Abstract: Apparatus and continuous process for impregnating fibers with polymer powders in which the fibers are caused to circulate in an aerosol passed through a fluidized bed contained in an earthed fluidization vessel. The particles constituting the fluidized bed are chosen so as to charge the powder particles electrostatically. The aerosol is continuously fed with a flow of fresh powder particles equal to that at which it is desired to impregnate the fibers per unit time and all the powder particles previously introduced which have not been impregnated into the fibers are continuously reintroduced into the fluidized bed without any change in the supply flow rate of fresh powder particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly coating a fiber or tow of fibers (10) with a powder at relatively high speed to produce a prepreg. The apparatus uses an elongated chamber (401) in a container (400) for confining the fiber which is coated by an aerosol of powder dispensed from a powder dispensing apparatus (500) in counter-current mode. A fiber tensioning apparatus (300) for the fiber maintains the proper tensioning of the fibers spread by a speaker (201) below the fibers on roller bars (203) so that the uniformly spread fibers are fed to the chamber (401). A heater apparatus (600) fuses the powder to the fiber and then is taken up on a spool (700).

Abstract: An electrostatic powder coating apparatus comprising a powder reservoir, a gas flow injection chamber, a diffusion chamber and a coating chamber and method for coating a substrate or target objects. The injection chamber receives powder from the reservoir at a controlled rate. The powder particulates are entrained by a gas flow within the injection chamber. The diffusion chamber receives the particulates from the injection chamber. The diffusion chamber deaccelerates the particulates and creates a particulate cloud. The coating chamber receives the particulate cloud. A housing encloses the coating chamber. The coating chamber is isolated from the ambient atmosphere. The coating chamber has a cloud inlet and a cloud outlet. The cloud flows through the coating chamber from the inlet to the outlet. One or more deflectors, within the chamber, define a passage and two or more pockets adjoining the substrate or target objects.

Abstract: The cabin walls (30) and preferably also the cabin floor (34) and/or the cabin ceiling (36) each consist of a double-walled construction with an inner wall (40), an outer wall (44), and spacer elements (46) which keep the two walls spaced apart. Each wall consists of several layers (1 to 9), in sandwich construction, where the layer (1), which delimits the spray space (42) of the cabin, consists of polypropylene or of polyvinyl chloride plastic.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of coating an article by the use of electro-static attraction of ionized particles which are subsequently cured. The apparatus includes a first foraminous conveyor for carrying the article through a powder coating zone and a second conveyor for carrying the article through a curing zone. The surface of the article which rests on the foraminous conveyor is cleaned of particles as the article is transferred from the first foraminous conveyor to the second conveyor. The first foraminous conveyor is also cleaned of particles after the article has been transferred. After the articles have been cured to form a coating on the article, the article is put through the coating system again except that the article is supported on the conveyor so that the surface which was not coated in the first pass through the system is out of contact with the conveyor.

Abstract: A powder coating booth and a construction method therefor comprise a pair of inflatable polymer walls defining between them a booth inner space, a booth entry end and a booth exit end, and supporting the inflatable walls in spaced orientation to define between them the booth inner space. A mechanism is provided between the walls for recovery of powder which does not adhere to articles conveyed through the booth inner space. The polymer walls comprise one or more cells. The step of providing the polymer walls comprises inflating the cells. The method also includes the step of covering the cells with a sheet of polymer film forming an envelope for the cells. Illustratively, the cells comprise a layer of bubble packaging material. Alternatively, the polymer walls comprise thermoformed cores and a polymer film envelope enveloping each core and closed to provide suitable inflation of each wall. Illustratively, the inflatable walls are supported in spaced orientation by a conventional powder spray booth.

