any bubbles mixed in a liquid developer can be prevented from being delivered to a developing section. A main pipe through which the pumped developer flows is communicated at its lower end with a branched pipe. A branched pipe which is communicated with the developing section is connected to the branched pipe through a portion which is sloped downward in a direction in which the developer flows. Accordingly, air bubbles in the developer having reached the branched pipe are allowed to rise in the sloped portion to return to the branched pipe. There is therefore no fear of air bubbles being supplied to the developing section.

Abstract: A forced air, ambient temperature, evaporator coupled to an electroless copper plating bath and to a purification system for replenishing and maintaining the stability of the plating bath, which bath tends to become depleted as the result of the reduction of water soluble cupric salt in an alkaline solution under copper plating and reducing conditions and in which the rate of evaporation of water from the surface thereof is insufficient to preclude growth in the volume thereof resulting from liquid additions thereto required to replace consumed constituents, thus giving rise to a need for bailout to prevent overflow thereof, solves the following problems: evaporation is independent of plating bath geometry; very high evaporation rates enable bailout to be zero at all plating loadings and plating thicknesses; the high evaporation rates provide sufficient cooling whereby the electroless copper solution can be introduced directly to the purification system with no additional cooling; dragout losses may be comple

Abstract: A device applicable to an electrophotographic color copier or a color ink jet printer for selectively supplying visualizing liquids of different colors, e.g. black, red, green and blue or a mixture thereof to a photoconductive drum, paper or like recording medium to form a visible image on the medium which corresponds to an image of an original document. The device includes a black liquid vessel, a red liquid vessel, a blue liquid vessel, and a cleaning liquid vessel. The liquids from the various vessels are selectively fed to the device and, after a visualizing operation or a cleaning operation, selectively returned to the respective vessels by two switching units. Residual toner particles are returned to the black liquid vessel. A purifying member for capturing toner or like visualizing agent which is contained in the black liquid is situated between an overflow port of the black liquid vessel and the other liquid vessels and cleaning liquid vessel.

Abstract: A toner recycling system having separate supply tank of clear liquid dispersant and tanks of color concentrate. The liquid dispersant is continuously circulated from its supply tank by a pump along lines to a toner applictor then back to the supply tank. Color concentrate containing charge bearing solid pigment particles are selectively injected and mixed with the dispersant by means of pumps or valves to form liquid toner whenever developing a latent image is desired. The excess toner is collected and sent to a solids separator, either dedicated to a particular color of toner or common to all toners, where an electrically biased electrode repels the solid pigment particles toward a particle accumulating surface, thereby separating the particles from the dispersant. The dispersant is returned to the supply tank, while the particles which have accumulated on the surface of either a drum or belt as a layer of concentrate is scraped off by a blade and returned to the appropriate tank.

Abstract: A fluid wash spray paint system which includes a plurality of paint spray booths is provided. Each paint spray booth includes a fluid wash device to entrap paint overspray in a moving fluid to remove the overspray from the booth. The system also includes a sludge pit for collecting the fluid and entrapped paint overspray from the plurality of spray booths. An automatic feeder is provided to introduce a deflocculant powder into the fluid and entrapped paint overspray to cause the paint to settle as sludge to the bottom of the sludge pit. A centrifugal separator is provided to separate and remove the settled sludge from the fluid and to return the fluid to the sludge pit. The system further includes a pump to circulate the fluid from the sludge pit through the plurality of fluid wash spray devices to form a closed system.

Abstract: A method for in-line filtration of flowing liquids wherein composite filtering of mechanical entrapment type and of absorptive character is implemented in relative measures adapted to meet both flow rate and contaminant filtration requirements. The invention effects jointly operative steps of mechanical and absorptive oil-based contaminant removal with accommodation of desired flow rate of automotive coating liquid by a practice wherein these two filtration techniques are effected concurrently throughout a length of conduit assigned to filtering. The invention is practiced through the use of a fibrous body, comprised in first part of oil-absorptive fiber and in second part of fibrous matter substantially non-absorptive to oil contaminants, the second part fibrous matter being arranged to selectively entrap oil contaminants and prevent absorption thereof by such oil-absorptive fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the electroless plating of articles. A tank is provided for sequentially containing the respective constituent baths corresponding to the steps of the electroless plating process. An article to be plated, such as a printed circuit board, is supported in the center of the tank immersed in the constituent bath contained therein. A pair of inwardly facing parallel manifolds are disposed at opposite ends of the tank. The constituent solution is pumped through a nozzle matrix in the inward facing wall of a first manifold onto the article and is simultaneously sucked away from the opposing side of the article through the matrix of the nozzles defined in the inward facing wall of a second manifold. The direction of pumping is alternated for periodically reversing the direction of suction and impingement.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in electroless plating wherein the activity of the plating solution is controlled by regulating the oxygen content of the plating solution. The apparatus includes an outer container in which the stabilized, oxygen-rich plating solution is stored. An oxygen sparger is located in the outer container to introduce a predetermined amount of oxygen into the plating solution to stabilize it. A flux container and plating vessel are located inside the outer container and define a separate flux zone and a separate plating zone, respectively, through which the plating solution is passed. A nitrogen sparger is located within the flux container to purge all or some oxygen from the stabilized plating solution to provide an active plating solution. The active plating solution is passed from the flux container into the plating vessel where plating of the substrate takes place.

