Abstract: An apparatus for and method of coating the outer surface of a non-rotating pipe with a fluid including a fluid reservoir for containing fluid to be discharged onto the surface of a pipe, and a pipe receiving chamber extending through and separate from the fluid reservoir. The apparatus further includes a fluid application assembly having a plurality of fluid intake openings positioned in the fluid reservoir for the intake of fluid therefrom. The fluid intake openings are rotatable in a circular pattern within the reservoir about a path extending through the chamber. The assembly has a plurality of fluid discharge outlets in fluid communication with the fluid intake openings and directed towards the path. The fluid discharge outlets are rotatable in unison with the fluid intake openings about the path, whereby fluid entering the fluid intake openings from the reservoir is discharged through the fluid discharge outlets to coat the outer surface of a pipe being conveyed along the path.

Abstract: System and method for coating a medical appliance is provided. In accord with one embodiment, a system for applying a coating to a medical appliance having accessible patterned surfaces is provided. The system may include: a processor, an appliance support, and a solenoid type fluid dispensing head having an electromagnetically controlled valve. In the system, the appliance support may be adapted to hold the medical appliance and to provide direct access for a coating to contact the exposed external patterned surfaces of the medical appliance. The solenoid type fluid dispensing head in this system may move with respect to the medical appliance and may be in communication with a source of coating and with the processor. The processor in this system may contain commands that instruct the solenoid type fluid dispensing head to force coating onto the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance in a pattern that correlates with the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance.

Abstract: A liquid coating is formed on a substrate by electrostatically spraying drops of the liquid onto a liquid-wetted conductive transfer surface and transferring a portion of the thus-applied liquid from the transfer surface to the substrate. Optionally, one or more nip rolls force the substrate against the transfer surface, thereby decreasing the time required for the drops to spread and coalesce into the coating. Preferably, the coating is passed through an improvement station comprising two or more pick-and-place devices that improve the uniformity of the coating. The coating can be transferred from the conductive transfer surface to a second transfer surface and thence to the substrate. Insulative substrates such as plastic films can be coated without requiring substrate pre-charging or post-coating neutralization. Porous substrates such as woven and nonwoven webs can be coated without substantial penetration of the coating into or through the substrate pores.

Abstract: A system for applying a fluid coating onto a substrate includes forming a fluid wetting line by introducing a stream of fluid onto a first side of the substrate along a laterally disposed fluid-substrate contact area. An electrical force is created on the fluid from an electrical field (originating from electrical charges which are on the second side of the substrate) that is substantially at and downstream of the fluid wetting line. The electrical field can be generated by charges that have been transferred to the second side of the substrate from a remote charge generator.

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.

Abstract: A coating system includes a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, and an electrostatic high potential supply for supplying charge to the coating material. The high potential supply is coupled across the dispenser and the article The coating system further includes a reservoir, a valve having a housing providing first, second, third and fourth ports, and a component movable within the housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to the second port to permit the flow of coating material between the first port and the second port The first port is coupled to the coating material source. The second port is coupled to the reservoir. The third port is coupled to the dispenser The component is movable within the housing selectively to connect the second port to the third port to permit the flow of coating material between the reservoir and the dispenser.

Abstract: An electrostatic coating system for dispensing multi-component waterborne coating materials from a coating material supply container having an insulated outer portion and a coating material supply line coupled to a dispenser, a metal tube disposed in the container in contact with coating material therein, a first non-conductive fitting coupling a first end portion of the tube to a first opening of the container, a second non-conductive fitting coupling a second end portion of the tube to a second opening of the container, and a cooling fluid supply device coupled to the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrostatic painting device with a transmission frequency adjustment device for automatically adjusting a transmission frequency in such a manner that a consumed current flowing in a high voltage booster circuit does not exceed a prescribed value.

Abstract: Microencapsulated electrophotographic toner particles are provided with a shell that, upon rupture, substantially determines the color of the image produced by such particles.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying powder to objects, such as electric motor stators and permeable substrates. The apparatus includes a first chamber having upper and lower portions. A powder fluidizing bed is disposed at the lower portion and receives and fluidizes a bed of powder to form a powder cloud within the first chamber. An opening is disposed at the upper portion of the first chamber and directs at least one stream of the powder from the powder cloud out of the first chamber. An object holder is disposed above the opening and is configured to hold at least one of the objects at a position for intersecting the stream of powder.

