Abstract: A planarizing pad for planarizing a microelectronic substrate, and a method and apparatus for forming the planarizing pad. In one embodiment, planarizing pad material is mixed with compressed gas to form a plurality of discrete elements that are distributed on a support material. At least a portion of the discrete elements are spaced apart from each other on the support material to form a textured surface for engaging a microelectronic substrate and removing material from the microelectronic substrate. The discrete elements can be uniformly or randomly distributed on the support material, and the discrete elements can be directly affixed to the support material or affixed to the support material with an adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive robot, comprising a device for applying adhesive to a workpiece. The adhesive robot has a nozzle head (18), which has an application nozzle (24) and can be supplied with a pressurized viscous adhesive, the nozzle head (18) and the workpiece (14) being displaceable in relation to one another. The adhesive which is issued from the application nozzle (24) in a spray jet (28) is applied to a workpiece (14) along a predefined line of application (36) in the form of a strip of adhesive (40). To facilitate the adjustment and re-calibration process, the system comprises at least one camera unit (42), which is located on the nozzle head (18) and whose leans is directed towards the spray jet (28) or the adhesive strip (40). The output of said camera unit is connected to an image evaluation unit (45). The image data (40) recorded by the camera unit (42) is buffered and compared with predetermined image values (40).

Abstract: A method and instrument to irradiate a light adjustable lens, for example, inside a human eye, with an appropriate amount of radiation in an appropriate pattern by measuring aberrations in the system containing the lens; aligning a source of the modifying radiation so as to impinge the radiation onto the lens in a pattern that corresponds to the aberration; and controlling the quantity of the impinging radiation whereby to decrease the aberration. The quantity of the impinging radiation is controlled by controlling the intensity and duration of the irradiation. The pattern is controlled and monitored while the lens is irradiated.

Abstract: A fluid application device stores seam paste in a reservoir tank 18 and feeds the seam paste to a pressure tank 20 through a feed pump 22. Inside of the pressure tank 20 is maintained under a given air pressure by a pneumatic unit 26, and the seam paste is supplied from the pressure tank 20 to an application nozzle 16 through a supply pipe 24. A level sensor 28 detects fluid level of stored seam paste in the pressure tank 20, and a detection signal is input to a controller 30. The controller 30 controls operation of the feed pump 22 based on the detection signal that is transmitted from the level sensor 28 and also controls a supply amount of the seam paste to the pressure tank 20 to maintain the fluid level in the pressure tank 20 at a fixed level.

Abstract: A nozzle for use in a coating apparatus for the application of a coating substance to a stent is provided.

Abstract: A coating assembly paints a coating on a plurality of articles having first and second article portions. The coating assembly includes a rail frame defining a longitudinal path for the plurality of articles to travel along. An endless chain having a chain portion thereof extending along the longitudinal path transports the plurality of articles along the longitudinal path. The coating assembly also includes a painting station for applying a coat of paint to the first article portion of each of the plurality of articles while preventing the coat of paint from extending to the second article portions of each of the plurality of articles. The painting station includes a plurality of spray nozzles fixedly secured to the rail frame on either side of the endless chain. Each of the plurality of spray nozzles are offset from each other along the longitudinal path such that the first article portions are entirely covered by the coat of paint as the plurality of articles pass thereby.

Abstract: An apparatus for the forming a covering on surfaces of solid bodies in a coating chamber. The covering is homogeneous and has a constant layer thickness on the surface of the solid bodies while being flexible for use of different liquids including solid materials. A liquid including solid materials is fed to a surface rotating about an axis of rotation, or a surface area of a rotating member. Channel and/or nozzle members forming liquid droplets are arranged on a radially outer edge area of the rotating member.

Abstract: A food product flavoring apparatus (20) includes a receptacle (22) having a dispensing base (30), nozzles (50) positioned above the dispensing base (30), and a vessel (80) holding a liquid flavoring (82). The liquid flavoring (82) is delivered from the vessel (80) to the nozzles (50) via a conduit (84) and a pump (86). The liquid flavoring (82) is sprayed from the nozzles (50) and uniformly covers a food product, such as popcorn (40), lying on the dispensing base (30). Following application of the liquid flavoring (82), vanes (60) of the dispensing base (30) are adjusted such that the flavored popcorn (45) is released through the dispensing base (30). The popcorn (45) is subsequently funneled through a hopper (32) positioned below the dispensing base (30) and into a container (36).

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously introducing a substance in liquid phase into plastics granules includes a supporting structure adapted to support in series and in substantial vertical alignment a feeding section, at least one mixing chamber, and at least one drying chamber. The feeding section is provided with means for feeding the granules to at least one spraying chamber provided with means for spraying the substance onto the granules. The at least one mixing chamber of the granules partially or totally coated with the substance includes substantially static mixing means supported in the at least one mixing chamber. The at least one drying chamber is adapted to receive a predetermined amount of the granules coated with the substance. The substantially static mixing means may include, for example, at least one static mixer, a plurality of mixing bars, or at least two superimposed groups of mixing bars.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying powder coating materials in electrostatic spray systems are provided. For example, a gravity feed of recovered powder coating from the recovery system to the feed system is disclosed. In addition, a powder feed system is disclosed wherein a powder suction lance assembly has only two operable positions, a first for feeding powder from a fluidized hopper and also corresponding to a purge position for a novel purge manifold, and a second retracted position for powder color changes and servicing. Also, a pump assembly block in physical communication with an air line attachment plate, a suction tube plate, and a hose manifold is disclosed. A plurality of attachment members removably attach the air attachment plate, a suction tube plate, and the hose manifold plate to the pump assembly block. Method for applying a first powder color and a second powder color in a powder feed center are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for coating hollow bodies, e.g. plastic drinks bottles. It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for treating workpieces which operates reliably and with low maintenance, can be flexibly adapted to the user's requirements or to the requirements of the desired process sequence, and which allows efficient evacuation. The apparatus according to the invention comprises at least one treatment device (101) for receiving at least one workpiece, a rotor on which the treatment device is arranged, a fluid rotary leadthrough for feeding at least one fluid onto the rotor and/or for discharging at least one fluid from the rotor, the fluid rotary leadthrough having a journal and a sleeve, which at least in sections are sealed off from one another, and the journal being arranged rotatably in the sleeve. The proposed radial arrangement is particularly unsusceptible to faults and entails little maintenance.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for electrostatically coating a pharmaceutical tablet core with powdered coating material. The apparatus comprises a first rotary drum (12) on which a core is held in electrical isolation from its surroundings but at a potential differecne to earth by an electrode which contacts the core. The core is carried past a coating station B at which particles of powder having an opposite potential difference to earth are held in a tray (18). The surface of the drum is held at the same potential difference to earth as the powder particles. The powder is attracted to the core, and not to the drum, coating the exposed surface of the core. The drum carries the coated core past a fusing station C at which a heater fuses the powder to form a continuous film coating. The core is then turned and transferred onto a second drum (12?) where the other surface is coated in the same way.

