Abstract: The present invention discloses a cold gas spraying gun with a powder injector for injecting a gas/powder mixture into a mixing chamber through which a process gas flows. One powder injector pipe of the powder injector is closed at one face end. A delivery opening for delivering the gas/powder mixture from the powder injector is designed as an opening in a side wall of the powder injector pipe. The delivery opening opens into the hollow chamber in the powder injector pipe at an axial distance from the closed face end of the powder injector pipe, and therefore a backed-up volume is located between the delivery opening and the closed end face of the powder injector pipe.

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.

Abstract: In a method for the cold-gas spraying of particles having different solidities and/or ductilities and in a cold-gas spraying device (11) suitable for use in with the method, in order to obtain a comparatively high proportion of particles (23) having higher solidity and/or smaller ductility in comparison to the other particles (22), these particles are fed into an area (21) of the stagnation chamber (15) of the cold-gas spraying device which is very distant from the nozzle (14). Advantageously, the particles (23) have to cover a longer course through the stagnation chamber and are thus preheated. In this way, the deposition of these particles (23) on a substrate (25) is improved. Particularly metals having a transition temperature ranging between brittle and ductile behavior can be provided with ductile properties by the preheating process, thereby simplifying the deposition process.

Abstract: Exemplary illustrations of a fluid valve, e.g., a return valve for returning residual paint, rinsing agent, and compressed air from a paint line when changing color in a painting system, are disclosed. An exemplary fluid valve may be adjusted between an open position, in which the fluid valve is at least partially open, e.g., for rinsing a paint line with a rinsing agent and for pressurizing the paint line with a new color for the color change, and a closed position, in which the fluid valve is closed, e.g., for applying the new color after the color change. An exemplary fluid valve may switch to the closed position, upon actuation by the medium thereof, e.g., medium flowing through or present in the valve. In another example, a fluid valve may close depending on the fluid present at the input side.

Abstract: An applicator operable to apply an additive to a smoking article wrapping material comprises a conveyance mechanism for conveying the wrapping material along a path and an inlet to receive a gaseous flow for entraining additive, the applicator being configured such that in use, additive entrained in the gaseous flow is caused to be diverted towards the wrapping material.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for their application are described herein. The compositions include a plurality of particles having a density of 1000 kg/m3 or less (e.g., a pre-expanded polymer) and a binder. Also described herein is a method of applying the composition onto a surface. The method includes blowing a plurality of particles having a density of 1000 kg/m3 or less in at least one first stream and spraying a binder in at least one second stream onto a surface. Further provided is an apparatus for spraying the composition.

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°.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of, and a nozzle arrangement for, spraying cold gas. The nozzle arrangement has a first nozzle and a second nozzle, which is arranged within the first nozzle. The first nozzle is fed a gas which optionally contains particles. The second nozzle is fed a particle-containing gas. The particles are applied to a surface of the substrate by means of the gases.

Abstract: A two-component nozzle (200) for the pneumatic delivery of solid particulates is disclosed. The nozzle generally includes an inner conduit (210) for conveying solid particulates such as superabsorbent polymer particles and an outer conduit (220) for conveying an outer airflow that is directed via a foraminous plate (300) into the path of the solid particulates exiting the nozzle. The outer airflow improves the weight distribution of the solid particulates as they are deposited onto a substrate to form a composite material. The nozzle (200) can optionally deliver other components such as fluff, binders, and water in addition to the solid particulates. A production process for the composite material, suitable for inclusion in an absorbent articles, also is disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for the cold-gas spraying of particles having different solidities and/or ductilities and in a cold-gas spraying device (11) suitable for use in with the method, in order to obtain a comparatively high proportion of particles (23) having higher solidity and/or smaller ductility in comparison to the other particles (22), these particles are fed into an area (21) of the stagnation chamber (15) of the cold-gas spraying device which is very distant from the nozzle (14). Advantageously, the particles (23) have to cover a longer course through the stagnation chamber and are thus preheated. In this way, the deposition of these particles (23) on a substrate (25) is improved. Particularly metals having a transition temperature ranging between brittle and ductile behaviour can be provided with ductile properties by the preheating process, thereby simplifying the deposition process.

