Abstract: A method for controlling fugitive dust emissions from bulk granular or powdered solids is disclosed. Fugitive dust emissions are controlled by applying an aqueous, foamed solution including a water-soluble cationic polymer to dust producing bulk, granular or powdered solids. The cationic polymer is incorporated into an aqueous foam comprising anionic, amphoteric or cationic foaming agents.

Abstract: Imitation marble or like faux finishes are produced without need for artistic manipulations of coating materials, by applying random portions of one or more different aqueous colorant mixtures to the color absorbent surface of a substrate, while such random portions are still wet, applying thereto scattered portions of an activator solution of a small amount of water-insoluble volatile organic liquid, e.g., mineral spirits, dissolved in a water-miscible alcohol, e.g., isopropyl alcohol, allowing such scattered portions to act upon the random colorant mixture portions to automatically move them into a faux finish pattern, and then allowing the resulting faux finish pattern to dry. Aqueous colorant mixtures so used each contain a major amount of water and minor amounts of colorant and, selectively, detergent and/or water-miscible alcohol.

Abstract: A double side coating method in which immediately after a first coating is carried out for the first side of a web, the first side of the web is supported in a non-contact manner, and a second coating is carried out for the second side of the web. Immediately before the second coating is carried out, the second side of the web is charged in unipolarity by corona discharges induced by a high voltage generating unit with an electrode.

Abstract: A process for preparing membrane layers employing an apparatus suitable for plasma surface treating (e.g. forming a membrane layer on a substrate) which comprises a plasma generation section which is operable at least at substantially atmospheric pressure and is in communication via at least one plasma inlet (e.g. a nozzle) with an enclosed plasma treating section which is operable at a lower pressure than the plasma generation section, and wherein the plasma treating-section is in communication with an inlet for a fluid (e.g. polymerizable) reactant. A plasma beam generated in the apparatus and containing at least one fluid reactant impinges on the surface of a substrate to form a membrane layer.

Abstract: A method for the formation of an electrolyte layer of solid electrolytic capacitors is provided. The method comprises: (1) forming an oxide film with dielectric properties on the surface of a porous electrode made of a valve metal, the electrode being electrically connected to an anode lead made of a valve metal, (2) impregnating the electrode, on which the oxide film has been formed, with a solution of manganese nitrate, (3) electrostatically depositing electrolyte powder particles on the surface of the electrode which has been impregnated with the solution, and (4) pyrolyzing the manganese nitrate to manganese dioxide to form an electrolyte layer on the surface of the oxide film.

Abstract: A method of producing a simulated watermark in which intense, focused heat is momentarily applied, in the desired watermark pattern, onto a thin solid matrix of waxy material placed in contact with a sheet of uncoated paper. This results in impression of a durable translucent mark. The wax penetrates the paper without the need wither for chemical action or the application of significant direct pressure, and creates regions of translucence in the paper fibers.

Abstract: The method utilizies steam to clean the exterior of laminated objects, preliminary to electrostatic powder coating, as well as to effect volatilization of liquid contaminates trapped between lamina thereof. Off-gassing that would otherwise occur when the objects are heated to effect fusion of the powder deposit is thereby avoided.

Abstract: A coating material and apparatus in which the edge portions of the web being coated are supported off the edge portions of the coating head. In one embodiment, recesses are formed in the edge portions of the coating head, while in another embodiment a fluid is jetted towards the edge portions of the web. With the invention, scratching and the like of the edge portions of the web are eliminated, and the web is coating to a uniform thickness in the width direction thereof.

Abstract: In the embodiment described in the specification, a hot melt ink coating such as an image on a substrate is treated in a continuous manner by moving it along a platen having a heating zone to melt drops of hot melt ink and cause them to spread on the substrate. The platen has a flat central portion and curved portions at each end with curvatures sufficient to prevent formation of cockle. At the output end of the heating zone, the substrate is moved continuously into a quenching zone where a cooling platent cools the substrate by thermal contact at a rapid rate of at least 50.degree. C. per second to prevent crystallization or frosting of the hot melt ink image thereby minimizing light transmission losses. After the quenching zone, the substrate is moved along a surface having a reverse curvature with respect to the curved portions of the heating platen to eliminate residual curvature of the substrate resulting from the curved portions of the heating platen.

Abstract: A method for depositing liquid material onto a workpiece in the form of a deposit having a desired conformation wherein the material is discharged under pressure from the nozzle of a dispensing gun which can be manipulated by a robot to lay the deposit according to a programmed pattern on the workpiece. One or more gas jets are directed toward the material after the material is discharged from the nozzle to impart a desired conformation to the material deposited on the workpiece. The flow rate of the gas jets is controlled in accordance with the liquid flow rate to maintain substantial uniformity of the conformation of the deposit. The flow rate of the gas jets may also be controlled with reference to a tool speed signal which varies according to the relative speed between the nozzle and the workpiece as well as an auxiliary signal the latter of which can be used to selectively alter the conformation of the deposit.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing an imitation stone finish on a workpiece. The apparatus has two pair of spray guns. The first pair of spray guns sprays a quantity of pigmented, catalyzed urethane material onto the workpiece. The second pair of spray guns sprays a quantity of a mottling coating, which is a pigmented mixture of solvents onto the workpiece. In order to spray the mottling coating in a series of erratic droplets, the second pair of spray guns includes a nozzle which causes turbulent air to mix with the pigmented solvent mixture.

