With Hood Or Offtake For Waste Material Patents (Class 118/326)
  • Patent number: 6358320
    Abstract: In order to optimize the coating process in a rotating powder coating booth and reduce the amount of overspray, it is proposed that the powder guns (9, 10) be mounted on a gun carrier (11, 12) which is designed as an S-shaped mounting arm and can be swung about a vertical axis (13, 14). The powder guns (9, 10) and the gun carriers (11, 12) can be moved in the vertical direction by means of a lifting device (17, 18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Manfred Gottling
  • Publication number: 20020018855
    Abstract: An fountain applicator for applying coating liquid onto a web of paper carried past the applicator, has a coating liquid flow path that includes a curved surface along which a sheet of the coating liquid is flowed to subject the sheet to centrifugal force to cause air entrained in the coating liquid to move away from one side of the sheet that is toward the curved surface, so that the one side is relatively free of entrained air. After being flowed along the curved surface, the sheet of coating liquid is directed toward the web in a free standing jet curtain of coating liquid, to contact the web surface primarily with the one relatively air-free side of the coating liquid sheet to decrease the occurrence of skip coating on the web surface, especially when the web is traveling past the applicator at high speeds. The coating is applied in excess onto the web surface and is metered and leveled to a desired coat weight by a downstream doctor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: Stora Enso North America Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne A. Damrau
  • Patent number: 6346150
    Abstract: A paint spray booth includes a robot having a shape retaining cover member assembly with members which interlock at the robot's axes to seal out paint while allowing a full range of motion. A flexible outer cover or shield is detachably mounted over the cover members so that after use of the paint spray booth, the outer covers may be detached and laundered for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas Conlin
  • Publication number: 20020000191
    Abstract: The present invention provides recycling system of an aqueous paint in which number of required apparatuses or equipments can decrease when two or more aqueous paint having different paint colors are used in the recycling system for a same aqueous paint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Yamane
  • Patent number: 6333003
    Abstract: A treatment apparatus for treating a substrate in an isolated treatment space in an air-conditioned clean room, comprising a removing unit including a plurality of removing sections for recovering at least some of air in the treatment space and removing impurities from the recovered air, the removing sections being arranged in series and each including a supply mechanism for supplying an impurity remover capable of removing the impurities by touching the recovered air, a temperature adjustment unit for adjusting the temperature of the air cleared of the impurities by the removing unit, and a return circuit for returning the air, adjusted in temperature by the temperature adjustment unit, to the treatment space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takayuki Katano, Junichi Kitano, Masami Akimoto, Norio Semba
  • Publication number: 20010026834
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for dip-coating intermediate and/or discrete discontinuous portions of longitudinal devices, including medical devices such as catheters and guidewires. The apparatus provides a chamber in which both the desired portion(s) of the device and the coating solution can be controllably contacted. A controlled coating can be achieved within the chamber by providing and controlling one or more of the following relationships: a) the manner in which a chamber (containing solution) is itself moved with respect to a static device, b) the manner in which the device is moved with respect to a fixed chamber position containing a fixed volume of solution, and/or c) the manner in which both the chamber and device are fixed in position, and the coating is achieved by adding and removing a volume of solution from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: SurModics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Steven J. Porter
  • Patent number: 6264547
    Abstract: In vehicle spraying booths (1), air is supplied to and discharged from the inner chamber (1a) by an air feeding device. The air supplied is conditioned so that its temperature lies in a desired temperature range and air pollution limit values can be ensured for a person working in the inner chamber (I). A displacement device (10) with a vehicle receiving region that can be moved in at least one direction of displacement in the spraying booth (1) is arranged in the spraying booth (1). This reduces the required booth width to the sum of the width required for working and the width of the vehicle being sprayed, and the required booth length to the length of the vehicle being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Wälti
  • Patent number: 6264745