Abstract: The machine for the horizontal painting with powdered paints, of three-dimensional and mainly flat wood products or its by-products, comprises a horizontal and motorised conveyor (1) upon which are resting the products to be painted which by suitable means are referred to an electric potential having a predetermined sign and which by the same conveyor are driven to pass through at least one chamber (11) connected to suction means which maintain the same in depression with respect to the external environment, because in said chamber are delivered by suitable means the powdered paints electrostatically charged with electric charges having an opposite sign to the one of the products, to strictly adhere to the same products. The whole is effected in such a manner that the particles of powder do not exit from the inlet and outlet mouths or doors of said chamber because of the suction effected by said suction means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to film or coating deposition and powder formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for dusting smooth or sheet-like products, comprising at least one duster for spraying an air/powder mixture on said products. In order to ensure efficient dusting with no dirt accumulation in the printer or the surrounding area, it is suggested that part of the powder particles be magnetized and means be provided for creating a magnetic field in the powder deposit area so that said powder particles are subjected to a force drawing them towards the product.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing electrostatic destruction of integrated circuits coats an electrostatic agent on surfaces of the integrated circuits to avoid accumulation of static electricity caused by dynamic contact friction. The apparatus comprises a belt, at least one motor, at least one spray nozzle, at least one dispenser or controller and at least one photo switch. The integrated circuits are placed on the belt. The motor drives the belt and therefore the integrated circuits step by step to the spray nozzle to coat the electrostatic agent on the surfaces of the integrated circuits. The controller controls the output rate of the electrostatic agent from the spray nozzle. The photo switch is connected to the spray nozzle and dispenser to detect the integrated circuits as they pass the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A diffuser comprises a conduit having a cross-sectional area that increases in a direction fluid flow. In one embodiment, the diffuser is used to reduce the incidence and severity of flow fluctuations that occur in an electrostatic deposition apparatus. In some embodiments, the diffuser includes one or more flow control features. A first flow-control feature comprises one or more appropriately-shaped annular slits through which fluid having a greater momentum than a primary fluid moving through the diffuser is injected into the “boundary layer” near the wall of the diffuser. A second flow control feature comprises one or more annular slits or, alternatively, slots or holes that are disposed at appropriate locations around the circumference of the diffuser through which a portion of fluid flowing in the boundary layer is removed. Boundary-layer flow removal is effected, in one embodiment, by creating a pressure differential across such annular slit or slots.

Abstract: A plurality of unconventional negative tribo-charging materials are described for use as the powder contact surfaces in tribocharging and corona powder spray guns, gun components, and powder delivery system components. The invention also provides a short barrel tribo-charging powder spray gun having an interchangeable powder contact insert and nozzle, with turbulence inducing air jets. The invention further provides novel tribocharging and corona gun designs. Improved powder coating systems are made possible wherein, for example, negative tribo guns can be utilized with negative corona guns to coat different parts of the same workpiece in a powder coating system.

Abstract: With a method and a device for coating a continuously delivered, web-like sheet formation (2) a first layer (3) of a paste-like plastic is deposited in sections. A second layer (4) of powder-like thermoplastic plastic is subsequently flatly scattered on. The coated sheet formation (2) is subsequently subjected to thermal treatment. Before the thermal treatment, the powder (7) deposited between the sections of the first layer (3) is swirled up by an air jet (L) directed obliquely against the surface (6) of the sheet formation (2) and is simultaneously sucked off by a suction means (10).

Abstract: A coating system includes a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, and an electrostatic high potential supply for supplying charge to the coating material. The high potential supply is coupled across the dispenser and the article. The coating system further includes a reservoir, a valve having a housing providing first, second, third and fourth ports, and a component movable within the housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to the second port to permit the flow of coating material between the first port and the second port.

