Abstract: There is disclosed an article treating apparatus particularly apparatus for pressure-impregnating or vacuum impregnating porous articles such as metal castings. A holder for the articles or a metal basket containing them is disposed in an autoclave and can be rotated about a horizontal axis. It has a horizontal through-passageway so that articles to be treated can be simultaneously loaded at one end of the passageway and unloaded at the other end of the passageway by an indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism has a plurality of pusher arms which can be moved laterally into the path of the articles and then moved horizontally to push the articles along rails into and out of the passageway. The holder is stopped at a predetermined rotary position in which a longitudinal slot is opposite the pusher arms so that unloading and loading may be effected simultaneously with a single movement of the indexing mechanism, a pusher arm passing completely through the slot.

Abstract: A method for washing and drying a substrate and an apparatus therefor are disclosed which are capable of effectively rapidly carrying out the washing and drying of a semiconductor substrate in good yields without damaging and contaminating the substrate. The method comprises the steps of immersing a carrier carrying at least one substrate thereon into wash liquid; drawing up the carrier from the wash liquid while oscillating the substrate; and feeding drying gas to the substrate during the drawing-up of the carrier to remove the wash liquid from the surface of the substrate. The apparatus of the invention is constructed to allow the method to be effectively practiced.

Abstract: A printed circuit board conveyor apparatus has a conveyor for moving a planar circuit board components mounted on frames, in a vertical plane, seriatim, along a first path through a spray treatment area. The components are then raised and returned toward a starting point along a second path with additional processing occurring during the return trip. The use of an overhead return along with positive positioning of the components provides substantial efficiency and allows precision and accuracy in treatment of printed circuit board components while minimizing floor space requirements.

Abstract: A transport mechanism has two driven gears driven by a driving gear therebetween and having pivotally attached cranks at pivot points maintained at the same elevation as the driven gears rotate. The upper end of the cranks are attached to a horizontal moving guide bar. The moving mechanism is supported beside a fixed guide plate formed with a loading slot at the input end, a sloping edge at the output end and a number of equally spaced vertical slots therebetween. A film carrier has end rods which may rest on the moving guide bars and be lowered in the slots. Film chips in the film carrier advance from the loading slot into a developing tank. The mechanism then lifts the carrier with the film chips above the carrier tank and into a wash tank, then from the wash tank into a fixing tank, then from the fixing tank into a wash tank, then into a drying chamber and then upon an output ramp.

Abstract: A printed circuit processing apparatus includes a modular tank arrangement with each of the tanks receiving a printed circuit board to be processed on edge, or in other words vertically, and which guides the printed circuit board through the tank for processing without leaving marks or "tracks" on the sides of the board. The boards are driven by rollers on which the lower edges of the boards rest. The boards are held vertically through the use of a plurality of vertically spaced longitudinally extending wires. Spray nozzles are positioned on opposite sides of the boards and are simultaneously operated to generally equalize the pressure on the opposite sides of the board. The spray nozzles contain the necessary solutions for processing the boards, and the guide wires are small enough so that they don't leave any areas of the board unprocessed, nor do they leave "tracks". The modular tanks permit one or several operations in a continuous path with connecting sections between the modular tanks.

Abstract: A method for cleaning dirty objects using cleaning fluid and rinsing fluid and an apparatus using the method. The method has consecutive steps of spraying the surface of a dirty object with high pressure spray of cleaning fluid, immersing the dirty object in an immersion chamber containing cleaning fluid, spraying additional cleaning fluid at high pressure into the immersion chamber at a location downstream from the initial location where the dirty object is immersed to turbulate cleaning fluid therein to scrub the surface of the dirty object, removing the dirty object from the immersion chamber, and spraying the surface of the dirty object with a high pressure spray of rinsing fluid.