    Abstract: A powder spray apparatus and method for operating it comprise a spray booth having a floor. A spray gun is associated with the spray for directing a spray of powder of a particular color toward a workpiece. Overspray is redirected by limiting exhaust air from the flowing into an air-entrained powder separation system. An inlet to the separation system includes a sump for capturing powder from the floor of the spray booth when the floor is cleaned during a color changeover. The powder deposited in the sump is recirculated to a powder reservoir for later reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Wagner Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William Diaz
  • Patent number: 6264743
    Abstract: A vacuum overspray controller reduces or eliminates the overspray incident to the non-contact spray application of a coating material onto a moving, porous substrate. The vacuum assisted overspray controller exposes a first surface of the porous substrate to a vacuum pressure via one or more orifices in its peripheral surface. As a result, particles of coating material that would otherwise contribute to the overspray instead are preferentially received and retained by the second surface of the porous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Carl C. Cucuzza
  • Patent number: 6264711
    Abstract: An apparatus for the capture of overspray, blast media particles, and errant particle generated during spraying without employing an enclosure is disclosed. The apparatus is to be employed proximal a worker on a platform. The overspray capture mechanism is located intermediate the platform and the object being sprayed of coated. The mechanism includes a centrally supported suction duct which exerts a negative pressure in the area, the duct extends from the work area to a filtration area proximal a pump. A generally rectangular, flexible capturing device surrounds the duct. The flexible capture device is located intermediate a first and second support. The first and second supports include hydraulic elements which control the position of the supports and hence the flexible capture device. By use of the capturing device, liquid buildup, overspray or errant particles will be caused to move to and into the suction duct and then to a filtration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: William Smith
  • Patent number: 6248169
    Abstract: A liquid coating apparatus that is adapted for dispensing two or more different liquids and a method for using such apparatus are disclosed. In the apparatus, when two different liquids are dispensed in the same coating apparatus, two separate drain cups are utilized in which an upper drain cup is constructed in a toroidal shape and formed in two symmetrical halves such that they may be withdrawn from an operating position outwardly to allow a wafer platform and a liquid spray nozzle to be lowered into a lower drain cup for dispensing a second liquid material. The lower drain cup can be mounted concentrically with the upper drain cup. The present invention novel apparatus allows at least two different liquids to be processed in the same coating apparatus such that chemical reactions between the different liquids and the resulting particle formation and contamination problems can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Deng-Guey Juang, Wen-Jye Chung
  • Patent number: 6248711
    Abstract: In a method of treating a wet paint spray booth, the sepiolite alone or further accompanying the cationic polymer or the amphoteric metal compound is added. The wet paint spray booth treating agent and a method of treating a wet paint spray booth improve the effect of reduction in tackiness and decrease the load of agents to prevent the corrosion of furnishings. The sepiolite is a fibrous mineral containing chain structures having lots of micropores so that the sepiolite can reduce the tackiness of the paint due to reaction with the particles of the paint in such a manner to adsorb the particles in the micropores thereof. Since both the particles of the paint and the particles of the sepiolite are negatively charged, when the cationic polymer or the amphoteric metal compound is added in combination with the sepiolite, the electrical repulsion is reduced so that the particles of the paint become easy to be adsorbed to improve the effect of the reduction in the tackiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignees: Kurita Water Industries Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Mizuno, Masahiro Horiuchi, Takao Mogami, Mitsuo Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20010001945
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing thin optical films include a vacuum vessel, a device for spraying a solution or dispersion of materials into the vacuum vessel, and a device for supporting a substrate. The apparatus also includes a heating device for heating the substrate, an exhaust device for the vacuum vessel, and a spray nozzle coupled to a nozzle control mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventors: Takashi Hiraga, Tetsuo Moriya
  • Patent number: 6235112
