Abstract: A coating apparatus is disclosed having a metal bath, an enclosure extending over the bath, a mandrel extending into the bath, and a gas seal mounted on the enclosure in communication with the atmosphere therein. The gas seal has a frame with a slot extending therethrough, first and second rolls aligned with the first and second ends of the slot, and a door extending between the rolls and over the seal. The door being pivotally mounted on the frame to open inwardly at the first end and outwardly at the second end.

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 Air is withdrawn from the coating chamber by vacuum pumps through one or more separation chambers which separate entrained particles or droplets of coating material from the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: Method and apparatus for meniscus coating one or two sides of steel strip with a metal or metal alloy. The apparatus includes a horizontally disposed coating tray for containing molten coating metal, gas heaters for maintaining the temperature of the coating metal above the melting point of the coating metal, stabilizing rollers for moving steel strip transversely past a departure lip positioned on one side of the coating tray and adding solid or molten metal to the coating tray for maintaining the level of the coating metal in the coating tray relative to the upper elevation of the departure lip so that an uninterrupted flow of the coating metal can be delivered over the departure lip to a surface of the strip. The coating tray may be rotatably mounted for adjusting the level of molten metal in the coating tray. The coating tray also may include a sled for lateral displacement for positioning the departure lip a predetermined distance away from the strip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a plastic coating to woven yarn tubing to provide conduit for protecting wiring harnesses and the like. The resulting plastic coating layer is very thin so as to generally follow the contours of the woven yarn tubing, without filling in the valleys, thus minimizing the amount of plastic used. Woven yarn tubing is waterproofed by impregnating with latex sealant, and is continuously pulled by a take-up mechanism along a horizontal axis through a heated die and two treating stations in tandem. Each of the treating stations includes a coating pot containing liquid plastisol material and having a resilient circular exit die through which the tubing exits the coating pot to form a layer of liquid plastisol, and an infrared curing oven which heats the plastisol-coated tubing sufficiently to cure the plastisol layer. The tubing, while coated with uncured plastisol material, is not contacted by any element which would tend to deform the tubing from a circular cross section.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating a continuous web, such as paper or transparent film of cellulose acetate or polyethylene terephthalate, with liquid materials, such as photographic layer materials, which require chilling before they are dried, are described. Immediately before the chilling zone, the web with liquid materials thereon passes through isolation means which displaces higher dew point air travelling with the web with air having a dew point below the temperature of the atmosphere in the upstream end of the chilling zone. The displacement is achieved by directing several flows of low dew point air at the web. The flows are extensive transversely of the web and are spaced apart longitudinally of the web. Air may flow away from the web between the flows towards the web. By ensuring that the dew point of the air travelling with the web into the chilling zone is below the temperature in the upstream end of the chilling zone, condensation is avoided.

Abstract: Air is blown into filter tow during or immediately after the application of plasticizer; this foams and distributes the plasticizer in the tow. Air may be delivered from a porous plate closely adjacent to the path of the tow or from nozzles in an air injecting unit. Alternatively air may be used to foam plasticizer at a location remote from the tow and foamed plasticizer subsequently conveyed to and into the tow by a roller.

Abstract: A vertical type dip treating device for applying adhesives to a cord to be used for a tension member of belt, etc. This device comprises dip tanks for applying adhesives to a cord, heaters and dryers arranged above the dip tanks for heating and drying a cord to which adhesives have been applied in the dip tanks, coolers adjacent to the heaters and dryers for cooling a cord heated and dried by the heaters and dryers, hot air supplies connected adjacently to the heaters and dryers for supplying hot air to the heaters and dryers and exhausts connected adjacently to the heaters and dryers and arranged vertically beneath the hot air supplies for discharging exhaust from the heaters and dryers.

Abstract: A vacuum coating apparatus for forming a thin film evenly coated over a material to be treated as well as providing excellent productivity. The vacuum coating apparatus includes a chamber, an evacuating device, a fluid supplier, a hood, and a gas reservoir. During operation, the chamber is subjected to a partial vacuum by the evacuating device and filled with treatment fluid. At this time, air at predetermined temperature supplied from the gas reservoir is admitted into the chamber. As a result, the temperature and viscosity of the treatment fluid in the chamber become constant. The material to be treated is then fed into the chamber via an inlet port and an outlet port. An air flow caused by evacuation removes excess fluid on the material at the outlet port, resulting in evenly forming a thin coating film.

