Abstract: An in-line marking system for marking indicia on a markable medium. The system includes a dispenser for dispensing a markable medium onto a conveyor belt assembly. The conveyor belt assembly conveys the medium from a first position to a second position, wherein a marking device located between the first position and the second position marks indicia on the medium. The conveyor belt assembly has a plurality of belts forming a conveyor surface.

Abstract: A stent mounting device and a method of coating a stent using the device are provided.

Abstract: A method for continuously introducing a substance in liquid phase into plastics granules comprising: a) feeding a substantially continuous flow of the plastics granules to at least one substantially static spraying chamber, b) spraying the substance in liquid phase onto the plastics granules, c) passing the granules partially or totally coated by the substance in liquid phase by a substantially static mixing means supported in at leas one mixing chamber provided downstream of the spraying chamber, d) submitting the mixed granules to drying for a time sufficient to allow a substantially complete absorption of the substance in liquid phase by the granules.

Abstract: Strand coating methods having an applicator head pivotally mounted adjacent a substrate, a coating material dispenser mounted on the applicator head, a strand guide mounted on the applicator head, wherein the strand guide and the coating material dispenser are adjustably positionable in unison relative to the substrate by pivoting the applicator head to vary the spacing of the strands relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A new kinetic spray process is disclosed that enables the coating to withstand severe bending and stress without delamination. The method includes use of a low pressure kinetic spray supersonic nozzle having a throat located between a converging region and a diverging region. A main gas temperature is raised to from 1000 to 1300 degrees Fahrenheit and the coating particles are directly injected into the diverging region of the nozzle at a point after the throat. The particles are entrained in the flow of the gas and accelerated to a velocity sufficient to result in partial melting of the particles upon impact on a substrate positioned opposite the nozzle and adherence of the particles to the substrate. The coating also has a desirable shinny surface. The method finds special application in coating substrates for use in formation of electrical connections.

Abstract: A treatment method for the internal surface of a molded polyethylene plastics material container such as a drum, including the steps of: introducing an ionizable gas, such as argon, into the container; generating a plasma of the introduced gas by applying electric field of sufficient strength to the container and introduced gas, so as to cause an interaction with the internal surface of the container; coating the internal surface of the container with a curable epoxy-based first polymeric composition; and then curing the polymeric composition to form a coating on the internal surfaces of the container. A second coating, preferably with electrical conductive properties, may be applied and cured over the first coating. Conductive properties may be provided by including conductive particles such as antimony doped tin dioxide, graphite or metal powders, in the second composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing a fiber having at least a surface comprised mainly of a thermoplastic resin and carrying solid particles affixed to the surface, comprising the steps of: heating the solid particles having a melting point or a decomposition point higher than a melting point of the thermoplastic resin, to a temperature higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin, bringing the heated solid particles into contact with the fiber while maintaining the temperature of the heated solid particles higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin to bond the solid particles to a fiber surface by fusing the fiber surface, and cooling the fused fiber carrying the solid particle to affix the solid particles to the fiber surface. Further, an apparatus of manufacturing the same, and a fiber having at least a surface comprised mainly of a thermoplastic resin and carrying solid particles affixed to the surface are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for applying a foam composition to a paper web is provided. Specifically, a foam applicator is positioned adjacent to a surface of the web. The foam applicator comprises an extrusion head defining an extrusion channel through which the foam composition is capable of flowing. The foam applicator further defines a dispensing slot through which the foam composition is capable of exiting the foam applicator. The method also includes flowing the foam composition through the extrusion channel of the foam applicator. The foam composition is impinged with at least one gaseous stream (e.g., air stream) to fragment or break up gaseous bubbles contained therein.

Abstract: This device for supplying coating products to the atomizers of an installation for spraying coating products on objects to be displaced by a conveyor, comprises at least one principal tank, adapted to supply secondary tanks each intended for an atomizer, at least one station for distributing the contents of the principal tank between the secondary tanks, and means for displacing the full secondary tanks towards application robots adapted to displace said atomizers opposite said objects. Each secondary tank forms with the atomizer for which it is intended, a sub-assembly adapted to be displaced, by the afore-mentioned displacement means, between an application member and the distribution station, and vice versa.

