Abstract: An apparatus that can recover excess paint powder that is blown onto workpieces by a spray gun. The apparatus has a first duct that is placed near the workpiece across from the spray gun. The first duct is preferably constructed as a collapsible tent that can be hung by a ceiling fixture. The tent extends along the length of any workpiece, to insure that all of the powder is collected. The tent can be attached by merely pulling a cable and hooking the top of the tent to the ceiling fixture. Connected to the duct is a fan that draws air from the area around the workpieces into the duct. The fan and duct are constructed so that all of the excess paint powder is removed from the paint area. The duct has an inner cavity that directs the paint powder to a filter that captures the powder so that the paint can be reused.

Abstract: A liner that covers the inner walls of a spray booth. The liner has cables that extend through holes in the booth. The user can pull the cables and lift the liner, so that the liner covers the inner walls of the booth. The cables are then fastened in place, such that the liner is suspended in an upright position. The liner prevents the electrostatic paint powder from adhering to the walls of the booth. The liner contains elastic material, so that when the cable is unfastened, the liner readily falls into a flat position. The user can then roll up the liner, remove the same from the booth and insert a new liner for a new color of paint. The liner may have ducts to direct the powder within the booth to a paint powder filter. The duct can be readily lifted and collapsed for easy installation within the booth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a painting line for metal objects, such as coating screws and nails, comprising a base for affixing said objects (2) at a space from one another on said base, members (5) for spreading paint on the objects (2) affixed to the base and, if needed, heating elements (6) for fixing the paint on the objects prior to freeing of the base. The base is a magnetic conveyor (1), provided thereunder a feeder (7) known in itself in the art for arranging objects to form at least one individual row to be in contact with the undersurface of the magnetic conveyor (1) so that said conveyor picks one object (2) at a time from each row. The paint spreading members 5 are likewise positioned under the magnetic conveyor (1) after the feeder (7) and separated from the magnetic conveyor by means of a thin sheet (8) disposed thereagainst, against the undersurface of which the objects (2) glide due to the action of the magnet conveyor (1) gliding against the opposite side of said sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping a solid profile of a resin body by which time required for shaping of a resin body can be reduced and the quality of a product can be improved. A work is first dipped into solution of a photo-setting resin accommodated in a resin vessel to a depth equal to a thickness with which a resin layer is to be formed on an upper face of the work. A dam member in the resin vessel defines a liquid level of the resin solution. Then, an elongated nozzle member is laterally horizontally moved along the upper face of the work while supplying resin solution to the upper face of the work to apply the resin solution by a desired thickness to the upper face of the work. Resin liquid spilled over from the dam member upon such movement of the nozzle member is accommodated once into an auxiliary resin solution accommodating section and then supplied to the nozzle member.

Abstract: A liner module that can be coupled to a spray booth. The module includes a liner folded into a portable cabinet. The liner has a zipper that closes a liner cavity. The liner can be unfolded from the cabinet, unzipped and attached to the inner walls of the spray booth. An electrostatic paint gun is typically used to spray paint powder onto an object located within a spray chamber of the booth. The spray gun produces excess paint powder which is drawn into a filter system. The liner is constructed to prevent the excess paint powder from adhering to the inner walls of the spray booth. The module also contains a primary filter that captures the paint powder as the powder is pulled from the spray booth into the filter system.

Abstract: A device for automatically spray coating objects which move along a path along a theoretical Y axis. A first rotatable disk is supported to rotate around its own first axis. The disk is in a plane that extends generally along a side of the path of the objects. The first disk is rotatable around an axis that extends across the path of the objects. A second disk is supported on the first disk and has a second rotary axis which is eccentric to and generally parallel to the first axis. A spray device includes a carrier supported on the second disk on a third rotary axis eccentric to the second rotary axis. Rotation of the first disk with respect to the support, or the second disk with respect to the first disk or the carrier with respect to the second disk orients the spray device. The spray device carrier may also be moveable along its own third axis to position the spray device.

