Plural Supplies Of Particulate Material Patents (Class 118/310)
  • Patent number: 9540272
    Abstract: A soot deposition burner assembly, having at least one burner including a burner face on a first surface of a burner support. The burner produces a flame which extends generally perpendicularly to the first surface. A burner shield includes a first wall extending generally perpendicularly from the first surface surrounding the burner face. The burner shield has a base end with a first surface area facing toward the first surface and a shield face with a second surface area facing away from the first surface. To reduce the buildup of soot material, the second surface area is smaller than the first surface area, and the wall thickness is less at the shield face than the base end. Additionally, air can be directed along an exterior surface of the first wall from the base end toward the shield face to further reduce soot buildup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Dana Craig Bookbinder, Brian Lee Harper, Mothivel Balaiyya Mummudi-Boopathy, Pushkar Tandon
  • Patent number: 9010272
    Abstract: A device for depositing a mixture of powders to form an object with composition gradients, including: a plurality of tanks respectively configured to contain different powders; a powder mixer placed under the tanks and including a rotatably mounted mixing member; a plurality of powder dispensing mechanisms respectively cooperating with the tanks, and each configured to regulate mass flow rate of the powder escaping from a respective of the tanks towards the mixer; a powder mixture collector placed under the mixer; and a powder mixture dispenser placed under the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Olivier Gillia, Basile Caillens
  • Publication number: 20150072074
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying or dropping granules onto the asphalt coated surface of a moving sheet in shingle manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes sharing each drop between two or more blend rolls with a subsequent blend roll or rolls applying a partial drop directly on top of partial drops already applied by a first blend roll or rolls. High production speeds can be accommodated since each roll can be operated at slower rotation rates and with slower acceleration and deceleration requirements than would be required if the full granule drop were applied during the same time interval with a single blend roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Patrick Mishler
  • Publication number: 20140287149
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coating system for a component of a turbomachine, which includes at least two different base powders. Each of the at least two different base powders has an individual predetermined distribution within the coating system. Further, each of the at least two different base powders is responsible for a specific property of the coating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Julien Rene Andre ZIMMERMANN, Alexander Stankowski, Piero-Daniele Grasso, Sven Olliges, Sophie Betty Claire Duval
  • Patent number: 8567341
    Abstract: A powder coating system comprising a plurality of supply containers and a connection changer having a plurality of supply connectors associated with a support member and each in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of supply containers. The connection changer includes a movable delivery connector selectively and independently connectable to each of the plurality of supply connectors associated with the support member. A pump is in fluid communication with the delivery connector of the connection changer and at least one applicator is in fluid communication with the pump. Fluid communication from the delivery connector to the applicator defines a delivery portion of the system. The pump is disposed along the delivery portion of the system to apply negative pressure to the at least one selected supply container and draw its contents to the at least one applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Gema Switzerland GmbH
    Inventor: Michael J. Thies
  • Patent number: 8544408
    Abstract: A system for applying a metal particulate onto an object is disclosed herein. The system can include sources for a metal particulate and a hot pressurized air in communication with a spraying device having a nozzle assembly configured to: receive, mix, and expel the metal particulate and the hot pressurized air. The hot pressurized air can form a venturi effect within the nozzle assembly to draw in the metal particulate. The nozzle assembly can include a nozzle cap with a tapered nozzle having a helical channel, and an outer tip connected to the nozzle cap having a venturi effect chamber, a mixing conduit, and rifling. The helical channel can form a vortex flow of the metal particulate, and the mixing conduit can form a vortex flow of the air metal mixture. A nozzle orifice can expel the air metal mixture to onto the object to form a coating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Wayne Ewers
  • Patent number: 8535756