Abstract: Thermally formed thermoplastic articles can be protected from stress cracking in the presence of stress cracking promoting compounds by forming a shaped article comprising a thermoplastic and a liquid hydrocarbon oil composition. We have found that the liquid hydrocarbon oil composition prevents the stress cracking promoting materials from interacting with the polymeric structure of the stressed container to prevent or inhibit stress cracking in such materials. The methods and compositions of the invention are particularly useful in preventing stress cracking in polyethylene terephthalate beverage containers during bottling operations during which the bottle in contacted with aqueous and non-aqueous materials such as cleaners and lubricants that can interact with the polyester to cause stress cracking particularly in the container base.

Abstract: A filament coating apparatus comprising a frame for releasably securing a filament, and a carriage mounted on the frame to oscillate between a first position and a second position. There is a first filament holding fixture mounted on the carriage and a second filament holding fixture also mounted on the carriage in axial alignment with the first filament holding fixture to secure a measured filament portion, preferably of an optical fiber, including a bare portion thereof, located inside a first boundary and a second boundary, between the first filament holding fixture and the second filament holding fixture. At least one spray head is attached to the frame at the first position with at least one radiation source attached to the frame at the second position.

Abstract: The improved Wurster of the present invention includes an air diverter which supplies a flow of air in a radial direction adjacent the spray nozzle body and spray nozzle, so as to force the product away from the nozzle during the spraying process. The air diverter includes a sleeve with air passages therein, a manifold connected to the sleeve and to a source of secondary pressurized air or gas, and a collar to mount the assembled air diverter onto the perforated plate of the Wurster apparatus. In operation, the air diverter allows the spray pattern from the nozzle to more fully develop, allows more complete atomization of the spray solution, and allows for higher spray rates with little or no agglomeration of the product.

Abstract: Microfabrication methods and devices in which microscale structural elements are provided in an intermediate polymer layer between two planar substrates. Preferred aspects utilize photoimagable or ablatable polymer layers as the intermediate polymer layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying glue is provided in which glue and water are selectively provided to a spray nozzle wherein the water supplied to the nozzle is used to remove any residual glue present after a gluing application. In one preferred embodiment, an outer conduit surrounds an inner conduit defining a first channel therebetween. The inner conduit supplies glue and the first channel supplies water. The outer conduit and the inner conduit are slidably engaged with each other. At least one spray nozzle is in communication with an outer conduit orifice. Slide conduit orifice valving provides selective communication of the outer conduit orifice with an inner conduit orifice and the first channel for selectively supplying glue, water, or neither to the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating for an implantable medical device, such as a stent, is provided which includes applying a composition to the device in an environment having a selected pressure. An apparatus is also provided for coating the devices. The apparatus comprises a chamber for housing the device wherein the pressure of the chamber can be adjusted during the coating process.

Abstract: A papermaking belt comprises a reinforcing element and a resinous framework joined together. The resinous framework is formed by a plurality of resinous beads which mutually contact or cross-over. Super-knuckles extending outwardly from the reinforcing element are formed at points of contact. A preferred continuous process for making the belt comprises extruding, in a pre-selected pattern, a plurality of beads of a resinous material onto the forming surface thereby forming the resinous framework thereon, joining the resinous framework and the reinforcing element together, and then solidifying the resinous framework. The resinous material may comprise at least two chemically-active materials capable of cross-linking upon contact.

Abstract: The present invention has several plausible embodiments. In one embodiment an apparatus for coating a medical device is provided. This apparatus includes a coating chamber, a vibrating structure within the coating chamber the vibrating structure capable of suspending a medical device positioned in the coating chamber, and a coating source, the coating source positioned to introduce coating into the coating chamber. In another embodiment a method of coating a medical device is provided. This method includes moving a medical device into a predetermined coating area, vibrating a structure below the medical device, the vibration of the structure forcing the medical device away from the vibrating structure, and coating at least a portion of the medical device that has moved away from the vibrating structure.