Abstract: A filter unit (12) or a cyclone unit (22) can alternately be attached to a cabin (2) to draw powder out of the cabin. The units move on wheels. In an operating position adjacent to the cabin (2), they are automatically aligned with flow connections and can be connected. A common fan (52) for both units is connected with the filter unit (12) via a compressed air cleaning device (42) in terms of flow, if the former is in the operating position, and at the same time it closes off the inlet to a post-filter unit (32), while when the filter unit (12) is removed and the cyclone unit (22) is in the operating position, this cyclone unit (22) is connected with the fan (52) via the post-filter (32), and the cyclone unit (22) closes off a flow inlet of the compressed air cleaning unit (42). In this way, color changes can be carried out in a short period of time, and good exhaust cleaning is achieved by the filter unit (12) during extended operation with the same color, without a color change.

Abstract: An apparatus that can recover excess paint powder that is blown onto workpieces by a spray gun. The apparatus has a first duct that is placed near the workpiece across from the spray gun. The first duct is preferably constructed as a collapsible tent that can be hung by a ceiling fixture. The tent extends along the length of any workpiece, to insure that all of the powder is collected. The tent can be attached by merely pulling a cable and hooking the top of the tent to the ceiling fixture. Connected to the duct is a fan that draws air from the area around the workpieces into the duct. The fan and duct are constructed so that all of the excess paint powder is removed from the paint area. The duct has an inner cavity that directs the paint powder to a filter that captures the powder so that the paint can be reused.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coating surfaces of workpieces employs an electrostatic fluidized bed unit for producing a cloud of charged particles, for deposition upon the workpiece, and a second fluidized bed for agitating the particulate material and for facilitating feeding thereof to the electrostatic coating bed, the second bed being disposed beneath the first bed, and being in powder flow communication with it.

Abstract: A liner that covers the inner walls of a spray booth. The liner has cables that extend through holes in the booth. The user can pull the cables and lift the liner, so that the liner covers the inner walls of the booth. The cables are then fastened in place, such that the liner is suspended in an upright position. The liner prevents the electrostatic paint powder from adhering to the walls of the booth. The liner contains elastic material, so that when the cable is unfastened, the liner readily falls into a flat position. The user can then roll up the liner, remove the same from the booth and insert a new liner for a new color of paint. The liner may have ducts to direct the powder within the booth to a paint powder filter. The duct can be readily lifted and collapsed for easy installation within the booth.

Abstract: A liner module that can be coupled to a spray booth. The module includes a liner folded into a portable cabinet. The liner has a zipper that closes a liner cavity. The liner can be unfolded from the cabinet, unzipped and attached to the inner walls of the spray booth. An electrostatic paint gun is typically used to spray paint powder onto an object located within a spray chamber of the booth. The spray gun produces excess paint powder which is drawn into a filter system. The liner is constructed to prevent the excess paint powder from adhering to the inner walls of the spray booth. The module also contains a primary filter that captures the paint powder as the powder is pulled from the spray booth into the filter system.

Abstract: A nozzle spray containment apparatus contains a fluid being sprayed onto a work surface. A containment portion contains the spray being applied to the work surface. The spray is applied through an opening formed in the containment portion. An adapter is mounted in a portion of the opening to modify the opening, the adapter being provided for adapting engagement of the containment portion to variations in the work surface and for varying the opening to accommodate the variations in the work surface. A vacuum portion is in fluid communication with the containment portion whereby a negative pressure may be created in the containment portion. Various devices may be used to position a nozzle within the containment portion which applies the spray as desired.

Abstract: A booth for spraying a coating of material on an article. The booth includes a device for spraying material proximate to the article to be coated thereby generating an overspray. The booth also includes a wall for containing the overspray within the booth. Finally, the booth includes a plurality of wall covering units, each of which has a base layer and a plurality of removable sheets.

