Abstract: A method and apparatus for replenishing depleted portions of an ink sheet including a conductive ink layer on a dielectric layer wherein portions of ink have been transferred to a transfer medium. Conductive replacement ink material is supplied to the ink sheet and an electric charge is induced in the replacement ink and opposite charges are induced at an electrode on the opposite side of the dielectric layer. Replacement ink contacting the dielectric layer at the voids will adhere to the ink sheet, but charges in the replacement ink contacting the non-transcribed ink regions will flow to the conductive ink layer and will not adhere to the ink sheet.

Abstract: To produce an image recording medium having a support member and a developer material deposited thereon, the support member is charged to a first polarity and powders of a mixture of the developer material and a thermally fusible material both charged to a second polarity opposite to the first polarity are applied to the surface of the support member. Then, the developer material thereon is fixed to the support member by thermally fusing the thermally fusible material with the use of a fixing unit. The recording medium thus produced is used in conjunction with a microcapsule sheet to form an image on the recording medium. On the surface of the microcapsule sheet, photosensitive and pressure rupturable microcapsules are coated and a chromogenic material is encapsulated therein. The image is formed by the reaction of the chromogenic material with the developer material.

Abstract: An installation for spraying coating product, such as water-soluble or metallic paint to be sprayed onto automobile bodies, comprises a coating product change unit on a downstream side of which is at least one distribution pipe. This feeds at least one sprayer for the coating product. An intermediate storage tank for the coating product formed in the distribution pipe(s) consists of a section of the pipe itself. An arrangement is provided for feeding rinsing product into the distribution pipe(s) and, by virtue of a selective connection device, the coating product is propelled by the rinsing product during spraying.

Abstract: An electrostatic flocking device which comprises a hollow handle member, bearing means rotatably attached to one end of said handle member, a horizontal casing journalled in said bearing means, a rotary shaft extending horizontally within said casing, a gear motor drivingly connected to one end of said bearing means and a rotary sleeve connected to one end of said rotary shaft.

Abstract: A portable electrostatic flocking device which comprises a horizontal hollow handle rod, high voltage producing means housed in the handle rod, a drive motor provided below the rod and having a gear mounted on the output shaft of the motor, a hollow rotary shaft housed in the rod and having an inner lead, a gear in engagement with the gear on the motor output shaft and an extension extending beyond the adjacent end of the rod and a rotary container connected to the rotary shaft to be rotated by the shaft. The interior of the rotary container is divded into a plurality of compartments by a plurality of radially extending partition walls and the bottoms of the compartments are connected to the lead for the rotary shaft by means of branch leads branched from the rotary shaft lead.

Abstract: A film deposition system is provided for depositing a film of at least first and second materials onto a common target. This system includes a housing within which the common target is located and within which a high vacuum region may be formed.

Abstract: A powder coating booth a function of supplying air though its ceiling. Sidewalls of the booth is formed from an insulating material or a semiconductor. A belt conveyor is disposed at the bottom of the booth. An electric field is formed so that it extends from a paint gun to the conveyor belt. The majority of oversprayed powder paint produced during painting becomes attached to the upper surface of a portion of the conveyor belt, is carried, together with this belt portion, to the outside of the booth, and is recovered from the conveyor by a blowing-type of static eliminator, thereby minimizing the mount of oversprayed powder paint mixed in an exhaust of the booth drawn through the sidewall.