Abstract: A hot bridle mechanism to tension and to guide metal strip at the exit of a metal strip processing line. A bridle comprising one or more roll means is positioned and enclosed in a sealed hood at the end of a line of interconnected heat treating and cooling enclosures, and maintained in a controlled atmosphere at substantially the same temperature as that of the strip. The roll means are adapted to selectively pivot in a horizontal plane in a controlled manner for the purpose of guiding the strip. The hood is stationary and the roll means are secured to a pivot frame which is adapted to pivot in a horizontal plane relative to the stationary hood. Flexible seals connect the stub shafts of the rolls in sealing engagement with the hood.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for achieving and maintaining an inert atmosphere as oxygen-deficient as possible in a treatment chamber, having a reaction zone, particularly an irradiation chamber, traversed by a length of material, wherein the length of material is supplied to the chamber through an inlet channel and conducted from the chamber through an outlet channel. A circulating inert gas stream, which detaches the entrained gas boundary layer held by the material, is moved countercurrently to the length of material in the inlet channel and is supplemented in a controlled manner with fresh inert gas in such amount that a given maximum oxygen concentration is not exceeded in the reaction zone and the flow rate of the inert gas stream is controlled, so that the pressure before the exit gap of the outlet channel is the same or slightly higher than the surrounding pressure.

Abstract: A device for the production of one-sided corrugated paperboard with two corrugated rollers which corrugate a paper sheet. A glue mechanism for applying glue onto the corrugated paper sheet has a glue applying roller cooperating with a corrugated roller, a glue dosing element and a glue container. A pressing roller presses a cover sheet against the coated, corrugated paper sheet. Chambers are constructed on both sides of the glue applying roller. The chambers are sealed off, with their first edges against the first corrugated roller or the pressing roller and, with their other edges, are sealed off against the glue mechanism. The chambers have connections for high pressure sources, in order to press, by means of high pressure the corrugated sheet against the corrugated roller. Both edges of the pressure chambers sealing off against the glue mechanism cooperate with surfaces of the glue mechanism which do not convey any glue to the corrugated roller.

Abstract: A system and method for uniformly coating one or more fibers (10) with particles of a material is described. The method uses a vibrator preferably an acoustic speaker (17b) in a housing (17c) to fluidize the particles (P.sub.1) in a chamber (17 or 30) to deposit them on spread fibers (10b). The fibers can be in the form of a tow of fibers. After the particles are coated on the fibers, the particles can be bonded to the fiber such as by using a heater (19). The resulting product has a uniform deposit of the particles and in the case of the tow of fibers can serve as a prepreg for laminate structures to be produced from the coated tow of fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium at high efficiency. A flexible web is passed around first and second cooling cans. The web is reversed between the two cans so that the same surface of the web is directed to the outside on both cans. A single evaporation source produces an evaporated stream of magnetic film forming material which impinges on the web as it passes around both cans, thereby to form two films of the evaporated magnetic material on the same surface of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for light curing of an adhesive resin coating on a continuous string-like linear product is shown. It consists of an elongated chamber having a light reflective inner side wall and removable end caps. The product coated with the adhesive resin is passed through the chamber through transverse slots formed in the end caps. The ultraviolet curing light is injected into the chamber by a light guide inserted through the peripheral side wall. Nitrogen gas may be also passed through the chamber to enhance the curing process of the resin.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying one or more films of coating material to a running substrate of paper or the like has an endless belt which is trained over pulleys so that its upper reach advances toward a transfer station for coating material and its lower reach advances toward a station for the application of liquefied solvent-containing material. The underside of the lower reach of the belt is heated by a set of infrared heaters so that the liquefied coating material is applied to preheated portions of the belt. This promotes and contributes to predictability of expulsion of solvent from the film along the upper reach of the belt and ensures more predictable solidification of coating material ahead of the transfer station.

