Abstract: A hand holdable ink proofing tool including an anilox roll and an ink transfer roll, supporting a resilient printing plate. A metering roll adjacent the anilox roll is shiftable to be in contact with the anilox roll and to force ink into cells of the anilox roll; and a leading edge doctor blade is positioned to shear excess ink from a surface of the anilox roll.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve (100) for controlling flow of a pressurized liquid, comprises a plunger (110), which is able to move from a closed, downstream position, in which an end of the plunger (110) contacts a valve seat (120), to an open upstream position, in which the plunger (110) does not contact the valve seat (120). Hence an opening is left open for fluid flow, wherein the movement of the plunger to the open position is controlled by energizing a first coil (140). A second coil (130) arranged to pull the plunger (110) towards the closed position upon energizing.

Abstract: A laser-engravable composition comprises one or more elastomeric rubbers including at least 10 parts of one or more CLCB EPDM elastomeric rubbers, based on parts per hundred of the total weight of elastomeric rubbers (phr). The laser-engravable composition further comprises 2-30 phr of a near-infrared radiation absorber and either 1-80 phr of an inorganic, non-infrared radiation absorber filler, or a vulcanizing composition that comprises a mixture of at least two peroxides. One first peroxide has a t90 value of 1-6 minutes as measured at 160° C., and a second peroxide has a t90 value of 8-20 minutes as measured at 160° C. This laser-engravable composition can be used to form a laser-engravable layer on a compressible layer that is disposed on a substrate, and to form various flexographic printing precursors. The compressible layer can also be laser-engravable.

Abstract: A method, at least partially implemented by means of processor-executable instructions, for exchanging colors within a color station of a printing press is disclosed. In one implementation of the method, a cleaning tank is operated within the color station, thereby cleaning the color station. Additionally, a new color of ink is built within the cleaned color station.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for obtaining a preferred layout for a lithographic process, the method comprising: identifying an initial layout including a plurality of features; and reconfiguring the features until a termination condition is satisfied, thereby obtaining the preferred layout; wherein the reconfiguring comprises evaluating a cost function that measures how a lithographic metric is affected by a set of changes to the features for a plurality of lithographic process conditions, and expanding the cost function into a series of terms at least some of which are functions of characteristics of the features.

Abstract: A sabot petal having an axis parallel to or coinciding with the launch axis. The sabot petal is formed from a plurality of stacked sheets of composite material consisting of a fiber reinforcement and a polymer resin matrix. Each composite sheet is in a plane rotationally offset from the meridional plane which is defined by the launch axis and radial axis of the sabot petal's cylindrical coordinate system.

Abstract: A locomotive (or other rail vehicle) truck and method for distributing weight asymmetrically to axles of the truck includes a first axle of a truck uncoupled from a traction system of the locomotive and a first suspension assembly coupling the first axle to the truck for applying to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight. The truck also includes a second axle coupled to the traction system and a second suspension assembly coupling the second axle to the truck for applying a second portion of the locomotive weight to the second axle that is greater than the first portion so that weight is asymmetrically distributed to the first axle and the second axle so as to transmit a corresponding incremental amount of tractive effort for a given amount of a driving torque applied to the second axle via the traction system of the locomotive. The axle weight distribution involves relatively slight weight distribution compared to the nominal weights normally carried by the axles.

Abstract: A locomotive includes an engine compartment having two sidewall structures and inboard and rear end structures defining an engine enclosure. A top hatch cover a top opening of the enclosure, which houses an engine. A removable cap being generally box-shaped extends across a portion of the top opening adjacent the top hatch and also across a portion of each of the two sidewall structures. An engine pit opening is exposed when removable cap is removed. The engine pit opening is sufficiently large to accommodate lifting the engine out of the enclosure. The engine pit opening is partially defined by two side edges extending parallel to the centerline along sidewall structures, each of the two side edges being disposed at a clearance height that is lower than an overall height of the engine compartment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ballast hopper car discharge door control system, comprising a control box, said control box comprises electrical pneumatic control system and receiving device; hydraulic system, connected to electrical pneumatic control system; manual control device and remote control device are operated to control opening or closing of ballast hopper car discharge doors; storage battery, configured to provide electrical pneumatic control system in said control box with continuous power supply and remote control device with charging power supply; pressure switch, arranged between control box and storage battery, said pressure switch is operated by pressure of air source to control connecting and disconnecting between storage battery and control box.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for making and compositions including zeolite with an impregnated titanium dioxide. Such zeolite/titanium dioxide compositions may be useful, for example, as a substitute or extender for titanium dioxide used in coatings.

