Abstract: Known large vibrating conveyors are not readily suitable as such for conveying bulk materials or small articles into or out of a liquid bath, because the liquid transmits the vibrations to other structural parts, for example a vessel for the liquid, as a result of the incompressibility of the liquid. In order to remedy this, the vibrating conveyor device according to the invention has a compressible space or chamber underneath the vibrating part which damps the vibrations, when suitably coordinated with the liquid bath. The space is preferably gas-filled and its damping properties can be varied by feeding additional gas through a line which can be shut off by a member, or by bleeding some of the filling through a further line which can likewise be shut off by a member.

Abstract: The bulk material is transportable in an electrolyte in the conveying trough of a vibrator conveyor. The perforated conveying trough constitutes one of the two electrodes. According to the invention, the polarity of the conveying trough (21) and of the other electrodes (36 to 39) is reversible. The conveying trough (21) and the other electrodes (36 to 39) may be fastened preferably on common supporting stringpieces (22 to 27), which serve at the same time as power lead for one of the two electrodes and are connected with the central pipe (2). With this design the life of the other electrodes (36 to 39) is lengthened.

Abstract: The conveying trough of the vibrator conveyor is disposed spirally around a central pipe and is surrounded by a gasproof vessel. This vessel contains a treatment medium, preferably an electrolyte free of oxygen and water, into which the vibrator conveyor with thee central pipe dips partially. According to the invention, a gas cushion (10) is provided between the bottom (3) or the cover (4) of the central pipe (2) and the bottom (8) of the vessel (6). In this form of realization bulk material can be transported over great differences in height.

Abstract: The bulk material is transportable in an electrolyte in the conveying trough of a vibrator conveyor. The conveying trough forms a cathodic track for the bulk material. According to the invention, a granulate anode (40) is provided which consists of a granulate of the material provided for deposition, which is transportable with the vibration in an anodic track (44) associated with the cathodic track (22). This form of realization of the apparatus with a large-surface anode of movable granulate results in a simple design solution for supplying and for replacing the anodes and in a better material utilization of the anode. In addition, the necessary down times are reduced.

Abstract: For electrodeposition of metal from an electrolyte with a vibrator conveyor the bulk material is transported in a conveying trough which is connected as cathode. According to the invention, the conveying trough (18) is provided with supporting stringpieces (22 to 29) which are intended for the mechanical attachment of the conveying trough (18) on the central pipe (2) as well as for current transmission to the cathode and furthermore serve as electric lead-through through the sidewall (5) of the central pipe (2). The supporting stringpieces (22 to 29) comprise an electrically conducting contact shaft (52) which is electrically insulated from the electrolyte (12) and the central pipe (2). For the attachment of the conveying trough (18) on the stringpieces (22 to 29) contact bolts (56 to 58) are provided which serve at the same time for current transmission from the contact shaft (52) to the bulk material (20). In this form realization one obtains a simple current supply to the cathode.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for surface treating agitable material that includes a conveyor trough for transporting the agitatable material. The trough is at least partially submerged in a treatment bath and it includes at least a first and second shaking chute each having a length along which the material is conveyed. The first and second chutes are disposed at angles from the horizontal such that the conveying direction of the first chute is substantially opposite to the conveying direction of the second chute.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting agitatable material through a liquid treatment bath, comprising a spiral conveyor trough mounted around a central tube in a gas-tight tank which contains a liquid into which a portion of the trough is submerged. The conveyor trough is provided with at least one product mixer mounted radially beneath the trough which is provided with openings which serve to guide the flow of the liquid. The device is especially effective as an electroplater.

Abstract: A method and means for drying or dewatering bulk goods in which the goods are transported through a drying space by means of a helical vibrator conveyor in the presence of an insert gas. The moisture is displaced by a fluid bath contained in the drying space and consisting of a liquid which is lighter than water and is immiscible with water. A conduit is provided for eliminating the displaced moisture in the vicinity of the floor region of the drying space. The invention is particularly suited for dewatering bulk goods that are to receive electro-plated aluminum coatings with an oxygen-free, water-free aluminum-organic electrolyte.

Abstract: A lapping device for surface enhancement of bulk material including a treatment chamber which is closed gas-tight and is charged with an inert gas, at least one vibratory conveyor being arranged in the treatment chamber and an arrangement for creating motion between a lapping abrasive liquid and the goods on the conveyor to form a surface enhancement for the goods. The arrangement for creating motion can be either abrasive nozzles for creating a jet of abrasive material directed onto the goods, the movement of the vibratory conveyor through a bath of the lapping abrasive or a combination of both. The lapping device is particularly useful for pretreatment of bulk goods which are to be electro-plated.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus having electroplating tank which is closable air-tight and charged with an inert gas above the electrolyte and also includes one vacuum lock for charging and discharging goods to be electroplated. The lock chamber of the vacuum lock is equipped with an inner lock door and an outer lock door and is preferably evacuated with the assistance of a vacuum pump so that solvent vapors can be condensed during evacuation in a condenser. The apparatus increases the useful life of the electrolyte, particularly an aprotic, aluminum-organic electrolyte which is used in aluminum plating in comparison to previously known locks which use gas and liquid locks.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrolytic surface treatment of bulk goods includes a tank for the acceptance of the treatment bath, an arrangement for connecting the goods to be treated to at least one pole of an electrical source, an electrode disposed in the bath connected to the other pole opposite the one pole, a vibratory conveyor having a helically ascending conveyor track and an arrangement for receiving the goods from the end of the conveyor track and returning them to the beginning of the track by a return device so that they will pass through the bath at least one more time. The arrangement for receiving includes a switch arrangement for selectively shifting the goods discharged from the end of the track between the return device and a discharge station. The apparatus is particularly suitable for electro-deposition of aluminum from an aprotic, oxygen-free and water-free, aluminum-organic electrolyte.

