Abstract: A liquid dispenser has a pump assembly with a housing and a cartridge that is movable relative to the housing between an upper non-dispensing position and a lower dispensing position. The movement is controlled by the selective introduction of air to create a column of air. The dispenser is otherwise biased downward. The movement of the dispenser can be used to avoid repeated upward and downward movement of a pump assembly. In a pump assembly with multiple dispensers, all but one can be raised while only the dispensing cartridge is lowered.

Abstract: A paint spray booth for painting an article and separating the spent paint overspray form the air and water used in the booth to collect the spent paint material is disclosed. The booth includes a water containing pan which has a deep portion and a shallow drain portion. The water used to separate the spent paint from the air and to clean the air discharged from the booth is collected on the drain portion and sent to the deep portion of the pan in a manner to cause a flow in the drain portion and deep portion of the pan to prevent accumulation of spent paint in undesired, inaccessible locations and to encourage movement of spent paint to desired, accessible locations in the pan and/or for removal or further treatment as by settling, skimming and/or separating, or the like, to provide the present invention with low maintenance similar to or less than other such booths, such as dry filter paint spray booths.

Abstract: A powder coating control system comprising a plurality of gun controls associated with a like plurality of powder spray guns. Each of the gun controls stores a plurality of presets spray parameters. Each of the gun controls responds to part identification signals and part position signals to select in real time one of the stored presets of spray parameters and trigger its respective powder spray gun ON and OFF to apply a powder coating to the moving part in accordance with the selected set of spray parameters. The control system further permits a gun purge cycle to be programmed either before or after the powder coating process is executed. The control system automatically initializes and brings each of the gun controls to an operable state on-line with the system control.

Abstract: Apparatus and a concomitant method for electrostatically depositing select doses of medicament powder at select locations on a substrate. Specifically, the apparatus contains a charged particle emitter for generating charged particles that charge a predefined region of a substrate and a charge accumulation control circuit for computing the amount of charge accumulated upon the substrate and deactivating the emitter when a selected quantity of charge has accumulated. Additionally, a triboelectric charging apparatus charges the medicament powder and forms a charged medicament cloud proximate the charged region of the substrate. The medicament particles within the medicament cloud electrostatically adhere to the charged region. The quantity of charge accumulated on the substrate at the predefined region and the charge-to-mass ratio of the medicament powder in the cloud control the amount (dose) of medicament deposited and retained by the substrate.

Abstract: A chemical supplied onto a substrate is contained in a chemical container. A chemical cooling unit keeps the chemical contained in the chemical container cooled to a proper temperature for storage. A chemical pressure-transferring portion causes the chemical to flow from the chemical container into a chemical introducing pipe. A chemical temperature controller portion changes the temperature of the chemical guided by the chemical introducing pipe to a proper temperature for application on a substrate. The chemical brought to the proper application temperature is guided to a chemical dispensing unit, which dispenses the chemical onto a substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for depositing a pattern of media on a moving surface includes a media depositing apparatus that deposits media in a predefined pattern on the moving surface. A media applicator roll having a media receiving region, such as engraved or raised portions, receives the media from a media feeder as the media applicator roll rotates. A media retaining member maintains the media in contact with the media receiving region until the media reach a bottom region of the media applicator roll and are released from the media applicator roll in the predefined pattern onto the moving surface. The media depositing system also includes a multiple compartment media feeder that selects and selectively feeds one or more of multiple types of media or granules to the receiving region of the media applicator roll.

Abstract: An applicator for direct or indirect application of a liquid or pasty coating medium onto a traveling material web includes a metering system with a metering slot configured as a nozzle and formed between an approach-side lip and a departure-side lip. The applicator also includes, disposed opposite the nozzle, a traveling countersurface on which the coating medium issuing out of the metering slot is to be applied. The exit of the metering slot is followed by a transfer blade for the coating medium, arranged on the approach-side lip. The transfer blade has its length, with respect to the countersurface, selected such that the transfer blade in its operating position contacts the countersurface. The transfer blade passes the coating medium along its departure-side surface from the exit of the metering slot onto the countersurface.