Abstract: A pigment composition containing an azo pigment represented by the following general formula (1) and a pigment derivative having a hydrophilic group: wherein G represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, an acyl group, an aliphatic oxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, an aliphatic sulfonyl group, or an arylsulfonyl group, R1 represents an amino group, an aliphatic oxy group, an aliphatic group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group, R2 represents a substituent, A represents an aromatic 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group, m represents an integer of from 0 to 5, and n represents an integer of from 1 to 4, with the general formula (1) not containing any ionic hydrophilic group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispersion liquid containing fine cellulose fiber capable of uniform dispersion in an organic solution or resin and capable of use in electronic components. Further disclosed are a laminate body and a cellulose film obtained from fine cellulose fibers with improved water resistance. Further disclosed are a fine cellulose fiber dispersion liquid which forms a film as an undercoat of a base material, in particular of a base material made from naturally occurring materials such as polylactic acid, wherein said film has an improved adhesiveness with respect to said base material; and a laminate body using the same. The fine cellulose fiber dispersion liquid contains at least fine cellulose fibers, and either an ammonia or an organic alkali.

Abstract: (Purpose) A cellulose liquid dispersion is provided wherein a particle diameter peak of obtained fine cellulose can be controlled if mechanical treatment of oxidized cellulose is performed; and a molded body is also provided wherein the molded body is generated from the dispersion, has sufficient flexibility and gas bather characteristics. (Solution) A cellulose liquid dispersion is provided, wherein the cellulose liquid dispersion at least includes fine oxidized cellulose, wherein a volume-based particle size distribution of the fine oxidized cellulose exists in the range of 0.01 ?m or more and 100 ?m or less of volume-based particle diameter, and the two or more particle diameter peaks. Furthermore, a molded body is formed using the cellulose liquid dispersion.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a dispersion of starch in an hydroxylic liquid, the process comprising introducing a feed starch and an hydroxylic liquid to an extruder, and applying shear forces in the extruder to the starch and the liquid under conditions sufficient to prepare a stable dispersion of starch particles in the hydroxylic liquid.

Abstract: A release agent for use on mining and mineral processing equipment that eliminate or significantly reduces sticking and freezing of ore and mining materials during excavation, transportation, and processing. The release agent is comprised of a mixture of natural oils such as crude degummed soybean oil and a surfactant such as Lutensol®.

Abstract: The present invention relates to silylated amino resins, to processes for preparing them, to their use, and to coating compositions comprising them.

Abstract: A conditioning agent (typically for use in repairing a flaw in a glazing panel) is contained in a sealed container which is itself disposed internally of a flexible outer walled container. Pressure applied to the outer flexible walled container can cause release of the conditioning agent from the internal conditioning agent container. The conditioning agent preparation may comprise a hygroscopic solvent (such as acetone) combined with one or more primer additives to prime the surface of the glazing panel for repair.

Abstract: A water-based paint composition may include at least one mineral treated with at least one hydrophobizing agent. The at least one mineral may include at least one of clay, kaolin, mica, titanium dioxide, talc, natural or synthetic silica or silicates, feldspars, nepheline syenite, talc, wollastonite, diatomite, barite, glass, and calcium carbonate. The at least one hydrophobizing agent may include at least one of fatty acids, fatty amines, and silanes. A method of making water-based paint may include treating at least one mineral with a hydrophobizing agent, and combining the at least one treated mineral with a binder.

Abstract: A crystalline pigment or colorant composition having high color intensity and/or low sugar content, and methods and processes of preparation. The composition may comprise purified fruit and/or vegetable color juices.

Abstract: A hybrid magnesium cement composition formed of an A-side and a B-side. The A-side having an A1-component including a light-burn grade magnesium-containing material, and an A2-component including a non-metallic oxide salt. A B-side having a metal silicate polymer is included.