Abstract: An improved electroless silver plating process in which the plating rate and plating texture are controlled by regulating the oxygen content of the active electroless silver plating solution. An active electroless silver plating solution is continually removed from the plating zone and exposed to a sufficient amount of an oxygen-containing gas to provide a stabilized silver solution. The stabilized silver solution is then extracted, filtered, replenished with desired chemicals, stored or otherwise handled prior to being recycled back to the plating zone. Prior to the stabilized silver solution being passed back to the plating zone, the stabilized solution is scrubbed in a scrubber zone with a gas capable of displacing oxygen from the stabilized solution to produce an active electroless silver plating solution. The plating rate and surface texture of the plated silver layer are controlled in part by regulating the amount of oxygen removed from the stabilized solution prior to passage through the plating zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method effect application of molten size to textile yarns, such as spun yarns. An applicator cylinder is rotatable about a horizontal axis and has a number of grooves circumferentially formed in its surface, with peaked lands between the grooves, each land making an angle of about 8.degree.-12.degree. with respect to a plane bridging the top of an associated groove. A furnisher roll, also rotatable about a horizontal axis, picks up molten size from an open-top trough and delivers it to grooves in the rotating applicator cylinder. The surface of the furnisher roll cooperates with that of the applicator cylinder so that sloping areas of the furnisher roll mate with the lands of the applicator cylinder and so that flat areas of the furnisher roll bridge the entrances to the grooves. The furnisher roll may be of polytetrafluoroethylene machined to correspond to the surface of the applicator cylinder, or may have an elastomeric material surface.

Abstract: Passed through a chamber holding a non-oxidizing atmosphere substantially horizontally, a steel strip is continuously coated on one side only with a molten coating metal. An electromagnetic pump imparts a thrust to the molten coating metal on the entry side of a guide so as to form a stream of the molten metal rising above the bath surface on the exit side of the guide. The rising molten metal stream contacts the bottom surface of the strip to form a film of the coating metal thereon. Provision is made to offer less flow resistance to the rising stream widthwise then lengthwise, so that the molten coating metal flows positively toward both edges of the strip.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating filter material, particularly a filter tow for forming into a cigarette filter rod, includes an applicator chamber containing a rotatable brush for spraying a fluid additive such as a plasticizer towards the tow. A pressure manifold having a permeable surface adjacent the path of the tow produces an air flow which redirects towards the tow of plasticizer not captured initially by the tow. Air supplied to the manifold passes through an air ionization region, to reduce static electricity in the chamber. Air is withdrawn from the chamber by a pump to prevent a pressure build-up which could cause loss of uncaptured plasticizer. A separator is provided for collecting any plasticizer entrained with the extracted air and for returning it to a supply tank.

Abstract: A spray booth is disclosed for applying powder coating to substrates. There is a self contained recovery/filter system located beneath the floor of the booth, which recovery/filter system is removably attached to the booth so that another recovery/filter system may be conveniently substituted when changing spray powders, or to facilitate cleaning or repair of the recovery system. The recovery/filter system is so constructed that there are no restrictions in the air flow passages between the booth and the recovery/filter system, with the result that there are no confined areas wherein fires may cause explosions. Powder is collected in the hoppers located in the bottom of the recovery/filter system. The hoppers are generally funnel shaped and are open at the bottom to air transfer pumps which recycle the powder back to the spray system. Vibrators mounted upon the hoppers periodically vibrate the hopper walls to prevent powder from collecting on the walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying surface treatment on an object-to-be-treated which is continuously moved in a treating liquid usually by a hanging conveyor. The apparatus is provided at the bottom portion of a treating vessel with one or more hoppers, which function to collect the deposited sludge for exhausting the same through the lower portion of the hoppers outside the treating vessel. Further, the apparatus is provided with a plurality of slant plates disposed above the bottom of the treating vessel, being inclined in the same direction, with a predetermined inter-distance among them, so as to facilitate sludge produced in the vessel to be gradually deposited down on the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A toner regenerating device is provided with a mesh disposed in the route of toner collected from an image bearing member, and apparatus for imparting to the collected toner through the mesh a force causing the collected toner to pass through the mesh and a force causing the collected toner to move along the mesh and in which the collected toner on the mesh containing foreign matter and solidified toner is loosened so that the solidified toner is divided into fine particles while, at the same time, the foreign matter is caused to float up over the collected toner and prevented from passing through the mesh.