Abstract: Powder spraycoating equipment and powder supply system for same. The powder supply system comprises a closed or closable powder receptacle which is fitted with a cleaning fixture to remove residual powder from a powder chamber of the powder receptacle using compressed cleaning air.

Abstract: A powder spray coating discharge assembly (230, 260, 216, 228, 232) for connection to an electrostatic spray coating gun (210), the gun (210) having a gun body (212), means for connecting to a supply of coating powder and means for supplying a voltage (20) at first and second potentials respectively to first (292) and second electrical connections (294) each for connection to a respective one of a discharge electrode (232) and a counter electrode (260), the means for supplying the voltage (20) comprising: a variable voltage power supply (114) having an input connected to an electrical power source (110), an output connected to each of the first and second electrical connections (292, 294), a control circuit (128) for controlling the variable voltage power supply (20) and means (120) for sensing an output load, wherein the control circuit (128) is adapted to adjust the variable voltage power supply (20) to reduce the voltage and current in proportion to a sensed increase in load, or vice-versa.

Abstract: A head mount for use in a digital manufacturing system, where the head mount comprises a first component supported by at least one gantry of the digital manufacturing system, and a second component configured to retain a deposition head of the digital manufacturing system, and to move relative to the first component in response to a load applied to the deposition head from a platform assembly of the digital manufacturing system.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of the present invention is used for the high-rate deposition of materials, such as carbon, silicon, metals, metal oxides, and the like, onto a metal substrate defined by a metal tape. The particles of the material are mixed with fluid and are injected against the metal tape at high pressure and high velocity. The particles of the material form a current collection surface of the metal tape. The metal tape is used as cathode or anode combined with a separator to form a fuel cell of a secondary battery, metal-ceramic membranes, film composite metal-ceramic materials for electronic devices.

Abstract: A device for deposition of fibers on a support (30) for producing a panel with an axis of revolution, includes a deposition head (32) and elements for positioning the deposition head relative to the support (30), with the positioning elements of the deposition head having kinematics including a first translation in a first direction (X) that is parallel to the axis of revolution, a second translation in a second direction (W) making it possible to come more or less close to the head of the support, a first rotation (C) around a first rotary axis combined with the second direction (W), and a second rotation (B) around a second rotary axis that is perpendicular to the first and second directions, wherein the kinematics of the positioning elements of the head include a third rotation (A) around a third axis of rotation that is parallel to the first direction (X).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spraying nozzle, a spraying device including such a nozzle, and a spraying method implementing such a device. A nozzle for projecting powdery sold products for coating objects. The nozzle comprises a body having an essentially cylindrical shape and comprises at least two tunnels extending there through and insulated from each other. Each tunnel developing helically about a main axis of the nozzle. The tunnels are independently supplied with a fluid/powdery solid(s) mixture. The helical shape of the tunnels makes it possible to obtain a powerful jet with a conical shape capable of coating the inner surfaces of tubular objects.

Abstract: Air is continuously supplied into upper spaces via an air supply duct, during coating of an object to be coated in a paint booth, whereby the air is jetted through jetting holes and flows downwards along side walls. The air flowing downwards along the side walls is sucked into lower spaces, via clearances, and is discharged out of the paint booth via air exhaust ducts.

Abstract: In one embodiment the disclosure relates to an apparatus for depositing an organic material on a substrate, including a source heater for heating organic particles to form suspended organic particles; a transport stream for delivering the suspended organic particles to a discharge nozzle, the discharge nozzle having a plurality of micro-pores, the micro-pores providing a conduit for passage of the suspended organic particles; and a nozzle heater for pulsatingly heating the micro-pores nozzle to discharge the suspended organic particles from the discharge nozzle.

Abstract: A laser cladding device for applying a coating to a part comprising a laser which can generate laser light, which is adapted to heat the coating and the part, a main body defining a laser light channel adapted to transmit the laser light to the part, a coating channel adapted to transmit the coating to the part, and a vacuum channel and a nozzle having an exit. The nozzle comprises a delivery port at one end of the laser light channel, a coating port at one end of the coating channel, and a vacuum port at one end of the vacuum channel, wherein the vacuum port is positioned generally adjacent the delivery port. In operation the vacuum port draws a vacuum, pulling the coating towards the part.