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a thin film such as a silicon oxide film on a surface of a substrate such as a semiconductor substrate includes: a reaction chamber having an interior where the substrate is placed when in use; a liquid reaction material supplier for supplying a given amount of liquid reaction material such as TEOS for forming a thin film on the substrate; and a mist-forming device for forming mist of the liquid reaction material and spraying the liquid reaction material onto a surface of the substrate for forming a thin film thereon. The mist-forming device is disposed upstream of the reaction chamber and downstream of the liquid reaction material supplier. Neither of the mist-forming device nor the liquid reaction material supplier includes a heating device for heating the liquid reaction material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Satoh
  • Patent number: 6221160
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for environmental control in a process chamber, and specifically, in a spin coating chamber are disclosed. In the apparatus, an air velocity control system which consists of a pressure sensor, a throttle valve controller and a throttle valve is utilized for controlling the air velocity in a spin coating chamber, and specifically in a drain cup of a spin coating chamber. The present invention apparatus enables a novel method for reducing the air velocity in a spin chamber for achieving a more accurate process control, while maintaining a substantially constant humidity level in the process chamber. Frequently observed large fluctuations in the humidity and temperature in an air flow that is flown into the process chamber are thus minimized or eliminated. The present invention novel method and apparatus allows a spin coating process, and specifically a SOG spin coating process, to be carried out with improved accuracy and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., LTD
    Inventor: Yu-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 6217944
    Abstract: An automatic coating apparatus. A rotary atomizing head is washed with the fluid supplied from its front side by a washing nozzle. A coating machine is mounted on a coating robot for moving in arbitrary directions, while an atomizing head washer is located in the vicinity of the coating robot. At the time of a washing operation, the coating robot is actuated to put the rotary atomizing head into a waste liquid collecting container of the atomizing head washer. In this state, thinner is discharged from the washing nozzle toward the front side of the hub member of the rotary atomizing head. Thinner is then allowed to flow into the rotary atomizing head through solvent outlet holes in the hub member to wash off deposited paint from the rotary atomizing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshida, Hidetsugu Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6203857
    Abstract: A closed loop controllable fluid application system is provided, comprising a substantially enclosed housing, having horizontal and vertical surfaces, with an inlet and an outlet slot formed in opposing vertical surfaces allowing passage of a work piece through the housing; and a mist outlet and a sump drain each formed in one of a horizontal and a vertical surface. Fluid circulation lines communicate with the housing and an application fluid source, terminating inside the housing with a connection to one or more controllable spray devices for delivering atomized application fluid to coat passing work pieces. A mist collector evacuates air through the mist outlet and extracts application fluid from the evacuated air. The mist collector and the sump drain are connected to fluid circulation lines for recycling excess liquid and air-borne application fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis A. Patrick
  • Patent number: 6197376
    Abstract: Process for covering a surface (1a) of a substrate (1) with a layer (2) of a fluid material, characterized in that: (a) with a confining wall (3) closed up on itself, arranged some distance from and above the surface to be covered (1a), and whose lower edge (3a) forms together with the latter a peripheral void (4), is defined a treatment chamber (5) delimiting an area (6) to be treated on the said surface to be covered; (b) a controlled vacuum is established inside the treatment chamber (5) by admitting an incoming gas stream (7) via the peripheral void (4), and by extracting an outgoing gas stream (8) from the treatment chamber, so as to obtain an internal pressure in the said chamber which is lower than the external pressure; (c) a controlled fluid stream (10) is introduced into the treatment chamber (5) under vacuum, this stream comprising the fluid covering material, which forms at the level of the peripheral void, together with the incoming gas stream (7), a turbulent mixed flow, which is aspirated into
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Bio Merieux
    Inventor: Bruno Colin
  • Patent number: 6190456
    Abstract: A spacer spraying device for spraying a powdery spacer onto, e.g., a substrate for an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is disclosed. When the device sprays the spacer onto the top of the substrate in a spray chamber, it prevents the spacer from depositing on the inner side walls and top wall of the chamber and dropping in the form of cohered masses onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Akehiro Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6190063