Abstract: A manufactured item for the building industry is disclosed, made mainly of bottom ash and/or debris coming from incineration processes of municipal solid waste or of waste which may be assimilated thereto and/or of RDF and of one or more binders. Such manufactured item may have the shape of small bricks, bricks, blocks, small blocks, kerbs, interlocking paving blocks, panels, tiles, prefabricated slabs, beams, elements for walls, modular building elements, indoor and outdoor cladding elements, blocks, rocks, supports. Moreover, a process for the manufacture of an item for the building industry is disclosed, from bottom ash and/or debris coming from incineration processes of municipal solid waste or of waste which may be assimilated thereto and/or of FDR wherein the ash and/or debris undergo an oxidation process of the amphoteric metals and mixed with a binder.

Abstract: This process allows the attainment of cementitious materials and activated artificial pozzolana, developed as from shale oils and/or residues of its processing, hereinafter simply called “shale oil”, mixed among them and/or with clays when placed in the rotation oven, in proportion that vary from 1% to 100% of the shale oils in the mixture. These shale oils or mixtures of shale oil with clays, when burn in temperatures between 600° C. and 900° C., in a horizontal oven, in reducing conditions, generate the so called cementitious materials or activated artificial pozzolana, when in contact with the water, providing to the material agglomerating properties.

Abstract: A method of curing cementitious material comprising added a fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose having a degree of substitution of 0.01 to 0.45 to the material during mixing. The fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose may also include bleached or partially bleached wood pulp fiber. The fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose has a substituent content of from 10 to 150 meq/100 g cellulose fiber. The fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose is 0.1 to 5% by weight of the dry weight of the cementitious material. The structure produced by the method. The autogenous shrinkage of the cementitious material is reduced.

Abstract: This burned cement clinker is a burned cement clinker including at least one selected from the group consisting of fluorine, sulfur, chlorine and bromine, and at least one metallic element(s) selected from the group consisting of elements in groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table. Preferably, the amount of fluorine is within a range from 300 to 750 mg/kg, the amount of sulfur (expressed in terms of SO3) is within a range from 1.5 to 3.0% by mass, the amount of at least one chlorine equivalent(s) selected from the group consisting of chlorine and bromine is within a range from 150 to 350 mg/kg, and the amount of at least one metallic element selected from the group consisting of elements in groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table is within a range from 0.2 to 0.8% by mass.

Abstract: The wall-mounted folding table has a cabinet adapted for mounting on a wall. A table or workbench is enclosed in the cabinet and may be folded outwardly therefrom when desired. Gas springs are provided to assist in unfolding and folding the table. Telescopic legs and adjustable feet are utilized for varying the leg length. Sliding doors are employed as a space-saving function to open and close the cabinet. The sliding doors are fabricated from pegboard so that an array of tools can be hung thereon.

Abstract: A work platform and material wrapper for a supply of tiles or shingles is provided. The work platform includes an underlying base and an upright member. The base is for supporting the supply and has a front side, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is disposed intermediate of the front side and the top surface. The upright member extends from an end of the front side. The base and the upright member form a storage bay configured to support the supply in a substantially horizontal position away from the roof surface. The material wrapper includes a midsection and four or more branches. Each branch includes a base connected to the midsection and a top flap connected to the base opposite the midsection. The base further includes at least one side flap configured and arranged to mate with an adjacent side flap on an adjacent base.

Abstract: A device to be attached to the edge of a table comprises a table clamp (1) provided with a vertical hole (4) in which one leg of an angled tube (5) is fastened. The other leg of the tube (5) is horizontal and has at its outer end a tray mount (7), which receives in a pivotable, fixable and removable manner a centrally situated vertical pivot pin on the underside of a tray (10) on which food and beverages can be placed. By pivoting the tube in the table clamp and the tray in the tray mount the tray can be placed in the desired position and at the desired angle while allowing the table clamp to be positioned out of the way. By displacing and fastening the tube (5) in the table clamp (1) the tray can be vertically adjusted to permit a user to eat in comfort with the food within sight.