Abstract: A device for applying adhesive onto a fiber, such as an optical fiber, is located between the fiber supply spool and rewinder and comprises a covered cup for holding liquid adhesive, and a drying chamber. The cup has first and second bores for passing the fiber therethrough and is suitably insulated from external temperature changes. The entrance of the drying chamber is coupled to a side of the cup so that it surrounds the second bore.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for drying printed circuit boards or similar workpieces. The dryer apparatus comprises an "aspirator" portion of a "blower" portion. The aspirator portion of the apparatus is operative to create negative pressure or suction upon the surfaces of circuit boards as they pass along a fixed conveyor path. The blower portion of the apparatus is operative to pass drying air over the surfaces of the advancing circuit boards after they have been subjected to the negative pressure or suction force of the aspirator. The "aspirator" and "blower" portions of the apparatus may be enclosed in a substantially air-tight housing or cabinet so as to provide for substantially self-contained recirculation of air therewithin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for zinc coating one or both sides of continuous steel strip. In order to retain short change-over times when changing from one process to the other, the invention proposes to flange-mount in readily releasably manner a housing (2a, 2b), with guide rolls (3a, 3b) mounted therein, on the duct (5) leading from the furnace to the zinc bath and to design this housing so that it can be interchanged with a support for the guide roll (10) during two-sided zinc coating, making use of the mounting at the duct (5).

Abstract: A coating device including a supply roller, a coating applicator, a driving roller and a takeup roller all cantilever mounted on a surface of a vertical panel inside a casing. A continuous base member to be coated on one side if sprially guided by guide rolls from the supply roller past the coating applicator, past the driving roller and onto the takeup roller. The base member is contacted by the rollers on the side opposite the coating.

Abstract: A distributor beam for depositing coating material on the surface of a sheet of glass includes a plenum divided by a septum for separating different coating gases. Outlets for the gases are connected to an inlet to a mixing chamber for separating and redirecting the flow of the gases to thoroughly mix them into a coating material. A finger baffle having two sets of alternating finger elements extends across the width of the mixing chamber. Each finger element has one end closer to the plenum outlet than an opposite end. The plenum is surrounded by a cooling fluid duct and heating elements are provided for temperature control. Thermocouples generate signals representing desired temperatures and the heaters are controlled to maintain an optimum temperature for the gases as they flow from the plenum to the surface of the glass sheet which is located below an outlet from the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A fiber web reinforced plastic is formed by applying dry resin powder to opposite sides of a vertically moving web, and then melting and pressing the power into the web. The dry powder is applied to the web by being thrown thereagainst. The powder thus more effectively occupies the voids in the web to minimize the presence of air in the web. The thrown-on powder can be melted before the laminating pressure is applied.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating air core cables such as air core plastic insulated telephone cables, which includes a treatment tank provided with air and liquid application piping; an air application saddle or fitting and at least one liquid application saddle or fitting applied to the telphone cable in spaced relationship, with air and liquid application connections extending from the saddles; and a cable block sealing a segment of the air core cable to be treated. Air and liquid are applied in sequence to the plastic insulated cable pairs located in the cable, in order to clear water and other fluids from the cable and restore electrical transmission through the cable pairs.

Abstract: Solvent which is contained in coating material to be applied to a running web is recovered in a chamber which is sealed from the atmosphere and wherein the solvent-containing coating material is first applied to one or more endless belt conveyors which transport the respective layers to discrete transfer stations for application to the running web. Streams of an inert gaseous fluid are circulated through the chamber to withdraw the solvent and to convey it into a condenser wherein the solvent is recovered from the gaseous fluid. The inert gaseous fluid is heated to promote the expulsion of solvent from the coating material on the conveyor or conveyors. The web can be provided with a base coat upstream of the first transfer station so that the layers of coating material are applied over the base coat. The latter is dried upstream of the transfer stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying fluid additive to a stream of fibrous material such as a filter tow. The apparatus provides structure for blowing air into the filter tow during or immediately after the application of the fluid additive, a plasticiser; this foams and distributes the plasticiser in the tow. Air may be delivered from a porous plate closely adjacent to the path of the tow or from nozzles in an air injecting unit. Alternatively air may be used to foam plasticiser at a location remote from the tow and foamed plasticiser subsequently conveyed to and into the tow by a roller.

Abstract: A process and an installation for the continuous application of an oxidizable coating to a strip.The object of the invention is to provide an improvement in the recycle ratios and a savings of inert replenishing gas in an installation, in the enclosure which protects the draining means for controlling the coating, is recycled. To achieve this result, provision is made for the continuous purification of this gas by bringing it into contact with a reductive substance. If protective enclosure also contains the minimized flouring nozzles, zinc vapor can be introduced into the gas. This zinc vapor reacts with the oxygen and produces the nuclei by condensation.