Abstract: A method for making an enameled steel sheet includes the steps of spraying a slurry to form a slurry layer onto a surface of a substrate and firing the slurry layer. In this method, the slurry has a static surface tension of 50 dyne/cm or less and an apparent viscosity of 500 mPa·s that is measured with a model E viscometer at a rotation of 100 rpm. Alternatively, the method includes a step of spraying a slurry for forming an enamel layer onto a surface of a substrate, wherein the substrate is vibrated when the slurry is applied or when the slurry applied is still fluid.

Abstract: A method and device of treating an irregularly shaped article to prepare the article for painting is provided. The device includes a burner which can produce an adjustable flame tongue which can fit into crevices, openings and other irregular topographical features of an item to be painted or otherwise coated. The burner device further provides means to apply a grafting chemical on a freshly oxidized surface. Further, the invention provides means to colorize treated objects so that they may be recognized as having been treated. In another embodiment, the grafting chemicals may be enhanced with electrolytic solutions such that electrostatic methods of painting may be subsequently employed on the item. In an alternate embodiment, the burner is adapted to spray a powder inside of a generally enclosed flame, and is used in conjunction with chop guns to manufacture glass or carbon fiber preforms.

Abstract: A shuttle feed passage 7 is provided in each functional processing station from a coating booth 1 to an after-heating booth 6 for performing a series of operations from coating to baking and drying. A conveyance frame 12 is fed to each of the booths 1-6 using a shuttle feed method, and conveyance of the workpiece W is stopped to perform the coating operation and the like. An empty conveyance frame 12 from which the coated workpiece W is removed is circulated through a self-propelled feed passage 9. A carriage 39 of the conveyance frame 12 is caused to travel outside the booth 1, and the supporting arm 13 of the conveyance frame 12 is caused to travel inside the booth, wherein the supporting arm is caused to rotate around the axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a film-forming method, comprising dispensing from a dispenser nozzle a coating solution, which is prepared by adding a solid component to a solvent and controlled to be spread on the substrate in a predetermined range, onto a target substrate to be processed while relatively moving the dispenser nozzle and the target substrate so as to form a liquid film on the entire surface of the target substrate, and arranging a sucking nozzle above and apart from the target substrate such that the sucking nozzle is not in contact with the surface of the liquid film so as to permit the sucking nozzle to suck the solvent vapor right under the sucking nozzle while moving the sucking nozzle relative to the target substrate, thereby removing the solvent from the liquid film and, thus, forming a coated film.

Abstract: A method is provided of adaptively controlling a paint system for painting vehicle bodies. The method includes the steps of obtaining an estimated Jacobian that identifies characteristics of the paint system and using the estimated Jacobian to determine initial conditions to be implemented for the next vehicle body to be painted in the paint system. The method also includes the steps of storing a database of appropriate initial conditions that resulted in satisfactory transient response in a rule-base and using the rule-base at start-up of the paint system or if the paint system fails to be satisfactorily controlled.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical contacts that comprise spaced electrically conductive particles embedded and bonded into the surface of conductors in which the particles have been kinetically sprayed onto the conductors with sufficient energy to form direct mechanical bonds between the particles and the conductors in a pre-selected location and particle number density that promotes high surface-to-surface contact and reduced contact resistance between the conductors.

Abstract: A wetting device for the mat (10) of a carrier material comprises a grasping frame which is constituted by side ledges (101, 102, 104), whereby the mat to be coated (10) can be fixed by clamps (105) to the side ledges. At least one of the side ledges of the frame is configured flexible (bendable), since it preferably comprises several segments (101, 102) which are hinged together. Thus, the clamped mat (10) can be brought into a cylindrical configuration in which it can be coated by a spray device which is introduced into the inner space of the cylinder. Due to the subsequent bending of the flexible side ledge in the opposite direction, the mat (10) can be brought into a second cylindrical configuration for which its other upper surface constitutes the inner side of the cylinder and is thus available for being coated by the spray device. During the spraying operation, the cylinder axis is preferably orientated vertically in order to avoid non-homogeneities of the coating because of the gravitation.

