Abstract: A circuit is provided for the circulation of solvent to and from a valve having a movable component and a housing for movably housing the movable component. The movable component has a first orientation with respect to the housing in which it permits the flow of a valved fluid from the valve through a first port provided on the valve and a second orientation with respect to the housing in which it permits the flow of the valved fluid from the valve through a second port provided on the valve. The circuit includes a first passageway provided between the movable component and the housing. A third port is provided on the housing for the introduction of the solvent into the housing and a fourth port is provided on the housing for removal of the solvent from the housing. The first passageway couples the fourth port to the third port. The solvent is a solvent for the valved fluid. A reservoir is provided for the solvent, along with conduits for coupling the third and fourth ports to the reservoir.

Abstract: A coating system comprises a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, an electrostatic high potential supply for supplying charge to the coating material, means for coupling the high potential supply across the dispenser and the article, a first reservoir, and a first valve. The first valve has a first housing providing first, second, third, fourth and fifth ports, and a first component movable within the first housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to the second port to permit the flow of coating material from the first port to the second port. The first port is coupled to the coating material source, the second port to the first reservoir, and the third port to the dispenser. The second port is coupled to the third port to permit the flow of coating material from the first reservoir to the dispenser. A source is provided for an electrically non-conductive fluid.

Abstract: A coating system comprises a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, an electrostatic high potential for supplying charge to the coating material, means for coupling the high potential supply across the dispenser and the article, a first reservoir, and a first valve. The first valve has a first housing providing first, second, third, fourth and fifth ports, and a first component movable within the first housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to second port to permit the flow of coating material from the first port to the second port. The first port is coupled to the coating material source, the second port to the first reservoir, and the third port to the dispenser. The second port is coupled to the third port to permit the flow of coating material from the first reservoir to the dispenser. A source is provided for an electrically non-conductive fluid.

Abstract: A powder coating booth and a construction method therefor comprise a pair of inflatable polymer walls defining between them a booth inner space, a booth entry end and a booth exit end, and supporting the inflatable walls in spaced orientation to define between them the booth inner space. A mechanism is provided between the walls for recovery of powder which does not adhere to articles conveyed through the booth inner space. The polymer walls comprise one or more cells. The step of providing the polymer walls comprises inflating the cells. The method also includes the step of covering the cells with a sheet of polymer film forming an envelope for the cells. Illustratively, the cells comprise a layer of bubble packaging material. Alternatively, the polymer walls comprise thermoformed cores and a polymer film envelope enveloping each core and closed to provide suitable inflation of each wall. Illustratively, the inflatable walls are supported in spaced orientation by a conventional powder spray booth.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for preparing metal plated thermoplastic compositions by electroless metal deposition and subsequent electrolytic plating. This process comprises the sequence of etching a filled thermoplastic resin substrate with dilute acid solution, treating with a sensitizer such as a tin salt, activating with a noble metal salt solution, electroless metal deposition using an electroless copper or nickel plating solution, and electrolytic plating with a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, chromium, or combinations thereof. The improvement is in the use of a wollastonite filler having an average particle size of less than about 3.5 microns, wherein 95 numerical percent of the particles are smaller than 10 microns in the longest dimension. The resulting electroplated articles exhibit a mirror-like finish and a peel strength of at least about 3 lbs./in.

Abstract: Compositions are described, which are blow-moldable into shaped articles, comprising a reaction product between polycaprolactam, aminoalkyltrialkoxysilane and a catalytic amount of water. The compositions have a melt index of about 2.25 g/10 min. or below and are substantially free of trialkoxysilane groups. Preferred compositions also contain ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer as an impact modifier to increase the impact strength of blow-molded articles made therefrom, such as bottles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for preparing metal plated thermoplastic compositions by electroless metal deposition and subsequent electrolytic plating. This process comprises the sequence of etching a filled thermoplastic resin substrate with dilute acid solution, treating with a sensitizer such as a tin salt, activating with a noble metal salt solution, electroless metal deposition using an electroless copper or nickel plating solution, and electrolytic plating with a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, chromium, or combinations thereof. The improvement is in the use of a wollastonite filler having an average particle size of less than about 3.5 microns, wherein 95 numerical percent of the particles are smaller than 10 microns in the longest dimension. The resulting electroplated articles exhibit a mirror-like finish and a peel strength of at least about 3 lbs./in.

Abstract: Compositions are described, which are blow-moldable into shaped articles, comprising a reaction product between polycaprolactam, aminoalkyltrialkoxysilane and a catalytic amount of water. The compositions have a melt index of about 2.25 g/10 min. or below and are substantially free of trialkoxysilane groups. Preferred compositions also contain ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer as an impact modifier to increase the impact strength of blow-molded articles made therefrom, such as bottles.

Abstract: Composition of nylon-6 and 5-25% fine particle size, waxy PTFE/0.01-10% nucleating agent for alpha crystallization of the nylon-6 ingredient. The composition is useful as a sleeve bearing for steel cable by virtue of its low friction and high wear resistance against such cable and the ease of extruding it from the melt to produce a flexible tube.