Abstract: A pulverulent coating material application and reclaiming system comprises a booth including a floor, a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed ends. Articles to be coated are conveyed through the booth between the walls and above the floor for coating by the pulverulent material. A dispenser dispenses pulverulent material onto the articles as they are conveyed through the booth. A receptacle is provided under the floor for reclaiming pulverulent material which does not adhere to the articles. The floor terminates short of ends of the booth to define adjacent to the ends entries to the receptacle for reclaimed pulverulent material. A floor wiping mechanism includes a wiper, low friction mountings on the wiper to permit low friction movement of the wiper on the floor, scraping blades mounted on the wiper in contact with the floor, and a prime mover for reciprocating the wiper at intervals lengthwise of the floor to return pulverulent material accumulated on the floor therefrom into the entries.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying powdered coating to a workpiece--particularly to electric motor armatures and stators--including features relating to handling and masking of workpieces before, during and after coating, is provided. A first feature of the invention is the inclusion of all coating steps--e.g., coating, cleaning and precuring--as modules in a single treatment station on the production line. The treatment station can also be enclosed in a single housing to contain excess powder from both the coating and cleaning processes, so that a single powder recovery system can be used to recover the excess powder from both processes. The invention also includes a handling system for removing the workpiece from the production line, inserting it into the treatment station and moving it past the various modules in the treatment station, withdrawing it from the treatment station, and returning it to the armature production line.

Abstract: A paint spray booth utilizes longitudinal air flow along paths parallel to a path of travel through a tunnel in the booth of objects to be painted, the air flow directed inwardly from both entrance and exit ends of the tunnel. An exhaust duct for the inwardly directed, longitudinally flowing air is positioned between the entrance and exit ends and includes an exhaust slot which surrounds at least a portion of a paint spray application area within the tunnel for drawing out overspray-laden exhaust air. Maintaining flow of exhaust air along the path of travel of the painted objects increases paint transfer efficiency and minimizes contamination of paint recovered from the exhaust air. The invention finds particular advantage in powder spray booth applications and is adapted to modularization thereby enabling retrofitting of existing spray booths with apparatus arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention.

Abstract: Partitions in a paint spray booth are adjustably coupled to a grated ceiling of the booth and extend to preselected heights above a grated floor of the booth. The adjustable partitions define a paint spray application zone therebetween wherein air flow rate between the ceiling and the floor of the booth is chosen for optimum paint transfer and overspray removal efficiency, while air flow between the partitions and the booth outer walls may be much lower to conserve investment and running costs. Air flow reducers, such as adjustable perforated plates, are positioned on the grated ceiling above the low rate air flow spaces between the partitions and the outer walls.

Abstract: A filter belt assembly located at the bottom of the inner cavity of a spray booth. The filter assembly has a plurality of first sprockets each spaced apart a predetermined distance along a horizontal axis and a plurality of second sprockets each spaced apart a predetermined distance along a horizontal axis. The second sprockets are spaced a predetermined distance from the first sprockets along a vertical axis, wherein each second sprocket is interposed between two adjacent first sprockets such that the sprockets guide a filter belt through the bottom of the inner cavity in a serpentine fashion. The filter assembly has a drive means to move the filter belt and a vacuum unit to remove excess paint powder that is disposed on the belt, as the belt moves from the booth to the vacuum. The filter belt may also have an air blower located under the filter belt where the belt vacuum is located.

Abstract: An apparatus, for determining the degree of tackiness of a surface of a body, comprises a closed chamber with inlet and outlet openings; a support for the body within the chamber; a fan for providing an airflow directed toward the surface of the body within the chamber; a powder dispenser for releasing powder into the path of the airflow upstream of the body surface, the powder being adapted to be carried by the airflow thereby to permit the powder to impinge against the body surface; whereby the amount of powder adhering to the body surface after a period provides a measure of tackiness of the surface.

Abstract: A powder spray coating system has a controller configurable to a variety of different system configurations. Configuration data is keyed by an operator from menu prompts and stored for use by a microprocessor based operating program to operate the supply of powder and air to a powder spray gun. The microprocessor also presents information from monitored parameters of the system, including the supply air dew point which is monitored to provide warning signals of potential condensation in the system. Dew point detection is accomplished by measuring temperature and relative humidity and comparing the measurements with values for air at the maximum acceptable dew point. Alternatively, measurement of absolute humidity and supply air pressure are used to compute the dew point of the air which is compared with the actual temperature and maximum dew point temperature.

