Abstract: An oven for curing coating material applied to metal sheets (15) has a heating section (17), a cooling section (18) and an incinerator (19) for burning fumes from the coating material. The oven also as a conveyor for carrying sheets through it. The oven is associated with a sheet feeder (11), a coating apparatus (12), and a sheet stacker (13). In one embodiment, a conveyor (16) comprises an air bed (30) and two series of drive members (35) mounted on two endless chains (36). Air is ejected through a matrix of slots in the air bed (30) and thereby creates a cushion for supporting the sheets (15). The air is ejected in a direction which urges the trailing edges of the sheets into engagement with the drive members (35) and the drive members (35) propel the sheets through the oven. In another embodiment, a conveyor (200) comprises two series of drive members (205, 206) mounted on spaced apart chain (208, 209) and arranged in pairs for engaging the trailing and leading edges of metal sheets.

Abstract: Spin coating of resist on a semiconductor wafer is done in a controlled chamber, starting with introducing a resist solvent vapor into the chamber from a nozzle or an adjacent chamber, applying the resist by spraying a very thin layer of the resist material and then removing solvent from the chamber. The result is a saving in resist material and enhanced coating uniformity.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing or restoring the surface of a plastic article. A receiving chamber receives the article and conveys the article to a finishing chamber. The surface of the article is exposed to a control led concentration of solvent vapor for a period of time in the finishing chamber. The solvent vapor is absorbed into the surface of the article and reforms the surface of the article to a smooth finish. The solvent evaporates off of the surface of the article leaving a smooth glass like finish. A refrigeration system condenser and evaporator are provided to respectively vaporize the solvent in a heating zone, and condense the vaporized solvent in a cooling zone.

Abstract: A running substrate which is coated with a solvent-containing material is conveyed through several sections of a drying unit and is dried with a stream of inert gas which is conveyed counter to the direction of movement of the substrate. The temperature of inert gas is reduced during flow from section to section and the quantity of solvent in the inert gas is maintained slightly below saturation value during the initial stage of the drying operation to thus enhance the surface finish of the coating. The stream of inert gas is circulated along an endless path a portion of which coincides with the path for the substrate, and the inert gas is heated to maximum drying temperature before it enters the downstream end of the path for the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for drying lengths of carrier material which have been printed with ink comprising an evaporable solvent. To maintain the concentration of the solvents evaporating from the printing ink, this concentration has to be determined. As known apparatuses for measuring the concentration are expensive, prone to faults and need regular calibration, the present invention provides a method for calculating that concentration. According to said method the concentration of the evaporated solvents in the gas mixture is determined by measurement of the temperature and flow rate of a mixture to be supplied to the burner, and by measurement of the temperature of the gas mixture heated by the burner and by measurement of the flow rate of the fuel supplied to the burner.

Abstract: A vapor reflow type soldering apparatus with an upper supply hole of vapor for heating the upper surface of an article to be processed, the position of which is displaced to the downstream side along a direction of delivery with respect to that of a lower supply hole of vapor for heating the lower surface of the article, so that the temperature of the upper surface of the article to be processed can be raised more moderately than that of the lower surface thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for controlling the emission, and recovery, of volatile solvents. In particular, this invention relates to a type of finish material applying apparatus which has become known as a robotized spraying cabinet and to methods of operating such an apparatus. In accordance with this invention, materials sprayed through the spray head and which escape adherence to a sprayed articles impinge onto overspray directing members disposed adjacent the conveyor and between the conveyor and the reservoir, a quantity of solvent for the finishing materials is retained at a location adjacent the conveyor and supplying for use in cleaning the conveyor, and the overspray directing members and retained solvent to be supplied for cleaning are chilled and thereby the vapor pressure of the volatile solvent is reduced, whereby the volatile solvent is maintained in liquid form and control over the emission thereof is facilitated.

