Abstract: A tinning station for axial lead electronic components includes a presentation system for arranging a plurality of axial lead components in an elevated linear array with adjacent components lying parallel to each other. A pair of grippers, have a pair of parallel bars each having a longitudinal slot and a length at least as long as the length of the component array. These bars are moved toward or away from each other by an actuator which is mounted on a robotic arm. This arm is programmed to position the grippers adjacent to the array so that the actuator can cause the grippers to clamp the ends of the bodies of the components in the array. Then the arm dips the leads on each side of the array into the solder flux and subsequently into molten solder, thereby tinning the leads. The thickness of the grippers defines an untinned length of each component lead. A release fixture is used to dislodge any components which do not fall from the grippers when the grippers are separated.

Abstract: A soldering apparatus includes a solder bath 40 and a component holder 43 positioned to lower an exposed tag of a component to contact solder in the solder bath 40. After removal from the bath the component is deliberately subjected to a mechanical shock when a limb of a bracket 44 strikes a turret plate 42 under the action of a spring 46. The shock causes a short time vibration in the component and spreads solder in tears which naturally form on the exposed tags to remove or substantially reduce those tears.

Abstract: A vapor phase system for soldering of a workpiece. A vessel for containing an electronic liquid which is heated to generate a zone of saturated vapor. A first inclined throat communicates with the vessel and a solder pot is located within the vessel. The solder pot including a reservoir for containing molten solder, a second throat aligned with the first throat and communicating at one end with molten solder contained in the reservoir means and communicating at the other end with the saturated vapor, molten solder contained in the reservoir means is pumped through the second throat and is captured by the reservoir and a conveyor carries work product through the first throat, through the saturated vapor and into the second throat whereby the work product will become immersed in the molten solder contained within the second throat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting work to be processed through a series of work processing stations by moving the work along a path extending past the stations to successive positions along the path opposite the stations, respectively, and at each position extending and retracting the work into and from the respective station for processing of the work therein. The present best mode practice and embodiment of the invention are designed to coat or plate the conductors and thru-holes of printed circuit boards with solder by mounting the circuit boards in rack-like work holders, transporting the work holders in succession from an infeed station to an outfeed station along a path extending over a series of tanks containing liquid baths of acid, rinse solution, flux, solder/oil and final wash, respectively, and extending and retracting each work holder downwardly into and upwardly from each tank to successively clean, rinse, flux, solder coat and wash the circuit boards.

Abstract: An automatic dyeing apparatus has a casing, a plurality of vessels arranged in the casing, a specimen cage transporting mechanism and a controller capable of moving each cage with a plurality of pieces of slide glass to a predetermined position whereby various dyeing operations can be carried out at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically forming ceramic shell molds as part of an investment casting process. The apparatus includes structure defining a plurality of processing stations which together define a process line through which set ups are conveyed and coated with cermic material. The first station includes a pickup arm assembly operative to transfer a set up from a transfer cart to a slurry tank where it is released. A transfer arm forming part of a second station engages the set up rotates it within the slurry tank for a predetermined time, after which, the slurry transfer arm transfers it to a spin-off tank and releases it. A stucco transfer arm assembly forming part of a third station engages the set up and rotates it to spin-off excess slurry solution after which the stucco transfer arm transfers it to a stucco tank and releases it.

Abstract: An improved automatic immersion coating apparatus is disclosed herein which is particularly well suited for use in applying a coating to substantially all the exposed surfaces of a workpiece without incurring any potentially damaging or wearing of the surfaces thereof. The coating apparatus is designed to allow individual workpieces to free fall into a reservoir containing a supply of the coating solution and includes a catch basket, actuation of which is carefully timed so as to enable the time during which the workpiece is immersed in the coating solution to be minimized. Additionally, apparatus is also provided whereby the coating solution is continuously recirculated and the concentration level thereof carefully monitored. This monitoring system operates to actuate metering valves whereby the solution components may be automatically replenished thus enabling the optimum concentration level to be closely maintained.