Abstract: A mass flow controller controls the delivery of a precursor to a mist generator. The precursor is misted utilizing a venturi in which a combination of oxygen and nitrogen gas is charged by a corona wire and passes over a precursor-filled throat. The mist is electrically filtered so that it comprises predominately negative ions, passes into a velocity reduction chamber, and then flows into a deposition chamber through inlet ports in an inlet plate that is both a partition between the chambers and a grounded electrode. The inlet plate is located above and substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate on which the mist is to be deposited. The substrate is positively charged to a voltage of about 5000 volts. There are 440 inlet ports per square inch in an 39 square inch inlet port area of the inlet plate directly above the substrate. The inlet port area is approximately equal to the substrate area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method have been developed to exploit the desirable material and process characteristics provided by a low powered laser material deposition system, while overcoming the low material deposition rate imposed by the same process. One application of particular importance for this invention is direct fabrication of functional, solid objects from a CAD solid model. This apparatus uses a software interpreter to electronically slice the CAD model into thin horizontal layers that are subsequently used to drive the deposition apparatus. This apparatus uses a single laser beam to outline the features of the solid object and then uses a series of equally spaced laser beams to quickly fill in the featureless regions. Using the lower powered laser provides the ability to create a part that is very accurate, with material properties that meet or exceed that of a conventionally processed and annealed specimen of similar composition.

Abstract: In order to improve a powder coating arrangement for the application of melted coating powder onto a substrate, comprising a preparation unit for generating a flow of coating powder, a powder applicator head, from which the flow of coating powder issues and spreads in the form of a directed jet of powder towards the substrate, a melting zone, through which the flow of coating powder passes in a direction of passage, and an optical beam guidance system, which directs a laser beam generated by a laser onto the melting zone to melt the coating powder, such that the coating powder may be essentially completely melted before impact on the substrate, it is proposed that the melting zone is arranged in the powder applicator head, and that the optical beam guidance system is equipped with several elements for reflecting the laser beam, which permit the laser beam to pass several times through at least one heating zone for the flow of coating powder in the region of the melting zone transversely to the direction of pa

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the treatment for the surface of a material by depositing a material in powder form comprising:at least one optical fibre (2),a light source (4) able to produce a pulsed light,means (6) for injecting light into a first end of the optical fibre,a miniaturized photoionic head (8) fixed to a second end of the optical fibre and ensuring the diffusion of the light propagated by the optical fibre towards the material to be deposited anda powder reservoir (28a) and a gas reservoir (28b), which are concentric and positioned around the optical fibre and issuing into a dispersion chamber (26) anda confinement ring (16) having two nozzles positioned between the photoionic head and the material to be treated in order to ensure the ionization of the dispersed powder.

Abstract: A processing apparatus comprises a resist coating machine for coating resist on the surface of a substrate, a resist removing machine for removing the unnecessary resist stuck to the peripheral portion of the substrate carried out of the resist coating machine, and a transport arm for transporting the substrate from the resist coating machine to the resist removing machine, wherein the resist removing machine comprises a substrate table on which the substrate brought in by the transport arm is placed, a nozzle for spraying a solvent on the peripheral portion to remove the unnecessary resist stuck to the peripheral portion of the substrate on the substrate table; a discharge machine for discharging the solvent used to dissolve and remove the unnecessary resist and the dissolved and removed resist, and an exhaust machine for exhausting the atmosphere under the substrate table downward.

Abstract: A seed treating apparatus includes a housing having at least three, vertically spaced alternating converging and diverging conical members therein and a plurality of sprayer units arranged to coat the seed flowing through the housing with liquid seed treating agent. A first, converging upper conical member guides the seed into an upper, open end of the housing. A second diverging conical member is located below the first conical member and can be vertically moved to adjust the rate at which the seed leaves the first conical member. A first set of spraying units is arranged about the inner periphery of the housing and is preferably aimed toward the second conical member for spraying the seed as it flows towards and over the second conical member. The seed then is caused to flow toward a third converging conical member which guides the seed to a lower open end of the housing. A second set of spraying units is provided between the second and third conical members for additional spraying of the seed.