Abstract: A powder coating apparatus is provided with: a coating booth, wherein a work to be coated is moved by a conveyer in the coating booth; and a coating gun that sprays powder coating material to the moving work. In the powder coating apparatus, the coating booth includes a movable wall on at least one of a side wall and a ceiling wall of the coating booth. The movable wall is configured to move in accordance with the work passing the coating booth.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated decoration of a food product, the apparatus includes: a transporter configured to move the food product to a decoration area of the apparatus; a detector configured to detect the food product in the decoration area; a deposition mechanism disposed above the decoration area, the deposition mechanism comprising a sliding plate disposed between a first fixed plate and a second fixed plate; wherein, in a first position of the sliding plate, cavities extending though the sliding plate are aligned with cavities extending through the first fixed plate, and in a second position, the cavities extending through the sliding plate are aligned with cavities extending through the second fixed plate.

Abstract: A powder hopper is provided with a low turbulence zone for supplying powder to a spray gun. The low turbulence zone is defined by a baffle inside the hopper with the low turbulence zone being within a volume of the baffle, and an annular zone between the baffle and the hopper is used to bulk feed powder into the hopper. The low turbulence zone may alternatively be in the annular zone with powder added to the volume of the baffle. One preferred application for this hopper is in connection with the use of fine powder coating materials to coat the interior of small diameter cans.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate, a method for spraying particulate solids onto a substrate and an apparatus for spraying particulate solids onto a substrate covered with a wet and/or adhesive synthetic resin layer, comprising a feed line having means for generating a gas pressure at its first end and a free opening at its second end, a reservoir for particulate solids, and a nozzle for generating a pressure differential, wherein the reservoir and the nozzle are inserted in the line in such a way that particulate solids are taken out of the reservoir into the line and swirled, and transported to the open end of the line, from which the particulate solids are ejected and sprayed onto the wet and/or adhesive synthetic resin layer, by the pressure differential generated by the nozzle in operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating food products with breading material has an excess breading-material circulation/re-circulation system, which itself has a main, central product-intake conveyor scraping across an up-sloping bottom panel flanked by left and right elevators that course through up-sloping gutters astride the central conveyor's bottom panel. The central conveyor is relatively broad but shallow for only carrying a relatively light load that becomes a bottom bed of breading material for conveyance of food product thereon. In contrast, the elevators are relatively deep but thin in order to carry relatively-substantial streams of breading material, and disproportionate to their thin width, which are ultimately elevated to a topcoat-applicator and becomes a top-coating of breading material. One or more plows are arranged in the overhead space above the central conveyor to divert a main stream of excess breading material into one or more diverted streams aimed at the flanking elevators.

Abstract: This document describes a process and a device for applying fluids, specifically particle material, on an area to be coated, which is viewed in forward moving direction of the coater, that fluid is applied on the area to be coated and then a leveling element is run over the applied fluid, whereby the fluid is led from a metering system provided with an opening, which oscillates when applying the fluid. The opening shall be designed in such a way that when the metering system is at a standstill this is closed by forming an angle of repose of the fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a particulate feeding apparatus for applying particulate, such as super-absorbent materials, to a substrate, such as a fibrous web. The apparatus may include a feeder tube for the powder and a rotary gate valve, including one or more holes, which may then intermittently feed particulate to an eductor or venturi nozzle which is located in an air stream. The rotary valve provides an intermittent supply of particulate to a relatively low pressure zone at the nozzle formed by the venturi action of the passing air stream and the particulate may be distributed precisely where desired. A process for delivering powder to a substrate in precise amounts and distribution patterns is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bead applicator for embedding particulates in wet paint, includes a blower directing air into an attached series of connected pipes; a particulate hopper, and a tubular particulate supply line connecting an outlet opening from the hopper to a venturi inlet opening at a low pressure point of a venturi tube. The series of connected pipes includes, in order, the venturi tube, a rigid tubular wand, and a dispensing nozzle. The wand, an inlet of the nozzle, and an outlet of the nozzle all have approximately the same, or greater, inside cross-sectional area relative to that of an outlet of the venturi tube; and the nozzle fans out to a long and narrow shaped outlet. Preferably a flexible hose is included in the series of connected pipes; the hose having approximately the same, or greater, inside cross-sectional area relative to that of the venturi tube outlet, and the nozzle outlet is bent over.

Abstract: A semi-automated food processing station, system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, stored and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container for serving to a customer. In one embodiment, the system includes an automated salting device, and may include a pivotable food receiving tray that automatically transfers the food items to one or more storage bins, where an infrared heater maintains the temperature of the food items by directing infrared radiation thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the infrared radiation passes through a filter that filters out the wavelengths of infrared radiation that may be irritating to an operator.