Abstract: An industrial exhaust ventilation system enabling access to exhaust generating processes while containing and controlling the resultant exhausted gases is provided. A cover assembly is attached to the structure generating the exhaust gases and is provided with a reciprocating cover having an open and closed position. The exhaust generating process is accessible only when the cover is open. A conventional exhaust system is also provided to maintain the low level of air circulation necessary to convey the generated exhaust to a treatment facility. The ventilation system is optionally provided with a workload enclosure that travels to selected process structures and forms a fume containment region by interengaging with the cover assembly located thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus is now provided for the contacting of articles with coating liquid such that there is provided increased through put of coated articles. Articles for coating, such as small metallic parts, are placed in a perforate, rotatable, typically wire basket and most often immersed in a tank containing a coating liquid. During this coating operation, an adjacent basket spaced apart from the first basket is discharging coated parts and subsequently taking on fresh parts for coating at a loading/unloading zone. Following this, and the coating of the parts in the first basket, the baskets are moved in a line, e.g., concurrently. The second basket with the fresh parts is moving to its own coating tank for parts coating while the first basket is moving to the zone for unloading coated parts and for loading of fresh uncoated parts. Thus essentially twice the production of coated parts can be produced in an efficient and economical manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing samples, such as tissue samples, including a rotatable table which carries either the samples or solutions in which the samples are to be immersed. The table is rotatable between a series of sample processing stations and is also arranged for axial movement between positions at which a sample is and is not respectively immersed in a solution. A single reversible motor is operable to both rotate the table and cause axial movement thereof. The motor drives a spindle having a double helix and also drives the table through a one way clutch arranged so that in one mode of operation the motor rotates both the spindle and the table and in another mode it rotates the spindle only. In the latter case the table is caused to move up and down the spindle as a result of cooperation between a follower and the helix tracks of the spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus for enveloping a battery plate with a microporous battery separator material by a dip method. The method involves first removing air bubbles from the plate by dipping the plate in a liquid, then dipping the plate into a polymer-solvent-filler suspension. After removal from the polymer-solvent-filler suspension, the plate is dried by evaporation or contacted with a nonsolvent and then dried. The result is the formation of a microporous separator envelope about the battery plate. The apparatus comprises a plurality of tanks for housing components for the production of the envelopes, into which tanks a battery plate can be sequentially dipped. Additionally, the apparatus includes a screen between the first two tanks for attracting liquid when contacted by a wet battery plate, a dryer, and a plate carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a monomolecular film or a monomolecular built-up film on a substrate, which comprises a tank, a frame for dividing a liquid surface in the tank and a support for moving the substrate horizontally in the liquid without disordering the liquid surface within the frame which contains the film.

Abstract: A device for transporting specimens carried on microscope slides through a plurality of liquid containing jars for staining or otherwise treating the specimens. It includes a rail, a conveyor chain, a conveyor motor, an elliptically shaped rod, a rod motor, a plurality of open top jars, a plurality of carriers, and a plurality of slide holders. The jars are positioned along a horizontal path. Each slide holder is pivotally connected to a carrier so that its slide holding portion will extend into a jar or be lifted above the jar when the rod is rotated counter-clockwise 90.degree. from its horizontal position to its vertical position. Subsequent continuous counterclockwise rotation of the rod will alternately permit slides to be lowered by gravity and raised by the force provided by the rod. The carriers and slide holders with slides attached are supported by the rail, moved horizontally by the conveyor chain parallel to the path, and agitated up and down by the rod.

Abstract: A method for treating plastic containers with a resin to improve barrier properties thereof including conditioning with an ionizing gas, dipping container in latex of barrier resin and drying container including removing drop from bottom thereof. Apparatus for carrying out the process is shown.