Abstract: The processor is designed to develop imaged film in sheet or roll form, using a leaderless system employing edge guiding of the film. In this design the exposed film is transported in such a manner that no physical contact is made with the image area by any part of the processor until the image has been fused onto the film. The toned and fused image is permanent and smudge proof.The processor, as it is designed, has the capability of using different toners, adjusting film speed to meet toning and fusing requirements, changing fusing temperature depending on the toner at a given film speed, and adjusting the action of the air knife to improve its doctoring of the toned image prior to fusing. The processor is compact and lightweight, and the design gives due consideration to the health and safety of the operator.An important feature is the toner tray which has multiple inlets for toner with a central discharge to protect the film that is being processed from scratching.

Abstract: An installation for the continuous coating of a strip, especially for the galvanizing of sheet steel.The object of the invention is to improve the quality of the coating and the uniformity of its crystallization, especially for thin sheets with low coating thicknesses. To achieve this result, the minimized flouring nozzle or nozzles are placed in an enclosure from which the strip leaves through a narrow slit and in which is provided means for maintaining a protective atmosphere inside this enclosure.Preferably, this enclosure is one with an enclosure surrounding the draining means, and means for recycling the protective atmosphere and for purifying it with respect to oxygen are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a primer paint coating onto a pipe wherein a structure movable along the pipe forms an enclosed annular cavity about the pipe. Primer paint fills the cavity and wets the complete circumference of the pipe. The cavity is filled by means of gravity flow with the surplus primer being collected in a reservoir and pumped back to the top of the cavity. Means are provided to wipe the primer to a predetermined thickness and returns the surplus to the reservoir. A gas rich environment surrounds the paint filled cavity and wiper means.

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: A finishing method and apparatus for use in conventional hot-dip coating of the type wherein a ferrous base metal strip, having been appropriately pretreated so as to be at or near the proper coating temperature and so as to have its surfaces free of oxides, is cause to pass beneath the surface of a bath of molten coating metal, exiting the bath between conventional finishing rolls. The method comprises the steps of providing an enclosure which overlies at least the coating metal meniscus areas created between the finishing rolls and the strip, and maintaining within the enclosure an inert or non-oxidizing atmosphere to shroud the meniscus areas. The apparatus comprises the above mentioned enclosure with an appropriate system to provide and maintain the inert or non-oxidizing atmosphere therein.

Abstract: Metallic articles, for instance, ferrous strips are metallized, for instance, zinc coated by passing the heated article through a coating chamber and applying thereto a continuous stream of the molten coating metal so as to uniformly and evenly metallize said article. Thereafter, excess molten coating metal is removed from the coated article by hot gas blasting and the hot gas blasted article leaving the coating chamber is immediately cooled. Wiping means may be provided before applying the molten coating metal so as to deflect any molten coating metal dropping from the metallic article passing therethrough, while rollers may be arranged between the coating metal applying means and the hot gas blasting means. Said rollers serve to remove the major part of excess coating metal from the coated metallic article and to stabilize movement of the metallic article passing through the coating chamber.

Abstract: The occurrence of defects on wire coated with an aluminum-zinc alloy coating applied by hot dipping in a molten coating bath is substantially decreased by preventing the deposition of zinc powder particles upon the surface of the molten aluminum-zinc coating prior to solidification of the coating. The deposition of metallic zinc powder particles upon the molten aluminum-zinc coating may be alleviated in several different manners, including preventing the formation of the zinc powder, preventing the accumulation of the zinc powder upon the surface of the molten aluminum-zinc bath, decomposing the zinc powder before it accumulates and exhausting or removing the zinc powder from the vicinity of the molten metal coated wire as it leaves the molten bath. Several novel apparatus arrangements for accomplishing the above are disclosed.

Abstract: A process of applying and drying a liquid lubricant on a metallic material to be mechanically worked has the steps of passing a metallic material through a coating container with a lubricant so that the lubricant coats the metallic material and the latter exits from the coating container through an opening, removing the superfluous portion of the lubricant without contacting the same with outside air, and advancing the lubricant coated metallic material through a drying channel in which air is urged in disturbed state. An arrangement for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: An improved process and/or system for coating of a metal strip includes means for continuous travel of the strip and a chamber for substantially completely enclosing the strip beyond an area for application of a mixture of coating and solvent. In that chamber is at least one induction coil for induction heating the strip to drive off the solvent, means for introducing substantially pure nitrogen near opposite ends of the travel of the strip therein and in between the places of introduction of the substantially pure nitrogen means for removing the resultant mixture of nitrogen and solvent which mixture is then at least largely separated into its components and reclaimed nitrogen brought back into the chamber at locations between the location of removal of the mixture and the respective locations of introduction of substantially pure nitrogen. The temperature of the interior atmosphere of the chamber is automatically maintained at a predetermined temperature preferably within the range between about 300.degree.