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing a random pattern of liquid adhesive filaments. The nozzle may include first and second air shim plates, an adhesive shim plate and first and second separating shim plates. The first and second air shim plates each have respective pairs of air slots. Each air slot has a process air inlet and a process air outlet and the air slots of each pair converge toward one another such that the process air inlets are farther apart than the process air outlets in each pair. The adhesive shim plate includes a plurality of liquid slots each with a liquid outlet. Four process air outlets are associated with each of the liquid outlets. The process air slots are adapted to receive pressurized process air and the liquid slots are adapted to receive pressurized liquid adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bondeson, Thomas Burmester, Hubert Kufner, Joel E. Saine
  • Patent number: 8399053
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing a random pattern of liquid adhesive filaments. The nozzle may include first and second air shim plates, an adhesive shim plate and first and second separating shim plates. The first and second air shim plates each have respective pairs of air slots. Each air slot has a process air inlet and a process air outlet and the air slots of each pair converge toward one another such that the process air inlets are farther apart than the process air outlets in each pair. The adhesive shim plate includes a plurality of liquid slots each with a liquid outlet. Four process air outlets are associated with each of the liquid outlets. The process air slots are adapted to receive pressurized process air and the liquid slots are adapted to receive pressurized liquid adhesive. The pressurized process air discharges from each group of the four process air outlets and forms a zone of turbulence for moving the filament of liquid adhesive discharging from the associated liquid outlet in a random pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bondeson, Thomas Burmester, Hubert Kufner, Joel E. Saine
  • Patent number: 8252117
    Abstract: A feed system and related process are configured to continuously feed measured doses of source material to a vapor deposition apparatus wherein the source material is sublimated and deposited as a thin film on a substrate. The system includes a bulk material hopper, and an upper dose cup disposed to receive source material from the hopper. A lower dose cup is disposed in a vacuum lock chamber to receive a measured dose of source material from the upper dose cup. A transfer mechanism is disposed below the vacuum lock chamber to receive the measured dose of source material from the lower dose cup and to transfer the source material to a downstream deposition head while isolating the deposition conditions and sublimated source material within the deposition head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: PrimeStar Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Jackson Little, Max William Reed, Christopher Rathweg, Mark Jeffrey Pavol
  • Patent number: 8033241
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Donald L. Urig, Dean A. Koch
  • Patent number: 7878143
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Motohiro Yasui
  • Patent number: 7827929
    Abstract: A pneumatic seasoning system and method utilizing a rotating drum for seasoning, a funnel-fed pneumatic eductor, line splitters, and a plurality of specially-designed swirl-inducing nozzle spools for inducing a broad and even seasoning plume. In a preferred embodiment, a pneumatic seasoning system transports seasoning from a seasoning hopper to food items within a rotating drum using a combination of an eductor and four in-line vacuum generators, which vacuum generators operate on compressed air. Each vacuum generator comprises a distributing nozzle roughly shaped like a collared spool, wherein compressed air is supplied to the annular region defined between the spool and its collar, and said compressed air exits through swirl ports distributed about the circumference of the spool exit. Each swirl port preferably has a pitch angle of 15° and a yaw angle of 15°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Garrison, Ross D. Samuels, Glynn R. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 7781012
    Abstract: A method and an installation for coating, especially painting, articles. The method is characterized by filling nonabrasive powder containers with the powdery coating material and transporting the containers to the vicinity of an application device. The powder containers are opened only in the vicinity of the application device and the powder is removed and then released by the application device onto the article to be coated. The avoids substantial dirtying of the transport paths that the powder containers are transported on, thereby eliminating the need for cleaning when the coating material is changed, especially when the coating powder is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Eisenmann Anlagenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolf-Hasso Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20100092662
    Abstract: An HS-PVD (high speed physical vapor deposition) or cold spray method for coating a substrate with a bonding agent layer is provided. This method includes generating a particle stream of a coating material, depositing the particle stream on the substrate and subjecting the substrate to a subsequent thermal treatment, wherein powder particles with a larger particle size are added to the particle stream. A device for implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Knut Halberstadt, Werner Stamm
  • Patent number: 7632353