Abstract: Sheet material is fed from a sheet supply station to a sheet receiving station and is guided by guiding means which defines a downwardly converging spray chamber floor and spray chamber side walls. The sheet material can be replaced when soiled by advancing a new length from the supply station to the receiving station.

Abstract: Objects to be coated enter an enclosure and a coating product with specific characteristics is sprayed onto the objects while in the enclosure. There is a respective enclosure for each of a plurality of coating products adapted to be removably attached to an external framework. Changing the coating product entails changing the enclosure.

Abstract: A self contained recirculating powdering and vacuuming assembly and the airflow discharge manifold therfor. The vacuum assembly includes a blower operably connected within a housing having a low and high pressure region. A powder tray is mounted beneath a first outlet at the bottom of the low pressure region and is structured to hold a quantity of powder for controlled depositing onto paper stock having a wet ink coating on preselected areas of the paper stock. This first outlet sealably transfers powder collected in the low pressure region back into the powder tray, which powder is transported by conveyor beneath the powder tray. A vacuum passage extends downward from a low pressure region inlet to a powder pickup slot positioned adjacent to the area where the powder is deposited onto the paper stock. Pressurized air is directed toward the pickup slot from either side thereof by the airflow discharge manifold which receives air from the high pressure region outlet.

Abstract: A food breading assembly which includes a grid member sandwiched between an upper bin for holding food items to be breaded and a lower bin for holding breading material such as flour, bread crumbs, and the like. The upper and lower bins have aligned handles projecting from each side which the user can grasp with his hands to hold the upper and lower bins together and the grid sandwiched tightly between. The user can then shake the assembly causing the breading material to be propelled upwardly through the apertures of the grid to bread the food items in the upper bin. When completed, the upper bin is lifted off the grid with the breaded food on the grid. The grid has a pair of handles the user then grasps to lift the grid and breaded food thereon away from the lower bin, carry over to a cooking receptacle and drop the breaded food items therein without the user having to touch the food with his hands.

Abstract: A spray booth for applying a coating to a substrate includes an outer chamber (12) containing a fluid therein having a predetermined first temperature and/or humidity and an inner chamber (14) in fluid communication with the outer chamber (12). The inner chamber (14) contains the fluid therein at a higher predetermined second humidity and/or temperature. The inner chamber (14) includes a fan (42) for recirculating a flow of the fluid at the second predetermined temperature and/or humidity therethrough and filters (34,36,44,46) for removing airborne comtaminants. A temperature and/or humidity control device (58) exhausts a predetermined amount of the fluid from the inner chamber (14) out of the inner (14) and outer chambers (12) said exhausted fluid being essentially free of toxic contaminants, the exhaust of the fluid drawing fluid from the outer chamber (22) into the inner chamber (14) to lower the temperature and/or humidity in the inner chamber (14).

Abstract: A system and method for uniformly coating one or more fibers (10) with particles of a material is described. The method uses a vibrator preferably an acoustic speaker (17b) in a housing (17c) to fluidize the particles (P.sub.1) in a chamber (17 or 30) to deposit them on spread fibers (10b). The fibers can be in the form of a tow of fibers. After the particles are coated on the fibers, the particles can be bonded to the fiber such as by using a heater (19). The resulting product has a uniform deposit of the particles and in the case of the tow of fibers can serve as a prepreg for laminate structures to be produced from the coated tow of fibers.

Abstract: A fluidizing and suction withdrawal unit (14) which can be lowered into a container (20) holding a powder (22), in order to fluidize the powder and withdraw the fluidized powder (92) by suction. The fluidizing and suction withdrawal unit (14) is provided with a level sensor (88) which generates a signal, in contingence on the immersion depth (80, 82) to which the fluidizing and suction withdrawal unit (14) is immersed in a powder layer (92) fluidized by it. This assures a consistent feed capacity which also in the case of direct connection of a spray device (76) results in the coating of articles at good coating qualities.