Abstract: A plating chamber holds a reducing or inert atmosphere heated to a temperature suited for plating or galvanizing. A pair of power-driven coating rolls are horizontally disposed in the plating chamber, one roll contacting the top surface of a metal strip to be plated and the other contacting the bottom surface. A molten coating metal is continuously supplied so as to form a uniform film of the metal on the peripheral surface of each coating roll. By means of deflector rolls horizontally disposed in the plating chamber, a metal strip heated to a temperature suited for plating continuously travels through the chamber. A surface of the strip becomes plated on contacting the peripheral surface of the coating roll on which the film of the molten coating metal has been formed. The coating rolls can be drawn away from the surface of the strip by shifting the deflector or coating rolls, so that plating can be applied to one, both or neither side of the strip as desired.

Abstract: A plant for producing enameled wire using an inline process has, placed in order a wire pay-off system, a wire drawer, an annealer, an enameled dope coater, an enamel processing unit and an enameled wire take-up unit. The annealer and the dope coater are placed together in a single oven housing, which has a drying space, a curing space and a return shaft in which a circulating air blower, a heating unit and a catalyst are placed. The blower is responsible for producing a heated air current moving through the heating unit of the annealer and through the catalyst, the air current furthermore moving in the opposite direction to the direction of the wire through the curing space and the drying space. The wire makes its way through an annealing tube and the return shaft into waste gas pipe joined therewith and through a wire cooler, which is full of inert atmosphere as produced by a unit.

Abstract: The occurrence of defects on wire coated with an aluminum-zinc alloy coating applied by hot dipping in a molten coating bath is substantially decreased by preventing the deposition of zinc powder particles upon the surface of the molten aluminum-zinc coating prior to solidification of the coating. The deposition of metallic zinc powder particles upon the molten aluminum-zinc coating may be alleviated in several different manners, including preventing the formation of the zinc powder, preventing the accumulation of the zinc powder upon the surface of the molten aluminum-zinc bath, decomposing the zinc powder before it accumulates and exhausting or removing the zinc powder from the vicinity of the molten metal coated wire as it leaves the molten bath. Several novel apparatus arrangements for accomplishing the above are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for the fixing of prints with reactive and vat dyes in the two phase printing method on textiles made of cellulose and, in particular, continuously running webs of material made of textile, knitted material, fleece, and the like, wherein the required auxiliary means for fixing is applied onto the web of material by electrostatic spraying. The system is characterized by the provision of a device for the electrostatic spraying of the auxiliary means onto the web of material which is positioned in the fixing device.

Abstract: One side surface of a strip of metal is contacted with a surface of a molten metal bath which is locally raised under ultrasonic vibration whereby a continuous coating is attained on one side only.A tool for imparting the ultrasonic vibration to a bath is immersed near the bath surface and the ultrasonic vibrator connected to the tool is contained in hollow holding means dipped in the bath.In accordance with the apparatus of the present invention, the worn tool can be exchanged for a short time and the molten metallic coating on one side only of the strip of metal can be attained for a long time.

Abstract: In a line for coating a ferrous base metal strip with a molten coating metal, the line being of the type having a preparation furnace for the strip comprising a direct fired furnace, a controlled atmosphere heating furnace, one or more cooling chambers and a snout leading beneath the surface of the molten coating metal bath, all in sealed relationship to each other, the improvement comprising a method and means for maintaining a non-oxidizing atmosphere at positive pressure within the entire preparation furnace during line stops. To this end, a retractable, refractory lined door means is provided in the conduit between the direct fired furnace and its exhaust fan to seal off the direct fired furnace from its exhaust fan and an air dilution opening in that conduit. Additionally, means are provided to add excess nitrogen flow to the preparation furnace to maintain a positive pressure therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for galvanizing galvanizable metal in a wire-like form. A descaled wire or the like is passed vertically and upwardly through a transversely flowing stream of molten zinc after which the so-coated wire or the like is either passed into a second processing zone or is passed through a shaping orifice, or both, as desired. The resulting so-processed wire is then cooled preferably by quenching in a flowing water bath.