Abstract: Metal strip is coated with a coating material containing a volatilizable solvent and is heated in an enclosure for vaporizing the solvent. Condensation of vapors on the metal strip within the enclosure is avoided by providing an exhaust of sufficient capacity to withdraw all of the heated and vaporized solvent, after which it is burned, mixed with a gas having a temperature lower than its temperature, and returned into the enclosure and applied against the surface of the metal strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling the emission, and recovery, of volatile solvents. In particular, this invention relates to a type of finish material applying apparatus which has become known as a robotized spraying cabinet and to methods of operating such an apparatus. In accordance with this invention, materials sprayed through the spray head and which escape adherence to a sprayed articles impinge onto overspray directing members disposed adjacent the conveyor and between the conveyor and the reservoir, a quantity of solvent for the finishing materials is retained at a location adjacent the conveyor and supplying for use in cleaning the conveyor, and the overspray directing members and retained solvent to be supplied for cleaning are chilled and thereby the vapor pressure of the volatile solvent is reduced, whereby the volatile solvent is maintained in liquid form and control over the emission thereof is facilitated.

Abstract: A vapor reflow type soldering apparatus comprising a tank that is filled with saturated vapor of a heat medium and a passage extending through the tank. An article to be processed is transferred through the passage and is brought into contact with the saturated vapor so that a solder material on the article is heated and molten. Also, a discharge gas collecting unit is provided in the apparatus and includes a chilled water system through which water at a constant temperature is caused to flow. The heat medium is collected out of the discharge gas from the apparatus and is returned back to a tank. A flux separating unit is connected to the chilled water system of the discharge gas unit through a pipes and switching valves. The chilled water in the chilled water system is selectively introduced into the flux separating unit to cool the heat medium within the tank, and a flux molten into the heat medium is removed from the molten solder material.

Abstract: A running strip-shaped substrate of paper or thermoplastic material is provided with several layers of adhesive or other coating material at a transfer station where it comes in contact with discrete layers of coating material which are supplied by individual belt conveyors and are heated during travel with the respective conveyors to promote the expulsion of solvent which is gathered by individual streams of an inert gas flowing counter to the direction of travel of the layers with the conveyors. The layers are heated by the respective conveyors each of which is heated by a discrete heating device.

Abstract: A vapor reflow type soldering apparatus is provided with a vapor generating tank in which liquefied thermal medium is heated to be converted into vapor. An article or part to be processed is delivered through the vapor generating tank by a conveyor, and a soldering material of the article is heated and molten by the vapor of the thermal medium. The soldering apparatus is further provided with at least one unit or system for introducing the liquefied thermal medium into the vapor generating tank. The liquefied thermal medium is delivered through a pipe provided at a position where heat-exchange between the liquefied thermal medium of the pipe and the high temperature thermal medium is possible to be effected. The liquefied thermal medium is introduced into the vapor generating tank after it has been preheated through the heat exchange with the high temperature thermal medium.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a developing liquid used in an electrophotographic printing machine to develop an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive surface is reclaimed. The developing liquid is vaporized to dry the wet copy sheet. The developing liquid vapor enters the chamber of a housing where it is thermoelectrically cooled. In this way, the developing liquid vapor in the chamber of the housing liquefies. A Peltier heat pump is employed to cool the chamber of the housing so as to liquefy the developing liquid vapor.

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: A continuous vapor phase processing machine of the type wherein work is selectively heated by a processing vapor in a processing vapor zone to a selected temperature for vapor phase processing. The machine has a tank containing a processing vapor, and a throat is in communication with the tank. The throat communicates with the air, and cooling coils extend along at least a portion of the throat. Openings are defined in the throat across the throat at a location substantially spaced from the outer end of the throat and a manifold communicates with these openings. Means are connected to the manifold for drawing air from the throat through the openings defined in the throat and for removing processing vapor therefrom, the flow of air being drawn into the throat through the throat exit aperture and being pulled through the opening comprising a barrier to the flow of processing vapor to the throat exit aperture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of drying a solid wetted with a solvent or solvent mixture by causing superheated vapour of the solvent or solvent mixture as a carrier medium to flow through the material to be dried in an evaporation room, the solvent or solvent mixture evaporating and being carried along with the carrier medium, and by then causing the evaporated solvent or solvent mixture to condense from the carrier medium, if desired after compression thereof, in a cooling device. During this drying process a sub-ambient pressure is provided in the evaporation room and the temperature in the evaporation room is controlled by adjusting the sub-ambient pressure, if desired, in combination with an additional temperature controlling means. The inventiona also relates to a device for using the above method.

