Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing a random pattern of liquid adhesive filaments generally includes a plurality of liquid outlets positioned in a liquid discharge plane and first and second pluralities of air passages. The first plurality of air passages is positioned in a first plane oriented at a first angle relative to the liquid discharge plane, while the second plurality of air passages is positioned in a second plane oriented at a second angle relative to the liquid discharge plane. The first angle is different than the second angle so that pressurized process air streams from the first and second pluralities of air passages are directed asymmetrically toward adhesive filaments discharged from the liquid outlets to produce the random pattern.

Abstract: A shear test device for testing the strength of attachment between a bond and an electronic substrate. The device incorporates a clamping mechanism and a shear test tool that are mounted on a baseplate. During a set-up procedure, the shear test tool is movable relative to the baseplate. During a test procedure, the shear test tool is clamped by the clamping mechanism in a fixed position relative to the baseplate. At least one abutment is provided that is fixed in position relative to the baseplate. During the test procedure, a drive mechanism provides relative movement between the shear test tool and the bond to cause the shear test tool to shear the bond off the substrate. The at least one abutment provides an additional clamping force on the test tool while the test tool is shearing the bond off of the substrate. Strain gauges associated with the shear test tool provide signals to an electric circuit indicating the strength of attachment between the bond and the substrate.

Abstract: Methods related to forming superabsorbent composite core structures using superabsorbent materials, such as superabsorbent polymers (SAP). In one method superabsorbent material is sprayed simultaneously with an adhesive to form a superabsorbent layer adhered to a first flexible sheet of material. A second flexible sheet of material is applied to the superabsorbent layer to position the superabsorbent layer between the first and second flexible sheets of material. At least one of the first or second flexible sheets of material is liquid permeable to allow liquid to penetrate into the superabsorbent layer from outside the composite product.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating products with plasma generated from a source gas. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a plurality of juxtaposed electrodes arranged in adjacent pairs inside the vacuum chamber, and a plasma excitation source electrically coupled with the electrodes. The apparatus may include conductive members extending into the interior of each electrode to establish a respective electrical connection with the plasma excitation source. The apparatus may include a gas distribution manifold and multiple gas delivery tubes coupled with the gas distribution manifold. Each gas delivery tube has an injection port configured to inject the source gas between each adjacent pair of electrodes. The apparatus may further include flow restricting members that operate to partially obstruct a peripheral gap between each adjacent pair of electrodes, which restricts the escape of the source gas from the process chamber between each adjacent pair of electrodes.

Abstract: A coating nozzle includes a nozzle body including an inlet opening for receiving a liquid supplied from a liquid supply valve and an outlet opening, a distribution plate disposed adjacent to the nozzle body and including an elongated bore in fluid communication with the outlet opening, a shim plate disposed adjacent to the distribution plate and including a shim plate cutout communicating with the elongated bore of the distribution plate, and a baffle plate disposed adjacent to the shim plate. At least a portion of the shim plate cutout is located between the first elongated bore and the baffle plate so as to define a multi-face dispensing slot for dispensing the liquid onto at least two faces of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of generating a three-dimensional representation of a region of interest on a target object in an x-ray imaging system. The method uses a fiducial marker of known geometry. The region of interest and the fiducial marker are imaged in a plurality of predetermined positions. Expected images of the fiducial marker for each predetermined position are calculated and compared to captured images of the fiducial marker at each predetermined position. The difference between expected and captured imaged is used to generate corrected images of the region of interest for each predetermined position and these corrected images are used to generate a three-dimensional model of the region of interest. The method allows for the generation of useful three-dimensional models of a region of interest in an x-ray imaging system without requiring an expensive mechanical positioning system.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a heated liquid, such as a hot melt adhesive, includes a vertically oriented mounting plate; a melter subassembly including an adhesive manifold, a heater, and a pump adapted to dispense the heated liquid; a control subassembly adapted to control one or more components of the melter subassembly; and a subassembly cover coupled to the mounting plate for movement between an open condition and a closed condition. The subassembly cover thermally insulates the melter assembly from the control assembly when in the closed condition.

Abstract: A mixing baffle for mixing a fluid flow in a static mixer includes a mixing element support structure extending along a longitudinal direction and a first set of moveable mixing elements coupled to the mixing element support structure. The first set of moveable mixing elements is formed in a first configuration and moves to a second configuration when the mixing baffle is inserted into a tubular conduit. In the second configuration, the first set of moveable mixing elements is optimized for mixing fluids and defines a plurality of undercuts that are difficult to mold. The mixing baffle may also include a second set of stationary mixing elements that interlace with the first set of moveable mixing elements when the first set of moveable mixing elements moves to the second configuration.

Abstract: An adhesive dispensing module includes a pneumatic actuator for actuating reciprocating movement of a piston on a dispenser valve member. The pneumatic actuator includes a valve element and a pneumatic housing with an inlet chamber, an exhaust chamber, and a piston chamber. The valve element includes a plurality of inlet passages and a plurality of exhaust passages. The valve element rotates from a first position in which the inlet passages deliver pressurized air from the inlet chamber to the piston chamber, to a second position in which the exhaust passages exhaust pressurized air from the piston chamber to the exhaust chamber. The valve element also includes a plurality of fins configured to be driven by an electromagnetic coil to move the valve element.

Abstract: A dense phase pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided.

Abstract: A powder spray for lengthy parts includes a booth wall structure comprised primarily of doors. A moveable roof may be raised and lowered to clean powder overspray from the interior surfaces of the booth. A cleaning process may be performed with a sideways extraction mode and a downward extraction mode. The mode change occurs when a bulkhead that travels with the moveable roof blocks the inlet duct to the recovery system. The recovery system may be a cyclone system for example. The doors of the booth are hinged so that they can be positioned for spraying operations and cleaning operations. Live hinge designs are provided and hose stress relief designs are also provided. The roof may carry accumulators for pressurized air that feed cleaning nozzles as the roof descends. In addition, exhaust air may be used to assist cleaning the interior surfaces as the roof descends. All of the energy provided for cleaning and color change may be provided by accumulators.