Abstract: A foldable table includes a table top having a top surface and a bottom surface; a frame assembly disposed on a bottom surface of the table top; at least two leg assemblies pivotally coupled to the frame assembly for movement between an extended position and a folded position; at least two support members, each support member pivotally coupled to the frame assembly and to the at least two leg assemblies; and at least one locking assembly coupled to the at least two support members, each of the at least one locking assembly comprising a ramp portion integrally formed with a locking portion, a channel formed under the ramp portion for guiding and receiving a locking pin, the locking portion having an opening for receiving a pushbutton and the locking pin.

Abstract: A support mechanism for supporting an object, such as a table, has at least four legs (5-8) and an interconnection means (4) connecting the legs. Each leg has at least a beam portion (5a-8a) with an inner (proximal) end and an outer (distal) end. The beam portion of each leg is connected to the interconnection means by a respective pivot (9) having a pivot axis. The pivot is located between the inner and outer ends of the beam portion. Each respective pair of adjacent legs has a protrusion (or lever or balance portion) (11-14), each fixed to one leg of said pair of adjacent legs and extending from that one leg to act on the other leg of said pair of adjacent legs whereby a support reaction force is transmitted between the pair of adjacent legs at a point on the other leg between the pivot and the outer end of the beam portion of that other leg. Said point is on the opposite side of the pivot axis of the one leg to the outer end of the beam portion of that one leg.

Abstract: A portable medical waste processing system and method includes a processing device and a medical waste container. The processing device has an enclosure with a housing and a lid, with at least one heater, a control system, a filtration system and a cooling system inside the enclosure. The control system regulates the temperature of the heater and time of the process cycle. The filtration system prevents noxious odors emanating from the container during the process cycle. The cooling system prevents heat build-up inside the enclosure and also ensures that the sides of the enclosure do not exceed harmful temperatures. The portable medical waste processing system melts syringes and sterilize needles, lancets and infectious waste that are placed in the medical waste container that is inserted into the heater. The system identifies and responses to short and long term power interruptions.

Abstract: A method for supplying combustion air in a vertical incinerator according to one embodiment of the present invention is such that during incineration treatment by the vertical incinerator 1, a supplied amount of combustion air a is controlled in such a manner as to be 0.2 to 0.8 times as much as a theoretical air amount that is necessary to completely combust waste R in deposit layers, and the combustion air a is supplied in such a manner as to reduce oxygen in the combustion air a from a lower portion to an upper portion of the deposit layers.

Abstract: A municipal or like refuse is crushing, separating ferrous metals, mixing with crushed limestone, drying up and loading in furnace of pyrolysis. An electronic and electric scrap is crushing, drying up from surface water and warming on 2-4° C. above temperature of transporting air, divide into concoction nonferrous and precious metals and dielectric fraction, which go in furnace of pyrolysis by specified air, cleaned from dust and moistened up to 100% moisture by water. At mixing with dielectric fraction temperature of the air increases, relative moisture falls down to level, excluding condensation of moisture and spark formation in system. Pyrolysis is carried out under simultaneous neutralization of allocated hydrogen chloride by limestone with reception of calcium chloride. Gas allocated at pyrolysis condensing and dividing to water and organic phases (liquid fuel).

Abstract: A system and techniques for waste oil combustion are provided. The techniques include straining waste oil, separating contaminants from the strained waste oil to produce segregated layers of waste oil, selectively drawing a segregated layer of the waste oil, entraining the drawn waste oil to a burner for combustion, and regulating flow rate to produce a controllable amount of heat output. The system includes a container for straining waste oil, a storage drum for separating contaminants from the strained waste oil via gravity separation to produce segregated waste oil, an oil uptake channel for entraining the waste oil from the storage drum, a fuel regulator for controlling rate of flow of the waste oil from the storage drum to a burner head via the oil uptake channel, and a burner head control for repositioning a burner head under the input stream to produce a controllable amount of heat output.

Abstract: A device for attaching to a shank of a planting unit. The device may include liquid delivery tubing for delivery fertilizer to a planting furrow and a forming bar configured for securing to the shank. The forming bar may include a passageway extending therethrough for receiving and passing through fertilizer or other liquid that is delivered to the liquid delivery tubing. The forming bar may include a shank connecting portion, a rib portion, and a foot portion. The rib and foot portions may define the passageway. Further, the foot portion may protect the tubing. A method for using the device to deliver fertilizer to a seed furrow is also described.