Abstract: A process and an installation for the continuous application of an oxidizable coating to a strip.The object of the invention is to provide an improvement in the recycle ratios and a savings of inert replenishing gas in an installation, in the enclosure which protects the draining means for controlling the coating, is recycled. To achieve this result, provision is made for the continuous purification of this gas by bringing it into contact with a reductive substance. If protective enclosure also contains the minimized flouring nozzles, zinc vapor can be introduced into the gas. This zinc vapor reacts with the oxygen and produces the nuclei by condensation.

Abstract: To reduce solvent wastage and the risk of pollution and explosions, articles to be surface coated (sprayed, flow coated or dip coated) are transported through a coating station disposed in a closed chamber having long inlet and outlet passages having the outline of said articles. Condensing regions are provided on opposite sides of the coating station to condense solvent vapor in the chamber. The arrangement in the chamber is such that the atmosphere is substantially saturated with solvent, the oxygen level is maintained below a predetermined level and only a small pressure difference is maintained between the pressures inside and outside the chamber to minimize escape of vapor.

Abstract: An installation for the continuous coating of a strip, especially for the galvanizing of sheet steel.The object of the invention is to improve the quality of the coating and the uniformity of its crystallization, especially for thin sheets with low coating thicknesses. To achieve this result, the minimized flouring nozzle or nozzles are placed in an enclosure from which the strip leaves through a narrow slit and in which is provided means for maintaining a protective atmosphere inside this enclosure.Preferably, this enclosure is one with an enclosure surrounding the draining means, and means for recycling the protective atmosphere and for purifying it with respect to oxygen are provided.

Abstract: Vapor condensation mass soldering apparatus (46) is of modular construction and includes a primary vapor zone assembly (50), a secondary vapor zone assembly (52), an ambient air moisture-removal zone assembly (54) and a hood assembly (56) mounted in readily separable, vertically stacked relationship. An article load-unload assembly (48) is secured to the front of the other assemblies (50, 52, 54 and 56). Each of the zone assemblies (50, 52 and 54) also includes respective condenser coil modules (142, 150 and 154) of special construction which can readily be mounted on and removed from their respective assemblies as integral units.

Abstract: An improved method of and apparatus for hot dip metal coating of steel strip in which the strip is heated and cleaned in a furnace then passed through a protective hood containing a reducing gas and into the molten coating metal bath. Coating metal oxides evolved in the hood are removed by flowing a nonoxidizing gas across the surface of the coating metal in the hood and withdrawing the gas and entrained oxides from a location in the vicinity of the coating metal surface. The oxides are removed from the withdrawn gas, and the gas returned to be again flowed across the coating metal surface.

Abstract: An energy efficient method of drying and curing insulation on wire, especially magnet wire, is disclosed. Heated gases are used separately to dry and cure a curable insulating coating such as a phenolic resin. Gases exhausted from the drying and curing operations and containing volatile combustible materials evolved from the drying and curing of the coating, is passed to a heat exchanger where they pick up heat from the exhaust gases of a fume burner. The hot gases are then passed to the fume burner where the combustible materials are burned to add heat of combustion to the gas stream, which is then cycled back as the fume burner exhaust through the heat exchanger, mixed with air, and passed to the drying section of the wire oven. This recapture of the heat from the combustion provides the heat needed for drying of the coating, thus maximizing the energy efficiency of the process. Apparatus to perform the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the recovery of solvents from coated parts during the drying step which consists of a means for heating the air used to dry the parts, an insulated drying chamber, a liquid spray scrubber, a refrigeration section to condense solvent and a cross-exchanger which allows air coming into the refrigeration section to be cooled by that exiting therefrom. The cooled solvent-lean air is then passed to the heating means before being recycled to the drying step.

Abstract: A method of curing a wet catalyst-curable resin on a substrate in which the substrate is passed through a treating zone provided by a sealed vapor-curing chamber connected to sealed entrance and exit ante chambers at respective ends. The ante chambers are each separated from the vapor-curing chamber by a wall provided with a passage having height-adjustable means to limit passage of gas. The substrate is passed in turn through the entrance chamber where the boundary layer of air is substantially replaced by inert gas, through the entrance chamber into the vapor-curing chamber where it is exposed to the catalyst vapor, and then through the exit chamber where the curing vapor is removed. When a web provides the substrate, a jet of curing vapor is impinged on the web surface as it enters the vapor-curing chamber at an angle and at a velocity effective substantially to remove the barrier layer of gas and permeate the coating.