Abstract: A developing method using non-magnetic, one-component toner, characterized in that the non-magnetic, one-component toner charged either positively or negatively is retained in cloud-like state in a space facing a photoreceptor drum surface with an electrostatic latent image formed thereon and that an alternating electric field is applied to the zone between the space and the photoreceptor drum surface to cause toner particles to fly about, thus developing the latent image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for charging powdered particles and delivering only these charged particles to a workpiece. A high voltage electric field is created between upper and lower surfaces. Powder is continuously delivered to the lower surface. The lower surface is vibrated to bounce the particles so that each repeatedly contacts the lower surface and picks up an electrostatic charge with each contact. When the charge from the particle is great enough to overcome gravity, the particle levitates and is thereafter transported to a workpiece, where it adheres by electrostatic attraction. Three important features of this method are: (1) No uncharged particles are levitated to the workpiece, thereby eliminating the need for recirculating uncharged powder. (2) The method is capable of producing high throughput of charged particles. (3) The method is capable of producing powder with a controlled charge level.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for interior coating of hollow bodies comprising a mandrel introducible into at least one tubular body, a coating arrangement on the mandrel for applying a coating medium to an interior of the tubular body and a heating mechanism on the mandrel and arranged so as to predominantly deliver heat directly from the mandrel into a surrounding area toward the tublular body. The heat-applying efficiency of burning in a coating medium can be improved by applying the heat from the interior at least predominantly directly to one of an interior area of the tubular body just before being coated and an interior area of the body already coated to burn in the coating according to the disclosed method.

Abstract: An electrostatically aided coating dispensing system in which the high distributed capacitance of a high voltage cable for connecting the high voltage supply to dispensing device is entirely eliminated.

Abstract: Field emission spraying of liquified metals is obtained using an electrically heated face plate in contact with the metal to be sprayed with nozzles formed in the face plate. The face plate is wettable by, but insoluble in, the metal to be sprayed and is maintained at a temperature in excess of the melting point of the metal to be sprayed by passing an electric current therethrough.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for creation of a corona. The arrangement includes a corona driving portion and a corona emitting portion in electrical contact with the corona driving portion. The corona driving portion is much larger in size than the corona emitting portion such that corona from the electrode arrangement is emitted essentially from the corona emitting element in a direction away from the corona driving element. In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the corona driving element comprises a rod with a chain-like corona emitting element suspended adjacent to the rod. In another embodiment of the invention, the corona driving element comprises a flat disc and the corona emitting element comprises a tapered ring at the outer circumference of the disc.

Abstract: A method for forming a thin film on a substrate, which comprises aligning an evaporation means for an evaporating material to be deposited on the substrate, a plasma generating zone for dissociating an ion-forming gas into ions and electrons, an ion beam accelerating zone for accelerating the resulting ions and irradiating them onto the substrate, and said substrate on a substantially straight line in the order stated, and depositing a vapor of the evaporating material on the substrate through the plasma generating zone and the ion beam accelerating zone. According to this method, surface irradiation can be carried out uniformly because the ion species and the vapor atoms are irradiated in quite the same direction. Furthermore, the vapor atoms can be activated to a high degree, and the by-product electrons can be effectively utilized for the evaporation of the evaporant.

Abstract: A method for etching or chemically treating a surface of an article utilizing a radio frequency wave ion generating apparatus which provides a thin disk shaped plasma is described. The plasma disks can have a relatively large diameter (on the order of magnitude 50 centimeters). The plasma disks can be created without using a static magnetic field. The radio frequency waves are preferably microwaves or UHF. The method is particularly useful for ion or free radical irradiation of the surface provided in the plasma or for irradiation of the surface by ions accelerated outside a cavity containing the plasma. Disk plasmas are created over a wide pressure range (10.sup.-4 Torr to 1 atmosphere) and are highly ionized at low pressures. An apparatus adapted for treating a surface of an article with ions from a plasma is also described. The method and apparatus are preferably used for treating a surface forming part of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: The inside of a sleeve is positioned over a nozzle having an elongated groove opening immediately at the region of the sleeve to be striped. The sleeve surrounding the nozzle is given a predetermined potential level. A stream of particles is introduced into at least one end of the groove in a direction at least generally parallel to the groove and to the region to be striped. The particles are charged relative to the potential level of the sleeve such that the particles are attracted to the sleeve. A stream of air is also introduced under pressure into the opposite end of the groove in generally the opposite direction. The countercurrent thus produced deflects the stream of powder so it projects generally radially from the nozzle groove, thickly coating the strip region at the seam. The region is the seam of the sleeve which is to be made into a three-part can, in which case the groove is longer than the sleeve.

