Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular closure device (7) for a device for dispensing a product, comprising: —an outlet nozzle (9) comprising: an outlet orifice (15) at the front, a rear opening, a product intake orifice, —top valve comprising a shut-off member (17) that closes of the outlet orifice, a deformable membrane (22) that seals the rear opening closed, designed so that a depression inside the nozzle forces the shut-off member toward its closed position, and a rigid frame extending between the outlet orifice and the membrane; —a bell housing having an end wall and base opening opposite this end wall, the edges of the base opening being fixed to the nozzle, the membrane sealing the base opening closed. The invention also relates to a dispensing device comprising this closure device.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus having a storage portion (20) for storing a treatment liquid, a slit-shaped opening portion (41) for ejecting the treatment liquid, and a connecting passage (42) that has a slit-shaped cross-section and connects the storage portion (20) to the slit-shaped opening portion (41) includes: a valve body portion (50) that is provided in the storage portion (20) to cover the connecting passage (42), and forms a gap (22) together with a lower wall (43) of the storage portion (20) so that the treatment liquid is caused to flow into the connecting passage (42) through the gap (22); a first curved surface portion (44a) that smoothly connects a surface of the lower wall (43) of the storage portion (20) to an inner wall surface (42a) of the connecting passage (42); and a second curved surface portion (51a) that is provided on the valve body portion (50) so as to project to an identical side to the first curved surface portion (44a).

Abstract: A method and system for garment manufacture fixes a curable polymer in either a continuous bead or in a non-continuous or segmented bead onto a cut fabric piece. The cut fabric piece, the continuous bead and the non-continuous, segmented bead have a wide array of configurations. If the cut fabric piece has a contoured edge region, a silicone bead proximate that edge has a conforming configuration. In the method, the cut fabric piece is placed in a coordinate space. The location of the cut fabric piece is sensed and that information is used to control the movement of a curable polymer dispenser. The dispenser applies a curable polymer from the curable polymer dispenser onto the cut fabric piece in the desired configuration after which the polymer is cured. If the fabric is cotton, the curable polymer is drawn into the cotton fibers prior to cure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to perform semiconductor processing with a process chamber; a flash lamp adapted to be repetitively triggered; and a controller coupled to the control input of the flash lamp to trigger the flash lamp. The system can deploy a solid state plasma source in parallel with the flash lamp in wafer processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for growing a thin film onto a substrate. The equipment suited to implement the invention comprises a reaction space having a reaction chamber therein into which a substrate is placed and is subjected to alternately repeated surface reactions of at least two vapor-phase reactants for the purpose of forming a thin film. The equipment further comprises recesses/openings communicating with the reaction space to form gas inflow and outflow channels. The reactants are fed in the form of vapor-phase pulses repeatedly and alternately into the reaction space through the inflow channels, each reactant separately from its own source. The vapor-phase reactants are brought to react with the surface of the substrate for the purpose of forming a solid-state thin film compound on said substrate. The gaseous reaction products and possible excess reactants are removed in gas phase from the reaction space via the outflow channels.

Abstract: In an automatic fastening machine for installing fasteners in a workpiece and including at least one tool for performing a fastener installation operation on the workpiece, a component such as one of the tools for holding a fastener in spaced relation to the workpiece prior to installation therein and sealant applicator apparatus movable into and out of operative association with the fastener for applying sealant to the fastener prior to installation in the workpiece. Sealant application to the fastener is provided automatically as part of the fastener installation operation. The sealant applicator apparatus comprises a pair of sealant applicators in spaced-apart opposed facing relation and movable toward each other into sealant applying relation with the fastener. Each sealant applicator has an end shaped to confirm to a portion of the outer surface of the fastener. The applicators are readily removable to facilitate maintenance and replacement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying sealant to a countersunk fastener hole. The apparatus includes a sleeve, an adapter tube within the sleeve, a nozzle housing attached to the adapter tube, and a tip within the nozzle housing. A guide pin is attached to the adapter tube and follows an oblique slot in the sleeve. To operate, the sealant applicator is inserted into a countersunk fastener hole, engaging the tip with the countersink of the hole. The tip depresses into the nozzle housing, ejecting sealant onto the countersink. The adapter tube is pushed into the sleeve, moving the guide pin along the oblique slot in the sleeve. This guide pin movement rotates the adapter tube, nozzle housing and tip, causing the tip to uniformly spread the sealant around the countersink.

Abstract: In a computer-controlled adhesive-applying apparatus an adhesive applicator device (20) is guided along a desired path in respect of three axes according to a programmed instruction instruction in the form of digitized co-ordinate axis values, said device comprising a nozzle (384) having a ball (392) by which the flow of adhesive is controlled and which also, by engagement with the work, determines the heightwise position of the device, together with a brush assembly (398) comprising a set of bristles (404) secured to the nozzle housing (384) and surrounding it, with ends of the bristles projecting beyond the end face (384a) of the housing and ball. The nozzle housing (384) and brush assembly (398) are mounted for rotation whereby adhesive supplied via the nozzle is spread on the workpiece surface. In addition, the nozzle housing (384) and brush assembly (398) can "float" to accommodate irregularities in the heightwise contour of the workpiece surface.

Abstract: The tool of the present invention includes a compliance guide having a cylindrical vertical bore extending therethrough. Slidably mounted within the bore is a tool holder which is free to slide vertically, but which is held against lateral movement within the bore. Attached to the tool holder is a tool having a dauber pad at its lower end. A nipple is threaded within a vertical bore in the tool holder and extends upwardly therefrom through an aperture in a closure plate which fits over the upper end of the vertical bore in the compliance guide. A nut is threaded over the nipple above the closure plate and a spring below the closure plate yieldably urges the nipple and the tool holder downwardly until the nut engages the closure plate. Fluid is introduced through the nipple and extends downwardly to the dauber pad which absorbs the liquid and applies it to the work surface.