Abstract: System and method for coating a medical appliance is provided. In accord with one embodiment, a system for applying a coating to a medical appliance having accessible patterned surfaces is provided. This system may include: a processor, a support, and a bubble jet printing head having individual printing nozzles. In this system the support may be adapted to hold the medical appliance and to provide direct access for a coating to contact the exposed external patterned surfaces of the medical appliance. The bubble jet printing head in this system may move with respect to the medical appliance and may be in communication with a source of coating and with the processor. The processor in this system may contain commands that instruct the bubble jet printing head to force coating onto the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance in a pattern that correlates with the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method which can be utilized to apply a thin layer of viscous coating material to an elongated continuously moving filament whereby the filament can be cabled, coated, and spooled in a continuous operation. The apparatus has a coating material applicator to deliver a flowable material, an air applicator to supply compressed air, a mixer to mix the flowable material and compressed air, a delivery means to spray the mixed flowable material and air onto a filament, and a coating chamber through which the filament passes. The chamber has a material collector and a coating die, and a sealing attachment with an exit hole is located beneath the coating chamber. The filament is sprayed before it travels into the material collector.

Abstract: A booth of a powder coating system is designed for quick color changes. The booth includes a bottom wall supported above a floor. An inner space of the booth is defined above the bottom wall and an equipment-receiving space is defined beneath the bottom wall. The bottom wall has an opening providing communication between the inner space and the equipment-receiving space. The booth is adapted to receive a powder-recovery module beneath the bottom wall in the equipment-receiving space.

Abstract: A liquid film forming method of dropping a liquid from a dropping nozzle or dropping nozzles of a dropping unit onto a substrate to be processed, and then providing relative movement between the dropping unit and the substrate while keeping the liquid dropping on the substrate, so as to form a liquid film on the substrate

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a tire dressing fluid to a tire surface is provided. The apparatus includes a tire engagement arm having an applicator manifold and leveling pad. The applicator manifold has an opening for receiving a tire dressing fluid and a plurality of openings for dispensing the tire dressing fluid directly onto the tire surface. The leveling pad is provided for engaging the tire surface and spreading the tire dressing fluid over the tire surface. The apparatus additionally includes at least two swing arms and an anchor. The at least two swing arms have a first end rotatably attached to the tire engagement arm, and a second end rotatably attached to the anchor. A method for applying a tire dressing fluid onto a tire surface is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying liquid coating to pellets in a flowing feed stream are provided. An incoming bulk material feed is conditioned to produce a ribbon-like agglomerated flow pattern, and the bulk material is passed through a first spray section which coats an exposed surface of the pellets flowing therethrough. The flow direction is reversed in a second spray station, which operates to expose an opposite surface of the pellets, such that the second spray section coats substantially the remainder of the outer surface of the pellets.

Abstract: A device (1) for patterning plane substrates (5) without a template includes at least one stationary printing station (2) which applies a substance to the substrate and the substrate (5) passes the station along a conveying path. Each printing station (2) is equipped with a dye-spraying head (21) mounted on a carrying device (22). The spraying head carrying device (22) is part of a movable unit (3) which can be displaced to a side in a direction transverse to the conveying direction (B) of the substrate (5) out of a first operating position (I), adopted in the patterning region of the substrate (5), into a second set-up and service position (II), which partially releases the substrate (5).

Abstract: The present invention provides a distinctive method and apparatus (20) for forming an article which includes one or more selectively configured strands of material. In particular aspects, the invention can provide a method and apparatus for wrapping a strand of material with a selected filament, and desirably, the filament can be an adhesive filament. The technique of the invention can include a moving of a strand of material (22) at a selected speed along an appointed machine-direction (34). A substantially continuous filament (24) can be directed onto the strand of material (22) along an oscillating filament path (26) to form a plurality of filament threads (28) extending from opposed lateral side regions (30) of the strand of material (22). An air stream (32) is directed to operatively wrap the filament threads (28) around the strand of material (22).