Abstract: The same baskets are used to dip successive batches of parts into a path of cleaning fluid or the like, and between dips the baskets are raised to a position in which rails on which the parts are held in the baskets connect with intermediate rail pieces to form a continuous track so that the contents of each basket can be advanced to the next basket (or to the unloading station in the case of the last basket) while a new batch of parts is loaded into the first basket. The transfer operation is performed by a rake mechanism. The advantage is obtained that when the baths of cleaning fluid are at different temperatures, heat is not wasted in warming up and cooling the baskets and, furthermore, cleaning fluid is not lost by being carried away by baskets moving through the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of articles especially metal articles with a solvent, e.g. for the degreasing of the articles, comprises an upper chamber in which an article carrier is charged with or discharged from the articles, a lower treatment chamber, and a device for raising and lowering the carrier. The carrier is provided with one or more plates with sealing peripheries engaging sealing collars, at least one of which is located between these chambers to seal the chambers from one another in at least one position of the carrier.

Abstract: A printed circuit board conveyor apparatus has a conveyor for moving a planar circuit board components mounted on frames, in a vertical plane, seriatim, along a first path through a spray treatment area. The components are then raised and returned toward a starting point along a second path with additional processing occurring during the return trip. The use of an overhead return along with positive positioning of the components provides substantial efficiency and allows precision and accuracy in treatment of printed circuit board components while minimizing floor space requirements.

Abstract: A corrosion protection pretreating apparatus, wherein articles to be treated such as reinforcement-arranged frame or the like are subjected to pickling prior to the corrosion protection treatment including mortar coating and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying tubular members along a plurality of treatment liquid tanks in pickling facilities. The apparatus includes a pair of guide rails and a travelling car adapted to reciprocate on the guide rails. The travelling car includes at least one pair of tube-supporting hooks which can be reciprocated upwardly and downwardly and turned between positions parallel to the rails and other positions perpendicular to the rails. The tube-supporting hooks can be lowered or raised independently so as to support the tubular members aslant near the treatment liquid level in each of the treatment liquid tanks, thereby allowing immersion of the tubular members into the treatment liquid or retraction of the tubular members out of the treatment liquid without forming considerable air bubbles in the liquid. Since such bubbles are known to develop stains on the tubular members, tubular members of high surface quality can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements to a Figal Washer System. A Figal Washer System is a system for washing Figal five gallon syrup containers utilized in the beverage dispensing art. The improvements to the Figal Washer System of the present invention are directed to improving the production efficiency, the Figal discharge, and the time required for routine and scheduled maintenance on the Figal washing system. The modifications which are considered to contribute to the overall machine operation are directed to improvements relating to production efficiency, which include rail and carriage modifications. A rail is installed inside the washer, beginning just beyond the loading station, for providing jam protection. The figal container carriage has been modified to ensure that the Figal's remain in the carriages between the loading station and the first rinse station, two spring wheels are added.

Abstract: An apparatus for dipping plating objects such as IC lead frame of a rectangular shape obtained by press forming and etching thin metal pieces, wherein a plural number of said rectangular sheets aligned and supported on the freely descending and returning rack base of the support carriage of the objects to be plated are concurrently subjected to dipping plating by determining the position of the said plural number of rectangular sheets to be plated for lowering into the plating tanks, and abutting the upper surface of the objects to be plated with the holding means thereby subjecting a plural number of objects to be plated.

Abstract: A work conveying apparatus for transporting work pieces through a plurality of treating stations including a work rack for supporting the work pieces which is tiltable, according to one embodiment of the invention, in one direction when in a raised position to facilitate drainage of solution from the work pieces and is tiltable in an opposite direction to facilitate escape of gases from the work pieces when the work rack is immersed in a treating solution. The work rack further includes pivotally mounted work holders thereon which are movable to and from a work piece supporting position to a work piece discharge or unloading position to facilitate automatic loading and unloading of work pieces therefrom. The conveying apparatus further includes an unload station including a guide for retaining the work rack in a fixed position and includes a device for aligning the rack with the guide during its descending movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for soldering printed circuit boards includes a carrier adapted to support a printed circuit board and to be moved along a predetermined transfer path, preferably in the form of a closed loop; a pair of laterally spaced movable rails defining a part of the transfer path and adapted for supporting engagement with the carrier; a vessel containing molten solder placed beneath the space between the rails; and driving means for moving the rails up and down to allow the printed circuit board to be dipped in the molten solder.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning container closures during downward travel in an elongated vertical pathway from a hopper to a capping machine. The apparatus includes liquid and gas spray means for directing generally horizontal fluid streams against vertically oriented inner surface portions of the closures, an enclosure, and a drain for removing liquid from the enclosure. A belt means engages closures traveling through the apparatus, thereby forcing the closures past the liquid and gas spray means and controlling their rate of travel. In a preferred embodiment, the belt means comprises several laterally spaced flexible endless belts each having a principal section frictionally engaging outer surface portions of the closures. An additional feature of the preferred embodiment is a perforated plate adjacent an interior surface portion of the principal section.