Abstract: A process of applying and drying a liquid lubricant on a metallic material to be mechanically worked has the steps of passing a metallic material through a coating container with a lubricant so that the lubricant coats the metallic material and the latter exits from the coating container through an opening, removing the superfluous portion of the lubricant without contacting the same with outside air, and advancing the lubricant coated metallic material through a drying channel in which air is urged in disturbed state. An arrangement for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A continuous vapor processing system for vapor phase soldering, degreasing, or similar processes wherein a product is moved into and out of a vessel in a continuous manner via open conduits or channels while preventing escape of vapor from the processing tank and the conduits.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying tire cord fabric dipped in a liquid coating containing a vaporizable solvent. The drying chamber of the apparatus includes a boiling sump for filling the chamber with solvent vapor, and a plurality of vertically elongated plenums mounted in side-by-side relation, each plenum having a number of horizontally elongated nozzles in vertically spaced relation. The tire cord fabric is passed adjacent the nozzles and super-heated solvent vapor is forced through the nozzles against the moving fabric to flash off or vaporize the solvent carried by the fabric, thereby drying the fabric.

Abstract: An improved process and/or system for coating of a metal strip includes means for continuous travel of the strip and a chamber for substantially completely enclosing the strip beyond an area for application of a mixture of coating and solvent. In that chamber is at least one induction coil for induction heating the strip to drive off the solvent, means for introducing substantially pure nitrogen near opposite ends of the travel of the strip therein and in between the places of introduction of the substantially pure nitrogen means for removing the resultant mixture of nitrogen and solvent which mixture is then at least largely separated into its components and reclaimed nitrogen brought back into the chamber at locations between the location of removal of the mixture and the respective locations of introduction of substantially pure nitrogen. The temperature of the interior atmosphere of the chamber is automatically maintained at a predetermined temperature preferably within the range between about 300.degree.

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: By means of the nozzle, three gaseous curtains are formed converging on the surface of the substrate heated to a temperature of about 600.degree. C. which is driven in translatory movement, the intermediate curtain being constituted by a gaseous reactant or a reactant diluted in a carrier gas and the two lateral curtains being constituted by another naturally gaseous reactant or reactant diluted in a gas. The gaseous products of the reaction issuing from the nozzle are compelled to flow above a predetermined region of the substrate and these products are evacuated by suction by means of channels disposed at the extremities of this region of the substrate and a pump to which the channels are connected.

Abstract: A system for controlling the emission of solvents from a printing press having a plurality of printing stations characterized by the solvents being evaporated from the ink solution in a drying hood or section of each of the printing presses and the volatile organic compound of the solvents being converted into harmless gases by heating in an oxidation chamber. The exhaust from the oxidation chamber is recirculated back to the drying hoods so that the amount of fresh air being brought into the system is minimized to reduce the amount of exhaust gases being discharged back to the atmosphere to minimize the amount of the volatile organic compounds being discharged to the atmosphere.

Abstract: It has been known that volatile organic compounds evaporated in a substantially closed drying oven may be recovered by condensing part of the vapors in a cooler and recycling the mixture of the non-condensed vapor and inert gas back to the oven. However, non-steady state conditions tend to cause volume and pressure variations resulting in an out-breathing of oven atmosphere through the oven's entrance and exit ports, and an in-breathing of outside atmosphere. The invention provides a flexible expansion-contraction chamber to temporarily receive excess gas volume return it to the oven with minimal change in pressure. This reduces the loss of vapor, minimizes the need for inert gas addition, and conserves energy.

Abstract: A closed apparatus (10) and method for coating the interior of a tank (12) includes a plurality of interconnected conduits (36, 40, 60, 178), valves (34, 58) and a pump (62) for supplying a coating solution to the tank and draining the tank while containing deleterious fumes. Another plurality of conduits (66, 42), valve (64), and a pump (68) can work therewith to supply a hot curing solution to the tank.