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a composite structure body is provided which forms structure body having the constitution in which the crystals of more than one type of brittle material are dispersed and having novel properties without involving a heating/sintering process. The apparatus includes an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol. The aerosol is generated through dispersing fine particles of more than one type of brittle material, or dispersing composite fine particles, in a gas. The apparatus also includes a nozzle configured to spray the aerosol, a classifier configured to classify the brittle material fine particles in the aerosol, and a disintegrating machine for disintegrating agglomerations of the brittle material fine particles in the aerosol. The composite structure body is manufactured in reduced pressure conditions by bombarding a substrate with the aerosol at a high velocity, whereby at least one of crystals and microstructures of said brittle materials are dispersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignees: Toto Ltd., National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hironori Hatono, Masakatsu Kiyohara, Katsuhiko Mori, Tatsuro Yokoyama, Atsushi Yoshida, Tomokazu Ito, Jun Akedo
  • Publication number: 20090211524
    Abstract: Sprinkling head (2) for sprinkling powder (4) on a glass plate (6). The sprinkling head comprises a frame (8) and one or more delivering devices (16) for delivering a powder to the transparent plate. The one or more delivering devices are mechanically coupled to the frame and comprise: a container (17) for containing a pigmented powder; an outlet unit (20) for delivering the power onto the transparent plate, the outlet unit comprising an opening (22) through which the powder is delivered onto the transparent plate; a vibratable feed channel (26) for feeding the powder from the container to the outlet unit when the feed channel is in a vibrational state, in which state the feed channel vibrates with respect to the frame so that the powder is sprinkled, via the opening, onto the plate, and an actuator (28) for bringing the feed channel into the vibrational state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Gerardus Titus Van Heck, Stijn Ruud Louis Berden, Merijn Wijnen, Renè Jos Houben
  • Publication number: 20080305420
    Abstract: A method for coating particles with a coating liquid including supplying airflow to fluidize the particles; mixing the coating liquid with a spray gas in a two-fluid spray nozzle to form a two-phase flow; and atomizing the two-phase flow with the spray gas to spray a mist of the coating liquid upon the particles. A coating device including a vessel; a fluidizing device configured to supply airflow to fluidize a powder in the vessel; and a spray nozzle configured to mix the coating liquid with a spray gas to form a two-phase flow, and to atomize the two-phase flow with the spray gas to spray a mist of the coating liquid. A particulate carrier for use in electrophotographic developer including particles of a core material and a cover layer thereon and prepared by the coating method mentioned above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Naotoshi KINOSHITA, Tetsuya TANAKA, Masahiro KAWAMOTO, Hiroyuki INA, Jun HITOSUGI
  • Patent number: 7399362
    Abstract: An installation for powder coating articles, in particular vehicle bodies, comprises a coating booth, in which a plurality of application devices for the powder coating may be arranged. The articles to be coated are located during the coating process on a rotating rotary stand. Application devices located in various angular positions relative to the axis of the rotary stand may be charged with powder coatings of different colours. A collecting hopper is located at the bottom of the coating booth, the outlet opening of which collecting hopper may be brought as desired into connection with various recovery devices for powder overspray. To coat articles of different colours, the application devices charged with powder coating of the appropriate colour are activated in each case and the recovery device which collects the powder of the corresponding colour is brought into connection with the outlet opening of the collecting hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eisenmann Anlagenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Pohl, Wolfgang Bezner, Jürgen Hanf, Peter Abel
  • Patent number: 7241341
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus (10) for making thin layers from particles, wherein the particles are deposited on a carrier fluid flowing by gravity along a ramp (12) leading to a dam (18). The particles are held back at the bottom of the ramp (12), thereby causing the particles to be piled up one against the other in a monolayer configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Nanometrix Inc.
    Inventors: Gilles Picard, Juan Schneider
  • Patent number: 7135205
    Abstract: To form an ionomer-based catalytic layer on a porous substrate, a heat source (40) is used to dry an ionomer-containing spray (46) so that it does not substantially liquid flow on the substrate (14). The ionomer spray (46) may contain a catalyst. A spray (46) of mixed material for forming the catalytic layer is entrained by a gas stream and is heated and directed to a substrate surface (12). For hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells, catalytic material is incorporated into the proton-conducting membrane (56) to convert diffusing oxygen and hydrogen to water to reduce potential loss at the electrodes and maintain hydration of the proton-conducting membrane (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: nGimat, Co.