    Abstract: After a developer is applied to a semiconductor wafer, a head member having a plurality of fluid discharge holes is positioned so as to face the wafer, and during development of the wafer, a fluid is discharged from the discharge holes of the head member toward the developer on the wafer. By supplying the fluid to a region of the wafer where the line widths of the resulting circuit pattern are liable to become uneven, the temperature, thickness, liquid surface state, etc. of the developer in this region are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Akimoto
  • Patent number: 6187098
    Abstract: A powder coating cabin includes a column-like housing defining an interior space between a ceiling and a bottom, with the bottom being substantially of flat configuration, and a coating unit arranged on the housing for spraying powder onto an object. The powder coating unit is further provided with a cleaning unit which is so received in the housing as to be movable between a stand-by position in which the cleaning unit is arranged at least partially underneath the bottom and an operative phase for automatically cleaning at least the inner wall surfaces of the housing, whereby the bottom is suitably so designed as to clear a passage for the cleaning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Erich Krämer, Matthias Krämer
  • Patent number: 6183558
    Abstract: A method for forming a molecular film includes the steps of: coating a surface of a substrate having active hydrogen atoms on its surface with a coating solution containing a silane-based compound having at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of a chloro group, an alkoxy group and an isocyanate group; and effecting an elimination reaction between the active hydrogen atoms on the surface of the substrate and reactive groups of the silane-based compound, thereby covalently bonding the silane-based compounds to the surface of the substrate. The substrate is supplied to a chamber in which an atmosphere is maintained at a low water vapor density. The surface of the substrate is coated with a coating solution containing the silane-based compound and a solvent by using a transfer element. A dehydrochlorination reaction is effected between the active hydrogen atoms and the chloro groups of the silane-based compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Otake, Norihisa Mino, Tohru Nakagawa, Mamoru Soga, Kazufumi Ogawa, Takaiki Nomura, Yasuo Takebe
  • Patent number: 6177137
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for coating a web in a film press nip defined by a pair of rotating rolls and through which the web runs and in which a coating agent is applied as a film onto a face of at least one of the rolls and transferred in the nip from the face of the roll(s) onto a respective side of the web to thereby coat the respective side of the web. Steam jets are applied to each side of the web that is being coated to prevent formation of coating-agent mist at a web-outlet side of the nip. The steam jets can be directed from a location after the nip to the web-outlet side of the nip and/or substantially to a point of separation of the web from contact with the roll(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Rauno Rantanen
  • Patent number: 6171656
    Abstract: The present invention is an overspray collector and method of collecting overspray. The overspray collector provides a device and method to intercept overspray produced by spraying coating material onto any relatively-flat surface and preventing air pollution by capturing such pollution at its source. The overspray collector includes a shroud which surrounds and moves with the spraying device(s), while maintaining a gap between itself and the work surface being sprayed. Behind the spraying device and opposite the work surface, the shroud terminates in ducting through which overspray-laden air exits. Air inlet slots allow atmospheric air to enter in sufficient quantity to minimize residual airflow through the aforementioned gap. Internal to the shroud, the spray from the spray device(s) impinges upon the work surface and the finest sprayed particles turn laterally along the work surface without depositing thereupon, thus forming overspray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventor: Gary S. Settles
  • Patent number: 6168664
    Abstract: An arrangement for coating an object with water soluble or water dilutable coating materials during a spraying process, has an elongated collecting wall adjacent the object to be sprayed located in a coating region, a collection member connected to a lower portion of the wall, a unit for at least partially cooling the the wall and the collection member located in the coating region, and at least one air moisturizing unit located in the coating region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Range und Heine GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Heine
  • Patent number: 6143048