Abstract: A solder leveller comprising a solder bath into which a board to be soldered can be inserted and then, as it is withdrawn, levelled by air knives positioned above the bath. Recirculating means are provided in the form of ducts on each side wall of the bath, the ducts having ports directing a flow of solder against opposite sides of a board to bias the board away from the sidewalls of the bath, thereby reducing the risk of the board being scratched as it is inserted and withdrawn from the bath.

Abstract: For HgCdTe liquid phase epitaxy (LPE), in situ differential thermal analysis apparatus is used to precisely monitor the liquidus temperature of each HgCdTe melt. The neutral body, e.g. a slug of copper enclosed in a silica ampoule, is placed near the LPE reactor in a furnace. During heating or cooling, differential sensing of a pair of thermocouples (in the melt and in the neutral body) will show an accelerated change at transformation points, since at these points the temperature of the melt will be changed by the energy of the physical change, while that of the neutral body remains subject only to passive heat transfer. Thus, the actual liquidus temperature of each melt can be measured with extreme precision, and isothermal or programmed cooling methods of LPE can be precisely and reliably controlled under production conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for subjecting articles to surface treatment of a sequence of solutions utilizing a plurality of process tanks and a plurality of supply tanks, each supply tank containing one of the solutions utilized in the process. The process tanks and supply tanks are interconnected by conduit means which include a series of valves which may be activated and deactivated for routing the solution to and from any of the selected tanks. The valves are automatically activated and deactivated by a programmable control which allows for articles introduced into each of the process tanks to be subjected to each of the solutions in a programmed sequence.

Abstract: A solution growth apparatus for conducting an epitaxial growth of a compound semiconductor crystal from solution by relying on the temperature difference technique at a constant growth temperature and on a mass production scale without deranging the control of the growth temperature applied externally of the growth apparatus and with the application of only a small heating power and only a small cooling power, by enhancing the thermal exchange efficiency through the provision of heating means, via an insulator, for the melt-containing reservoir provided on the growth boat housed within a quartz reactor and by the provision of cooling means at the bottom of the boat within the reactor.

Abstract: A soldering technique is provided especially for printed circuit boards wherein a bath of solder assisting fluid such as non-ionic surface active agent is superposed on a bath of solder. In one form, the workpiece is passed through the bath of solder assisting fluid and solder is pumped from the bath of solder to a trough whereat the solder is cascaded onto the workpiece. In another form, the workpiece is passed downwardly through the bath of solder assisting fluid into the bath of solder for the application of solder to the workpiece. Thereafter, the workpiece is withdrawn from the bath of solder through the bath of solder assisting fluid. In both instances, while the workpiece is still within the bath of solder assisting fluid, jets of this fluid are played against the workpiece to control the thickness of the solder which is allowed to remain on the workpiece.

Abstract: A frame 50 having box section frame members 42 is connected by spider inserts 36 and 52 at the four corners of the frame which are linked through chains 34 to four frame handling devices 14 which include a pneumatic cylinder 16 operated to lower the frame to the horizontal 50B position in the tank with the cylinders 16 then being operated to tilt the frame in the tank about three different axes (FIGS. 5-7) to insure a complete coating of all the members of the frame and the purging of air from all entrapping cavities and/or corners of the frame.

Abstract: A material finishing line including a essentially linear array of work stations is disclosed. A stationary support beam extends over the work stations and substatially encloses a transmission, and supports at least one crane body and a drive means to selectively propel the crane body along the support beam. The crane body is an assembly of components arranged to raise workpieces from the work stations towards the support beam. A `U` shaped cart supports lift means to provide power to raise a lift arm and supports the lift arm and a lift arm guide. The vertical extensions of the support beam and of the cart are reduced and nearly overlap, and the vertical extension of the lift arm may be lifted into substantially overlapping relationship with the vertical extension of the cart.