Abstract: A shield, such as an upstanding cylindrical partition, is mounted adjacent to an air source, such as an air distribution plate/screen of a Wurster system processor, whereby the open upper end of the partition is generally horizontally registered with and disposed about the upper extremity of an associated spray nozzle. The open lower end of the inner cylindrical partition is generally sealed relative to the air distribution plate/screen and operative to receive air upwardly therethrough for subsequent passing through the inner partition about the spray nozzle. The upper end of the inner tubular partition shields the initial spray pattern discharged from the spray nozzle and prevents the premature entrance of particles moving into the spray nozzle area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid conditioning system having a primary distribution channel configured to distribute coating fluid transversely. Fluid from the primary distribution channel is carried by a second conduit to a secondary distribution channel which is configured to minimize transverse pressure gradients in fluids having Reynolds Numbers of up to 50 without substantial formation of eddies. A product conduit withdraws liquid from the secondary distribution channel. This fluid conditioning system is particularly useful in applying photographic liquids to a web of photographic film or paper. For this utility, the system can be incorporated in a conventional slide hopper between adjacent layering plates or the liquid-applying plate and its adjacent layering plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for contacting a circuit board substrate with etching fluid or some other chemical includes a conveyor system comprised of upper and lower rotating disks for receiving and transporting the circuit board substrate while the substrate is contacted with fluid. The apparatus utilizes a modular drive system to drive the disks. The drive system is not exposed to the chemicals used to contact and process the circuit board substrate. The rotating disks can be removed from the apparatus without requiring disassembly of the modular drive system.

Abstract: During the installation of underground utilities it is common to utilize an earthmoving machine, such as a hydraulic excavator, to dig a trench and aid in the placement of the individual pipe segments that comprise a conduit or pipeline. Normal placement of the pipe segments require communication between the excavator operator and a laborer that is positioned adjacent the pipe in the trench. As the pipe segments are lowered into position, the laborer insures a proper connection, support, and sealing of each joint in the pipeline. The requirement of another individual in the trench is both inefficient and represents a significant increase in the cost of laying the pipeline. The present invention utilizes a pipe handling apparatus that may be inserted within a segment of pipe with an end face thereof bearing against a flange defined by a pipe supporting cylinder. This connection allows the operator to apply a force to the pipe segment in the direction of engagement with the pipeline to insure connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for recirculating a waterbased paint in a vehicle painting assembly line includes paint totes located substantially adjacent a circulating tank near the point of application of the paint, thus reducing line length and the cost of replacing the paint in the line. This feature is enabled because waterbased paints, unlike solvent-based paints, are not subject to the same volume location restrictions. By maintaining a supply of paint to a low volume tank within narrow limits, a high volume application requirement can be met. A single line recirculating system is also disclosed for use with either type of paint. A number of features of a working paint system are also disclosed, including orbital welding of the stainless steel tubing, passivation of the line, use of DI water for passivation and flushing of the system, low point drains for the system, limited surge, and the use of smooth bore components and transitions to avoid paint sedimentation and buildup.

Abstract: A paint spray system includes a spray gun for ejecting paint toward work pieces carried in a generally horizontal direction by a conveyor chain. A pneumatic actuator moves the spray gun in a generally vertical direction as paint is ejected from the spray gun. The pneumatic actuator includes a casing, a piston disposed in the casing for reciprocating movement therein, and a load plate connected to the piston for carrying the spray gun. The piston defines an upper chamber and a lower chamber in the casing. When compressed air is delivered into the upper chamber, the piston and the load plate are moved in a downward direction. When compressed air is delivered into the lower chamber, the piston and the load plate are moved in an upward direction.

Abstract: A system for marking a continuous substrate, such as a sheathed wire, is disclosed. An aqueous-based ink is deposited onto a continuous substrate passing through an ink deposition means. A gas, heated by a heater and directed by a blower across the continuous substrate, heats the deposited aqueous-based ink in an amount sufficient to cause a pigment of the aqueous-based ink to bond to the substrate, thereby marking the continuous substrate. In an alternate embodiment, a system for marking a continuous substrate includes an elongate housing which is disposed substantially vertically. A continuous substrate, onto which an aqueous-based ink has been deposited, is directed upwardly through the housing. Gas, which has been heated in a tube disposed within the housing, is directed across the continuous substrate, causing the pigment of the aqueous-based ink to bond to the continuous substrate and thereby mark the continuous substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing radial uniaxial anisotropy in the soft magnetic layer of a magnetic recording disk is disclosed. While the soft magnetic layer is being deposited on the recording disk, the magnetic field. The alternating perpendicular magnetic field causes eddy currents to flow in the disk, in a circumferential direction. The eddy currents, in turn cause a magnetic field in a radial direction, thereby resulting in the desired radial uniaxial anisotropy.