Abstract: A coating material spray application system includes first and second coating material supplies; first and second coating material pumps and first and second feed hoses; wherein each feed hose is in communication with a respective one of the coating material pumps and has a respective coating material hose outlet. Each pump is operable to transfer coating material from a respective one of the supplies to the respective feed hose. A spray booth may be used and a coating material spray gun operable within said spray booth, with the spray gun being connectable to a selected one of the coating material hose outlets. A source of pressurized air operates the pumps; and a pneumatic switch accessible from within the spray booth is operable to connect the pressurized air to a selected one of said coating material pumps which corresponds to the selected coating material hose outlet.

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.

Abstract: A powder paint color changer features a single cleaning fluid port at one end of the color changer manifold for direction of cleaning fluid, such as pressurized air, through the main output interior chamber of the color changer manifold thence through a supply hose which is adapted for coupling to a paint application device. Additionally, the powder paint color changer manifold includes a replaceable insert of impact fusion resistant material which defines the surface of the manifold's interior cavity.

Abstract: A powder paint color changer features a single cleaning fluid port at one end of the color changer manifold for direction of cleaning fluid, such as pressurized air, through the main output interior chamber of the color changer manifold thence through a supply hose which is adapted for coupling to a paint application device. Additionally, the powder paint color changer manifold includes a replaceable insert of impact fusion resistant material which defines the surface of the manifold's interior cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for electrically controlling a flow of material, wherein a single- or multi-component, essentially polymer-based material (1), such as plastics, elastomer or the like, is charged electrically (I) and sprayed (II) in an electrical field (E) to a three-dimensional mould (2)/target (3). The method of the invention makes use of the mould (2)/target (3) set at an electric potential and provided with two or more treatment blocks (Li) to be set at voltage levels different from each other, especially for coordinating the courses of sprayed material particles and the electrical field (E) affecting the same, in such a manner that each section/area of the mould/target surface forms a material layer of desirable thickness in the spraying cycle (II). The invention relates also to an apparatus operating in accordance with the method.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acoustic dispenser for propelling objects toward a substrate, together with methods of use of the dispenser. The acoustic dispenser uses a source of acoustic vibration and a membrane for the application of acoustic vibration wherein the objects are propelled from the membrane to a substrate. The acoustic dispenser and the methods of the invention can be used with numerous types of objects. In some embodiments, the objects are particles in a dry powder, which can include, for example, a pharmaceutically active ingredient. In other embodiments, the objects are beads, which preferably have an average diameter of about 100 to about 300 microns. Additionally, the acoustic dispenser can be used with more than one type of object, for example, two types of objects such as beads and dry powder.

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.

Abstract: A projecting construction apparatus for a molten-metal-discharging hole includes a rotating shaft and an impeller rotatably supported by the end of the rotating shaft. The impeller has vanes radially disposed and is open to fluid flow in a generally axial direction, such that gas flowing axially toward the impeller can pass substantially axially through the impeller without being deflected against a wall of the hole, while liquid and solid material are deflected by the vanes against the wall of the hole. At least two material-supplying pipes are located around the rotating shaft, and are connected to supply projection material entrained in a fluid to the impeller, and have ejection ports generally equi-angularly disposed about the shaft axis. The ejection ports are directed toward the vanes, and a plurality of control valves are connected to respective ones of the pipes so as to control an amount of the projection material which is supplied to each of the pipes.

