Abstract: A continuous, automated method and apparatus for transporting and electrostatically powder coating articles such as fasteners. Articles in an unoriented state are oriented one behind another, transferred in succession to and magnetically retained on a face of a rotating feed wheel at a first position with respect to the feed wheel, transported to a second position by rotation of the feed wheel, transferred in succession at the second position to a respective portion of a moving conveyor, and releasably suspended magnetically and electrically grounded at the respective portion of the conveyor. Magnets used to suspend the articles from the conveyor are shielded from direct contact with the articles to avoid coating the magnets. While the articles remain suspended magnetically from the conveyor by their end portions, they are conveyed through a coating booth where they are electrostatically powder coated.

Abstract: A method for producing a multi-layered hose by electrostatically applying a thin resin layer on the inner surface of a tubular rubber outer layer. The resin can be applied by spraying resin powder from a bar nozzle inserted into an opening of the tubular outer layer, and the applied resin can be heated by an induction or dielectric heating source placed inside the tubular outer layer. The resin can be applied only to the hose body portion and not to edge portions which are to be attached to mating pipes, or a thinner layer of resin can be applied on the edge portions than on the body portion. An intermediate layer containing dielectric material or at least one of electrically conductive and magnetic material can be formed between the tubular outer layer and resin inner layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for polishing a diamond or carbon nitride film by reaction of the film with oxygen anions at the interface between the film and a superionic conductor (e.g., yttria stabilized zirconia) placed in contact with the film. Oxygen anions produced by the formation of vacancies in the superionic conductor are transported to the interface under the influence of a chemical gradient and react with the diamond or carbon nitride. Application of an electric field and/or heat can be used to increase the oxygen partial pressure on the side of the interface opposite the film. An oxygen plasma can be supplied to the superionic conductor such that oxygen ions from the plasma transpire through the superionic conductor to the interface and react with the diamond or carbon nitride.

Abstract: Methods for forming an orientation film comprising a first step wherein a silane coupling agent is chemically adsorbed on a substrate surface, and a second step wherein an organic compound comprising a functional group capable of coupling with the silane coupling agent is coupled with the silane coupling agent. The second step includes a) applying a magnetic or electrical field in a selected direction to a mixture of 1) a liquid crystal compound being in a liquid crystal phase when heated and 2) the organic compound, b) contacting the substrate with the mixture which is in the applied magnetic or electrical field, and c) heating the mixture which is contacted with the substrate to a temperature sufficient for coupling of the silane coupling agent and the organic compound during the magnetic or electrical field application. The organic compound coupled with the silane coupling agent is directed toward a direction corresponding to the selected direction of the magnetic or electrical field.

Abstract: Blanks (10) for hinge-lid packs are provided with glue in the form of glue spots (29a to 29i). A plurality of rows (33 to 36) of the glue spots are distributed over the blank (10) in such a manner that the pack collar (84) and the inner wrapping (82) are sufficiently fixed, and that a lid inner tab (22) is permanently connected to a lid front wall (20). The glue spots (29a to 29i) are applied by a gluing unit (37) which can be removed as a unit from the packaging machine and which is connected to a glue container via a main glue line (56).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating a plastic web with dielectric coatings formed in-situ by the reaction of a reactive gas with deposited metal as the web passes over lower and upper arrays of rollers in a vacuum chamber. The lower rollers are in a lower-pressure zone at which metal is deposited onto the web by vaporization, and the upper rollers are in a higher-pressure zone where the reactive gas reacts with the deposited metal. The reactive gas can be excited by a magnetron. The rollers of one array can be lower than other rollers thereof and be larger than rollers of the other array such that curvature of the web as it passes around the larger rollers is minimized.

Abstract: A method for forming a wrinkle-free insulating layer from a resin having both photo-curing and thermosetting properties by reducing the magnitude of a concentration gradient of residual solvent in the thickness direction of the resin layer after drying the resin layer and prior to photo-curing, developing and thermosetting the resin layer. In one embodiment, such reduction is achieved by passing a substrate bearing the resin layer by a roll coater charged with a solvent for the resin, and allowing solvent to be absorbed by the resin layer. The solvent application roll can be spaced from the resin layer by a small gap such that solvent vapor is applied to the resin layer. Alternatively, solvent in liquid form can be applied to the resin layer. In another embodiment, the concentration gradient of residual solvent in the resin layer is reduced by affixing a barrier film to the resin layer and then heating the resin layer.