Abstract: An electrostatic fluidized bed coating method, apparatus and system utilize a vortex effect within the particle cloud to produce coatings of exceptional uniformity upon a workpiece. The vortex effect produces a secondary particle cloud and a secondary electrostatic field, which contribute to the uniformity of the deposit, and the amount of metal structure included in the unit may be minimized, also to enhance uniformity. Operation can be carried out at voltages that are significantly reduced from those required for similar systems known in the art.

Abstract: An electrostatic high voltage isolation system with internal charge generation in which conductive coating material to be sprayed is electrostatically charged by charging discrete droplets of coating material transferred from a coating material source to a supply of coating material for a spray gun. The source of coating material includes an electrically grounded reservoir of coating material having a nozzle aperture in a bottom portion thereof, and the coating material in the reservoir is mechanically vibrated to produce a pulsed jet droplet flow of coating material from the nozzle into a supply container for the spray gun. A high voltage electrode at the location of droplet formation induces an electrostatic charge on the droplets in order to electrostatically charge the coating material transferred to the gun supply container for use by the gun for electrostatic coating.

Abstract: The printing unit (1) operating with an electrostatic printing aid has an inductor device (7) for transmitting an electrostatic charge to an outer-shell layer (5) of a back-up cylinder (4). The inductor device is provided on one end face (14) of the back-up cylinder and engages over this end face in the manner of a lid. A continuous annular air gap (15) is located between the end face and the inductor device. Inductor electrodes (9) serve for transmitting the electrostatic charge to the outer-shell layer in a contactless manner and are arranged, concealed against outside access, on the inner face of the inductor device and are aligned by means of their electrode tips with an end-face edge (10) of the outer-shell layer (5). So that no impurities can penetrate into the air gap, it is sealed off or constantly scavenged by compressed air.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus including a support frame having a front support wall and a rear support frame. The support frame is mounted on a housing slidably in the front and rear direction between an operating position within the housing and a pull-out position outside of the housing. A rotating drum and a developing device are mounted on the support frame. Each of the rear surface of the front support wall and the front surface of the rear support wall has a semicircular receiving portion with an open top, and each end of the rotating drum has a shaft bearing member with a circular peripheral surface. By inserting each bearing member into the associated receiving portion, the drum is rotatably mounted. The developing device has a front wall and a rear wall, with a projecting portion formed at the end of each. An abutting lower edge is defined on each projecting portion, and an abutting front edge is defined on each of the front wall and the rear wall, below the projecting portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the uniformity of a wet coating applied on a charge-retaining base material, said apparatus comprising charging means for producing an electric field between said coating and said base material while said coating remains in an essentially wet state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating optical transmission glass fibers with a resinous composition. A vessel is provided through which a glass fiber is drawn. While it is being drawn through the vessel, the fiber is spun, and a resin coating is applied. In order to maintain the air pressure within the vessel fairly constant, an exhaust vent is provided through which excess particles of the resinous composition may escape. Turbulence is thus substantially reduced preventing the fiber from swinging and allowing the particles to be sprayed smoothly. Further, the particles may be electrically charged so that they are both attracted to the optical fiber and repel one another during flight. The invention employs both of these features to produce a uniform coat on an optical transmission glass fiber.

Abstract: Excessive heat-generating current levels produced in semiconductive materials by electrostatically assisted coating apparatus employed to, for example, improve the uniformity of a coating applied to such materials are avoided by passing an auxiliary current through said semiconductive materials in the same region and in a direction opposite to that of the current produced by said electrostatically assisted coating apparatus such that the difference between the said current produced by said electrostatically assisted coating apparatus and the said auxiliary current is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electrophotographing device for copying is small and inexpensive to manufacture due to the placement of multiple functions at single operating stations. A copying operation is carried out during two revolutions of a photo-sensitive member rather than one revolution as in the conventional copying operation.