Abstract: A spray coating process and apparatus suitable for depositing coatings on surfaces of components, and particularly surfaces that are difficult to access with conventional cold spraying equipment. The process and apparatus employ a spray gun having a tubular body with a longitudinal axis and an exit at one end thereof. The body has a first portion defining a converging passage, a second portion defining a diverging passage that defines the exit of the body, and a throat portion therebetween that defines a throat between and connecting the converging and diverging passages. The gun is further equipped with at least one gas inlet for introducing a gas upstream of the converging passage, and at least one feedstock inlet for introducing a feedstock at or immediately upstream of the throat.

Abstract: A method of applying a solid to a container includes placing a portion of the container between two surfaces, at least one of the surfaces being movable relative to the other surface to define a variable space between the surfaces; and applying the solid to a selected portion of the container. In some embodiments, the solid includes a flavor enhancer, and the selected portion is proximate a rim edge of the container.

Abstract: Control method and apparatus for a manual spray gun includes display that is disposed on the spray gun and that provides information to an operator about one or more coating operation parameters. An auxiliary trigger may be used that enables an operator to make selections or changes of one or more coating operation parameters. The display and auxiliary trigger together permit an operator to make selections or changes without having to divert attention or field of view away from the spray gun or the coating area, especially during a coating operation. The display may include numeric information, for example, data relating to a coating function being displayed.

Abstract: A supply or feed center for dry particulate material is modular in design with an application module and an exhaust module, along with optimal cabinet modules such as a pump cabinet module. The application module is partitioned into an application section and a utility section, both of which communicate with the exhaust module. An air diverter may be used to change relative air flow into the two sections, and in one embodiment is a swingable door. The exhaust module may include a self-contained exhaust system including after filters, motor, fan and final filters, or may share energy from a remote exhaust system. An inventive suction device is also provided to extract material from a hopper.

Abstract: Methods and systems for coating at least a portion of a medical device (e.g., a stent structure) include providing a plurality of coating particles (e.g., monodisperse coating particles) in a defined volume. For example, the particles may be provided using one or more nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure includes at least one opening terminating at a dispensing end. The plurality of coating particles may be provided in the defined volume by dispensing a plurality of microdroplets having an electrical charge associated therewith from the dispensing ends of the one or more nozzle structures through use of a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends and the medical device. Electrical charge is concentrated on the particle as the microdroplet evaporates. With a plurality of coating particles provided in the defined volume, such particles can be moved towards at least one surface of the medical device to form a coating thereon (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for uniformly depositing nanomaterials having particles smaller than 1 ?m (i.e., nanoparticles) onto a surface of a base material (substrate or surface). The process is used to deposit any solid (nanoparticle) of any shape such as nanofibers, nanotubes, nanoclays (e.g., platelet shaped), nano-spheres, or irregularly shaped granules. The base material upon which the nano-particles are deposited can be made of any material. The method substantially prevents the deposition on the base material of larger particles (contaminants or clusters of the nanoparticles) which are often mixed with the nanomaterials. The amount of deposition and the range of particle sizes to be deposited can also be controlled by this method.

Abstract: A cold spray coating system comprising, a cold spray coating gun having a nozzle member operative to emit a stream of gas and granules of a coating material from a nozzle opening defined by the nozzle member such that the granules of the coating material impact and bond with a first region of a substrate, and a heat source member operative heat the first region of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate and a carbon nanotube film on the substrate. The carbon nanotube film includes microscopically visible overlapping dots of carbon nanotubes. The overlapping dots being microscopically visible signifies that the carbon nanotube film was formed by depositing a solution of the carbon nanotubes on the substrate in a single pass manner.

Abstract: An electrode holder for a powder spraying device includes a powder channel and a bridge arranged into the powder channel for holding an electrode. In addition a wedge is provided, which can be fixed on the bridge, on the upstream side of the bridge.

Abstract: An automatic seasoning device that includes a hopper, a seasoning dispenser positioned to receive seasoning from the hopper; and a moveable transition tray positioned to receive seasoning from the seasoning dispensing drum.

Abstract: An application system for applying a solid particle includes an injector housing having a material inlet, a gas inlet, and a material outlet, and an occluder moveably disposed within the injector housing between the gas inlet and the material outlet. The injector housing and the occluder define there between at least one adjustable aperture downstream of the material inlet and in fluid communication with the gas inlet and the material outlet. The aperture has a first open area with the occluder in a first position and a second open area with the occluder in a second position, the second open area being different than the first open area. The system also includes a nozzle having a nozzle inlet coupled to the material outlet and a nozzle outlet, the inlet having a circular cross-section and the outlet having a rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body, including a recessed form die formed on a predetermined face of a predetermined member, moving in one direction along a moving path along the predetermined face; a duct disposed in a predetermined position in the moving path, discharging a gas including fluid absorbent fibers from an opening section toward the predetermined face; and a polymer casting member disposed inside the duct, casting a superabsorbent polymer from a casting opening toward a center area of the opening section in a direction along the moving path, wherein in the case of the form die passing the duct position, by the gas being sucked through air intake holes in a bottom section of the form die, the fluid absorbent fibers and the superabsorbent polymer in the gas are stacked in the form die to form an absorbent body, wherein an air pressure inside the duct is made lower than the air pressure outside the duct because of the gas being sucked through the bottom section of the form die, wherein