Abstract: An apparatus for the mass electroplating of bulk goods comprising a plating tank for the acceptance of an electrolyte, a goods carrying dish immersed in the electrolyte and rotatable around an inclined axis, a disk-shaped electrode immersed in electrolyte and extending mainly parallel to the floor of the carrying dish characterized by the floor of the carrying dish having a helically extending track which will spread the goods throughout the floor during a plating operation. The helical track preferably has a saw-toothed cross section and the dish preferably has one sliding door in a peripheral wall to enable discharge of the goods from the dish after the plating operation. The plating tank is preferably gas tight and is provided with admission and discharge locks so that it is particularly useful for mass aluminum-plating utilizing an aprotic, oxygen-free and water-free, aluminum-organic electrolyte.

Abstract: An apparatus for the mass electroplating of bulk goods includes a plating tank for the acceptance of the electrolyte, a goods carrying dish being mounted in the tank for rotation around an inclined axis with the dish being immersed in the electrolyte and at least one anode immersed in the electrolyte with the dish having at least one dog for spreading the goods on the floor of the dish and having at least one sliding door provided on the periphery of the dish to enable discharge of the goods therefrom. The dog can be in the form of ribs which can subdivide the dish into various compartments such as radially extending segments with each of the segments having a discharge door or the dog can be formed as a helical track. Preferably, the plating tank is a closable gas tight tank, which is provided with admission and discharge locks so that the mass aluminization utilizing an aprotic, oxygen-free and water-free, aluminum-organic electrolyte can occur.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrolytic surface treatment of goods comprises a tank for the acceptance of a treatment bath, an arrangement for contacting the goods with one pole of an electrical source, at least one electrode arranged in the treatment bath having an opposite polarity to the polarity of the one pole which is contacting the goods being treated, a vibratory conveyor having a helically ascending conveyor track for transporting the goods through the tank, characterized by the electrode being a helically shaped electrode being positioned to be equally spaced from the surface of the conveyor track. The apparatus is particularly useful for the electro-deposition of aluminum from aprotic, oxygen-free and water-free, aluminum-organic electrolyte.

Abstract: A lock for loading and unloading a treatment apparatus with bulk goods characterized by at least one U-shaped lock chamber fillable with inert fluid and chargeable with inert gas. To transport the goods through the ascending portion of the U-shaped lock, the lock has a vibratory conveyor comprising a helically ascending conveyor track which can be either a separate track in a chamber or can be formed by a floor of a helically ascending lock chamber. To form the vibratory conveyor, either the helically ascending lock chamber or the helically ascending conveyor is connected to a vibrator preferably through a central column.

Abstract: In known devices for galvanic deposition of metal from electrolyte onto goods, wherein a galvanic drum contains electrolyte within a tank, the removal of metal undesirably deposited on the cathode contact or the replacement of used up cathode contacts from the drum has been very time-consuming and presented a contamination problem since these operations required opening of the galvanizing tank. The invention concerns a contact replacement or cleaning arrangement which can be done simply and does not necessitate undue exposure to ambient of the tank, since the used contact is removed within the tank and replaced by opening only a narrow passage through a galvanic drum axle.

Abstract: A system for the galvanic deposition of aluminum incorporating a tubular cell through which goods to be treated can be moved in the axial direction. An electrolyte is pumped through the tubular cell preferably with the aid of an electrolyte circulating system which is self-contained. The electrolyte is gated out by means of T-shaped connecting components which are adjoined by airlock arrangements associated with the tubular cell.

Abstract: In order to avoid smoke formation within the cover hood for the plating tank in an assembly for the electro-deposit of aluminum and contamination of charging and discharge liquid locks leading to and from the cover hood, a liquid spray chamber and a cooled condensing zone are disposed beneath a slotted cover plate leading to the interior space of the cover hood and the open ends of the individual electrolyte cell. The substrate goods and goods carriers are sprayed and cooled leaving the electro-deposit cells prior to being passed back into the interior space of the cover hood.

Abstract: In a tank of aluminizing electroplating cells which may contain racks for articles, operated with aprotic oxygen-free and water-free organo-aluminum electrolytes, a lining of individual segments coated with resistant materials (enamel or electrolyte-resistant plastics) is provided as an electrically insulating protective device. The outer edges of the side baffles, coated all around, are bent round toward the outside and are held together by connecting straps which are bent round toward the inside. The individual bottom segments coated all around lie on top of each other overlapping in roof tile fashion. The protective device may also include a similarly insulated band arranged all around the cell.

Abstract: A device for continuously processing an article such as by electroplating including a tank equipped with a horizontally disposed rotating electroplating drum, an entry station disposed for introducing an article to one end of the drum and an exit station for removing the processed article from the drum. The electroplating tank as well as the entrance and exit stations are provided with gas-tight seals so that the device may be utilized for an oxygen-free and water-free aluminum-organic electrolyte for the electrodeposition of aluminum. Preferably, the entrance and exit stations contain liquid locks to prevent the controlled atmosphere above the electrolyte from being contaminated.