    Abstract: An air pollution control apparatus for capturing airborne pollutants present in a relatively confined environment. The apparatus includes a portable airborne-pollutant capturing device movable to a site of pollutant origin and having at least one airborne-pollutant collector member which can be non-limitedly exemplified as a collection hood positionable at the site of pollution for pollutant collection or a painting tray upon which items can be placed and painted and beneath which resultant pollutant can be collected. A vacuum system is present within the capturing device and is in communication with the one or more collector members to draw airborne pollutants into the capturing device through the pollutant collector member. Actual capture of pollutants is accomplished by a filter system within the capturing device. The filter system can include one filter or more than one identical or different filters chosen for enhanced filtration capabilities in relation to pollutants present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Arnold Comproni, Jorge Millan
  • Patent number: 6139421
    Abstract: A paint spray cell and air plenum assembly, comprising (a) a paint spray cell having a perforate air inlet wall occupying at least a substantial portion of one side of the cell and having at least one electrostatic paint sprayer to direct charged spray particles along a desired path to a receptive target, (b) a plenum having an undivided air supply and an outlet joined to the cell inlet wall to admit the air uniformly therethrough, and (c) variable density filter media at the plenum outlet to create differential velocity flows through said inlet wall that affect paint particles differently in different locations to both optimize paint transfer efficiency to the target and reduce paint particle adherence to objects other than the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest Henry Tong, Yu-Ning Liu
  • Patent number: 6132509
    Abstract: A self-contained, trailer-mounted, portable wash and paint facility particularly useful to retrieve a grease disposal container having a removable lid, wash dirt and grease from the container, repaint the container, and return it to service. The facility contains an extendable boom and winch to handle the container and bring it into the facility. A vat agitated with compressed air is provided containing a heated caustic solution wherein lids are soaked as part of the cleaning process. A trolley mounted winch is provided which assists in removing the container lid and moving it to and from the soaking vat. A circulating high pressure wash system is provided for high pressure spraying of heated soapy cleaning solution. The cleaning system has a high-pressure washer and tank with a delivery hose and nozzle for the operator to employ when washing the grease container. The floor of the facility contains a grate where used cleaning solution is collected in a catch tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Gene L. Kuschnereit
  • Patent number: 6129947
    Abstract: The present invention is a means and method for powder dusting various manufactured products such as extrusions, sheet materials, thin films, and piece parts. The powder dusting system includes a regenerative compressor which propels an air/dust mixture through a control valve body into a cone shaped filter where a majority of the air is filtered out. The remaining concentrated air/dust mixture enters a head component where head jets direct the air/dust mixture to the item that is being coated. The powder duster of the present invention also provides a method of coating manufactured products on both their interior and exterior surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Michael Grissom
  • Patent number: 6129039
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for evenly applying an atomized adhesive for bonding a die to a leadframe is disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a hood in communication with an air supply and a vacuum plenum that encompass a semiconductor device component located in a target area during adhesive application so that the adhesive is selectively applied to specific portions of the leadframe or other semiconductor device component and adhesive is not allowed outside the system. A mask or stencil may be employed for further prevention of adhesive application to undesired areas. An air purge may be employed to direct the adhesive mist toward the component to be coated. In another embodiment, a fine adhesive spray is directed against the surface of the workpiece to be coated, selected areas being masked to prevent coating. Wafers may be coated as well as leadframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sven Evers
  • Patent number: 6116184
    Abstract: A mass flow controller controls the delivery of a precursor to a mist generator. The precursor is misted utilizing a venturi in which a combination of oxygen and nitrogen gas is charged by a corona wire and passes over a precursor-filled throat. The mist is refined using a particle inertial separator, electrically filtered so that it comprises predominately negative ions, passes into a velocity reduction chamber, and then flows into a deposition chamber through inlet ports in an inlet plate that is both a partition between the chambers and a grounded electrode. The inlet plate is located above and substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate on which the mist is to be deposited. The substrate is positively charged to a voltage of about 5000 volts. There are 440 inlet ports per square inch in an 39 square inch inlet port area of the inlet plate directly above the substrate. The inlet port area is approximately equal to the substrate area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignees: Symetrix Corporation, Primaxx, Inc.