Abstract: A magnetic lifting device for lifting a stack of specimen holders out of one tube and lowering them into another tube is disclosed. The device avoids the necessity of manual handling of the stack. In the device there are a number of stack holding tubes, each one open at the top, positioned in a circle about a vertical axis of a rotatable carousel. An indexing system rotates the carousel to selectively place one of the stack holding tubes in a treatment position. The improvement comprises a magnetizable member attached to the top of the stack of sample holders, a transfer tube having a bottom opening positioned to mate on top of the stack holding tube to hold the magnetizable member in a magnetic field, a device to raise and lower the magnetic coil about the transfer tube to raise and lower the magnetic coil about the transfer tube to raise the stack into the transfer tube allowing the carousel to be rotated, and lower the stack into another stack holding tube.

Abstract: A material finishing line which includes a plurality of finishing tanks disposed in a linear array and a self-propelled hoist movable along an elongated track extending parallel to the finishing line. The hoist includes a base which contains the propulsion and control mechanism, and a guide fixedly projecting upwardly from the base. A pick-up arm is slidably carried on the guide and is cantilevered therefrom over the finishing line so as to pass over successive tank locations as the hoist is propelled along the track. The pick-up arm is raised and lowered by an hydraulic ram coupled to the base, and is held in horizontal orientation by a pair of chains trained around sprockets affixed to the guide and attached to the pick-up arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating steel objects with an alloy of zinc and aluminium. The steel objects are preheated in a furnace to within 400.degree.-950.degree. C. within a protective reducing gas, and then introduced into a zinc bath containing about 5% aluminium in a cage. After a predetermined time, the cage is raised out of the bath into a centrifuging chamber having an oxygen-free atmosphere therein.

Abstract: A plating apparatus having a plurality of retaining racks, comprising loading-unloading stations for loading an unplated article onto each of the retaining racks and for unloading a plated article from each of the retaining racks, treating baths for plating the unplated articles a conveyance mechanism for conveying the retaining racks, and a plurality of stock yard stations for temporarily receiving the retaining racks, the stock yard stations being disposed immediately below a path traversed by the conveyance mechanism and adjacent the loading-unloading stations and treating baths.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining the concentration of components of a plating solution substantially constant during use of a plating bath. The apparatus comprises a sensor suspended in the plating bath responsive to the concentration of one or more plating components of the plating solution. The sensor is capable of generating a signal whereby replenished solution is pumped to the solution to replace depleted components.

Abstract: A packaged lumber-dipping apparatus comprises a dipping tank of lumber-preserving fluid, a submersible roll case section supported by a hoist mast for lowering a package of lumber into the tank, and infeed and outfeed conveyors. A clamp is mounted on the hoist mast for clamping the package down on the roll case section so that the lumber will not float when submerged in the tank. The infeed conveyor is positioned at an end of the roll case section for feeding a package of lumber lengthwise onto the roll case section. The outfeed conveyor, positioned alongside the tank, receives the package of lumber from the roll case section after dipping. Two tiltable skate roll sections in the roll case section, connected by chains to the clamp, tilt toward the outfeed conveyor when the clamp is raised to unload the package onto the outfeed conveyor after dipping.

Abstract: A holder holding capacitor elements is transported by a conveyor and brought into an electrolyte impregnating tank, which is then closed up by a cover which is secured to a carrier movable laterally by a linkage and is moved vertically by a swingable link. A vacuum pump is operated to vacuumize the electrolyte impregnating tank, and then an electrolyte to supplying circuit is operated to supply the electrolyte into the tank of a predetermined vacuum, so that the capacitor elements may be impregnated with the electrolyte by the minus pressure of vacuum. An absorbing device with a pump is operated to absorb the extra electrolyte around the capacitor elements which are placed in the device.

Abstract: A system for producing electrolyte impregnated capacitor elements comprises a reforming device for reforming the leads of capacitor elements which are brought thereto, a clutch device for clutching the reformed capacitor elements, an aligning device for aligning a predetermined number of the reformed capacitor elements, a holding device holding the aligned capacitor elements, an electrolyte impregnating vessel receiving the aligned capacitor elements to impregnate with the electrolyte, a blow-off device for blowing off the excess amount of electrolyte from the electrolyte impregnating capacitor elements, and transmission devices each operated in a predetermined sequence to transmit the capacitor elements between the above mentioned capacitor element treating devices.