Abstract: Sealing means for preventing metal vapor, and in particular zinc vapor, evolution from the surface of a bath into a furnace is provided at the exit end of the heat processing industrial furnace through which a continuous metal sheet is advanced. Upon exiting the furnace the metal sheet is dipped into a bath for hot dip coating thereof. At the zone of the industrial furnace from which the continuous metal sheet exits the furnace and advances into the coating bath, there is provided therein an atmosphere having a low dew point and a relatively high hydrogen content to thereby reduce the oxidation of the metal vapor which may have migrated into the furnace. Furthermore, sealing means are provided between zones of the furnace to retain the integrity of this atmosphere, and thus isolating zones having different atmosphere compositions.

Abstract: In a process in which strip metal is subjected to heating while suspended as a catenary in a heating zone, the strip is passed into the heating zone in a condition in which the lower surface is slightly elongated in relation to the upper surface. The differential elongation may be due to "coil set" in the strip feed coil or may be applied by a roller leveller or equivalent mechanism during passage from a feed coil to the heating zone. The procedure is conveniently employed to control edge creep and improve flatness in stoving coated strip or in annealing operations.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for continuously, evenly and uniformly coating one side only of a moving strip of material, such as steel, with molten zinc or other fluid coating material while effectively preventing the coating material from contacting the opposite side of the moving strip.

Abstract: Method and means for continuously contact-coating one side only of a ferrous base metal strip with a molten coating metal. One or more roll means are provided to conduct the strip surface to be coated above the surface of a bath of the molten coating metal. The strip surface to be coated is caused to travel sufficiently close to the molten coating metal bath surface that the surface tension and wetting characteristics of the coating metal will permit the formation of a meniscus which will continuously contact and coat the strip surface. The coating is subjected to jet finishing. The strip is maintained in a protective non-oxidizing atmosphere at least until the one side thereof is coated. Alternatively, at least that side of the strip to be coated with the molten coating metal is coated with a flux which remains on the strip until contacted by the coating metal meniscus.

Abstract: In a line for coating a ferrous base metal strip with a molten coating metal, the line being of the type having a preparation furnace for the strip comprising a direct fired furnace, a controlled atmosphere heating furnace, one or more cooling chambers and a snout leading beneath the surface of the molten coating metal bath, all in sealed relationship to each other, the improvement comprising a method and means for maintaining a non-oxidizing atmosphere at positive pressure within the entire preparation furnace during line stop. To this end, a retractable, refractory lined door means is provided in the conduit between the direct fired furnace and its exhaust fan to seal off the direct fired furnace from its exhaust fan and an air dilution opening in that conduit. Additionally, means are provided to add excess nitrogen flow to the preparation furnace to maintain a positive pressure therein.

Abstract: Steel strip is first heated to a predetermined temperature suitable for imparting desired properties to the strip and is then immersed in an aqueous bath maintained at substantially its boiling temperature. The composition of the aqueous bath is preferably adjusted to ensure the formation of an oxide film on the entire surface of the strip. After the strip has been withdrawn from the bath, oxide is eliminated from at least part of the surface of the strip, e.g., from one or both faces, by removal of the oxide or by reduction of the oxide. Simultaneously or subsequently, the strip is heated to a given temperature, e.g., 420.degree.-550.degree. C., maintained at this temperature, and immersed at this temperature in molten zinc.

Abstract: The velocity of a free falling coating composition stream emitted from a coating applicator is altered prior to reaching a web by streams of gas directed over air foils situated immediately adjacent said coating composition stream.

Abstract: A traveling web is coated on both sides with an aqueous coating composition by a method that utilizes apparatus providing two coating stations. The two coating stations are spaced from each other in the direction of travel of the web and each station includes a backing roll, a doctor blade and a device for applying coating composition to one side of the traveling web. One side of the web is brought into contact with the backing roll at the first coating station and aqueous coating composition is applied to the other side of the web. The web is then passed between the backing roll and the doctor blade at the first coating station. At the second coating station, the coated side of the web is juxtaposed with the backing roll and aqueous coating composition is applied to the uncoated side of the web. The web is passed between the backing roll and the doctor blade at the second coating station, while the doctor blade is maintained in contact with the coating composition applied at the second coating station.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed for applying binder and/or size to glass filaments. The applicator is designed to both apply the binder and/or size to the filaments and gather the filaments into a unified strand. Due to its unique design, the applicator directs the moving strand in a direction such that the air flowing downwardly with the filaments as they are formed expels binder and/or size from the filaments and the applicator recovers this material for recirculation. This is accomplished without the need to divert the air flowing downwardly with the filaments from its normal path and without the use of any external deflector shields or other means for diverting airflow.