    Inventors: Paul L. Smith, Peter W. Faguy, Andrew T. Hunt, Charles McKendrie Quillian, V, William John Dalzell, Jr., Frank C. Witbrod, Stein S. Lee, William Harm, Joanne Yardlyne Smalley, Mark Batich, William Hoos
  • Patent number: 7022638
    Abstract: In the method and apparatus for manufacturing a fuel cell electrode, electrode material is electrostatically held on a photosensitive drum with a prescribed pattern. The electrode material of the prescribed pattern is then transferred from the photosensitive drum onto an electrolyte membrane or a membrane of a diffusion layer. The transferred electrode material of the prescribed pattern is then fixed to the membrane. The electrode material may be electrostatically applied to the membrane a plurality of times in order to vary the electrode structure in the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kaji, Masashi Murate
  • Patent number: 6964708
    Abstract: A booth for coating objects with powder, in particular for powder painting, comprises in a manner known per se a housing, in which there is situated at least one application device, with which powder can be applied to the objects. Situated in the upper region of the housing is an air plenum, which is fed with supply air via an inlet opening. The air plenum is closed off downwardly by a filter ceiling. In contrast to known filter ceilings, the one according to the invention is air-permeable in its marginal region only, while in its central region it consists of air-impermeable material. The supply air is thus introduced into the interior of the booth as a kind of “air curtain” which flows mainly along the side walls of the housing of the booth, entrains in the process stray excess powder which has not adhered to the objects to be coated, and supplies it to at least one extraction opening situated in the bottom of the booth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Eisenmann Maschinenbau KG
    Inventors: Erwin Hihn, Wolfgang Bezner
  • Patent number: 6946032
    Abstract: An installation for powder coating articles, in particular vehicle bodies, comprises a coating booth, in which a plurality of application devices for the powder coating may be arranged. The articles to be coated are located during the coating process on a rotating rotary stand. Application devices located in various angular positions relative to the axis of the rotary stand may be charged with powder coatings of different colors. A collecting hopper is located at the bottom of the coating booth, the outlet opening of which collecting hopper may be brought as desired into connection with various recovery devices for powder overspray. To coat articles of different colors, the application devices charged with powder coating of the appropriate color are activated in each case and the recovery device which collects the powder of the corresponding color is brought into connection with the outlet opening of the collecting hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Eisenmann Maschinenbau KG (Komplementar: Eisenmann-Stiftung)
    Inventors: Werner Pohl, Wolfgang Bezner, Jürgen Hanf, Peter Abel
  • Patent number: 6929698
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying powder coating material onto large objects such as automotive, truck or other vehicle bodies includes a powder spray booth defining a controlled area within which to apply powder coating material onto the vehicle bodies, a powder kitchen located at a remote position from the powder spray booth, and, a number of feed hoppers located proximate the booth which receive powder coating material from the powder kitchen and supply it to automatically or manually manipulated powder spray guns associated with the booth. Oversprayed powder coating material is removed from the booth interior by a powder collection and recovery system which transmits the oversprayed powder back to the powder kitchen for recirculation to the powder spray guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Shutic, John F. Carlson, Thomas E. Hollstein, Keith E. Williams, Ernest J. Fena, Harry J. Lader
  • Patent number: 6783595
    Abstract: In a powder coating compartment having at least one manual coating station which is located outside the compartment in front of an aperture in an end wall for the entry and exit of workpieces to be coated, the aperture being designed to be closed by a door which is disposed for swinging movement at the wall of the compartment and, when fully open, forms a sidewall of the manual coating station, it is provided that the door comprises a door panel adapted to be mounted at either side of the aperture by pivot means designed for quick release of the door from the pivot means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: J. Wagner AG
    Inventors: Johannes Segner, Hanspeter Dietrich, Leopold Von Keudell
  • Patent number: 6769381
    Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventors: David L. Burke, Jonny Fitzgerald, Thomas G. Knodell, Jr., Kenneth C. Petri, P. Blake Svejkovsky, Paul A. Svejkovsky
  • Publication number: 20040137144