Abstract: Printed circuit boards which are to be tin-plated pass through a liquid application station in a horizontal direction, and thereafter through an activation station for the activation of the applied liquid. Then the printed circuit boards arrive at a receiver element of substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, which subsequently is pivoted about a horizontal pivot shaft, out of a horizontal take-up position into a vertical transfer position. During this pivotal movement the printed circuit board bears upon a support element or part which supports the printed circuit board. By means of grippers the printed circuit board, previously brought by the receiver element into a vertical position, is immersed in vertical position into a solder bath. After a certain residence time the printed circuit board is inserted by the gripper into a further receiver element likewise having a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, this receiver element being located in a vertical receiving position.

Abstract: An apparatus for immersing a reinforcement frame for a concrete panel or the like into a mortar liquid comprises a mortar tank and a reinforcement-arranged frame immersing mechanism, the immersing mechanism including a first engaging portion for suspending the reinforcement frame in the vertical direction and a second engaging portion engageable with the lower end portion of the reinforcement frame being suspended in the vertical direction, whereby at least one of these first and second engaging portions is moved, so that the reinforcement frame can be transferred from the vertical state to the horizontal state to be immersed into the mortar tank.

Abstract: A hoist for dipping a package of lumber or other similar work product into a tank of liquid is fabricated basically as a weldment of readily available steel shapes and is of a rugged, reliable design. A vertically movable carriage with forwardly projecting prongs at its lower end receives a package of work product and clamps located above the prongs tightly clamp the package to the carriage during a dipping procedure. The hoist is designed to allow package delivery and removal, to and from the hoist, by a fork lift truck. After placing a package on the hoist the fork lift operator may push a single push button and a control system for the hoist thereafter causes the hoist to automatically go through a full cycle of operation including a immersion period the length of which may be manually adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying lubricant to articles such as connectors. The connectors 10 with projecting terminals 12 are loaded into a holder 19 enclosed within a housing 16 having an entry door 23. The door is shut and lubricant is pumped into a tank 28 to overflow into a catch receptacle 66 whereafter the holder is moved to dip the terminal ends into the lubricant. During the dipping operation a pair of locking members 98 and 133 are positioned to block opening of the door. Following the dipping operation the locking member 98 is withdrawn while the lubricant is drained from the receptacle. Upon completion of the draining of the receptacle, facilities 126-132 are operated to withdraw the locking member 133 thus permitting an attending operator to open the door without exposure to any noxious frames emanating from the lubricant.

Abstract: A hoist plating line comprising a plurality of plating tanks disposed in a linear array and an elongated track extending longitudinally above the tanks and including means for bodily moving the track between raised and lowered positions above the tanks. A plurality of carts are mounted on the track and are coupled by drive chains to electric motors disposed at one of the track ends for translating the carts longitudinally of the track above the tanks in both the raised and lowered positions of the track. The carts include carrier hands adapted to cooperate with pick-up adapters associated with workpieces suspended in the various tanks for lifting, translating and depositing the workpieces among the plating tank locations. A plurality of proximity detectors are spaced longitudinally of the track and cooperate with the carts for identifying plating locations associated with the various tanks disposed beneath the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating articles with a solvent, a solvent-containing liquid such as a lacquer, or with solvent vapors, comprises an open treating vessel provided with a device for raising and lowering the articles in the vessel and a heating unit at the bottom of the vessel for heating solvent therein. Around the wall of the vessel, above the bottom thereof, cooling tubes are provided which are connected to the cold branch of a heat pump so as to condense solvent vapors which can collect in a trough below these tubes and can be returned to a compartment of the vessel adjacent the treating compartment. The hot branch of the heat pump is connected via a heat exchanger to a water boiler and heat storage tank and the heater is connected to this boiler by a pump controlled by a control device responsive to the raising and lowering of the articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for dipping plating objects such as IC lead frame of a rectangular shape obtained by press forming and etching thin metal pieces, wherein a plural number of said rectangular sheets aligned and supported on the freely descending and returning rack base of the support carriage of the objects to be plated are concurrently subjected to dipping plating by determining the position of the said plural number of rectangular sheets to be plated for lowering into the plating tanks, and abutting the upper surface of the objects to be plated with the holding means thereby subjecting a plural number of objects to be plated.