Abstract: A bake hardenable steel sheet ready for deep drawing is coated on at least one side with a continuous chromium bearing epoxy coating. The sheet is roll coated with continuous liquid film containing at least 2 wt. % of a water dispersible or emulsifiable epoxy resin or a mixture of resins containing the epoxy resin, at least 0.5 wt. % of a chromium compound and 25-97 wt. % of water. The liquid coated sheet is induction heated at a temperature of 149-227.degree. C. for sufficient time to form a coating resistant to dissolution of chromium and a steel base metal having a yield point elongation no greater than 0.3% and retaining good bake hardenability characteristics. The chromium bearing epoxy coating is impervious to moisture, can readily be welded and possesses sufficient toughness and lubricity to allow deformation of the sheet without additional external lubricant. A deeply drawn article formed from the sheet has enhanced painting characteristics.

Abstract: A method of applying abrasive materials to a substrate includes the steps of forming a relatively small pool of superheated molten metal at the surface of the metal substrate by creating an interaction area on the substrate with a localized high energy source. A powder system is injected into the pool. The powder system comprises metal matrix powder and abrasive powder. The abrasive powder includes abrasive particles having an encapsulating thermal insulating layer for preventing the abrasive particles from being melted by the molten metal in the pool. The substrate is then moved relative to the energy source, thereby allowing the pool to resolidify.

Abstract: Particles including a first material and having a first value of an intrinsic property such as thermal conductivity or coefficient of thermal expansion are coated, by a method such as electroless plating, electrolytic plating, sputtering, or spraying, with a second material having a second value of the intrinsic property in approximately the ratio of volume of coating to volume of each of the particles which makes the value of the intrinsic property of each of the coated particles equal to a desired value. The first and second materials can be metal or non-metal. A plurality of particles, including the coated particles, can be consolidated to form an article, or the particles and a matrix material can be co-deposited on a surface as a coating by a method such as electrolytic plating.

Abstract: Filiform corrosion of aluminum and of chrome-plated steel is prevented by covering the surface of the bare metal with a powder coating containing a major amount of a thermosetting resin selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyesters, and acrylics; a minor, adhesion promoting amount of an epoxy resin; and either an ultra-violet light absorber or a hindered amine light stabilizer or a mixture of both, and baking the coated article to give a clear coating on the metal.

Abstract: An oxide dispersion strengthened metal coating is applied to a substrate by positioning a laser spray apparatus over the substrate such that a laser in the spray apparatus forms a hot zone at a distance above the substrate sufficient to prevent the substrate from melting. An oxide dispersion strengthened metal powder coating material is injected into the hot zone to heat the coating material such that it will be in a plastic state when it impinges against the substrate. The coating material is then caused to impinge against the substrate to form a uniform coating on the substrate. The microstructure of the coating on the substrate is substantially identical to the coating material's microstructure before it is injected into the hot zone.

Abstract: A surface coating composition comprising generally cement, sand, a polymer binder, and water, and a method for applying the composition to a surface. The composition is used to apply an ornamental surface coating onto a pre-existing cementitious surface, or a surface to which a cementitious base layer has been applied. The surface is cleaned with a muriatic acid solution. A flexible plastic template is laid on the surface to define the desired pattern and a thin layer of the composition is applied. The template is removed after the composition is applied. After the composition starts to cure, the surface is wiped with a damp sponge to round off corners and open up surface pores. The surface is sealed after curing. Texturizing rollers may be used to provide a more realistic finish. The coating is tough and durable, and can withstand up to approximately 6,000 psi (about 400 kg/cm.sup.2) pressure.