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods and apparatus for handling powder in a 3D printer. The invention includes a means of transporting powder from multiple sources to a powder dispensing apparatus with minimal user intervention, thus reducing contamination of the 3D printer and surrounding area with loose powder, while also providing a means of improving the recycling of powder for re-use.

Abstract: A powder spray coating facility is automatically switched between a first operating mode in which only recovery powder is moved into an intermediate receptacle, and a second operating mode in which only fresh powder from a fresh powder unit is fed to the intermediate receptacle. Switching may be carried out from the second operating mode to a reserve powder operating mode when, following switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, an intermediate receptacle sensor continues to transmit a “powder needed” signal.

Abstract: A doping gun may be used to dope the coating layer of a bonded material with magnetically-sensitive particles. During a recycling process, pieces of the coating layer may be magnetically separated from non-doped pieces of the bonded material. In this way, the non-doped pieces are of a relatively high purity level. Then, these non-doped pieces can be recycled with an improved yield.

Abstract: The process of the present invention significantly increases the durability of superhydrophobic surfaces, while retaining similar optical properties to those of the original surface. The process uses velocity and heat to take freshly formed nano- and ultrafine particles and can partially embed and chemically bond them to the substrate, creating a strongly bonded nano-to-submicron textured surface. This nanotextured surface can then be modified to have desirable surface properties; for example, it can be hydrophobic, oliophobic, or hydrophilic. The high points of the coating made with this process protect the remainder of the surface from abrasion, thus greatly increasing product life in many uses. In preferred embodiments, the process is used to coat transportation vehicle windshields.

Abstract: A film forming apparatus includes a film forming chamber for performing a film formation; an exhaust unit connected to the film forming chamber to discharge a gas out of the film forming chamber; a holder provided in the film forming chamber to hold a process-objective material; a jetting nozzle provided in the film forming chamber on which a jetting port is formed in a slit shape, and jetting an aerosol containing particulate material to form a film made of the particulate material on the process-objective material; and a shielding member provided at a side of the jetting port in a longitudinal direction of the jetting port to cover a side of a jet flow of the aerosol jetted from the jetting port. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a turbulence of a flow of the aerosol due to an exhaust flow, and to form the film uniformly.

Abstract: A film deposition device includes a nozzle configured to inject a plurality of particles to a target; and a suction unit provided around the nozzle and configured to suck particles that are rebounded from the target among the plurality of particles injected from the nozzle.

Abstract: An electrostatic coating device (10) comprising a body defining to an interior chamber (13) communicating with the exterior by means of a first coating powder inlet conduit (14) and a second outlet conduit (15) for said powders, a plurality of electrodes (16) and one or more voltage generators (17) connected to said electrodes (16), wherein said electrodes (16) are positioned so as to generate an electrical field inside said second conduit (15).

Abstract: Piezoelectric actuators are provided. In some instances, the piezoelectric actuators are high-precision piezoelectric actuators. The piezoelectric beams may have a bi-chevron configuration. Also provided are methods of making the piezoelectric actuators, e.g., using Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) fabrication techniques, and methods of using the piezoelectric actuators, e.g., as valves in fluid dispensing systems.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for improved maskless deposition of electronic and biological materials using an extended nozzle. The process is capable of direct deposition of features with linewidths varying from a few microns to a fraction of a millimeter, and can be used to deposit features on targets with damage thresholds near 100° C. or less. Deposition and subsequent processing may be performed under ambient conditions and produce linewidths as low as 1 micron, with sub-micron edge definition. The extended nozzle reduces particle overspray and has a large working distance; that is, the orifice to target distance may be several millimeters or more, enabling direct write onto non-planar surfaces. The nozzle allows for deposition of features with linewidths that are approximately as small as one-twentieth the size of the nozzle orifice diameter, and is preferably interchangeable, enabling rapid variance of deposited linewidth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus by which powder is evenly dispersed and is coated on a substrate uniformly and continuously so that a uniform layer may be formed. More specifically the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for forming a coating layer that powder is coated on an entire surface of a substrate uniformly and continuously, regardless of the material or the size of the substrate, as a uniform amount of powder entrained on the carrier air which is generated by carrier air and powder transported to a carrier pipe at a certain rate is consistently fed in to a nozzle, regardless of the size, morphology, and specific weight of the powder particles.

