Abstract: Improved label printing and applying apparatus (10) is provided which includes an improved digital printing assembly (12) having a rotatable impression drum (18) presenting an outer surface (20), as well as at least one digital print head (22) adjacent the drum outer surface. The overall apparatus (10) also includes a downstream label cutting and application assembly (14) having an adhesive applicator (32), laser cutter (40) and a label applying device. In use, a web (16) traverses the drum (18) with essentially no relative movement between the web (16) and drum surface (20), and the print head(s) (22) are actuated to form images on the web (16), which may be identical or varied. Thereafter, the printed web passes into and through the assembly (14) where adhesive is applied, the individual images are laser cut, and the labels are thereupon applied to products (54).

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally activating a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet of the type having a printable surface on one side, a heat-sensitive adhesive layer on the other side and sheet identifying information including information concerning one or more properties of the adhesive used in the adhesive layer, comprises an energizeable heating unit for heating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer to activate the same, a reading sensor for reading the sheet identifying information, and a control section for controlling energy applied to the heating unit on the basis of the sheet identifying information read by the reading sensor. The control section controls the energy applied to the heating unit by keeping the amplitude of applied voltage pulses constant and varying the pulse width.

Abstract: Improved web printing and handling apparatus (10, 84, 88) is provided which includes an improved digital printing assembly (12) having a bidrectionally rotatable impression drum (18) presenting an outer surface (20), as well as at least one digital print head (22) adjacent the drum outer surface. The overall apparatus (10, 84, 88) also has a downstream web cutting and handling assembly (14) with an adhesive applicator (32), laser cutter (40) and image collection assembly (44). In use, a web (16) traverses the drum (18) with essentially no relative movement between the web (16) and drum surface (20), and the print head(s) (22) are actuated to form individual images on the web (16). Thereafter, the printed web passes into and through the assembly (14) where adhesive is applied and the individual images are laser cut and collected using assembly (44).

Abstract: The present invention is a coating unit for applying a coating solution to a substrate which includes: a discharge nozzle for reciprocating in a predetermined direction above the substrate and discharging the coating solution to the substrate; a holder for holding the substrate and horizontally movable in one direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction; and a cover for covering an upper face of the substrate when the substrate is moved in the one direction to be more forward than the discharge nozzle as viewed from a plane, wherein a lower face of the cover is inclined such as to be higher on the discharge nozzle side. According to the present invention, the cover covering the upper face of the substrate restrains a solvent from evaporating from the coating solution applied on the substrate to secure flatness of a coating film.

Abstract: Methods of coating an implantable device and a system for performing such methods are disclosed. An embodiment of the method includes applying a coating substance to the surface of an implantable device, and rotating the implantable device in a centrifuge. The method can uniformly coat the implantable device with the coating substance and to remove unwanted accumulations of coating substance entrained between struts or crevices in the implantable device body. This system is applicable to methods for coating intraluminal stents, synthetic grafts, and stent coverings with therapeutic compositions comprising therapeutic agents mixed with a polymeric matrix and a solvent.

Abstract: A process chamber is provided which includes a gate configured to align barriers with an opening of the gate and an opening of the process chamber such that the two openings are either sealed or provide an air passage to the chamber. A method is provided and includes sealing an opening of a chamber with a gate latch and exposing a topography to a first set of process steps, opening the gate latch such that an air passage is provided to the process chamber, and exposing the topography to a second set of process steps without allowing liquids within the chamber to flow through the air passage. A substrate holder comprising a clamping jaw with a lever and a support member coupled to the lever is also contemplated herein. A process chamber with a reservoir arranged above a substrate holder is also provided herein.