Abstract: A processing apparatus comprising a reaction chamber, a workpiece-supporting section located in the reaction chamber for supporting a workpiece, a gas distributor located in the reaction chamber and facing the workpiece-supporting section for distributing reaction gas to a workpiece that is on the supporting surface of the workpiece-supporting section, a gas supply for supplying the reaction gas into the reaction chamber through the gas distributor and at a predetermined pressure, and a drive mechanism for moving the gas distributor back and forth relative to the workpiece-supporting section in a direction that is parallel to the supporting surface of the workpiece-supporting section. The speed of the relative movement can be varied and the reaction gas flow rate can be controlled in accordance with the speed the relative movement or the position of the gas distributor with respect to the workpiece-supporting sector during the relative movement.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a two-dimensional assembly of fine particles on a surface. A wall cell is placed in contact with or near the surface of a solid substrate so as to form a closed surface region on the surface of the solid substrate, a liquid containing fine particles is injected onto the closed surface region in the wall cell, and then the liquid is removed at a controlled rate, thereby causing a two-dimensional assembly of fine particles to form on the solid surface.

Abstract: A method for impregnating a flat, fibrous substrate penetrated by a low viscosity, fluid synthetic resin, the substrate web 1 being preheated by known device 2 and thereupon being made to pass over a friction roller 3 which is heated where called for and which is uniformly wetted at its surface 6 with the low viscosity, aqueous synthetic resin solution based on an aminoplastic resin, substantially a melamine resin 5 or based on a phenolformaldehyde resin 5' present in a bath, the low viscosity, aqueous synthetic resin solution being uniformly heated and at least part of it penetrating the surface of the substrate web 1, whereupon the substrate web 1 loaded with synthetic resin is fully impregnated in the bath 4.

Abstract: A plasma treatment apparatus for forming a thin film on a substrate in a vacuum vessel includes a magnetic field generator which can be positioned inside or outside the vacuum vessel, and a microwave source. The magnetic field strength is controllable such that an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) area is defined near the substrate. The magnetic field generator can be arranged so that plasma and reactive gas introduction ports are on the microwave introduction side of the ECR area and the substrate is on the opposite side of the ECR area. Alternatively, a gas introduction port can be positioned such that reactive gas is introduced into the ECR area or onto the substrate.

Abstract: A method for coating an article made of polypropylene with an electrically conductive primer and thereafter electrostatically applying an organic solvent-type overcoat composition to the primer. The electrically conductive primer contains (A) a urethane-modified chlorinated polypropylene which is a mixture or addition reaction product of a chlorinated polypropylene and a polyurethane resin, the chlorinated polypropylene being prepared by chlorinating a homopolymer of propylene or a copolymer of propylene and another olefin monomer, (B) a melamine resin, (C) a polyester resin and (D) an electrically conductive substance such as carbon black, graphite, silver, nickel or copper. The electrically conductive primer has a surface resistivity of up to 1.times.10.sup.8 ohms after the application of the overcoat composition.

Abstract: A filiform corrosion resistant aluminum automotive road wheel has a bare aluminum surface, optionally having a chromate conversion coating, which is covered with a thermoset clear coating. The thermoset clear coating is the thermally cured product of a powder coating composition consisting essentially of (1) a major amount of a thermosetting resin selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, hydroxy functional polyesters, and glycidyl functional acrylic resins, (2) a curing agent, (3) from about 1% to about 5% by weight of the coating powder of an epoxy resin as an adhesion promoting additive, and (4) either an ultra-violet light absorber or a hindered amine light stabilizer or a mixture of both.

Abstract: The method for applying granules to a moving coated asphalt sheet includes selecting blend drop areas on the sheet, the remainder of the sheet comprising background areas, depositing background granule drops on portions of the background areas such that the background granule drops have generally sharp leading edges which define upstream edges of the blend drop areas and have generally fuzzy trailing edges, depositing blend drops on the blend drop areas such that the blend drops have generally sharp leading edges and generally fuzzy trailing edges which overlap the background granule drops, and then depositing background granule drops on remaining portions of the background areas. The generally sharp leading edges of the background granule drops define the trailing edges of the blend drops so that when blend drops which overlap the background granule drops are removed by inverting the sheet, blend drop areas having sharp leading and trailing edges are produced.