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying powder coating material onto large objects such as automotive, truck or other vehicle bodies includes a powder spray booth defining a controlled area within which to apply powder coating material onto the vehicle bodies, a powder kitchen located at a remote position from the powder spray booth, and, a number of feed hoppers located proximate the booth which receive powder coating material from the powder kitchen and supply it to automatically or manually manipulated powder spray guns associated with the booth. Oversprayed powder coating material is removed from the booth interior by a powder collection and recovery system which transmits the oversprayed powder back to the powder kitchen for recirculation to the powder spray guns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Shutic, John F. Carlson, Thomas E. Hollstein, Keith E. Williams, Ernest J. Fena, Harry J. Lader
  • Publication number: 20040083950
    Abstract: Method and assembly for forming a paper or board web and a product made using the method. According to the method, the web (11) is made from fibers and then the web (11) is treated with pigment particles. The web is treated with microscopic pigment particles whose average size is so small as to permit the particles to adhere to each other by van der Waals forces. The particles are transferred to the web and adhered thereto advantageously using an ion-blast technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Vilho Nissinen, Timo Nyberg, Pasi Rajala, Lars Gronroos, Pentti Virtanen, Veli Kasma, Hannu Niemela
  • Patent number: 6679193
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying powder coating material onto large objects such as automotive, truck or other vehicle bodies includes a powder spray booth defining a controlled area within which to apply powder coating material onto the vehicle bodies, a powder kitchen located at a remote position from the powder spray booth, and, a number of feed hoppers located proximate the booth which receive powder coating material from the powder kitchen and supply it to automatically or manually manipulated powder spray guns associated with the booth. Oversprayed powder coating material is removed from the booth interior by a powder collection and recovery system which transmits the oversprayed powder back to the powder kitchen for recirculation to the powder spray guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Shutic, John F. Carlson, Thomas E. Hollstein, Keith E. Williams, Ernest J. Fena, Harry J. Lader
  • Patent number: 6591777
    Abstract: An apparatus for spreading particles, such as seasoning, on both sides of products conveyed in a product stream includes first and second conveyors arranged at different elevations, and a particle dispensing device arranged above a vertical overlap between the two conveyors such that particles dispensed by the spreading device falls on the product stream on the first conveyor and the product stream on the second conveyor. A turning apparatus is arranged between an outlet of the first conveyor and an inlet of the second conveyor such that the product stream is turned over as it is being deposited from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor. The turning apparatus includes a discharge lip on the outlet of the first conveyor, and a curved turning wall arranged spaced from the discharge lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Dale Cameron
  • Patent number: 6588363
    Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10,11,13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112,114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventors: David L. Burke, Jonny Fitzgerald, Thomas G. Knodell, Jr., Kenneth C. Petri, P. Blake Svejkovsky, Paul A. Svejkovsky
  • Patent number: 6578369
    Abstract: Improved nozzle design that discharges more powerful, more focused fluid streams through a series of nozzle orifices distributed along a length of the nozzle. The present invention may be incorporated into a wide range of microelectronic device manufacturing processes and equipment types for which an array of more forceful, more focused process streams are desired for treating microelectronic workpieces. The present invention is particularly useful to cryogenically clean microelectronic workpieces, where the improvements allow the conventionally more troublesome smaller contaminant particles to be cleaningly removed with greater particle removal efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: FSI International, Inc.
    Inventors: Pam Kunkel, Natraj Narayanswani, John C. Patrin
  • Patent number: 6553931
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributing seasoning on lanes of stackable chip product using a series of vibrating funnel fingers. A narrowed discharge end for each funnel finger is positioned over a lane of chips, thereby directing the seasoning on each chip and limiting the amount of seasoning that must be recycled or discarded. Oscillation of the funnel fingers insures even seasoning distribution on the chips and precludes accumulation of the seasoning on the distribution apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Alan Graham, Larry Douglas Martin, Todd Charles McNeel
  • Patent number: 6458211
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a method for applying a medium in the form of liquid, powder or paste to a substrate, having a container for the medium and a transport device which takes the medium from the container and discretely distributes it. In a propelling device the medium is selectively transferred from the transport device to the substrate with a propellant which is separate from the medium, or in the propelling device the medium is selectively removed from the transport device, and the remaining medium is transferred from the transport device to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Stork Textile Printing Group B.V.