Abstract: A system for spraying accurately controlled quantities of a liquid mixture of two or more fluids from a plurality of fixedly positioned spray nozzles is disclosed. The nozzles are spaced to provide a substantially uniform flow pattern over a predetermined width. The fluids are supplied to separate manifolds and are distributed to the nozzles by separate feed lines running from the manifolds. All of the feed lines from a given manifold are of equal length to maintain essentially identical pressure drops. A holding tank is provided in the line between a fluid supply and its manifold to provide a fixed static pressure head from which to draw fluid.

Abstract: Step coverage in contacts may be improved by forming a tapered hole through a dielectric layer by:a) plasma (RIE) etching through a "contact" mask the dielectric for a depth shorter than the thickness of the layer leaving a residual thickness of dielectric on the bottom of the etch;b) removing the residual masking material;c) conformally depositing a TEOS layer;d) etching the conformally deposited TEOS layer without a mask in (RIE) plasma until exposing the underlying silicon or polysilicon with which the contact must be established.The anisotropic etching of the TEOS layer, conformally deposited on the partially pre-etched dielectric layer, determines a "self-aligned" exposition of the underlying silicon or polysilicon and leaves a tapered TEOS residue on the vertical pre-etched hole's walls, thus providing a desired tapering of the contact hole. Photolithographic definition is no longer a critical factor.

Abstract: The surface of a workpiece is provided with a surface layer. Initially, the workpiece is inductively heated by a HF/MF generator to a first temperature and subsequently heated further by a laser beam with coating material being applied to the region of the laser beam in an amount sufficient to form a surface layer on the workpiece. The generator and the laser source are able to operate simultaneously to effect a high quality surface layer of relatively thin thickness.

Abstract: A curtain coater for applying a layer or film of a liquid coating composition as a falling curtain on a surface of a continuous web moving around an arc of a backing roller, has a curved air shield arranged in closely spaced parallel relation to the roller periphery extending around a segment of said periphery directly upstream of the falling curtain to define an air gap through which the web passes before reaching said curtain. At the opposite end regions of the air shield and also at opposite side regions thereof are provided means, such as projections or sections of increased thickness, for increasing the resistance to air flow in the gap at the end and side regions compared to the air flow resistance in the region of the shield intermediate the end and side regions. A suction device communicates with the gap in the intermediate region to reduce the air pressure therein.

Abstract: A method for recirculating a waterbased paint in a vehicle painting assembly line includes paint totes located substantially adjacent a circulating tank near the point of application of the paint, thus reducing line length and the cost of replacing the paint in the line. This feature is enabled because waterbased paints, unlike solvent-based paints, are not subject to the same volume location restrictions. By maintaining a supply of paint to a low volume tank within narrow limits, a high volume application requirement can be met. A single line recirculating system is also disclosed for use with either type of paint. A number of features of a working paint system are also disclosed, including orbital welding of the stainless steel tubing, passivation of the line, use of DI water for passivation and flushing of the system, low point drains for the system, limited surge, and the use of smooth bends and transitions to avoid paint sedimentation and buildup.

Abstract: A coating device for cast-coating webs and plates or the like comprises a swivelling casting channel with a cover and a draining trough connected with a supply tank for a coating material through a return line. A suction line leads from the supply tank, via a pump and a hose, to a supply pipe which is inserted in a connecting piece of the casting channel and opens into the interior of the casting channel. An overflow baffle and an underflow baffle are inserted in mountings or grooves, respectively, inside the casting channel. A gap is left open between the cover and the casting channel, through which gap the coating material flows over an overflow edge onto a casting plate which is attached to the outside of the casting channel and points vertically downward. The casting film flows upon the plates or webs conveyed horizontally through the coating device.