Abstract: A method for forming a fusion bond between polymeric materials. Preferably, a detector detects thermal radiation being emitted from a fusion bond site while a laser beam impinges on and heats at least a portion of the bond site. In an aspect of the present invention the detector can provide an electrical signal to a signal processor for controllably adjusting the laser beam power. In another aspect of the present invention, the electrical signal may be substantially correlated to the temperature of at least a region of the bond site. The present invention is also directed to an apparatus for forming a fusion bond between polymeric materials. The apparatus includes a workpiece support, a laser, a detector, and a signal processor. The workpiece support preferably positions a first and second polymeric body so that a fusion bond site is formed. The laser impinges on at least a portion of the fusion bond site such that it emits thermal radiation.

Abstract: A concentric tape applicator has a support shaft that defines an axis and includes a structure for supporting a tape pad for rotation with the support shaft about the axis. Guide rollers are mounted on the support shaft for rotation concentrically about the axis for guiding tape from the tape pad for application to an elongated member advancing along the axis relative to the support shaft. A drive is directly coupled to the guide elements. A differential clutch is provided that has an input shaft directly coupled to the drive and an output shaft coupled to the support shaft for applying braking forces to the pad. A feedback circuit is provided for sensing the speed of rotation of the pad and applying a feedback signal to the clutch for regulating the excitation of the clutch to maintain a substantial uniform tension on the tape dispensed from the pad so potentially independently of the amount of tape remaining on the pad.

Abstract: Sealing method, used inside a hollow structure (1) with a bonding material (11) of the mastic type, comprising the following steps: (a) a moveable source (6) of infrared radiation (IR) is used; (b) at least one said bonding material M, chosen according to its thermosetting characteristics is used; (c) the structural parts (3) and (4) of their structure (1) are connected with a bead (8) of the bonding material along the leak line (5) portion; (d) the IR source (6) is placed inside the hollow structure (1) in a position to illuminate the bead (8) of bonding material; (e) the IR radiation (9) is emitted in the illumination position of the said IR source; and (f) a working temperature (T1) at the said bead is detected, characterized in that, on the one hand, the working temperature (T1) approximately at the center of the IR illumination beam (9) is detected (according to f) and, on the other hand, an effective temperature (T2) in a control region at the said bead (8) is detected in order to control the emissi

Abstract: A powder spray apparatus is described including a powder booth with a scraper bar which reciprocates across the floor thereof to collect deposited overspray powder and supply it to intakes located at each end wall. The intakes are connected by a feed channel to one or more cyclone separators. An exhaust duct may also be provided for air-borne overspray powder which preferably forms part of the feed channel. Powder recovered from the cyclone separators may be passed to a common collection hopper by use of a venturi pump which transfers the powder from each separator to the hopper via a sieve located in a ventilated enclosure above the hopper.

Abstract: A dispenser comprises a frame that supports a roll of adhesive tape, a handle, a flexible spatula for applying the cut end of the tape, and a cutting blade. The flexible spatula forms a right-angled member having a main arm and another arm which supports the cutting blade. The right-angled member is mounted so as to be rotatable between a rest position, in which the cutting blade is pressed by a spring against a protective member, and a working position, in which the cutting blade is lifted from the protective member so that serrations thereon intersect the path of the adhesive tape. This protective member has a face, on which the blade rests, and which ends in a projecting lip, forming a frontal protection for the serrations on the blade.

Abstract: A double-sided adhesive tape dispenser. The dispenser includes a main frame for mounting a rotatable adhesive tape roll thereon, a guide roller rotatably mounted on the main frame, and a driven roller rotatably mounted on the main frame. The driven roller is parallel to the guide roller and has an outer surface contacting an outer surface of the guide roller such that the driven roller is driven to roll by the guide roller.