Abstract: An impeller as used in a projecting construction apparatus for a concave section of a molten-metal-discharging hole is supported on a rotating shaft for redirecting flow of impinging projection material. The impeller includes a plurality of vanes which are attached to the rotating shaft with a specified twisting angle relative to the rotating shaft. A material supplying pipe is directed upon the plurality of vanes, so that, upon impingement of the projection material upon the plurality of vanes, the projection material is projected outwardly and in a direction nearly opposite to the predetermined direction of impingement of the projection material supplied through the material-supplying pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for coating a substrate such as glass with a powder such as a compound that can be decomposed by heat. The method comprises the steps of forming a sheet of powder suspended in a gas moving toward the substrate to be coated, homogenizing the mixture of powder and gas by creating turbulences in it, and accelerating the sheet in the direction of the substrate with flowing gas having greater velocity than that of the sheet. This method and the apparatus which implements it are particularly useful in the manufacture of glass coated with a film such as metal oxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed, in the presently preferred embodiment, for applying powdered adhesive to non-woven fabric material. The apparatus includes a novel powder spray gun wherein there is an air flow amplifier contained within the gun for accelerating the velocity of powder emitted from the gun and sprayed onto the top of a conveyorized web of the fabric material. The apparatus also includes a novel system for supplying powder to the spray gun, which system includes a first powder pump, a back-up pump and a control circuit responsive to detection of reduced powder flow to the gun to switch supply from the first pump to the back-up pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for coating a substrate such as glass with a powder such as a compound that an be decomposed by heat. The method comprises the steps of forming a sheet of powder suspended in a gas and moving toward the substrate to be coated, homogenizing the mixture of powder and gas by creating turbulences in it, surrounding the sheet with flowing gas having the same velocity as the sheet itself, and accelerating the sheet in the direction of the substrate. This method and the apparatus which implements it are particularly useful in the manufacture of glass coated with a film such as metal oxide.

Abstract: A developing device supplies red toner and black toner to a photosensitive layer. The developing device comprises a toner resupply mechanism which is attached to a receptacle to replenish selectively the shortage of the red or black toner in the receptacle corresponding to consumption thereof. The toner resupply mechanism includes a housing having a connecting port connecting the receptacle and first and second chambers to store therein the red and black toners, respectively. A roller for resupply is reversibly rotatably disposed in the connecting port.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for depositing a coating from a gaseous stream of a powder coating reactant, wherein the carrier gas is supplied at a high volume rate (at least 100 cubic ft./min) and low pressure (not greater than one psi).

Abstract: The invention contemplates a powder-feeding system for gas-propelled delivery of a powder to be controllably supplied, as to a flame-spraying gas torch or to a transferred-arc plasma torch. A fluidizing chamber receives (a) fluidizing-gas flow from below a porous screen, and (b) a restricted gravitational flow of powder at a relatively small central discharge location above the porous screen. A gas conduit extends transversely through the chamber between the powder-discharge location and the porous screen; it has a carrier-gas supply connection at one end and a gas-propelled powder-delivery connection at its other end. The conduit also has an upwardly extending opening virtually beneath and facing the powder-discharge location, but a shed interposed between this opening and the powder-discharge location sufficiently overlaps the opening to assure that no powder will pass through the opening and into the conduit unless it has been gas-fluidized.

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: An apparatus for producing preforms for the production of optical fibers by plasma coating and drawing. A plasma stream produced with the aid of a radio frequency generator is caused to successively pass through three zones in the first of which a mixture of fluidized powders of two materials of appropriate composition is injected and completely vaporized. In the second zone an oxidizing gas having a mixing action is introduced into the deeply cooled stream. The materials and gas react with each other to form microseeds. The powders contain high purity silicon and at least one doping element of the group comprising Al, Ge, B. Ti and Zr. In the third zone an inert gas is introduced and deposition of substance is effected on substrates suitably arranged with respect to the path followed by the plasma stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses that reduce problems encountered during coating of a device, such as a medical device having a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus including a bi-directional rotation member. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method with a bi-directional indexing movement. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating solution supply member having a major axis oriented parallel to a gap between rollers on a coating apparatus. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device retaining member. In an embodiment, the invention includes an air nozzle or an air knife. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method including removing a static charge from a small diameter medical device.