Abstract: An apparatus for soldering printed circuit boards includes carriers each adapted for holding a printed circuit board and conveyed successively through a soldering zone to dip each printed circuit board into molten solder contained in a vessel. The vessel is disposed between a pair of laterally spaced apart track members which are engageable two front and two rear wheels of the carrier to support the carrier and the printed circuit board generally in the horizontal state throughout the movement thereof along the track members. Each track member has a first and a second depression at such locations that the two front and the two rear wheels can simultaneously position in the first and second depressions, respectively. Each depression has a depth sufficient to permit the printed circuit board to be dipped into the molten solder when the four wheels travel therealong.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating successive batches of workpieces with respectively different paints, composed of a plurality of coating tank units disposed along a conveying path and each arranged to hold a bath of a respective paint, a workpiece conveyor extending along such path for conveying workpieces therealong, a carriage movable along the conveying path to the region of a selected one of the tank units, and a conveyor guide structure carried by the carriage for controlling the movements of the conveyor in order to cause workpieces being conveyed by the conveyor to be immersed in the bath contained in the selected unit where the carriage is located.

Abstract: In film processing apparatus, a series of transfer members are respectively associated with successive baths of processing solution for transporting a plurality of film discs supported on a spindle from one bath to the next bath by transferring the spindle from one transfer member to the next transfer member over each bath.

Abstract: Photographic material to be processed passes generally horizontally through a succession of processing chambers including a developing chamber. The latter includes a developing-fluid tank containing a body of developing fluid, the body of developing fluid having an upper surface. At least one rotatably mounted submerging roller causes transported photographic material to pass below the upper surface of the body of developing fluid. A counter-pressure roller presses the transported photographic material against the submerging roller during transport of the photographic material through the developing chamber. Flow elements are arranged to damp the agitation of the body of developing fluid resulting from rotation of the submerging and counterpressure rollers. The submerging and counterpressure rollers are so arranged that the trailing end of transported photographic material does not drag over the pheripheral surface of either roller in circumferential-surface contact therewith.

Abstract: In can manufacturing apparatus there is provided an overhead magnetic conveyor for transferring cans from a conveyor upon which they are coated to a conveyor upon which the cans are dried. To remove excess coating material which tends to form a bead around the lowermost edge of a can, a bath of coating material solvent is disposed adjacent to the transfer conveyor and has within it an endless belt conveyor to which cans on the overhead conveyor are caused to fall and from which those cans are subsequently returned to an overhead conveyor. The upper, can carrying course of the endless belt conveyor is disposed at a predetermined depth below the surface of solvent within the bath so that excess material accumulating on the lower portions of the cans in the coating region is removed prior to entry of the cans into the drying oven.

Abstract: In order to achieve a seal which is as effective as possible, there are provided at the input and output ends of a metal sheet cooling machine flaps such as flap (input flap) which are journalled in a frame of the machine to turn about an axis X--X and are actuated by jacks. Supports carried by a rigid girder ensure that these flaps do not buckle under the effect of the pressure forces created in the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning containers which passes the containers submerged through a tank of detergent solution at elevated temperature while subjecting the solution in the tank to ultrasonic vibratory energy. The residence time of the containers in the solution, the temperature of the solution, the detergent type and concentration, and the frequency and intensity of the ultrasonic vibratory energy are sufficient to remove dirt from the containers, even grey film from plastics containers such as milk bottle crates.

Abstract: Equipment designed to automatically process a photoengraving cylinder through a variety of processes including plating on a metal roll, surface polishing, corrosion, development, printing and the like. In order to make more efficient such processes, this invention is directed to an equipment improvement which can automatically determine the condition of a cylinder during any process steps common to any of such processes, and further move a roller to be processed (hereinafter called a photoengraving cylinder) successively during the whole sequence of steps of work.