Abstract: A composite roofing material includes a final condition underlayment material having bonded thereto appropriate rows of nail tabs preferably made of thermoplastic-based material, such as low density polyethylene material, and of a contrasting color to the underlayment material. A process is used to make the nail tabs by conveying the saturated underlayment material in a continuous process past appropriate sets of nozzles that are coordinated with the speed of conveyance to deposit the tabs while in a liquid state and to form tabs of appropriate size and appropriately patterned across the underlayment surface. Each nozzle can include multiple orifices to control the width and thickness of the formed tabs. A similar process is disclosed for making other building cover materials having rows of nail tabs coinciding with standard stud spacing.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed of.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming thin films, wherein thin films with a uniform thickness can be formed on substrates as objects such as spheroids, even when the films are formed by conventional film-formation methods using an incident particle beam coming from a specific direction (e.g., evaporation and sputtering). In the method, thin films are formed on substrates such as spheroids with an incident particle beam coming from a particle source located in a specific direction by performing a spin motion together with a swing motion. The spin motion is a rotation of the substrate at a constant angular velocity about the spheroidal axis. The swing motion is a rotational oscillation of the same substrate for rotationally oscillating the axis at a constant cycle in one surface, where the center of the rotational oscillation is in the vicinity of the midpoint between two focal points on the axis of the spheroid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for coating a moving paper web (2), in which method the web (2) to be coated is passed to a coater station and the coating is applied to at least one surface of the moving web (2) by means of spraying nozzles (1) disposed in the interior of an enclosing hood (9). The web (2) is supported noncontactingly by means of air jets directed toward at least one side of the web (2).

Abstract: A method and device for continuously coating at least a metal strip (1) with a crosslinkable polymer fluid film which is free of non-reactive solvent or diluent, and which has a softening temperature higher than 50° C. The method includes the steps of: continuously unwinding the metal strip (1) on at least a back-up roll (30); forming, by forced flow on an applicator roll (20) having a deformable surface, a layer of the crosslinkable polymer; and forming on the applicator roll (20) the crosslinkable polymer film and transferring the film from the applicator roll onto the metal strip. The device implements this method.

Abstract: To provide superior anti-agglomeration, or tackiness-reducing, properties, one aspect of the invention is directed to coated polymeric particles, with each of the coated particles comprised of a polymeric substrate particle and a block-reducing coating on the surface of the substrate particle. The coating includes polymeric coating particles which advantageously may be in the form of a micro-fine powder. Also disclosed herein is a process for applying the polymeric coating particles onto the polymeric substrate particles, as well as equipment which is especially useful in producing the coated polymeric particles.

Abstract: A fabric paint delivery system includes a container storing fabric paint under nitrogen pressure, the container having an opening for discharge of the paint therethrough; a valve operative for receiving the paint from the opening; a trigger assembly having a nozzle operative for discharging the paint received from the container through the valve, the trigger assembly having a trigger for opening and closing the valve to selectively discharge the paint from an opening of the nozzle as a mist in a spray cone; wherein the trigger is operable by pulling the trigger towards the container using one's index finger for opening the valve and for closing the valve by releasing the trigger.

Abstract: A portable spray booth for applying paint to plank-like members. The portable spray booth includes a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall and a pair of lateral side walls. The front and back walls each has an opening therein. The openings in the front and back walls are aligned and are positioned generally between the top and bottom walls. A delivery pipe is positioned in the housing and extends around an interior of the housing. A plurality of nozzles is fluidly coupled to the delivery pipe. An inlet pipe is fluidly coupled to the delivery pipe and extends through one of the lateral side walls. A pump is fluidly coupled to a container for pumping paint out of the container. The pump is in communication with the delivery pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing granules onto a substrate includes a hopper for containing granules, the hopper having a discharge slot, and a reciprocating gate mounted for rotation across the slot to open and close the slot. A method of depositing granules onto a moving substrate includes providing a hopper for containing granules, where the hopper has a discharge slot. A gate is moved across the slot to open and close the slot. When the slot is open granules fall from the hopper, and when the slot is closed granules are prevented from falling from the hopper. The method further includes detecting the speed of the substrate, and controlling the extent of opening of the slot by the gate to meter the granules falling from the hopper in response to the speed of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for applying a fluid filament to a strand useful for bonding elastic strands to an absorbent garment is described. The strand is oscillated as it moves along an isolated path past a fixed fluid filament dispenser. The strand captures substantially all of the fluid filament, and at least partially all sides of the strand are coated with the filament. The filament coated strand may then be bonded to one or more substrates in some embodiments.