    Inventors: Narayan Solayappan, Robert W. Grant, Larry D. McMillan, Carlos A. Paz de Araujo
  • Patent number: 6099644
    Abstract: A process serves for recoating a deactivated catalyst coating of a catalyst for converting harmful constituents from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, particularly in a motor vehicle. In this process, washcoat and/or noble metal compounds are sprayed by means of an aerosol into the catalyst. The noble metal compounds are subsequently brought into their elemental state by means of a reducing medium flowing through the catalyst, after which the washcoat applied is dried by heat treatment or calcination. In an apparatus for carrying out the process, a first line for a carrier gas and a second line for the washcoat and/or the noble metal compounds are provided. The first line is arranged at least partly in a region before the catalyst within the second line and at its ends nearest the catalyst is provided with an atomization device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Zahn, Gunter Loose, Axel Hirshmann
  • Patent number: 6093250
    Abstract: A wet scrubber including an acceleration cone for accelerating an airflow containing paint particles and having a curved inner wall on which water used for capturing paint particles flows downwardly, a mixing chamber for mixing the airflow and water and provided with an impingement pool on which the airflow impacts, a vortex chamber for creating a swirling flow of air and water that further aids the capture of paint particles, and a discharge volute communicating with the vortex chamber and provided with an enlarged discharge port for discharging the air and water. The wet scrubber is used in a paint spray booth, and provides the advantages of reduction in both energy consumption and noise and improvement in the efficiency of the capturing of paint particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignees: University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Toyota Motor Manufacturing
    Inventors: Abraham J. Salazar, Kozo Saito, Richard P. Alloo, Naoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6082290
    Abstract: A paint spray booth includes a robot having a cover member assembly at its wrist joint. The cover members interlock at the robot's axes to seal out paint while allowing a full range of motion. The cover members are made of semi-rigid material. Protective curtains may be detachably mounted to the walls of the booth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Douglas Conlin
  • Patent number: 6071346
    Abstract: A multi-color small amount painting system of the present invention stores small unit amounts of paint having a variety of paint colors and may selectively feed desired color paint to a painter of a painting robot or the like. The painting system stores the paint having a large number of paint colors in a stock unit in the form of paint cartridges. The paint cartridge of the paint color selected is picked up from the stock unit and carried by a carrier and is loaded on the painting robot or an automatic painting device. Subsequently, the paint within the paint cartridge loaded is fed to the painter of the painting robot or the automatic painting device by a paint feeding mechanism. In addition, the system ensure an advantage that the painting system is high in efficiency of painting work including the exchange of colors and is small in size as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignees: Hino Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kansai Paint Co., Ltd., Trinity Industrial Corp.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Yamauchi, Tohru Takeuchi, Noriyasu Yamaguchi, Shinji Toshimitsu, Takao Yamamoto, Shigeki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6068702
    Abstract: Apparatus for powder coating various types of parts using different powder coating techniques. The apparatus includes a powder coating hood in which the coating operation takes place and a powder collection booth connected to the hood for drawing air and excess powder out of the hood. An air circulation system is provided in the collection booth for drawing excess air and powder from the hood. An air flow regulator is provided to adjust the draw of air and powder between low and high amounts. A low amount is, for example, useful for electrostatic fluidized bed coating, while a higher amount may be useful for spray coating techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Bertellotti, Jennifer Daling, Visveshwar Reddy, David Seales, Vincent Sutton
  • Patent number: 6066207
    Abstract: A powder coating booth for performing therein powder coating onto an article to be coated is divided into an automatic coating zone in which coating is performed only by automatic coating machines and manual coating zones in which coating is performed by a worker. A dry type of first recovering apparatus which recovers only that powder coating material in the automatic coating zone which has not been coated onto the article to be coated is provided separately from a second recovering apparatus which recovers that powder coating material in the manual coating zones which has not been coated onto the article to be coated. In this manner, the ratio of reuse of the recovered uncoated powder coating material is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Arai, Yukihide Yamashita, Masayuki Yamaguchi, Kenichirou Mori
  • Patent number: 6060405
    Abstract: A method of deposition with 4-PASS which is performed by a WJ-1000 or WJ-999 machine. Before each deposition is performed, it is necessary to turn the wafer an angle of 90.degree. in the same direction. When deposition is this manner is performed four times on the same wafer, the uniformity in the four corners of the layer deposited on the 8-inch wafer can be improved. Over-polishing or recesses can be reduced and the kink effect can be prevented. 4-PASS deposition performed on the WJ-1000 or WJ-999 machine can make the uniformity within the wafer better and the yield of production can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ru-Huei Chang, Horng-Bor Lu
  • Patent number: 6033718
    Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for applying a protective coating to a lens disc; the procedure comprises the positioning of trays (7) carrying lens discs, on a conveyor belt (9), which comes to a halt opposite a sensor means which detects the lenses; the tray (7) enters a coating chamber (4) provided with a coating diffusor (11); and the tray (7) comes to a halt repeatedly leaving one of the lens carried on the tray (7) opposite the diffusor (11); the pulverised coating material is sprayed onto the lens and then the tray (7) passes on to a drying section (3). The apparatus comprises trays (7) carrying lenses; a means for the transport thereof; a chamber (4), provided with a coating diffusor (11) and a gas extraction means (13); there is also a sensor means (15) and a stopping means for regulating the movement of the tray (7) as far as the drying section (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Indo Internacional, S.A.