Abstract: An apparatus for making semiconductor devices comprising a block having a slot hole for holding a semiconductor substrate therein, a solution container which has a predetermined number of holes to contain semiconductor solutions therein and is slidably disposed on said block, characterized in that said slot hole has walls having a considerable angle with respect to a horizontal plane and has a solution inlet at the top part of said slot hole and a solution outlet at the bottom part of said slot hole, and has a means to hold said substrate with its principal face substantially parallel to said walls.

Abstract: Described is apparatus designed for applying enamel slip simultaneously to the internal and external surfaces of a pipe which includes a housing with a rod mounted centrally therein so that a clearance space is formed therebetween. That clearance space measures somewhat more than the thickness of the wall of the pipe under treatment which is to be moved in the clearance space, which is being filled with enamel slip. The clearance space between the housing and the rod measures at least 1.5 times the thickness of the pipe wall.In one of the embodiments of the invention, the housing and the rod are of cylindrical shape.The housing is provided with an enamel circulation system which includes a pump communicating with the housing and a reservoir via pipelines. The reservoir is filled with enamel slip and is provided with a thermoregulator.

Abstract: A work conveying apparatus for transporting work pieces through a plurality of treating stations including a work rack for supporting the work pieces which is tiltable, according to one embodiment of the invention, in one direction when in a raised position to facilitate drainage of solution from the work pieces and is tiltable in an opposite direction to facilitate escape of gases from the work pieces when the work rack is immersed in a treating solution. The work rack further includes pivotally mounted work holders thereon which are movable to and from a work piece supporting position to a work piece discharge or unloading position to facilitate automatic loading and unloading of work pieces therefrom. The conveying apparatus further includes an unload station including a guide for retaining the work rack in a fixed position and includes a device for aligning the rack with the guide during its descending movement.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a vertically movable arm member pivoted at one end about a vertical axis and a chucking head mounted at the other distal end thereof, for engagement with and holding an apertured article, said chucking head being arranged to rotate the chucked article and whereby apertured articles being successively fed to a loading position are subjected to a revolving movement and an upward movement while being transferred to an unloading position via a working position where they are subjected to a desired treatment.

Abstract: A system for the production of dipped taper candles, including an overhead conveyor system supporting mobile carrier racks for formation of the candles in suspended relation from the rack, and including a wicking station for providing rows of candle wicks in generally tensioned suspended relation from a carrier rack, a dipping station for automatically dipping said wicks on the rack through a predetermined number of dipping cycles, a cutoff station for cutting off the bases including the wick tensioning weights of the candles suspended from the carrier rack, a butt forming station for heat forming the cut butt ends of candles suspended from the carrier rack, and a cut down station for expeditiously cutting down the carrier rack rows of the candles formed on the candle wicks and for collecting the same for further processing. The invention also provides a novel method of producing plysically uniform candles in mass production batches.

Abstract: To improve the solderability of the terminals or connections of integrated circuit components (IC-components) with parallel connection rows these must be pre-tin plated. An apparatus is disclosed which immerses the connections or terminals to be pre-tin plated as deeply as possible into the solder bath without exposing the components to impermissible thermal loads. This is obtained in that the components which are to be initially or pre-tin plated are tilted about an axis extending parallel to the terminal or connection row in a manner such that the connections of a row are simultaneously immersed into the solder bath.