Abstract: In an electrostatic copying apparatus of the type in which a magnetic toner is applied to an image holder such as a drum from a developing roller which in turn receives the toner from a supply roller, a source of relative positive and negative voltages is alternately applied to the developing roller. This produces electric fields which move the toner from the supply roller to the developing roller and then to the image holder with the desired relative polarities.

Abstract: An apparatus in which contaminants transferred from a copy sheet to a photoconductive member are attracted back to the copy sheet. During the transfer of the toner powder image from the photoconductive member to the copy sheet, the copy sheet contaminants are attracted to the photoconductive member. Simultaneously with this transfer process, the copy sheet contaminants have their polarity charged to the same polarity as the polarity of the charge on the toner powder image. In this way, the contaminants are attracted back to the copy sheet from the photoconductive member preventing contamination thereof.

Abstract: Improved electrostatically assisted coating apparatus for placing an electrostatic dipole-type charge, of a predetermined magnitude, on material to be coated before and/or remote from the location where the coating is actually applied to said material by a coating applicator.

Abstract: The roller transfer corona is an apparatus which eliminates the problem of image voids which exists when folded or creased paper is used as the copy paper in a xerographic copy machine. The apparatus comprises contact means, such as a coated push roller, for physically engaging and forcing the folded copy paper against the photoconductor element of the copy machine in combination with corona means, such as a corona wire, located adjacent to and separate from the contact means, for effecting the transfer of toner particles from the photoconductor element to the copy paper.

Abstract: Build control means is provided by which the characteristics of a cloud of electrostatically charged particles can readily be altered, so as to produce an optimal deposit upon any of a variety of workpieces. The means described offers a high degree of flexibility of application for the apparatus in which it is employed, and is particularly adapted for use in coating electrical conductors of rectangular cross section.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium manufacturing device in which a flexible belt-shaped support is conveyed above a molten metal vaporizing source substantially at a constant speed while a magnetic film is formed on a surface of the support by vacuum deposition. The support is guided by transporting means such that the support is curved above the molten metal vaporizing source along a path wherein metal vapor flow lines connecting the center of the molten metal vaporizing source to points on the surface of the support form a constant angle of incidence with the longitudinal direction of the support. An adjusting mechanism is provided to change the angle of incidence by moving the transporting means along lines parallel to the metal vapor flow lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an electrically conductive layer on a corrosion-resistant layer which covers a cable. The cable is passed through a powder accumulating tank in which are mixed an electrically conductive powder and binder powder so as to allow the mixed powder to initially adhere to the surface of the cable. The mixed powder is then pressed against the surface of the cable first at a cable outlet of the powder accumulating tank and then with a powder applying device in which an endless powder applying belt or cloth is rotated around the cable at a rotational speed dependent upon the linear speed of the cable. The surface of the cable is then heated to melt the binder powder and cause the electrically conductive powder to yet more firmly adhere to the surface of the cable. The cable is then cooled and wound.

Abstract: A fluidizable bed structure with a rigid support for carrying a bed of fluidizable powder, the support being at least two inches deep and having its porosity formed by interstices which reduce in total area from the lower surface of the support to its upper or support surface. A fluidizable bed structure is also described having a support which has an electrode contacting it with the depth of the support from its upper surface to the electrode sufficient to prevent arcing from the electrode to the upper surface.

Abstract: An electrode for a fluidizable bed coating apparatus comprising a plurality of electrically conductive tubes and a tube carrier. The tubes extend from the carrier and have free ends at which there is a concentration in intensity of an electric field when the tubes are connected into an electric circuit, and the tubes channel fluidizing gas through them and through the concentrations in intensity of the electric field.

Abstract: A method of smoking meat or other food products wherein a high voltage electric field is utilized to cause particles of smoke to be drawn to the food product being smoked.