Abstract: Method and system for applying liquid sealant in holes of a structural member prior to installing fasteners in such holes, which comprises mixing air with a liquid sealant, spraying a controlled amount of the resulting air-sealant mixture into the holes and depositing liquid sealant therein, and impinging an elevated pressure air stream on the deposited liquid sealant to spread the sealant out and produce a thin layer of sealant in the holes. A system for carrying out the method comprises a spray gun having separate air and liquid sealant paths which meet at the spray nozzle of the spray gun to achieve the mixing of air with the liquid sealant.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing gun for applying a liquid to a substrate which includes a movable valve stem for opening and closing a liquid-dispensing valve and a deflector plate movable in conjunction with the valve stem to deflect the substrate away from the gun when the valve is closed. The deflector plate is activated by a pair of linearly translated push rods which are coupled through a push rod beam and piston to the valve stem so that the valve stem and deflector plate move in unison.

Abstract: A rotary workpiece treating apparatus is described particularly useful for depositing coating or adhesive materials within threaded fastener nuts. The device includes a continuously rotating turntable assembly having a plurality of workstation cylinders attached thereto. Installed within the cylinders are plungers having cam followers, which plungers move between a first and second position as the turntable assembly is rotated. A probe attached to the plunger is caused to enter within the internal bore of the nuts and release flowable material within the nut. The flow of such material is controlled by a valve stem protruding from the probe which is depressed against a stop surface when the probe is inserted within the nuts. A second clamping plunger within the cylinder clamps against the nut when the probe is being inserted, thereby positioning the nut and preventing flowable material from being deposited on the exterior surfaces of the nuts.

Abstract: A liquid-adhesive applicator has a hollow cylindrical reservoir formed of a somewhat flexible plastic material and closed at each end by rigid plastic end caps. A stiff but bendable rod axially rotatably supports the reservoir, and is bent to form the shank of a handle for the applicator. The reservoir has a plurality of pairs of slits parallel to the axis of the reservoir and angled inwardly midway between radial and tangential orientation. Molded-on protuberances between the pairs of slits cause the slits to open when the applicator is pressed against a surface, such as the edge of a two-by-four stud, to apply adhesive thereto. In a second species the cylindrical reservoir and the end caps are cemented, or are thermoplastically welded, together; and are further made into a sealed toroidal reservoir by an axial tube that prevents leakage if the reservoir unit is discarded for throw-away replacement by a new head unit.

Abstract: A sealant applicator assembly (20) for mounting to an automatic drilling and fastener installation machine to apply sealant to the tip or shank surfaces of varying grip-length fasteners (24,53) before "wet" installation of the fastener into a hole. The assembly includes a pair of valve members (32,35) controlling the flow of sealant into contact with the fastener shank: one valve member (32) being opened or actuated by physical engagement between the valve member and the fastener tip when the shank length of the fastener being installed is sufficient to engage the valve member; and a second valve member (35) being opened or actuated by engagement of means (52) on the fastener installation machine when the shank length of the fastener being installed is insufficient to permit physical engagement between the fastener tip and the first valve member.

Abstract: A sealant applicator for applying a thin film donut like ring of sealant in and around the top of a rivet hole prior to the installation of a rivet and immediately after the rivet hole has been drilled. The applicator is characterized by having an air operated probe assembly which is held in a retracted position with the center line of the probe displaced from the center line of the rivet hole while the hole is being drilled. Upon the completion of the drilled hole the probe assembly is immediately moved into alignment with the center line of the hole and lowered onto the work piece and a premeasured amount of sealant is uniformly applied to the top of the hole prior to the assembly being retracted and the rivet installed.

Abstract: An adhesive discharge device for use with adhesive which sets by the evaporation of a solvent. The device incorporates a valve-controlled discharge nozzle for intermittent discharge of adhesive on a cycle basis. Drying of adhesive around the nozzle opening when the valve is closed and the discharge of adhesive is interrupted is prevented by a movable closure cap containing a solvent vaporizer. The closure cap is movable into a position enclosing and sealing the nozzle opening, and the vaporization of solvent inside the closure cap around the nozzle opening prevents the drying and encrustation of adhesive.

Abstract: A sealant applicator assembly (10) for mounting to an automatic drilling and fastener installation machine to apply sealant to the tip or shank surface of a fastener (14) before "wet" installation of the fastener into a hole. The assembly (10) includes a valve member (21) that is opened or actuated by physical movement of the fastener (14) therewith whereby sealant flows into contact with the fastener shank. Upon removal of the fastener (14) from contact with the valve members (21), valve closure takes place due to sealant pressure and sealant flow is stopped. By sequencing the sealant application onto the fastener concurrently with drilling or other hole preparation by the automatic machine, cycle time for "wet" fastener installation is minimized.

Abstract: The device comprises a fluid-tight and flexible reservoir for a pasty substance fixed in a fluid-tight housing, the outlet orifice from this reservoir for the pasty substance including a cut-off valve which can be opened by contact with the surface of an article. The housing is connected to a source of pressurized gas. The housing includes a cylinder and a piston. Apparatus are provided to control the sliding of this piston to the end of a cylinder, so as to extend the nozzle outwards and a spring is provided to bring back the piston into the housing. The invention is useful for marking mass-produced articles.