Abstract: The paint-spraying apparatus exhibits a supply line 7 for coating material, extending from the color changer to the atomizer. Cut-off valves 26, 27 installed in the supply line delimit an insulating section 25 of said supply line, which insulating section is associated with means 28 to 32 for emptying and flushing said insulating section 25. A voltage divider 16 is connected in parallel to said insulating section 25. When colors are changed, the residual coating material present in said voltage divider 16 can be moved into the empty insulating section 25, after which it is forced by means of slugs back through the entire supply line 7 to the color changer 1, and is thus reclaimed.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a fluid dispensing gun to dispense a fluid onto a substrate moving relative to the dispensing gun. The apparatus has a sensor that produces a sensor feedback signal in response to the fluid dispensing gun changing operating states. A control is connected to the sensor and provides first signals causing the fluid dispensing gun to change operating states. The control has a detector producing a compensation signal representing a difference between the occurrences of one of said first signals and the sensor feedback signal. The control then adjusts a subsequent first signal in response to the compensation signal. Thus, the control automatically compensates the operation of the fluid dispensing gun in real time for changes in the switching time of the fluid dispensing gun required to change its operating states.

Abstract: A polyimide processing tool for coating polyimide on a semiconductor wafer is provided with a pause time monitoring means for monitoring the duration of the polyimide processing tool's wafer-transfer robot's pause time. The wafer-transfer robot transfers wafers from polyimide apply tool to polyimide cure bake oven and monitoring the duration of the pause helps prevent undesirably long pauses between polyimide apply of the uncured polyimide and the curing step.

Abstract: An assembly 10 comprising a battery box 11 and a lid 12. The lid 12 defines a well 13 for receiving a secondary closure 14, with the well providing fining access to the battery box 11. The secondary closure is applied to a battery box lid by a secondary closure applying apparatus. This comprises essentially three units: a lid and battery box assembly locating unit 16, a heated platen unit 17 and a closure applicator 18. By engaging lid 12, rather tan box 11, any offset positioning of the lid relative to the box, is substantially removed. Orientation of platen and closure 14 is made in response to the detected position of the well 13 and/or lid 12.

Abstract: A water washer for spray booth includes a gas exhaust duct, an exhaust fan and a fluid pump. The duct includes an entrance and an exit, with the entrance of the duct including a plurality of apertures. The entrance of the duct is positioned to receive a gas mixed with a spray from a spray application area of a spray booth. The exhaust fan is positioned to draw the gas from the spray application area into the gas exhaust duct. The fluid pump is coupled to a source of fluid and fluid supply pipe, which is positioned to direct a fluid into the plurality of apertures at the entrance of the enclosure and thereby remove overspray from the gas drawn from the spray application area.

Abstract: There is provided a pressure bonding system for applying pressure onto at least one tile of a workpiece. This system comprises upper and lower gripper members each having first and second gripper ends. The second gripper ends are connected to each other. The first gripper ends are movable relative to each other to receive the workpiece therebetween. Moreover, an upper pressure applicator assembly is slidably engaged to the upper gripper member. The upper pressure applicator assembly is slidable along the upper gripper member between the first and second ends along a length of the workpiece. The workpiece is placed between the upper and lower gripper members with an edge thereof being adjacent the second gripper ends. The upper pressure applicator applies pressure to the tile(s) upon relative movement of the first ends towards the workpiece to a position adjacent the tile(s).

Abstract: A coat film transfer head device having a coat film transfer head held at a tape pressing and transferring position suited to the user's manner of holding a writing tool, and capable of checking the tape pressing and transferring position directly and visually. It comprises a head main body for pressing and transferring a coat film transfer tape, a head holder for supporting the head main body rotatably about its axial center, and a rotating operation unit for positioning the head main body in the rotating direction, and this rotating operation unit functions also as the head position indicating unit for indicating the tape pressing and transferring position of the head main body. Therefore, the user can check the tape pressing and transferring position directly and visually.

Abstract: A chemical treating apparatus for performing a predetermined treatment of a principal surface of a substrate by delivering a treating solution thereto. The apparatus includes a treating solution delivery nozzle for delivering the treating solution to the principal surface of a substrate. The nozzle has a treating solution reservoir adjacent a tip end thereof for storing the treating solution. A temperature control device holds the treating solution reservoir to control the temperature of the treating solution in the treating solution reservoir through heat exchange with the treating solution.