Abstract: A system for coating articles by the use of electrostatic attraction of ionized particles which are subsequently cured. The system includes a pair of carriers for jointly carrying each article through the system, from application of the particles to the article through curing of the particles on the article. Each carrier is capable of carrying the article independently of the other. After deposition of the particles on the article the article and the carriers are conveyed through a cleaning station wherein one of the carriers is moved out of carrying engagement with the article and cleaned while the article supported by the other carrier. The other carrier is then moved out of supporting engagement with the article and cleaned while the article is supported by the first carrier.

Abstract: A liquid to powder spray booth conversion insert compartment is provided that can be rolled up to a conventional wet paint spray booth to convert it to dry powder usage. A pleated fiber filter having a pore size of 20 microns inclined above powder collection trays is provided to allow collection and reuse of the powdered materials. A prefilter of progressive weave filter material is provided at the input side of the compartment to remove large size matter while allowing the sprayed powder particles to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting and drying powder used for electrostatic coating of a workpiece has air injection means incorporated into the collection bin both to dry and also to homogenize powder recovered, just prior to withdrawal from the bin.

Abstract: A powder coating system particularly adapted for coating large objects such as automotive and other vehicle bodies comprises a spray booth having a manual/robotic spraying area for the application of powder to the inner door flanges and other hard to reach areas of the vehicle body using manually or rotatably operated powder dispensers, and an automatic spraying area wherein the remainder of the vehicle body is coated using automatically manipulated powder dispensers. A powder collection and recovery system is associated with the spray booth which includes removable cartridge filters arranged in V-shaped filter banks within powder collection chambers beneath the floor of the booth, a system for the transfer of powder collected in the powder collection chambers to hoppers located exteriorly of the booth and an air exhaust system for equalizing the negative pressure within clean air chambers which receive clean air after filtering by the cartridge filters.

Abstract: A housing forming an internal powdering chamber in which an article support tray is removably supported. A hopper located on the exterior top of the housing is structured to dispense a metered amount of powder onto a powder distributor and sifting screen located in the top interior of the housing. An electric motor powering a wheel with an eccentrically connected actuator arm and linkage are connected to the powder distributor and sifting screen in order to supply an oscillatory movement thereto. The powder distributor also includes powered shuttered apertures to allow the powder to be distributed evenly on the powder distributor before being opened to allow the powder onto the sifting screen. The powder distributor and sifting screen are structured to evenly distribute a fine coating of powder vertically downward toward the article support tray. Power actuated lifting arms are located one on each interior corner of the housing slightly below the article support tray.

Abstract: In a powder coating facility wherein powder entrained with conditioned air sprayed from a feed conduit (11) to a workpiece, such as a can body (51), and excess powder is returned by suction by means of exhausts (29, 25), a conditioning chamber (21) is arranged around the coating zone (15) in order to prevent contamination of the dispensed powder due to influences of the enviroment (U). An air flow (S) is provided, produced from openings (23) of the chamber (21), to conduct the can bodies (51) into and through the chamber (21). The air flow from the openings of the chamber prevents influences of the ambient surroundings of the chamber powder sprayed and retrieved in the powder coating facility.

Abstract: A spray cabin for powder spray having a spray opening on one side and an let opening on an opposite side connected to a powder separator applying suction to the outlet opening has at least a baffle directing the outflow upwardly along the wall provided with the outlet opening to entrain particles which have deposited on the floor upwardly and provide a quiescent or calming chamber immediately upstream of the outlet opening.