    Inventors: Lluis Miquel Marias Albrich, Benigno Moreno Vidales, Joan Perez Agudo, Alfred Santiago Palmero
  • Patent number: 6027566
    Abstract: A paint spray booth for painting an article and separating the spent paint overspray form the air and water used in the booth to collect the spent paint material is disclosed. The booth includes a water containing pan which has a deep portion and a shallow drain portion. The water used to separate the spent paint from the air and to clean the air discharged from the booth is collected on the drain portion and sent to the deep portion of the pan in a manner to cause a flow in the drain portion and deep portion of the pan to prevent accumulation of spent paint in undesired, inaccessible locations and to encourage movement of spent paint to desired, accessible locations in the pan and/or for removal or further treatment as by settling, skimming and/or separating, or the like, to provide the present invention with low maintenance similar to or less than other such booths, such as dry filter paint spray booths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Blowtherm Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve E. Telchuk, John Allman, George E. Allen, Jr., deceased
  • Patent number: 6024796
    Abstract: A wet scrubber including an acceleration cone for accelerating an airflow containing paint particles and having a curved inner wall on which water used for capturing paint particles flows downwardly, a mixing chamber for mixing the airflow and water and provided with an impingement pool on which the airflow impacts, a vortex chamber for creating a swirling flow of air and water that further aids the capture of paint particles, and a discharge volute communicating with the vortex chamber and provided with an enlarged discharge port for discharging the air and water. The wet scrubber is used in a paint spray booth, and provides the advantages of reduction in both energy consumption and noise and improvement in the efficiency of the capturing of paint particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignees: University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, North America, Trinity Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Abraham J. Salazar, Kozo Saito, Richard P. Alloo, Naoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6010571
    Abstract: A paint spray booth with capability to separately exhaust clean powder paint overspray by a clean overspray upper exhaust system at floor level, and the additional exhaust air and paint overspray passing through a grated floor and conveyor system is exhausted by a lower exhaust system. The upper and lower exhaust systems each include a pair of channels having a first and a second sloping surface with a slot disposed at a lower portion thereof. The slot opens into an exhaust duct which extends longitudinally along the paint spray booth. The upper exhaust channels are disposed beneath a surface of a body to be painted, while the lower exhaust channels are disposed beneath a grated floor and the upper exhaust channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Flexible Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Leif E. Josefsson, Tim S. Slagle, Tim J. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5997642
    Abstract: A mass flow controller controls the delivery of a precursor to a mist generator. The precursor is misted utilizing a venturi in which a combination of oxygen and nitrogen gas is charged by a corona wire and passes over a precursor-filled throat. The mist is electrically filtered so that it comprises predominately negative ions, passes into a velocity reduction chamber, and then flows into a deposition chamber through inlet ports in an inlet plate that is both a partition between the chambers and a grounded electrode. The inlet plate is located above and substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate on which the mist is to be deposited. The substrate is positively charged to a voltage of about 5000 volts. There are 440 inlet ports per square inch in an 39 square inch inlet port area of the inlet plate directly above the substrate. The inlet port area is approximately equal to the substrate area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Symetrix Corporation
    Inventors: Narayan Solayappan, Larry D. McMillan, Carlos A. Paz de Araujo
  • Patent number: 5997643
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for spraying powder into the interior of welded hollow can bodies from a spray gun mounted to the welding arm of a can forming machine. The spray gun can either apply a stripe of highly charged powder on the welded seam areas of hollow can bodies, or can simultaneously apply a coating of powder having a first thickness on the longitudinally welded seam areas and a second thickness less than the first thickness on the remainder of the interior surface. Air is vented off from the powder flow being transported through the welding arm so that the powder to air ratio is increased. Air is introduced at the downstream end of the welding arm to provide a suction force to help draw the powder flow through the welding arm and to increase the velocity of the powder flow for better tribo charging of the powder in the gun and to improve spray pattern stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Edward Wilson, Masafumi Matsunaga, Wataru Kakuta, Raymond J. Merk, Ronald E. Niemiec, Laurence B. Saidman, Gerald W. Crum, William L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5989638