Abstract: In treating certain types of steel strip, it passes through a plurality of processes including a salt bath having a driven sink roll therein. In order to by-pass the salt bath means are provided to raise and lower the sink roll and its drive while maintaining them horizontal. This permits changing from one type of strip which is subject to the salt bath to another type of strip which is not subject to the salt bath without rethreading the entire line. A guide roll at the exit end of the salt bath tank is below and out of contact with the strip which has been in the salt bath, but is raised into contact with strip which by-passes the salt bath. A baffle is provided to cover the guide roll in its lower position and uncover it in its upper position.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically processing photogravure images onto curvilinear surfaces including automated conveying means, etching means, etch terminating means, staging material removing means, and etching resist removing means.

Abstract: A bottle rinser having a linear path for carried bottles has closely spaced bottle carriers on a lug chain, the carriers receiving the bottles in upright position and being pivoted in a plane perpendicular to the path of chain movement to invert the bottles and carry them over rinse means, then slightly tip the bottles from fully inverted position to aid in draining, and finally being pivoted to restore the bottles to upright position for unloading. The carriers are of stamped and formed construction with an elastomer retainer for simple operation and allowing good bottle exposure for external rinse. Guide rods positioned near the lug chain control carrier pivoting.

Abstract: A device for heating an elongated workpiece having a central axis which device comprises first and second axially spaced and axially aligned multiturn induction heating coils, each of which has a workpiece receiving passage extending therethrough. Means are provided for indexing a workpiece axially first into the passage of the first coil and then, after a time delay, axially into the passage of the second coil.

Abstract: A water spray quench process and apparatus for the hardening of steel agricultural discs and like articles with minimum warpage and maximum exposure to the quenching water. A steel article heated in a furnace to a temperature above its austenitizing temperature is moved horizontally into a quenching station, supported on several support pins below the article with a positioning member above the article, and sprayed with water from a series of nozzles both above and below the article to rapidly and effectively quench the article to a minimum temperature. Once the article has been cooled by the quenching water, it is expelled from the quench station.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning mechanical workpieces, such as bearings, comprises a reservoir for containing a cleaning liquid, a stationary conveyor mechanism partially immersed in the cleaning liquid, and a high frequency vibration source disposed in proximity to and near the bottom of the reservoir. Responsive to the vibration source transmitting vibratory energy via a coupling medium to the cleaning liquid, the workpieces are simultaneously conveyed along the conveyor mechanism and cleansed in the cleaning liquid.

Abstract: A counter current decantation system for the fluid separation of liquids or solids having different densities or absorptive capacities wherein the material to be separated is placed in an inclined separator having a series of decantation pipes, each of which is connected at the bottom thereof to a pump for pumping a fluid mixture upstream at varying pressures. The separation fluid enters the separator at the bottom with sufficient force to form a mixture with and agitate the material to be separated. Lighter material is caused to rise toward the fluid surface and the heavier material is caused to settle to the separator floor by gravity. The force supplied is sufficient to cause the fluid mixture to pass forwardly through the length of the separator and thus the fluid mixture has a tendency to flow downstream toward the bottom end of the separator.

Abstract: A bearing washing machine is provided having cleaning stages through which disassembled bearing races are continuously processed. The machine includes a pair of parallel support tracks selectively spaced from one another which are disposed at an angle to the horizontal. The tracks support opposite side edges of a bearing race which rolls down the inclination provided by the tracks. Cleaning nozzles are disposed adjacent to the tracks to provide cleaning stages through which each bearing race passes. The nozzles at the upper end of the tracks provide a washing solution to impinge against each bearing race while nozzles at the lower end of the tracks provide air for blowing off washing solution and drying the races. An overhead guide rail engages one of the upper edges of each race to maintain it in aligned rolling contact with the support tracks. The tracks and guide rail are selectively spaced from each other to accommodate races of various thicknesses or widths and of various diameters.