Abstract: A cabinet (1) for electrostatic painting which includes a framework (2) supporting flat walls (3) whose surfaces (5) bound a volume inside of which at least pneumatic distributor (6) is installed to distribute powder onto a workpiece (7) which is to be painted thereby. The powder which is not applied to the workpiece settles on the interior surfaces of the walls and is removed therefrom by a combination of air blown from a blowing mouth (20) against the inner surface (5) of each wall in opposition to an air stream generated by a suction mouth (19). During the opposition of the suction and blowing mouths (19, 20, respectively), each wall is moved past the mouths whereby each wall is thereby progressively cleaned of the powder.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing spacers of a liquid-crystal display panel comprises a dispersal box containing a substrate of the liquid-crystal display panel, and at least one spacer feed tank, the dispersal box and the spacer feed tank being connected to each other by means of a feed pipe, wherein the spacers are mixed with a gas as a dispersion medium, supplied from the spacer feed tank to the dispersal box through the feed pipe, and are then dispersed over the substrate.

Abstract: A grip demoisturizing device for a sports racquet, or the like, has a normally closed tubular container containing a moisture absorbing powder and a self-closing, elastically yielding flap valve for admitting the grip into the container. A described embodiment has an apertured tubular partition located coaxially within the container and spaced therefrom by apertured discs, with powder being stored in an annular region and the diameter of the partition being chosen so as to provide a "pump" and "swab" action to provide an additional measure of neatness in dispensing the powder onto the grip.

Abstract: A process of dry dispersal of fine-grained particles on a specimen slide for the purpose of macroscopic or microscopic analysis, and a corresponding instrument for carrying out this process are described. The process permits random, homogeneous distribution of dry particles on a specimen slide in a unilayered, planar distribution, the particles not touching one another at all or only doing so to a negligible extent, i.e. being positioned on the speciment slide without agglomeration. The process steps are: metered input of the fine-grained substance into a sample container; aspiration of the substance by means of a defined partial vacuum, produced in a turbulence chamber, the substance reaching the turbulence chamber via an accelerator tube and then via a distributor tube, and deposition of the accelerated particles on a transparent speciment slide.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder coating unit utilizes a tubular cloud of charged particles moving helically within a generally cylindrical porous member, for coating workpieces conveyed therethrough. The electrode assembly, by which ionized air is produced for charging the particles, may be mounted to rotate about the cylindrical porous member, for optimal efficiency and effectiveness.

Abstract: A powder spray booth for use in the electrostatic coating of articles is disclosed. The spray booth is of a basically symmetrical configuration allowing the spray coating of articles passing therethrough on a conveyor from either side thereof. At each end of the spray booth and positioned at a lower elevation than the spray region is an exhaust blower which may be effectively coupled to a powder cart located therebetween and below the spray region for the automatic recovery of the overspray. The powder carts are portable and when in a cooperative position with respect to the spray booth, include self-cleaning filters and automatic recovery and recirculation of the overspray. A plurality of powder carts may be used to form a sort of magazine to provide very fast color change capability. The spray booth itself may also be mounted on rail-like members so as to readily movable between different positions in a conveyor line or different conveyor lines according to the needs at the particular time.

Abstract: A powder spray chamber balances the downward forces of gravity on the coating particles with upward exhaust forces to suspend the coating materials adjacent the work piece for a longer period of time than would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the production of molding compositions for fiber-reinforced resin composites in which chopped fiber tow is fluidized, expanded and admixed with dry powdered resin is disclosed. Fluidized fibers are conveyed through a flow accelerating device and discharged into an enlarged mixing chamber wherein turbulent admixing with powdered resin injected therein occurs.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a spray coating device for spray coating an article with particulate material in a coating chamber. In connection with a change of coating material, e.g. a color change, it is desirable to remove the previous coating material from the coating chamber. To this end, the inner walls of the coating chamber are defined by movable endless belts whose inner courses move to deliver coating material that has accumulated thereon to the floor of the chamber. The floor of the chamber is also comprised of an endless belt that moves the coating material out of the chamber. The roof of the chamber is also comprised of an endless belt which moves the coating material to one of the side walls. The belts may be cleaned by various devices such as a brush, gas blast nozzles and/or a suction device. Slots defined in the walls permit introduction of the article to be sprayed and the spraying device into the chamber. Plastic elements limit the size of the slot through which the spraying device passes.