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for coating substrates by a liquid spray so as to avoid entrapment of gaseous bubbles, particularly air bubbles, in the coating and desirably to thereby obtain bubble-free coatings. More particularly, the invention involves spray applying the coating to a substrate in an atmosphere consisting of gases having appreciable solubility in the applied coating, such as carbon dioxide, such that gas bubbles that may become entrapped in the coating are removed after application by the gases dissolving into the coating and diffusing to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Andrew Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5976249
    Abstract: A varnishing head orientable toward a workpiece for a relative movement of a workpiece and application of a surface coating substance on a workpiece surface, the varnishing head comprising an application nozzle provided with a connection to a surface coating substance source, a suction nozzle provided with a suction connection, the application nozzle being formed as a slot nozzle adapted to face the workpiece surface with a small distance from it and having a mouth which is formed by a slot extending transversely to a movement direction, the suction nozzle being open at a distance from the application nozzle as considered in the movement direction in the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Josef Schiele oHG
    Inventor: Gerhard Stahl
  • Patent number: 5971732
    Abstract: A molding apparatus is provided which comprises a lower mold portion and an upper mold portion movable into engagement with the lower portion. A movable spray head is disposed on a traversing rack mounted within a retractable coating box. The coating box upper surface contains a first opening corresponding in size and shape to the outer periphery of the mold cavity of the upper mold and a second opening which corresponds in size and shape to the opening of an overspray recovery transition piece disposed at a position adjacent the fully disengaged upper mold portion. Prior to a molding operation, the coating box engages the upper mold permitting both the transition piece opening and cavity opening in the top surface of the box to align with the transition piece and cavity, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Applied Composites Corp.
    Inventors: William E. Grisch, Fred E. Grisch, Stephen P. Bondy
  • Patent number: 5962085
    Abstract: A substrate is located within a deposition chamber, the substrate defining a substrate plane. A barrier plate is disposed in spaced relation above the substrate and substantially parallel thereto, the area of said barrier plate in a plane parallel to said substrate being substantially equal to said area of said substrate in said substrate plane, i.e. within 10% of said substrate area. The barrier plate has a smoothness tolerance of 5% of the average distance between said barrier plate and said substrate. A mist is generated, allowed to settle in a buffer chamber, filtered through a 1 micron filter, and flowed into the deposition chamber between the substrate and barrier plate to deposit a liquid layer on the substrate. The liquid is dried to form a thin film of solid material on the substrate, which is then incorporated into an electrical component of an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignees: Symetrix Corporation, Matsushita Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Hayashi, Larry D. McMillan, Masamichi Azuma, Carlos A. Paz de Araujo
  • Patent number: 5944894
    Abstract: A substrate treatment system comprises process sections provided with at least either of liquid treatment group units and heat treatment group units, an upper space formed above the process sections in order to supply air to the process sections, a purification section for removing alkaline components from the air to be supplied to the upper spaces to purify the air, temperature/humidity controller communicating with the urification section and the upper spaces to control the temperature and humidity of the air passing through the purification sections, and fans for supplying air to the top spaces from the temperature/humidity controller, lowering the air from the upper spaces into the process sections, and supplying at least some of the air lowering through the process sections to the temperature/humidity controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Junichi Kitano, Takayuki Katano, Keiko Kanzawa, Masami Akimoto, Norio Semba
  • Patent number: 5922130
    Abstract: A spray booth includes an outer enclosure in which the temperature and humidity of a fluid (such as air) is not controlled and a fluid handling unit within this enclosure, which circulates and controls the temperature and humidity of a smaller volume of the same fluid (air) to develop an environment suitable for application of coatings to desired substrates. In use, fluid is drawn from the outer enclosure into the inner, fluid handling unit in order to clean and modify the temperature and humidity of the fluid being handled, conditioning it to be delivered to the region of limited size which is established for receiving the substrate to be coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Sermatech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Mosser, Bruce McMordie