    Inventors: Lothar Wefers, Josef Juffinger
  • Patent number: 6228422
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing granules onto a moving asphalt coated sheet includes first and second granule feed chambers containing granules that are fed to a discharge slot by first and second pockets. The pockets are formed in a slidable divider positioned between the feed chambers and the discharge slot. The divider is slid between a first position and a second position by a fluid powered actuator via an actuator rod. In the first position, the first pocket is in communication with the first granule feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber and the second pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the second pocket. In the second position the first pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the first pocket and the second pocket is in communication with the second feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. White, Glenn D. Lamb, Carla A. Miller, Lawrence J. Grubka
  • Patent number: 6183559
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for coating a continuously advancing web with a dry or wet coating material on a conveyor belt. The apparatus having a hopper which contains an agitator, a brush and a knurled roll to accurately dispense the coating material to an applicator which is positioned on a carousel. By rotating the carousel, the coating in the form of stripes, bars or a uniform layer can be varied at angles 0° to 90° on the continuously advancing web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Building Materials Corporation of America
    Inventors: James P. Mentone, William R. Millard, David C. De Palma
  • Patent number: 6095082
    Abstract: In a method of forming a pattern of granules on a moving asphalt coated sheet, a blend drop of first and second granules is discharged onto the sheet. The blend drop forms a granule deposit on the sheet including an inner portion of first granules and an outer portion of second granules. An apparatus for use in the method includes a nozzle having an orifice for discharging a blend drop of first and second granules onto the sheet. A first granule feed chamber is provided for feeding first granules into the nozzle. A second granule feed chamber is provided for feeding second granules into the nozzle. The first and second granule feed chambers are positioned so that the first granules are fed inside the second granules in the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Belt, Frank R. Wilgus, Frank A. Wilgus
  • Patent number: 6036777
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in producing three dimensional components by bonding together successive layers of a porous material with droplets of a binder material. A powder is dispensed on a support surface in a layer. A vibratory mechanism vibrates the layer of dispensed powder to compact the powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Emanuel M. Sachs
  • Patent number: 6017391
    Abstract: A mechanism and process for coating tapped holes in specialty articles having varying external configurations, such as metal stampings. The specialty article is positioned in a preselected orientation at a loading station, and is then engaged by a carriage assembly and moved from the loading station to a heating station, and then to a spray and discharge station. During movement between stations, the article is maintained in the preselected orientation to allow proper heating and spraying of the tapped holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Nylok Fastener Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Duffy, Eugene Sessa
  • Patent number: 5997644
    Abstract: A system and method for depositing a pattern of media on a moving surface includes a media depositing apparatus that deposits media in a predefined pattern on the moving surface. A media applicator roll having a media receiving region, such as engraved or raised portions, receives the media from a media feeder as the media applicator roll rotates. A media retaining member maintains the media in contact with the media receiving region until the media reach a bottom region of the media applicator roll and are released from the media applicator roll in the predefined pattern onto the moving surface. The media depositing system also includes a multiple compartment media feeder that selects and selectively feeds one or more of multiple types of media or granules to the receiving region of the media applicator roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Environmental Reprocessing, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Zickell
  • Patent number: 5858095
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing granules onto a moving asphalt coated sheet includes first and second granule feed chambers containing granules that are fed to a discharge slot by first and second pockets. The pockets are formed in a slidable divider positioned between the feed chambers and the discharge slot. The divider is slid between a first position and a second position by a fluid powered actuator via an actuator rod. In the first position, the first pocket is in communication with the first granule feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber and the second pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the second pocket. In the second position the first pocket is in communication with the discharge slot for discharging the granules contained in the first pocket and the second pocket is in communication with the second feed chamber to receive granules from the feed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. White, Glenn D. Lamb, Carla A. Miller, Lawrence J. Grubka
  • Patent number: 5820941
    Abstract: Apparatus for powder spray coating comprises means (4) for electrostatically-charging powder entrained in air, a conduit (6) for transporting the electrostatically charged powder from the charging means (4) to an internal chamber (12) in a spray head (8), the spray head (8) having at least one passage (16) from the internal chamber (12) to at least one nozzle (17) from which the powder is discharged, and a deflector (18) mounted externally of the spray head (8) and adjacent to the or each nozzle (17) to deflect the discharged powder into a flat spray pattern, the spray head (8) and the flat spray pattern being substantially symmetrical about a common longitudinal axis. The apparatus is particularly suitable for coating a large surface area, or a plurality of small objects hung in a planar array. Preferably multiple triboelectric type charging means (4) are used and a single pump is used to supply powder to the multiple charging means through a common distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Harry-Graham Felton, Jan Ruud
  • Patent number: 5741558