Abstract: I provide an improved method of transferring a developed latent electrostatic image from the surface of a photoconductor to a carrier sheet adapted to receive the developed image, apparatus for carrying out the method, an improved carrier sheet for use in the method, a method of making the carrier sheet, and apparatus for forming the carrier sheet. The method comprises providing spacing means between the surface of the photoconductor and the carrier sheet adapted to receive the image, which spacing means extend from the surface of the carrier sheet a distance less than seventy microns and more than the depth of the developed image on the photoconductor. The gap prevents squeezing and deforming of the image and, when a liquid developer is used, prevents the carrier sheet from becoming unduly moistened except by liquid entrained in the charged toner particles forming the developed image.

Abstract: A triboelectric powder spraying gun is provided which can produce an increased deposition efficiency and an improved coated surface. The spraying gun comprises an earthed or high voltage-impressed conductive nozzle having, as a lining, a plastic material which possesses an electrification series remarkably different from that of a powdered paint, in which said powdered paint is transferred to said nozzle so that it is triboelectrically charged within said nozzle, and a turbulence generator arranged inside of said nozzle. The surface of said turbulence generator is coated with a plastic material possessing an electrification series remarkably different from that of said powdered paint.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus is provided in which a toner image formed on a photosensitive member is initially transferred onto the surface of a transfer roller and then transferred onto a transfer sheet. Before the transfer step takes place, charge is injected into the toner image on the photosensitive member and the transfer roller is disposed close to the surface of the photosensitive member with a very small clearance. The photosensitive member has a conductive layer to which a bias voltage of the same polarity as the polarity of the toner charge can be applied. The transfer sheet is fed into the nib between the transfer roller and its abutting fixing roller, whereby the transfer and fixing of the toner image take place simultaneously.

Abstract: There is disclosed a radiation vault enclosure comprising a radiation resistant structure, means for a web of material to enter said structure, means to carry said web past a source of electron beam radiation in said structure, means for said web to leave said structure and access means for a person to enter said radiation resistant structure for cleaning of the said means to carry said web. In a preferred embodiment the path of a curable resin coated web material through the chamber may be adjusted to provide electron radiation either to the wet resin side of the web or the back side of the web to cure the resin.

Abstract: An electrodynamic spray painting system having a spray gun (13) for spraying paint toward a workpiece (15) and an electrode (16) for causing a charge to be imposed on the paint. A high voltage waveform generator (21) supplies an oscillating voltage to said electrode (16) such that coronas of varying strengths are periodically, controllably generated.This oscillating voltage enhances the spectrum of charges on the paint particles improving evenness of coverage of paint on the workpiece (15). Additionally, wastage of paint is decreased. This invention is also applicable to other coating materials, such as powders.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved gasless ion plating apparatus and process which eliminates the prior need for electrically isolating the substrate from the evacuated chamber in which the plating process is performed. In accordance with a disclosed embodiment, one or more substrates to be plated are placed within the chamber. Also within the chamber there is disposed a plating source which includes plating material. The chamber is evacuated and the plating material is heated to vaporize the plating material. Radio frequency energy is applied to the plating source to form a plasma of positively charged plating ions from the vaporized plating material. A positive direct current bias is developed on the plating source relative to the substrates by, for example, applying a direct current positive voltage to the plating source to create an electrical field between the source and substrates for accelerating the plating ions towards the substrates for plating the same.