Abstract: A clay tile or other formed item having a simulated appearance and a method and apparatus for providing same includes the use of perceptibly random spray patterns and multiple spray nozzles to dispense a coating liquid upon the item prior to its drying and possible firing. Upon drying, the tiles processed thereby include improved appearance characteristics. Spraying is accomplished by a computer controlled spray system which includes, in one embodiment, multiple banks of spray guns (as an example, three guns per bank) which spray liquid upon clay tiles or other items passing thereunder. The spray guns can oscillate sidewardly relative to the general path of the moving items, to further enhance the perceptibly random spray patterns. Different types of engobe or other coatings may be sprayed by each of the banks of spray guns. The method and apparatus can also be used in association with the coloration of clay brick, concrete roof tiles, concrete brick, and concrete block.

Abstract: In an atomizer head that produces a conical droplet mist, two shaping air ducts are diametrically opposing and are provided in the vicinity of the mist outlet aperture. The shaping air jets emerging from these ducts flatten the droplet mist which thus has a larger cone angle in one direction and a smaller cone angle in the other direction. A droplet mist thus flattened can be used to apply a liquid layer in a manner particularly true to the areas and contours of a workpiece surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus form a thermal barrier coating on a metal component. A molten thermal barrier coating powder is sprayed on the component in sweeping strokes. A plurality of overlapping solidified coating ribbons are deposited on the component and include a sequentially deposited surface ribbon forming sublayer ribbons therebelow. The surface ribbon is preheated at a spray site so that the sprayed molten powder remelts the surface ribbon at the spray site for sequentially welding the sequentially deposited surface ribbons to the sublayer ribbons.

Abstract: A conveyor system has a pair of elongated rails that support a pair of conveyors. A lifting mechanism is mounted to the rails for lifting the conveyor itself, or for lifting the circuit board at its edges near the conveyor. A stripping bar is provided in the rails for lifting stop tabs. The stripping bar and the lifting plates are moved by a cylinder that drives a camming plate along a direction of travel, while this motion is translated into motion transverse to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing vortical air flow behind a free-falling curtain in a curtain coating apparatus. There is a critical region within the coating apparatus defined in part by a coating hopper, the free-falling curtain delivered from the coating hopper, a portion of the moving substrate supported on a roller to which the free-falling curtain is delivered, and an air shield located between the roller and the coating hopper. A first intake slot proximate to the moving substrate shield is used to remove boundary-layer air entrained on the moving substrate. A second intake slot positioned within the critical region is used to remove boundary-layer air entrained on the free-falling curtain. Each of the two intake slots is connected to vacuum source. One or two vacuum sources may be used.

Abstract: A device for coating the internal surfaces of elongate hollow spaces includes a shield substantially corresponding to the cross section of the hollow space and capable of being displaced in the longitudinal direction of the hollow space by means of a bogie connected therewith. The shield is connected with supply ducts for a curable mass being in the plastic state. The supply ducts are provided with outlet openings substantially uniformly distributed about the periphery of the cross section of the hollow space. A blower is provided with a seat for a flexible tube capable of being pressed at the hollow space to be coated and substantially air-tight relative to the inner side and includes a supporting element capable of being stationarily anchored within the hollow space. The shield is provided with a central opening intended for the passage of the flexible tube containing a fiber material in addition to the impermeable layer.

Abstract: A paint injector for digital printing in which paint is deposited in metered amounts on a print medium comprises a wheel rotatable by a shaft of a motor, an idler disposed in a paint reservoir, and an endless cable disposed around the wheel and the idler. The motor is preferably computer controlled such that the rotation of the wheel and thus movement of the cable is selectively controlled. As the wheel is rotated, paint contained within the paint reservoir coats the cable and is thus drawn by the cable in front of an air stream. The air stream pulls the paint from the cable and carries it toward the print medium. By employing a plurality of such paint injectors into a single print head, each containing a different color of paint, and secured to a computer controlled, movable carriage positioned over the print medium, a digital image can be painted by the print head on the print medium.