Abstract: A high magnitude potential supply comprises a first circuit for generating a first signal related to a desired output high magnitude potential across a pair of output terminals of the supply, a second circuit for generating a second signal related to an output current from the high magnitude potential supply, and a third circuit for supplying an operating potential to the high magnitude potential supply so that it can produce the high magnitude operating potential. The third circuit has a control terminal. A fourth circuit is coupled to the first and second circuits and to the control terminal. The fourth circuit receives the first and second signals from the first and second circuits and controls the operating potential supplied to the high magnitude potential supply by the third circuit. A fifth circuit is provided for disabling the supply of operating potential to the high magnitude potential supply in certain conditions so that no high magnitude operating potential can be supplied by it.

Abstract: A sheet coating apparatus including a storage tank in which a coating liquid having charged coating particles dispersed therein is contained, a development roller rotatably installed to be immersed in the coating liquid, a voltage source for applying a voltage to the development roller, a coating roller rotatably installed in a state in which it is partially immersed in the coating liquid while maintaining a predetermined development gap relative to the development roller, and a compression roller for pressing a sheet passing between the compression roller and the coating roller toward the coating roller while securely rotating with respect to the coating roller. The coating particles adhere to the surface of the coating roller at the development gap due to an electric force to then be coated on the sheet passing between the coating roller and the compression roller.

Abstract: Processing of applying ultraviolet rays to a front face of an insulating film material formed on a wafer W is performed, whereby a contact angle of the front face thereof becomes smaller. Accordingly, when an insulating film material is applied on the aforesaid front face, the material smoothly spreads, and projections and depressions never occur on a front face of an upper layer insulating film material. Thereby, it is possible to form the insulating film thick and flatter on a substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing controlled short intervals of electrostatic charge on a moving web substrate to be coated, including a mathematical model that estimates the charging performance of the apparatus. The model is constructed via benchtop characterization of the apparatus. The model is implemented in coating production via an algorithm comprising a best-fit equation representing the model predictions over a range of relevant input parameter values such as web speed, web capacitance, and desired web voltage. The apparatus includes an electrical charging apparatus, a power supply for powering the charging apparatus, and a controller programmed with the algorithm for automatically setting and controlling the intensity and duration of the output of the power supply to yield the optimal electrostatic potential on the charging apparatus. In operation, run-specific variables including web type and coating speed are also provided as inputs to the controller.

Abstract: A system for applying a fluid coating onto a substrate includes forming a fluid wetting line by introducing a stream of fluid onto a first side of the substrate along a laterally disposed fluid-substrate contact area. An electrical force is created on the fluid from an electrical field (originating from electrical charges which are on the second side of the substrate) that is substantially at and downstream of the fluid wetting line. The electrical field can be generated by charges that have been transferred to the second side of the substrate from a remote charge generator.

Abstract: An electrostatic dispensing system for dispensing flowable liquid material onto a moving substrate. The electrostatic dispensing system includes multiple liquid dispensers that are aligned along a common axis and supported in spaced, non-contacting relationship on one side of the moving substrate. Each of the liquid dispensers includes a valve to control the flow of fluid through the dispenser. An electrostatic field generator is supported in spaced, non-contacting relationship on the opposite side of the moving substrate to generate an electrostatic field through the moving substrate. The electrostatic field operates to attract flowable liquid material from dispensing outlets associated with the multiple liquid dispensers as a series of spaced, continuous streams or beads which intersect a surface of the moving substrate facing the liquid dispensers.

Abstract: A blade for regulating the amount of a release oil to be supplied is placed so as to abut on a fixing member or on a member for controlling the amount of the release oil to be supplied to the fixing member. The abutting surface of the blade is composed of a silicone rubber layer. Alternatively, the blade includes a plate-shaped elastic body and a silicone rubber layer formed on the tip of the elastic body. A fixing device including the blade and an image-forming apparatus including the fixing device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and associated apparatus are disclosed for use in mounting particles on and de-mounting particles from a substrate having an array of tacky and non-tacky areas. The particles can be either electrically conducting or electrically non-conducting. Selection of electrically conducting particles is preferred. The substrate having an array of tacky and non-tacky areas can either be electrically non-conducting (e.g., a dielectric substrate) or electrically-conducting. The methods involve use of first and second electrode plates with the substrate therebetween, the plates having applied thereto a direct current potential, which potential in preferred embodiments is reversed in polarity for a number N of cycles. Methods and articles are disclosed using an electrically conductive surface adjacent the tacky and non-tacky areas to minimize static buildup on the particles and tacky and non-tacky areas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coating electrostatically charged powder on a ring-shaped article having an inner surface defining a central hole. The article to be coated is held by a holding fixture while electrostatic powder is being sprayed onto the surface of the article. The holding fixture includes a first fixture having a plurality of holding hooks circularly arranged and elastically deformable radially, and a second fixture having a rod, the first and second fixtures being inserted through the central hole of the article from opposite sides to engage each other, with the rod engaging the holding hooks to elastically deform the hooks and bring them into abutment with the inner surface of the article. The powder ejected from the spray reach not only the outer surface, but also the internal surface of the ring shaped article because the central hole is not blocked or covered by the holding fixture, and a space is left between the ring shaped article and the end surfaces of the holding fixture.