Abstract: A method of providing a fire barrier that includes coating an opening in a structure with a composition that includes an elastomer. The composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds and, when dry, exhibits a tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 1500 psi, at least about 600% elongation, a modulus of from about 200 psi to about 600 psi, and a tensile toughness of greater than 10 in-lb.

Abstract: A new and improved strand coating system comprises a strand guide block which serves to properly position and orient a plurality of elongated, parallel strands, which are being respectively conveyed in front of a plurality of the material dispensing nozzles, in such a manner that the plurality of elongated, parallel strands can assuredly be respectively disposed within common planes which are effectively formed between the strand guide slots defined within the strand guide block and the plurality of material dispensing nozzles whereby the dispensed hot melt adhesive materials can be properly applied to and coated upon the elongated strands prior to the adherence of the elongated strands upon suitable substrates so as to, in turn, ensure the desirably secured adherence of the plurality of elongated strands upon the particular substrates when the elongated strands and the substrates are mated together.

Abstract: A kit for forming a multi-component coating formulation for application using a hand-held spraying apparatus to produce a finished coating on a surface comprises a first and a second container holding respective first and second components of a multi-component coating formulation. The kit also includes at least one dispenser in the form a generally tubular body member having a closure at both a first and a second end thereof. The dispenser holds a predetermined volume of a polymerization catalyst solution having “w” weight percent of catalyst therein. The dispenser has a predetermined cross sectional area “a” given by the relationship: a?P·A·[W/w]·10?6, where “A” is the cross sectional area of the reservoir holding a liquid coating formulation having “W” weight percent of solids; and P is the ratio by weight of the catalyst to the solids desired in the finished coating, in parts per million.

Abstract: An in-line writing and marking system, which includes a dispenser for dispensing a disk from a stack of disks, and at least one duplication system which receives the disk from the dispenser and writes data onto the disk. A conveyor belt assembly receives the disk from the duplication system and conveys the disk from a first position to a second position. A marking device located between the first position and the second position and marks indicia on the disk. The system also includes a pad located between a first conveyor surface and a second conveyor surface, wherein the pad is configured to catch overspray from the marking device.

Abstract: A mechanism for the application of viscous substances, particularly of dispersion adhesives, onto a moving substrate, includes a jet body, upon which a variety of application modules are aligned, which are supplied with substances by means of at least one supply unit, and a slot jet configuration, with which the substance can be applied to the moving substrate in the form of a defined application pattern. The slot jet configuration may be exchanged for the purpose of altering the application pattern. The slot jet configuration is formed by a jet strip system, which is useable for any application pattern, and a distribution plate, which is replaceable regardless of application pattern and which is upstream of the jet strip system in terms of flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a liquid onto a substrate including a horizontally-oriented manifold body having spaced apart front and rear surfaces and a lower surface extending between the front and rear surfaces. The lower surface is adapted to overlie at least a portion of the substrate. At least one dispensing module is mounted on the front surface of the manifold body and includes a discharge end for dispensing liquid onto the substrate. The discharge end is positioned proximate the lower edge of the front surface and the forward edge of the lower surface. The lower surface of the manifold body is angled in an upward direction generally from the front edge to the rear edge to progressively increase the distance between the lower surface and the substrate from front to rear when the front surface is vertically oriented and the substrate is horizontally oriented beneath the manifold body. The angled lower surface also facilitates substrates approaching the apparatus at a similar angle.

Abstract: The apparatus for coloring a wire includes a plurality of coloring nozzles, each of which spouts a liquid coloring agent toward an outer surface of a wire with a specific amount thereof per spouting so as to allow the liquid drop of the coloring agent to adhere to the outer surface of the wire, thereby coloring the wire. The coloring agent adheres on the outer surface of the wire so as to form a spot. Each coloring nozzle includes an insert member for receiving the coloring agent therein and a nozzle member that communicates with the insert member. The length of the nozzle member is different from each other. The apparatus selects one coloring nozzle from a plurality of the coloring nozzles in response to the size of the spot to be formed on the outer surface of the wire and spouts the coloring agent.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a spray booth that comprises a spray booth housing having a ceiling and side walls that define an interior for holding an object to be sprayed. A pressurized air plenum is disposed above the ceiling and is adapted to supply air into the interior. A filter media is used to filter air from the plenum before entering into the interior. At least one fan is disposed in the interior below the filter media. The fan is operable to locally increase air flows in the vicinity of the object to increase evaporation rates associated with a spray application on the object, and to enhance air flow over the object during a dry or a cure cycle.