Abstract: An improved transfer device comprised of powered endless surface elements for supporting and moving coated articles in an upright position, such as coated can bodies, from one treatment station, e.g. a coating station to a further treatment station, such as a coating/curing oven. Various parts of the endless surface elements are arranged at selected levels in a trough through which a suitable aqueous medium, e.g. deionized water, is substantially continuously circulated. The height within the trough of this aqueous medium is advantageously controlled relative to the top surface portions of the endless surface elements so that there will be a substantially continuous cleaning of the endless surface elements as excess coating material moves towards and drains from the lower portions of the article being transported while the article is moved through the trough by way of the endless surface elements.

Abstract: A continuous sheet pickling line and apparatus therefor which embraces the concept of pickling sheets by passing them horizontally through a tank made of suitable material and so constructed as to hold a sufficient quantity of pickling acid as to permit the sheets to be completely submerged as they pass therethrough, certain of the support rollers for the sheets and drive gears and associated bearings also being submerged. The line and associated apparatus processes the sheets in one continuous operation during which the sheets are fed onto an entry conveyor from a pack, one sheet behind the other, whereafter they are processed while horizontally disposed through the pickling tank, sheet scrubber, drying conveyor, leveler, oiler and then stacked in a suitable piler. Provision is made to heat and agitate the acid within the tank and to control the acid level.

Abstract: In fabricating sealed contacts, often their axially extending leads are solder coated to protect them from contamination and to enhance their solderability into circuits. An apparatus for solder coating the leads, which minimizes their bending, includes a conveying apparatus that moves the contacts through various stages of the solder coating apparatus to form layers of solder on the leads. These layers, which are carefully controlled, are no greater than a certain maximum thickness, and are thinner on the ends of the leads than on the side surfaces thereof.To coat the leads, the contacts are individually mounted in a plurality of holders, each of which is fixed to an individual bead of an endless bead chain of the conveying apparatus.

Abstract: A commercial dishwasher comprising two or more modulars connected together through which dish-carrying baskets are moved for washing and rinsing the dishes, one or more of the modulars being arcuate-shaped so as to alter a straight line movement of the baskets into one where they are swung through a 90.degree. angle. By connecting two of the arcuate-shaped modulars together, it is possible to swing the dish-carrying baskets through an arc of 180.degree.. Therefore the dishwasher can be positioned in the corner of a room and thus make use of space that would otherwise not be used.

Abstract: The arrangement includes a treatment fluid supply chamber, a first treatment chamber located above the treatment fluid supply chamber, and at least one additional treatment chamber located above the first treatment chamber. Objects are conveyed along a first predetermined path leading through the first treatment chamber and also along a second predetermined path leading through the additional treatment chamber. Treatment fluid is pumped up from the common treatment fluid supply chamber to both of said treatment chambers, and the thusly pumped fluid is discharged onto objects in both treatment chambers.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted for cleaning or degreasing work pieces by contacting with an organic degreasing agent such as a halogenated hydrocarbon. The work pieces are moved in and out of contact with the degreasing agent and are supported on an array of substantially parallel, spaced, elongate members, in fixed position. Means are included for moving the work pieces across the top surface of the array in the direction of elongation of the members.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing aggregate material comprises a cylindrical drum including first and second end walls having central openings defining respectively an outlet and an inlet. The drum is inclined from the horizontal to provide flow of the aggregate material toward the outlet along the interior of the drum. The drum is mounted for rotation on its longitudinal axis, driven by a tangentially engaged chain and sprocket, and is supported and stabilized by a system of guide rolls. The drum contains a series of longitudinally extending agitator vanes spaced around the cylindrical inner wall of the drum. As the drum rotates, the vanes agitate the aggregate material in the presence of wash water for efficient aggregate cleaning. A series of scoop-shaped flume elements attached to and abutting the outlet end wall bodily rotate with the drum.

Abstract: A commercial dishwasher comprising two or more modulars connected together through which dish-carrying baskets are moved for washing and rinsing the dishes, one or more of the modulars being arcuate-shaped so as to alter a straight line movement of the baskets into one where they are swung through a 90.degree. angle. By connecting two of the arcuate-shaped modulars together, it is possible to swing the dish-carrying baskets through an arc of 180.degree.. Therefore the dishwasher can be positioned in the corner of a room and thus make use of space that would otherwise not be used.