Abstract: Zipper chain is continuously electrostatically coated with powder to produce good coverage of the teeth, even upon its more obscured surfaces. The web is substantially uncoated, and is protected against deleterious heat effects.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for electrostatically coating a substantially axially symmetrical object with pulverized material, characterized by supporting said object maintained at a temperature below the melting point of said pulverized material in an electrostatic coating chamber having a substantially axially symmetrical shape and equipped with silent discharge plate electrodes on the inside of said chamber; feeding electrically charged pulverized material into said chamber; electrostatically coating said object with said pulverized material by the action of silent discharge from said electrodes; and removing surplus pulverized material from specific parts of said object by suction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for reproducing patterns on flocked material. The pattern to be reproduced is scanned as a sequence of lines. For each line, the reflected light intensity is measured as a function of the position along the scanned line. This information is then used to control an air jet for selectively deflecting from the perpendicular the flocking fibers thereby to reproduce the desired pattern.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for electrostatically coating a substantially axially symmetrical object with pulverized material, characterized by conveying said object by means of a conveyor-type holding device into an electrostatic coating chamber equipped with silent discharge plate electrodes on both sides of the chamber walls: feeding electrically charged pulverized material into said chamber: electrostatically coating said object with said pulverized material by the action of silent discharge from said electrodes: and removing surplus pulverized material from the specific parts of said object by suction.

Abstract: An electrostatic coating gun in which there is mounted a high-voltage generator for powering charging electrodes arranged at the region of the gun muzzle. To improve maintenance of the high-voltage generator the latter is subdivided into modular-like circuit components which can be interconnected by means of detachable electrical connections and removably arranged in a chamber formed in the spray gun. The detachable electrical connections advantageously are in the form of plug connections and the chamber is preferably of elongate configuration and arranged parallel to the gun barrel in a gun body. The chamber can be closed at one end and at the other end can be closable by means of a cover.

Abstract: A system for producing lithographic printing plates by image transfer from either a right way or a wrong way reading recording member, which comprise a conductive base having first and second register means thereon the register means being arranged and positioned respectively so that the first engages and locates an image receiving member and a recording member on the base and the second engages and locates an offset member on the base, the register means being spaced apart to allow access to the first register means while the offset member is engaged on the second register means, a roller having at least a conductive core arranged to move over the base outwards from the register means and return, and means to apply an electrical field between the roller and base and to change the polarity to prevent electrostatic image transfer during the outward movement of the roller and to cause electrostatic image transfer during the return movement of the roller.

Abstract: The object is electrically charged to have a first polarity. A dispersion in air of powdered coating is similarly charged to have a like, first polarity and is clouded about the object. The metal object is then suddenly provided with an opposite charge to have an opposite, second polarity, whereupon particles from the cloud are uniformly attracted to and deposited on the object. The powder composition and the technique for fusing the deposited powder to provide a continuous coating may be the same as are in current commercial use.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic coating device and method employing highly charged particles that are charged remote from the articles to be coated and then delivered to an area where they are to be applied by conveying them in a moving air stream. The movement is stopped by closing off the air stream, suspending the particles in space. Thereafter the particles are applied to an article by electrostatics. Special components are a powder entraining device which uses air fed at the bottom to erode the powder, feeds additional air from above and removes entrained powder from below; a charging device using the reaction of two converging opposed vortexes to oscillate the powder turbulently through an isolated high voltage electrical zone; and a multiple valve that feeds the charged powder to a can and vents the can, then isolates the can, bypassing the powder.

Abstract: In a system for flocking a substrate, such as a garment, the improvement comprising a method, apparatus and article for adjustably controlling the moisture content of the flock in the flock tray to any desired moisture level, whereby the flocking machine is not limited to use only in a plant having a humidity controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: Objects moving through a coating chamber are coated with particles, flakes or fibres in a uniform manner as a result of the particles, flakes or fibres being fed to the coating chamber by a conveying system which includes a vibrating feeder box, a gravity duct, a vibrating conveyor channel, a T-shaped distributor body and a transducer located below the distributor body. The transducer includes insulated wires on the bottom leg thereof that convey an alternating current and electrodes which are capable of carrying a direct current to the moving objects to be coated which are themselves grounded. When the particles, flakes or fibres drop from the T-shaped distributor body to the vicinity of the transducer they become influenced by the alternating electrostatic field and rise up in swirls. They then become influenced by the direct electrostatic field between the electrodes and the objects to be coated and they move along the lines of flux to coat the objects uniformly.