Abstract: There is provided an electrodeposition coating apparatus for dipping a body into an electrodeposition coating liquid filled in an electrodeposition tank, which includes a first circulation system for causing a flow direction of the coating liquid in a surface area and an intermediate area through which the body passes in the electrodeposition tank to be opposite to a moving direction of the body, and a second circulation system for causing a flow direction of the coating liquid in a bottom area in the electrodeposition tank to be equal to the moving direction of the body.

Abstract: A method of lubricating the wall surfaces of a die cavity used in powder metallurgy involves spraying the wall surfaces with tribocharged particles of a lubricant material. The method is carried out by means of an apparatus centered about a plug member which has a three-dimensional shape conforming generally to that of the article to be formed. The plug member is slightly smaller than the article so that when the plug member is inserted into the die cavity there is a small, but uniform, gap created between the outer wall surfaces of the plug member and the walls of the die cavity. The plug member is secured to a closing plate which can be inserted into the die cavity so as to be sealed therewith. The closing plate is provided with vent holes and the plug member has a plurality of spaced apart tubes extending therethrough, which tubes exit at one or more of the wall surfaces of the plug member.

Abstract: An improved gas phase synthesized diamond, CBN, BCN, or CN thin film having a modified region in which strain, defects, color and the like are reduced and/or eliminated. The thin film can be formed on a substrate or be a free-standing thin film from which the substrate has been removed. The thin film can be stably and reproducibly modified to have an oriented polycrystal structure or a single crystal structure. The thin film is modified by being subjected to and heated by microwave irradiation in a controlled atmosphere. The thin film has a modified region in which a line width of the diamond spectrum evaluated by Raman spectroscopy of 0.1 microns or greater is substantially constant along a film thickness direction of the thin film, and the line width of the modified region is 85% or less of a maximum line width of the residual portion of the film thickness.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrostatic chucks, methods for their use, the electrostatic deposition of objects, such as particles in a dry powder, onto recipient substrates, and the recipient substrates themselves that have been subjected to electrostatic deposition. In one aspect, the present invention provides an electrostatic chuck for electrostatically attracting an object or objects wherein the object is used in chemical or pharmaceutical assaying or manufacturing. The objects can be pharmaceutical substrates, for example, such as a pharmaceutical tablet. Additional embodiments of the invention provide chucks and their use to electrostatically attract particles, such as a pharmaceutically active ingredient, to a substrate, such as a tablet. In one aspect, the electrostatic chuck comprises a floating electrode, and is used to selectively attract particles to a substrate above the floating electrode, thereby providing for charge imaging for the deposition of particles in a selected image.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrostatically coating powder on a flat panel and a method for using such apparatus are provided. In the apparatus, a heating device is used to heat a panel to be coated and positioned on a powder spray chamber to a temperature of at least 100° C. and simultaneously charging the panel with a negative voltage of at least 20,000 volts. The high temperature and the high voltage of the otherwise non-conductive panel result in a panel that is electrostatically conductive. Powder particles that are charged with a high positive voltage are then injected toward the panel surface by an air pressure of at least 0.8 kg/cm2 until particles are adhered to the panel surface. The present invention novel method can be used advantageously at low costs due to its simple processing steps and as an environmentally friendly process since no solvent needs to be evaporated and released into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is fabricated by the steps of coating an underlayer formed on a semiconductor substrate with chemically amplified resist, exposing the resist to light, bringing the resist into contact with an alkaline developing solution with applying a magnetic field to the alkaline developing solution for conducting development to form a resist pattern, and etching the underlayer on the semiconductor substrate using the resist pattern as a mask.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder coating apparatus including a housing with an interior coating area for receiving a workpiece. The interior coating area includes a vortex inducing surface and a pressurized air input device directs air against the surface to form a swirling pattern of air around the workpiece. A powder introducer directs charged powder into the swirling pattern of air and the powder is then electrostatically attracted to the workpiece. The powder introducer may be a powder fluidizing bed disposed in the housing or other suppliers, such as electrostatic powder spray guns. In alternative embodiments, vortex generators in the form of tubular structures connected proximate the housing inlet and outlet have tangential ports for introducing positive pressure air or inducing vacuum in the tubular structures.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder coating apparatus including a housing with an interior coating area for receiving a workpiece. The interior coating area includes a vortex inducing surface and a pressurized air input device directs air against the surface to form a swirling pattern of air around the workpiece. A powder introducer directs charged powder into the swirling pattern of air and the powder is then electrostatically attracted to the workpiece. The powder introducer may be a powder fluidizing bed disposed in the housing or other suppliers, such as electrostatic powder spray guns. In alternative embodiments, vortex generators in the form of tubular structures connected proximate the housing inlet and outlet have tangential ports for introducing positive pressure air or inducing vacuum in the tubular structures.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for electrostatically adhering grains to a planar substrate comprising:

Abstract: A system (100, 100′, 100″) and method for robotic manipulation of objects (130) is provided wherein particulates (110, 110′) are agitated by the transfer of energy thereto to establish patterned granular motion of the particulates (110, 110′). The patterned granular motion of the particulates (110, 110′) forms standing waves (112). The objects (130) align themselves with the standing waves (112) and thus are dynamically arranged in a configuration established by the location of the standing waves (112). The location of the standing waves (112) can be predetermined by controlling the waveform of the signals applied to the energy application system (140). The predetermined waveforms are supplied from the signal source (150, 154) to the energy application system (140).

Abstract: A coating process for the fabrication of organic photoreceptors employs an electrically conductive single slot die biased to allow an electric field between the die and the ground plane on the photoreceptor substrate. The homogenous coating dispersion is fed through the die at a predetermined gap and rate to control coating thickness at the same time that an electric field is applied. The formulation, rheology, particle mobility, coating speed, electric field and the like are controlled so that the photogenerator particles migrate to the substrate in the dwell time defined by the coating die region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly drying and curing a waterborne coating as applied by a spray gun, or other means, to a product traveling on a moving continuous conveyor track. The conveyor track passes through a drying section which uses recycled filtered air to dry the coating and then into a curing section which uses an irradiator and airflow to rapidly cure the coating. The irradiator is cooled using an air flow and a damper assembly system.

Abstract: Acoustic bead charger/dispenser employs a bead dispersion plate (BDP) to align beads with, for example, bead collection zones of a bead transporter chuck, then propel or launch them toward the bead collection zones, using acoustic energy provided by a speaker. The bead dispersion plate can be configured so that the acoustic energy from the speaker may be directed so as to impart to the bead translational kinetic energy primarily in a direction toward the bead collection zone of the bead transporter chuck. The bead dispersion plate can comprise a conductive surface that can be used to accelerate the beads toward the bead transporter chuck. Using sufficient acoustic energy applied by the speaker, sufficient translational kinetic energy can be imparted to beads to remove them from the conductive surface when they are under the influence of an electrostatic image force.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising an integrated circuit and a capacitor. In this capacitor, a bottom electrode, a dielectric film and a top electrode are formed, independently of the integrated circuit, on the interlayer insulating film, and the top electrode and bottom electrode are connected with metal interconnections through contact holes opened in the protective film for protecting the surface of the capacitor. In this constitution, either the top electrode or the bottom electrode is connected the bias line of the integrated circuit, and the other is connected to the ground line, so that extraneous emission may be reduced without having to connect the capacitor outside.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for supplying material to a substrate (109). The apparatus includes a member (3) having a surface with a plurality of features (8) which locate, in use, menisci of a liquid (1) supplied to the member. An actuator (4) induces mechanical vibrations within the liquid located by the features to cause liquid droplets (7) to be sprayed. Liquid (1) is supplied to the member and electrical charge is supplied to the member and electrical charge is supplied to the liquid by, for example, an electrode (14). Electrical charge or potential is also supplied to the substrate (109) so that the droplets are directed towards the substrate to deposit material thereon.