Abstract: A process is provided for coating a substrate with a film which includes at least one vaporizable solvent component and at least one solid component using an electrostatic discharge. A coating solution which includes at least one vaporizable solvent component and at least one solid component is introduced into an atomizing zone and atomized to produce drops. The drops so formed are mixed with an air or gas stream to form an aerosol, subjected to an electrostatic discharge, and blown out of the atomizing zone into a vaporizing zone, where a large portion of the solvent component is vaporized so that the individual drop size of the aerosol is about 50 to 90 percent by volume smaller than the volume of the drop size of the aerosol. Subsequently the aerosol is sprayed onto a charged substrate in an application zone, and then dried so as to fuse the solid components and form a film on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of applying a multicolor finish to an elongated channel member, particularly a ball channel for a pinball machine. A first fusible color coating is applied to a first portion of the channel member. A second fusible color coating is applied to a second portion of the channel member, while also applying the second color coating to a part of the first portion. The part of the first portion is adjacent the second portion, and the first and second color coatings are of different colors. Upon fusion of the color coatings the part of the first portion of the channel member assumes a third color that is a blend of the first and second colors, to provide a pleasing ball channel of at least three colors.

Abstract: A process is provided for the non-electrostatic transfer of a toned image. Using an intermediate transfer roll from an element to a receiver, a developed toned image on the surface of an element is transferred by pressure and heat to a transfer roll. The heat is sufficient to sinter the toner particles to each other. The roll is then positioned against a receiver and rolled thereover and the toned image is transferred to the receiver. If the combination of heat and pressure is sufficient, the transferred toned image is fused to the receiver during the transfer; if not, then the transferred image can be subsequently fused to the receiver. The process is suited for producing high resolution images from very small particle size toner powder on rough paper.

Abstract: A method of using a sequence control system in combination with a spray system for applying a liquid, such as cooking oil, to a surface of a pan carried by a conveyor. The controller, which is a microprocessor based unit, is connected to spray nozzles adapted for projecting atomized droplets of liquid between charged electrodes in a timed sequence to cause the charged droplets to be attracted to and impinge against partial areas of a grounded pan surface to form a continuous substantially uniform film of liquid on the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for marking or erasing a marking on a semiconductor chip package having leads. The apparatus comprises a circular disk has many pockets on one surface near its circumference suitable for holding semiconductor chips. Each pocket has a pedestal rising from the bottom of the pocket and suitable for supporting the bottom portion of a semiconductor chip package. The edges of the pocket and the pedestal define between them space suitable for housing the leads of the package. The pedestal has a hole therein which can be evacuated so that the package is held to the pedestal by atmospheric pressure so that the top surface of the package may be marked or in marking thereon can be erased. Thus the package is held to the pedestal by sufficient force for the marking or erasing process. The leads of the package are therefore not bent or otherwise disturbed. Rotation of the disk allows the packages to be sequentially marked or erased.

Abstract: An AC electrostatic flocking method having a variable frequency alternating electrostatic field that optimizes flocked product characteristics and/or processing efficiency. The optimized frequency can be determined on-line or from a chart or computerized database containing pre-determined optimized frequencies. The optimized frequency varies depending upon the precursors used and the processing conditions and parameters. Multiple in-line flocking modules having alternating variable frequency electrostatic fields operating at different frequencies may be utilized.

Abstract: A process for the electrostatic liquid spray application of coatings to a substrate is disclosed. The process comprises forming a liquid mixture in a closed system comprising at least one polymeric component capable of forming a coating on the substrate and a solvent component consisting essentially of supercritical carbon dioxide in at least an amount which when added to the polymeric component is sufficient to render the viscosity of the mixture to a point suitable for spray application. The liquid mixture is then sprayed onto a substrate to form a liquid coating by passing the mixture under pressure through an orifice into the environment of the substrate to form a liquid spray, while negatively electrically charging the liquid mixture by a high electrical voltage relative to the substrate and electric current by electrical discharge from at least one external electrode located near the orifice and close to the spray.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging droplets of a volatile liquid and for directing the charged droplets against an oppositely-charged member. The apparatus comprises a source of a mist of uniform fine droplets of a volatile liquid and a droplet-charging zone associated with said source for applying a charge to the droplets in the mist. The droplet-charging zone comprises a source of ionized air ions for imparting the charge and a predetermined velocity to the droplets. A discharge conduit is provided having a discharge nozzle for directing the charged droplets against the surface of a member for attraction and deposit onto areas thereof charged to an opposite polarity. Preferably, the droplet-charging zone is associated with an air ionization zone comprising a source of air, a means for ionizing the air, and a means for directing the ionized air at a predetermined velocity into the droplet-charging zone to apply the charge to the droplets.

Abstract: A highly reflective surface coating on a substrate is formed by a coating method in a coating line. A paint is sprayed on the substrate in a viscosity of 18 seconds or lower when measured by means of Ford Cup #4 at 20.degree. C. in a film thickness thicker than a thickness at which the paint sags, the paint containing a solvent or solvents, having a boiling point as high as 110.degree. C. or lower in an amount of 50% by weight or higher.After completion of the spraying, a coat of the paint is dried by a drying step including sequential setting and baking steps.