Abstract: An installation for electrostatic deposition of powder on objects travelling continuously, by means of a conveyor, through a treatment cage with a side entrance and exit comprises a filtering system, a system for supplying powder and compressed air and a tank for recovery of powder. The cage comprises at least two modules, namely, a first module for storing, projecting and recovering powder, which contains elements for projection of powder onto the objects to be processed, and a second module for filtering and recycling the air in which the air loaded with powder originating from the first module is filtered and recycled to the first module. The cage includes at least one air lock to prevent escape of powder laden air to the exterior of the cage.

Abstract: Investment casting mold forming apparatus including a vertically extending housing (10) having a top (22), a bottom (28) and an access opening (20) intermediate the top and the bottom, a diffuser (26) within the housing below the opening and above the bottom, a pressure fluid inlet (32) in the housing between the bottom and the diffuser for providing fluid so that a fluidized bed and particulate material may be generated above the diffuser, and a distributor (50,52,60) introducing particulate material into the housing at its top and above a fluidized bed therein such that the particulate material so introduced may descend, by gravity, within the housing towards the fluidized bed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the production of molding compositions for fiber-reinforced resin composites in which chopped fiber tow is fluidized, expanded and admixed with dry powdered resin is disclosed. Fluidized fibers are conveyed through a flow accelerating device and discharged into an enlarged mixing chamber wherein turbulent admixing with powdered resin injected therein occurs.

Abstract: Apparatus for spraying a powder circumferentially around a pipe joint on a pipe comprising a yoke engagable with the pipe, one or more powder dispensers mounted on the yoke and disposed over the pipe joint, means for driving the yoke circumferentially about the pipe, each powder dispenser having an inner housing provided with an opening positioned adjacent the surface of the pipe for supplying a quantity of air-powder suspension to the surface of the pipe over the pipe joint, each powder dispensing device also having an outer housing surrounding the inner housing and being provided with an opening positioned adjacent the pipe and surrounding the opening of the inner housing, the inner and outer housings of each powder dispenser defining a space therebetween. A powder suspension device is provided having a hollow container adapted to contain a quantity of powder therein and a means for introducing air under pressure adjacent the bottom of the container to place the powder in suspension in the container.

Abstract: A method of coating metal pipes externally with a uniform thin coating of a synthetic resin, such as a polyamide, polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, which comprises heating the pipe to a temperature to enable a frit of discrete particles to bond to a pipe in a chamber through which the pipe is passed and which is charged with a mixture of a gas and the particles. Thereafter the frit is smoothed by heating the pipe to a higher temperature as it leaves the chamber to cause the particles to coalesce.This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 616,314, file 24 Sept. 1975 and now abandoned.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting powder exhausted from an electrostatic fluidized bed coater, in which exhaust air passes from the cloud chamber of the coater into an inner exhaust chamber and then passes through a porous plate to an outer exhaust chamber, the powder carried by the exhaust air being stopped by the porous plate and thereafter collected from the inner chamber.

Abstract: A metal wire to be coated with thermoplastic material is advanced at high speed, e.g. of 100 meters per minute, through a codirectionally moving mass of thermoplastic particles after having been heated to a temperature high enough to cause adhesion of these particles to the wire. The mass is mechanically entrained in a treatment chamber by an endless belt or the like at a speed close enough to that of the wire to hold the velocity difference therebetween below a threshold value, such as 30 meters per minute, above which an abrasive effect sets in which tends to detach already adhering particles from the wire. Upon exiting from the treatment chamber, the wire is reheated to fuse these particles into a continuous envelope and is then subjected to an electrostatic flocking operation for studding the envelope with radially projecting cellulosic fibers forming a velvety coating thereon.