Abstract: A system and process is disclosed for eliminating paint solvents released during paint spraying operations into the circulated air including a liquid spray solvent stripper over which the exhaust air is passed, and a heating and cooling arrangement for regenerating the solvent absorber liquid. A heat exchanger recovering heat from an incinerator vaporizes the solvent and the absorber is recovered by being passed over cooling coils in a condensing chamber. The exhaust air is treated with a water circulation system to remove paint solids, a proportion of the solvent vapors passing into solution with the treatment water. A solvent stripper is provided consisting of an arrangement for applying a vacuum to the water circulated from a paint solid removal unit, causing the solvent to be vaporized out of solution, with the vapors condensed by being passed over cooling coils in a condensing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a coating composition to an article and drying the solvent from the so applied coating prior to introduction of the coated article into the ambient atmosphere, comprising a housing or chamber in a generally "J" shape in which the small upwardly turned portion of the "J" defines an inner compartment isolated from the ambient atmosphere by the "J" configuration when the chamber is filled with a volatile solvent vapor and the inner compartment vapors are at an elevated temperature with respect to the remainder of the vapors in the chamber. The apparatus is provided with condensing means at the ambient atmosphere entrance and exit, a source of solvent vapors which may be integral with the chamber, and a means to introduce heat to the vapors and articles when they are in the inner compartment.

Abstract: An arrangement for separating paint residuals and solvents from the exhaust air of a paint spray chamber comprises a device for blowing a stream of supply air through the spray chamber to take along exhaust air containing paint and solvent particles, a filtering conveyor located below the chamber for intercepting from the exhaust air paint particles and discharging continuously the same, and a second conveyor arranged below the filtering conveyor and adapted for receiving and discharging a layer of adsorptive material that intercepts solvent particles remaining in the filtered exhaust air.

Abstract: The applicator includes two elongated conveyor rollers arranged in parallel alignment and inclined from a sealant application station toward a tire unloading station. The rollers simultaneously rotate a series of tires in the same direction about a common axis in side-by-side engagement with one end tire adjacent the sealant application station and the other end tire adjacent the unloading station. A kicker assembly unloads the latter end tire, whereupon the rollers advance the remaining tires toward the unloading station while maintaining coaxial rotation thereof. A fresh tire then may be positioned at the application station and the application and advancement steps repeated. The applicator further includes a sealant applicator for effecting airless spray application of sealant to a tire, together with a control system for controlling the position of the spray applicator and causing sealant to be purged a predetermined time after no sealant application is made.

Abstract: Pollutant emissions produced in the manufacture of asphaltic roofing are controlled by the use of electrified bed filters. Filter bed granules coated with pollutants are removed from the beds periodically and are used in the manufacture of the roofing. A prefilter is employed to remove varnishing pollutant components in the supermicron size range to prevent fouling of an electrical charger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation for superficially treating the outer surfaces of glass bottles which are already shaped but not yet annealed.The installation comprises a tunnel in which the bottles can be longitudinally displaced and subjected to the action of a gaseous reaction mixture comprising air and a gaseous reagent. Said mixture is produced in an evaporator which is supplied with hot liquid reagent and is traversed by a current of air for evaporating the liquid reagent.The tunnel has at an inlet for the bottles, two lateral inlet openings for admitting gaseous reactive mixture and, at an outlet for the bottles, a collector for collecting the mixture. The tunnel has a recycling conduit provided with a sucking fan and a cooler and extending from the collector to two derived conduits which open into the two inlet openings so as to obtain over the entire length of the path of the bottles and around said bottles in the tunnel a flux of constantly recycled gaseous reactive mixture.

Abstract: Zinc coated tubes are cleaned by means of steam, and the zinc residue -- steam mixture is blown into a nozzle which is heated, and discharged into a noise attenuation chamber; the latter discharges into an expansion chamber, which in turn discharges into a filter. The mixture is diluted in the attenuation chamber by air sucked in from the outside along a tortuous path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a closed cycle apparatus for the rapid, continuous and waterless dyeing of a textile or plastic material with a dyestuff dissolved or suspended or dispersed in a high boiling solvent (such as glycol or glycol ether or other members of the alcohol family) for carrying out the dyeing step, after which the dyed textile or plastic material subsequent to cooling is washed with a low boiling liquid (such as methanol or ethanol) and then dried. The apparatus is constructed so as to operate under non-aqueous or substantially non-aqueous conditions with the complete or substantially complete recovery and recycling of the used dyestuff, the used high boiling solvent and the used low boiling wash liquid.