Abstract: An agricultural device associated with reduced tillage techniques in a field includes a frame and a separator supported by the frame. The separator is configured to form a strip of exposed soil in residual plant matter in the field. A crimping device associated with the separator is configured to at least partially crush stems of residual plant matter while maintaining the strip.

Abstract: A depth adjustment assembly for a disc opener or other furrowing device has an eccentric cam with an outer surface that engages and thus prevents rotation of a gauge wheel arm. As rotation of the gauge wheel arm sets the relative position of a gauge wheel relative to the furrowing device, preventing rotation of the arm sets the cutting depth for the furrowing device. The eccentric cam may have a smooth outer edge defining an indiscrete range of positions or a profile outer surface that defines discrete depth setting positions. The eccentric cam is biased into engagement with a receiver by a pin and spring, but overcoming the bias allows the cam to be momentarily disengaged and rotated to reposition the eccentric cam.

Abstract: A paddle wheel yacht includes a ship body and a ship power device that is arranged on the ship body and consists of a propeller driven by a main engine. The propeller consists of two paddle wheels. The lower edges of the paddle wheels are lower than the bottom surface of the ship body and are symmetrically arranged on the two sides of the ship body. Paddles are uniformly distributed on the outer edges of the paddle wheels in the radial direction and continuously flap the water surface down-backward at high speed when the paddle wheels rotate at high speed. Only the tail part of the ship body contacts with the water surface and the ship body slides on the water surface, so as to avoid large water resistance and obviously improve the propulsion efficiency to realize the high speed and economical navigation of the ship.

Abstract: An exterior hull patch and method of use for covering and containing leaks due to hull damage to ships, vessels and barges that has a flexible material center surrounded by an inflatable border or perimeter. The patch is positioned over the damaged area and then drawn tightly against the hull of the vessel via cables that are routed to both sides of the vessel and under its hull and attached to the patch perimeter as well as to winches or similar devices onboard the ship. Once the patch is relatively snug against the hull, the inflatable boarder is inflated with compressed gas to increase the pressure against the hull and leak, thus sealing the leak. This prevents the vessel from sinking as well as prevents liquid cargo to be lost.

Abstract: A portable aircraft landing system comprises an inflatable mat provided with gas outlets, in cooperation with inflation apparatus.

Abstract: A hull, suitable for use as a tension leg platform (TLP) or as a semi-submersible vessel, comprises columns having a generally polygonal transverse cross section at least one axis of which is generally radially aligned with the central vertical axis of the hull. Buoyant, subsurface pontoons interconnect adjacent columns. The pontoons are generally rectangular in cross section and the outboard, generally vertical surface of each pontoon is connected to a side surface of an adjoining column at a location which is substantially inboard of the outermost face of the column. In certain embodiments of the invention, tendon porches (configured to receive the upper tendon connectors of a TLP) are mounted to the outboard surface of one or more pontoons.

Abstract: A hull, suitable for use as a tension leg platform (TLP) or as a semi-submersible vessel, comprises four columns arranged in a rectangular planform with each column having a generally polygonal transverse cross section at least one axis of which is generally disposed at a 45-degree angle to a line between the center points of adjacent columns. Buoyant, subsurface pontoons interconnect adjacent columns. The pontoons are generally rectangular in cross section and the outboard, generally vertical surface of each pontoon is connected to a side surface of an adjoining column at a location which is substantially inboard of the outermost face of the column. In certain embodiments of the invention, tendon porches (configured to receive the upper tendon connectors of a TLP) are mounted to the outboard surface of one or more pontoons.