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.

Abstract: A chemically washed workpiece is heated and degreased by a heating and degreasing section in a process for delivering the workpiece in a base which is then cooled down in a cooling section. The workpiece is then delivered onto the base by a lift-up unit and is coated by the adhesion of the powder coat and the curing operation during the passage of pipes of an electrostic coater, a curing section and the like. Furthermore, the workpiece is again delivered into the base by a lift-down unit and discharged after being cooled down during the passage of pipes of the cooling section i.e., the units of each step being arranged separately into a lower mechanism group and an upper mechanism group, and the cooling section also serving to cool the workpiece after the heating, degreasing and curing. Accordingly, the overall length of the apparatus is shortened.

Abstract: A substrate placed on a movable table movable in the X-direction and a spreading nozzle swingable in the Y-direction are relatively moved such that an extended line of the center axis of the spreading nozzle draws a zigzag trace on the substrate. During this relative movement, spacers are spread from the spreading nozzle while the substrate is sequentially discharged by a discharging bar in the moving direction of the substrate by a discharging bar. When the spreading nozzle passes each of folded portions where the trace is folded, the spread amount of the spacers from the spreading nozzle is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying an intravascular stent with endothelial cells and/or engineered endothelial cells which may have genetically altered DNA to minimize failure rates includes an external conductor sleeve, an insulating tube held therein, and a pair of insulated end caps, each detachably securable over each end of said insulating tube. Each insulated cap has a substantially centered aperture therethrough and a stent holder extending transversely therefrom to hold opposite ends of the stent therebetween. The insulated end caps and the insulating tube hold a solution containing the endothelial cells inside the insulating tube to surround exposed surfaces of the stent. An insulated internal conductor is received through the apertures.

Abstract: Apparatus and a concomitant method for electrostatically depositing select doses of medicament powder at select locations on a substrate. Specifically, the apparatus contains a charged particle emitter for generating charged particles that charge a predefined region of a substrate and a charge accumulation control circuit for computing the amount of charge accumulated upon the substrate and deactivating the emitter when a selected quantity of charge has accumulated. Additionally, a triboelectric charging apparatus charges the medicament powder and forms a charged medicament cloud proximate the charged region of the substrate. The medicament particles within the medicament cloud electrostatically adhere to the charged region. The quantity of charge accumulated on the substrate at the predefined region and the charge-to-mass ratio of the medicament powder in the cloud control the amount (dose) of medicament deposited and retained by the substrate.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining a uniform volume of powder in a powder feeder provided. The system includes a supply hopper that is spared from a powder feeder. The powder includes a receiving opening and a discharge opening. A rotatable brush is in communication with the supply hopper for causing powder withdrawn from the supply hopper to be transported to the powder feeder and disposed uniformly across the receiving opening of the powder feeder. The brush is immersed within the powder and extends across the receiving opening of the powder feeder, and maintains a filled level powder feeder.

Abstract: A rotary atomizing electrostatic coating apparatus includes a plurality of shaping air nozzles for expelling shaping air having a pressure of about 80-250 kPa at an exit of each shaping air nozzle and having an amount of air to be expelled per nozzle of about 10-20 Nl min. Each shaping air nozzle has a diameter of about 0.6-1.5 mm. The number of shaping air nozzles is determined so that a summation of diameters of all shaping air nozzles is equal to between about 1/6-1/4 times an entire circumferential length of a greatest outside diameter of the atomizing head.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrostatic spraying device which includes a primary charge return path between the device and the target to be sprayed and circuitry for warning the operator of potentially hazardous spraying conditions. More particularly, the present invention includes circuitry for warning the operator of conditions wherein the primary charge path is inadequate and other conditions in which the return of spray current via the primary charge path is affected.