Abstract: A painting booth (10) with powdered paint comprises a painting chamber (11) in which the powdered paint is sprayed and an underlying service chamber (30). The painting chamber (11) has a grated floor (15) for sucking in the air in it and that leads to paint filtering and suppression groups (17). The groups (17) comprise a first inlet area (22) with cyclone air flow to cause powder to fall out from the flow into an underlying collection hopper (23) followed by filters (24, 124) that are crossed in succession by the air flow.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a spray apparatus and a method useful in the repair of coating adhered to can ends used in the food and beverage packaging industries. The spray apparatus has one or more elongated shafts rotatably coupled to a frame. One or more bearing members are rotatably coupled to the shafts. One or more plates are rotatably coupled to the bearing members. One or more spray guns are coupled to the plates. The spray guns of the spray apparatus are structured to apply fluid to the can end with a solid stream emitted from the spray guns in a circular pattern. A method for the repair of coating adhered on a can end is provided as well.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder supply system (1) for supplying a processing apparatus (2) with a granular substance (3). In this arrangement the powder supply system (1) includes a main container (4) and a powder conveying system (5) with a storage container (51) for conveying the granular substance (3) into the processing apparatus (2). In accordance with the invention, means (6, 611, 612, 62) are provided so that, in the operating state of the processing apparatus (2), a predetermined amount of the granular substance (3) can be conveyed from the main container (4) as working powder to the storage container (51) in such a way that at least a minimum amount (M1) is available as a granular substance (3) in the storage container (51).

Abstract: A method for establishing a calibrating standard for wafer inspection includes depositing solid ionized particles of a known size range with an aerosol onto a wafer. The method also includes depositing particles onto a wafer in a deposition chamber by using an aerosol stream and the solid particles suspended in a gas; ionizing the aerosol stream with a negative or positive charge polarity or both by passing the aerosol stream through a non-radioactive ionizer to produce charged particles and supplying such aerosol stream to the deposition chamber. An apparatus for producing charged particles includes an atomizer and a non-radioactive ionizer in fluid communication with each other. The apparatus may also include an electrospray droplet generator for producing an aerosol with dry-solid particles and an ionizer that ionizes the molecules of the gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for applying particles within a pre-determined limited area of an absorbent structure. The apparatus has: a nozzle arranged to dispense the particles on the pre-determined limited area of the absorbent structure; conduit for supplying particles by a gas flow from a particle container to the nozzle; a valve arranged between the nozzle and the particle container; and, a valve vane arranged to direct the gas flow having particles through the valve from a particle inlet to an application outlet when the valve is in a first position and to direct the gas flow having particles through the valve from the particle inlet to a residue outlet when the valve is in a second position. The apparatus also has a device for maintaining a gas flow in the application outlet when the valve is in the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for structuring a surface of a material by directing at a surface to be structured (9) a particle spray structuring the surface. The invention comprises separating from the particle spray, by means of at least one impaction nozzle (7), particles larger than a determined size d2, which particles are directed at the surface to be structured (9) such that they collide with the surface, producing a structure thereon.

Abstract: A device (10) to coat food products such as potato crisps or chips and biscuits. The device (10) includes a flavor dispenser 21 that delivers granular flavor material to the products (12) being coated. The device (10) further includes a conveyor (11) with conveyor surfaces (15 to 18) that are arranged in cascade so that the food products tumble from one surface to the next so that the granular flavor material is applied to the various surfaces of the food products.

Abstract: A film-forming apparatus includes a mixing section which mixes material particles and core particles having a large particle size than that of the material particles; a separating section which separates the material particles and the core particles; an aerosol-generator which generates aerosol by dispersing the separated material particles in a carrier gas; and a nozzle which ejects the aerosol containing the material particles. The core particles having the large particle size can be easily controlled in terms of transport amount of the core particles, as compared to the material particles which are fine particles used for the film formation. Further, since the core particles hardly cause clog-up in the system, the concentration of aerosol can be maintained stably by appropriately controlling the transport amount of the core particles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for depositing material in hard to reach locations of a workpiece. An elongated member is inserted in an opening. The member transports a laser beam from a fiber laser and material, preferably in powder form, to the desired location. The material is deposited on the workpiece and the laser beam contacts the material. The method and apparatus may be used to manufacture a part or to repair an existing part.