Abstract: An automatic coating system for making set-up by coating a wax pattern with a refractory material, for use in a lost wax process. The system has a set-up pickup device adapted to pickup the set-ups by one from a set-up pool, a slurry dipping device for dipping the set-up in the slurry of the refractory coating material, a sanding device adapted to deposit sand to the coated set-up and a set-up taking-out device for taking the set-up out of the system. These devices are disposed on a common circle. The system further has aset-up transportation device located at the center of the circle. The transportation device has a plurality of beams extended radially outwardly to positions of the devices on the circle and supported by a shaft which is rotatable and movable up and down. Each beam has an arm which is adapted to hold the set-up. The beams of the transportation device are cyclically moved up and down and rotated back and forth to transport the set-ups from one to the next devices disposed on the circle.

Abstract: A device for transferring, by magnetic attraction, antigen-antibody adsorbent materials from one reaction mixture to another, and to facilitate an efficient rinsing of these materials, and for transferring adsorbent materials used in other assay methods.

Abstract: Plates made of porous material are strengthened by impregnation with a hardening fluid. The plates are stacked, subjected to vacuum in a chamber and immersed in the treating fluid, and pressure is then exerted on the fluid. The apparatus includes a chamber which contains a body of the fluid and which can be made airtight by applying a cover. The cover carries a support frame which carries a stack of plates, the cover having a hoisting device to lower the frame and stack into the fluid. A vacuum source and pressure source are connected to the container through a control valve.

Abstract: A surface treatment device capable of carrying out the surface treatment such as washing or etching of plate-like articles such as semiconductor wafers maintaining high degree of reliability, wherein a surface treating liquid is introduced into a ring-like or a conduit-like treating vessel. The plate-like articles to be treated are moved by a conveyor on a conveyor path having a surface in parallel with the surfaces of the plate-like articles against the stream of the treating liquid in a piece-by-piece manner, so that the surfaces of the plate-like articles are treated, whereby the surfaces of the semiconductor wafers can be desirably treated prior to manufacturing the semiconductor products.

Abstract: A surface of a substrate 11 (FIG. 2) is uniformly coated with a liquid L by wetting the surface with the liquid and compressibly contacting the wetted surface with an applicator member 10 having an outer layer 14 of a compressible liquid absorbing material with inverse sponge characteristics and an inner layer 13 of compliant material. Preferably the member is a roller 10 having a silicone rubber or polyurethane inner layer and a chamois outer layer. A plurality of the rollers 10 are arranged to be in compressive contact with the surfaces of a plurality of substrates 11 as the substrates are being removed from the liquid L (arrow A), the movement of the substrates 11 causing rotation (arrow F) of the rollers to apply a uniform coating of the liquid on the contacted surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating successive batches of workpieces with respectively different paints, composed of a plurality of coating tank units disposed along a conveying path and each arranged to hold a bath of a respective paint, a workpiece conveyor extending along such path for conveying workpieces therealong, a carriage movable along the conveying path to the region of a selected one of the tank units, and a conveyor guide structure carried by the carriage for controlling the movements of the conveyor in order to cause workpieces being conveyed by the conveyor to be immersed in the bath contained in the selected unit where the carriage is located.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus using a walking beam transporter is provided with an indexing mechanism for enabling barrels supported on the beam to be indexed rotationally in use, either in a treatment solution or when raised above it. The drive mechanism comprises a rod extending along the transporter beam and supported in low friction bearings for linear reciprocated movement. The rod is driven by a piston and cylinder assembly housed inside the beam, via a pendulum link. Each barrel is provided with a ratchet and pawl mechanism operated from the rod via a lever link on the barrel mounting.

Abstract: There is proposed a method of impregnation of cermet electrodes of an alkaline storage battery, which comprises the steps of reeling a sintered band stock together with a spacer element arranged throughout the entire length and width of the band stock and providing an appropriate space between the turns of the band stock, and placing said reeled band stock together with the spacer element into active solutions.