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for powder coating three dimensional articles (12) carried on a conveyor (14) includes a controller (36) for controlling the rate at which coating material is discharged from a gun (16), so that the rate is proportional to the surface area of the surface portions of the article (12) as they pass the gun (16). Some surface portions topographically have a greater surface area which must be covered, while others are flat or have cut-out regions, requiring less coverage or no coverage at all. In powder coating operations, the discharge rate is controlled via automatic or programmed control of an electro-pneumatic air regulator (42) which regulates the supply of pressurized air to a powder pump (24) connected to the spray gun (16). The apparatus (10) assures uniformity in coating for a three dimensional article (12) with multiple surface portions of varying topography such as curves, angles, cut outs, etc., while minimizing the amount of wasted coating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Otani, Hidetaka Tsukamoto, Makoto Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 5601051
    Abstract: Refractory material is applied to the interior surface of a vessel by advancing a boom carriage on a frame positioned externally of the vessel through an opening in the vessel. The boom carriage supports a collapsed telescoping mast and a nozzle boom. The carriage supporting the mast and nozzle boom is advanced through the opening to an elevated position within the vessel. At the end of travel of the boom carriage, the telescoping mast is pivoted through approximately 90.degree. to a vertical position and the nozzle boom is pivoted to a position perpendicular to the mast. The mast is progressively extended as the nozzle boom is rotated and refractory material is sprayed from a nozzle assembly on the end of the boom onto the vessel interior surface. The nozzle boom is transversely and pivotally movable on the mast to adjust the position of the nozzle assembly to follow the irregular contour on the interior surface as the mast is telescopically advanced or retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: BMI, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Bajek
  • Patent number: 5571323
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a powder stream to be applied to a work piece includes a powder reservoir, a mixing chamber, a powder metering valve, a transfer conduit, and a nozzle. The metering valve allows control of the powder flow from the reservoir into the mixing chamber where it is dispersed with and entrained in an air flow entering the chamber through an aspirating inlet. The air entrained powder is then conveyed from the mixing chamber via the transfer conduit to the nozzle. The nozzle includes a controllable gas flow input and a powder stream generating passageway configured and associated with the transfer conduit to generate a reduced pressure in the conduit and mixing chamber which draws the air borne powder from the chamber into the nozzle. One or more of the individual components are adjustable to control the size, configuration, thickness or other parameters of the coating on the work piece as a result of the applied powder stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Nylok Fastener Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Duffy, Eugene Sessa
  • Patent number: 5501872
    Abstract: A six-sided fibrous batting is coated with a nonwoven polymeric material by passing the batt sequentially through three coating stations. Four sides of the batt are coated in the first two stations and, after the batt is turned 90.degree., the final two sides are coated, completely encapsulating the batt in fibrous nonwoven coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. Allen, John T. Fetcko
  • Patent number: 5470387
    Abstract: A process for continuously producing coated particles, and in particular, particles in which the coating is uniform, contiguous and of minimal thickness is described, together with an apparatus for conducting the coating process in which a plurality of coating cells connected in series are provided wherein the particles are pneumatically conveyed during the coating application and in which controlled recirculation of particles occurs within each cell and a controlled spray is applied to the particles in order to produce a substantially uniform distribution of coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Niro A/S
    Inventor: Erik Liborius
  • Patent number: 5462596
    Abstract: An apparatus for the distribution of pulverulent solids suspended in a gas on a moving substrate, particularly a ribbon of glass, has two walls defining a strip-like cavity positioned transversely to the substrate travel direction and ending in the vicinity of the substrate in a distribution slot. The cavity is provided with at least one partition positioned so as to longitudinally compartmentalize it, each of the compartments being coupled with pulverulent solid injectors and pressurized gas injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage International
    Inventors: Alain Arnaud, Claude Morin
  • Patent number: 5454872
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing and controlling finer particles in a powder coating system returns the finer particles to the spraying apparatus to be sprayed on parts by the system. Finer particles are continuously removed from the system by application onto parts, and the accumulation of fines is thereby prevented. The finer particles may be sprayed through specially adapted spray guns, which also permits the utilization of the special advantages of spraying fine powder materials. By removing fine powder particles from the system before they build up, the present invention improves the powder coating operation in various respects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Harry J. Lader, William R. Rehman, Gerald W. Crum, Richard C. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5439704
    Abstract: A powder coating line for coating either coiled strip or pre-sheared and punched blanks is provided. In order to coat strip a catenary portion of the strip is suspended through a powder coating subsystem which includes a powder coating booth and a curing oven. The coated strip is the recoiled onto a rewind reel. In the alternative, the strip may be stopped and sheared at an input region and presheared blanks introduced to the powder coating subsystem. The blanks are placed on a belt conveyor, which transports them into the powder coating booth. The blanks are then passed in a conveyor through the powder coating booth and over for subsequent restacking. After passing out of the oven, and before coiled or stacking occurs, the strip or blanks pass through a quench and an air dryer. The powder coating subsystem can be incorporated into a larger pre-treating, cleaning, embossing or post-processing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Subbiah Sankaran, Axel W. Missing