Abstract: Liquid atomization systems and methods including nozzle apparatuses having one or more liquid orifice and one or more fluid orifices associated with each liquid orifice for forming atomized liquid flows. In one application, one or more atomized liquid flows are formed adjacent a moving article and vacillated predominately non-parallel to the direction of the moving article, before depositing the vacillating atomized fluid flows onto the moving article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing a web which is striped with add-on material, comprising: a first slurry supply which forms a sheet of base web and moves the sheet along a first path; a second slurry supply; and a moving orifice applicator operative so as to repetitively discharge the second slurry upon the moving sheet of base web. The moving orifice applicator includes a chamber box arranged to establish a reservoir of the second slurry across the first path, an endless belt having slotted orifices, the endless belt received through the chamber box, and a drive arrangement operative upon the endless belt to continuously move the orifices along an endless-path and repetitively through the chamber box. The orifices communicate with the reservoir to discharge the second slurry as bands of add-on material to the base web. The slotted orifices can be spaced apart along the belt and oriented so as to be angled with respect to the travel direction of the belt and parallel to each other.

Abstract: A method for conditioning a metering blade of a paper coating machine. The method includes the steps of providing a paper coating machine having at least one metering blade and passing a movable substrate through the paper coating machine such that the metering blade contacts the substrate to distribute any coatings applied to the substrate. The method further includes the step of applying a solution of abrasive material to the substrate at a location upstream of the metering blade such that the abrasive material engages and conditions the blade.

Abstract: The interface between a moving conveyor belt and a work piece can be lubricated using an air driven stream of finely divided droplets of a lubricant composition. Droplets of a preferred size are directed by the air stream onto the conveyor with little waste of lubricant off the conveyor. The lubricant provides a very low coefficient of friction and little or no stress cracking in the containers. Using a low pressure and low flow rate air stream in conjunction with a low flow rate liquid lubricant attains the useful particle size in the lubricant add on spray. The liquid lubricant is sheared by the effect of the air flow creating the desirable droplet size and pattern of lubricant on the conveyor.

Abstract: Where the length LD of a resin film forming region is, for example, 3 times as long as the pitch of the sprocket holes of the base film, the resin coating is performed by using 6 nozzles, and where the length LD is, for example, 6 times as long as the pitch of the sprocket holes, the resin coating is performed by using 3 nozzles. As a result, the transfer distance of the base film transferred in a single resin coating process is 18 times as long as the pitch of the sprocket holes. It follows that it is possible to set constant the time for the base film to pass through the drying section even if the length LD of the resin film forming region differs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing precise quantities of reagents is disclosed including a positive displacement syringe pump in series with a dispenser, such as an aerosol dispenser or solenoid valve dispenser. The pump is controlled by a stepper motor or the like to provide an incremental quantity or continuous flow of reagent to the dispenser. The pump and dispenser are operated in cooperation with one another such that the quantity and/or flow rate of liquid dispensed by the dispenser can be precisely metered substantially independently of the particular operating parameters of said dispenser to attain a desired flow rate, droplet size or mist quality, droplet frequency and/or droplet velocity.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant coated strap is formed from an elongated metal strap base element having a width and a thickness and defining first and second sides and a pair of edge regions. A coating is sprayed and cured onto the base element. The coating has a substantially consistent thickness at the first and second sides and at about the edge regions. A method for making the coated strap includes providing a metal strap and conveying the strap through a coating apparatus. A powder is electrostatically applied on the first side of the strap, which covers the first side and the opposing edges. The powder is applied on the second side of the strap, covering the second side and the opposing edges. The powder is melted to form a flowable material and is cured on the strap. The coating method is carried out in an in-line strap manufacturing process.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for coating a conventional wafer or a spherical shaped semiconductor substrate with liquid material such as photoresist by utilizing a “drop on demand” piezo driven dispense nozzle, a bubble-jet dispense nozzle, or a continuous piezo jet with charging electrodes. The proposed system and method will greatly reduce, and in some cases virtually eliminate, the waste of photoresist in the process.