Abstract: A catalytic heating apparatus 10 for drying, curing, polymerization and cross-linking of organic coatings and compounds, which includes a catalytic combustion chamber 1, a fuel supply 6, a regulating valve for controlling the flow of fuel 4, an injector for mixing the fuel with air thereby providing a uniform fuel-air mixture to the combustion chamber, a casing 5 connecting the fuel supply to the combustion chamber, and an air injection ring and a connector for connecting an air source to the air injection ring. The air injection ring may be a tube of circular cross-section, with regularly-spaced holes drilled on its surface so as to direct a flow of air towards the object being dried. The purpose of air injection is to facilitate evacuation of vapors from the surface of the object being dried. Drying is therefore achieved by a combination of radiation from the emitting surface and convection from the air injection ring.

Abstract: The present relates to a portable catalytic drying apparatus for use in applications such as drying, curing, polymerisation and cross-linking of organic coatings and compounds. The apparatus comprises a catalytic combustion chamber where a co-current lean mixture of fuel and air is combusted, a casing connecting a fuel supply to the combustion chamber, a regulating valve for controlling the flow of fuel, and an injector for mixing the fuel with air thereby providing a lean mixture of uniform fuel-air concentration.

Abstract: A lighted sign having a front translucent surface surrounded by a skirt defining an opaque contour. A light diffuser is located behind an opaque zone of the skirt. Light is radiated from an internal light source through the light diffuser to provide an illuminated background for the opaque contour thereby increasing the contrast of the silhouette of the sign on a mounting surface. The front translucent surface is preferably back lit by the same internal source of light.

Abstract: A lighted sign having a front translucent surface surrounded by a skirt defining an opaque contour. A light diffuser is located behind an opaque zone of the skirt. Light is radiated from an internal light source through the light diffuser to provide an illuminated background for the opaque contour thereby increasing the contrast of the silhouette of the sign on a mounting surface. The front translucent surface is preferably back lit by the same internal source of light.