Abstract: The invention comprises of a railing (1) which is foldable or and height adjustable or and extendable lengthwise and has rungs (5) or pivotable safety footsteps (14a) which, if necessary, can be kept in the vertical position (V) or horizontal position (Q) or and when tilting down the railing (1) remain in a stable position. The railing (1) has technical mean (4a,40,43a,45a,51) as well as an emergency mean (10,11) and can if necessary take up a tender (42) and other objects and the footsteps (14) can be transparent for example to improve visibility to the rear.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] An indicator device and a light-guide member for achieving low cost by lightening both an indicator and an indicator plate by using one light source is provided. [Solution] A light-guide indicator 32 is provided with a base part 32a, and an indicator main body 32b extending along the indicator plate 31 from one end of the base part 32a. One end of a light-guide output axis 33a provided with a motor 33 is arranged opposite to the other end of the base part 32a, and the other end of the output axis is arranged opposite to a light source 34. A back side of the indicator plate 31 is provided with a light-guide member 35, and the light-guide member 35 is provided with a first recess 35a receiving the other end of the base part 32a and a second recess 35b receiving the one end of the output axis 33a. A bottom face 35a-1 of the first recess 35a is arranged tapered in such a way that the bottom face approaches the output axis 33a as approaches rotation axis of the output axis 33a.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods of forming the apparatus include a film of transparent conductive titanium-doped indium oxide for use in a variety of configurations and systems. The film of transparent conductive titanium-doped indium oxide may be structured as one or more monolayers. The film of transparent conductive titanium-doped indium oxide may be formed using atomic layer deposition.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a device and method used to produce bulk single crystals. In particular, the disclosure provides a device and method used to produce bulk single crystals of a metal compound by an elemental reaction of a metal vapor and a reactant gas by an elemental reaction of a metal vapor and a reactant gas.

Abstract: A method of vapor phase epitaxy that is one embodiment of the present invention characteristically includes loading a wafer in a reaction chamber and mounting the wafer on a supporting section; heating the wafer by a heater provided under the supporting section; performing deposition on the wafer by supplying a process gas onto the wafer while rotating the wafer; detecting a temperature distribution at least in a circumferential direction at a peripheral edge section of the wafer; and determining a presence/absence of adhesion between the wafer and the supporting section based on the detected temperature distribution.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for fixing a silicon carbide seed crystal and a method for producing a silicon carbide single crystal which can produce a silicon carbide single crystal having high quality and no penetration defects, and the present invention provides a method for fixing a silicon carbide seed crystal on a pedestal including: a step of mirror polishing a surface of a pedestal on which a silicon carbide seed crystal is to be fixed; a step of irradiating atoms or ions to at least one of a seed crystal-side surface of the pedestal on which the silicon carbide seed crystal is to be fixed and a pedestal side-surface of the silicon carbide seed crystal which is to be fixed on the pedestal, in a vacuum; and a step of directly connecting the seed crystal side-surface of the pedestal and the pedestal side-surface of the silicon carbide seed crystal by bringing them into close contact and applying pressure to them in a vacuum.

Abstract: A stent crimping and coating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of crimping blades positioned in a radial array and collectively forming a central crimping lumen, wherein the plurality of crimping blades radially movable to alter the diameter of the central crimping lumen. Each of the crimping blades includes a first surface configured to at least in part define the central crimping lumen. One or more of the crimping blades includes a fluid channel extending therein and a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The plurality of openings are located at the first surface of the one or more crimping blades and adapted to discharge a fluid into the central crimping lumen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process, whereby a build platform for application of build material is provided and a support frame is arranged around the build platform, to which said support frame at least one device for dosing the particulate material and one device for bonding the particulate material is attached via the guiding elements and the support frame is moveable in a Z direction, which essentially means perpendicular to the base surface of the build platform. In so doing, the device provides a material feeding device having a particle material container to supply particulate material in batches from the storage area to the dosing apparatus and to do so with the least possible amount of shearing forces and without significant interaction with the atmosphere.

Abstract: A thermal metal spraying apparatus for use with a thermal metal spraying torch for applying a metal coating to a workpiece through a torch spraying nozzle having a spraying orifice. The thermal metal spraying apparatus provides a substantially tubular shroud having a first end and a second end adaptable to concentrically receive the torch spraying nozzle. The shroud has an opening at the second end, wherein the opening is selectably alignable with the spraying orifice. A drive mechanism is connected to the shroud and is operable to translate the shroud between a first position, wherein the opening at the second end is not aligned with the spraying orifice, thereby preventing the spraying of the metal coating on the workpiece, and a second position, wherein the opening at the second end is aligned with the spraying orifice permitting the spraying of the metal coating toward the workpiece.