Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a powder coating system, comprising at least one coating device, a coating compartment and a suction system in the coating compartment. In the method, a workpiece is passed through a coating compartment. The coating powder is discharged by the coating device to the workpiece and excess coating powder is sucked off from the coating compartment, wherein the powder mass flow of the coating powder discharged by the or each coating device is detected and the suction system is controlled in accordance with the powder mass flow. For this purpose the invention provides a powder coating system comprising a measuring means for detecting the powder mass flow of the coating powder discharged by the or any coating device, and an actuator means for setting the suction system in accordance with the powder mass flow.

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: This invention relates to a process and a device for producing an even and homogenous coating of liquids or powders on small free-falling objects that are not earthed. The process and the device according to the invention are primarily intended for surface coating of medicinal products and foodstuffs.

Abstract: A device for applying powder to sheets passing sequentially through a printing press in a conveying direction along a conveyor route, the sheets being combinable into a sheet pile in a manner that one respective side of upper and rear sides of a respectively following sheet is situated opposite the other respective side of the upper and rear sides of a respectively preceding sheet, includes a device for generating a powder-bearing gas curtain associated with the conveyor route and formed of a carrier gas conveying powder particles, and for applying the powder of said gas curtain to the rear side of the respective sheets prior to the combination of the sheets into the sheet pile.

Abstract: A particle-coated substrate (in particular, an abrasive material formed by coating a substrate with abrasive particles) in which a substrate is coated uniformly and in a thin layer with cohesive fine particles, a particle ejector for fabricating the coated substrate, a coated substrate fabricating apparatus comprising the ejector, a particle-coated substrate fabricating method (in particular, a method of fabricating an abrasive material in which a substrate is coated with abrasive particles), and an abrasive sheet. Agitation gas is fed through the porous wall of a particle storage container in the ejector, and an ejection gas is fed from an ejector nozzle through the container to deliver the fluidized particles and ejection gas through a discharge tube generally coaxial with the ejection gas nozzle. The particle ejector is capable of attaining a uniform particle size distribution without causing the particles to undergo blocking, agglomeration, or bridging.

Abstract: A process for applying water-based paints and/or varnishes to the surface of a glass article which includes the steps of charging a composition of water-based product to a potential of a given polarity, spraying the composition of the water-based product and diffusing the resulting particles in a wide area so as to form a mist (120, 121), placing the glass article (200) in contact with an electrode at a potential of another given polarity and maintaining its surface temperature between 15.degree. C. and 30.degree. C., and bringing the glass article into the field of the mist making it possible to obtain various appearances of coloration in the glass article.

Abstract: Workpieces are electrostatically coated with powder materials. It is possible to attain a relatively large coating thickness in a single operation by simultaneously or alternately coating with powder particles that have a different electrical charge. The process can be used in applying single-component or multi-component coating materials.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for application of talcum powder of a super-absorbent powder (SAP) type or the like, the latter containing polyacrylate and/or a salt, such as a sodium salt, on a strip, such as a power cable. In accordance with the invention, the strip is made to travel through a treatment chamber in which debouch a number of powder supply lines distributed circumferentially with respect to said strip. The powder supply lines are incorporated in a friction charger formed with polarizing ducts through which the powder material is made to pass.

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 for painting a parts made of dielectric or low-conductivity material using a paint spraying unit including a chamber connected to both a paint outlet and to a paint supply. At least one electrode is mechanically and electrically connected to the part. An electrostatic field is generated between the electrode and the paint spraying unit. Paint is fed from the paint supply through the chamber to the outlet. The paint is electrically charged. The paint is sprayed onto the part to be painted. The outer surface of the electrode used includes at least one jagged portion for engaging the part to be painted. The jagged portion is the location of a peak electrostatic effect.

Abstract: A mass flow controller controls the delivery of a precursor to a mist generator. The precursor is misted utilizing a venturi in which a combination of oxygen and nitrogen gas is charged by a corona wire and passes over a precursor-filled throat. The mist is electrically filtered so that it comprises predominately negative ions, passes into a velocity reduction chamber, and then flows into a deposition chamber through inlet ports in an inlet plate that is both a partition between the chambers and a grounded electrode. The inlet plate is located above and substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate on which the mist is to be deposited. The substrate is positively charged to a voltage of about 5000 volts. There are 440 inlet ports per square inch in an 39 square inch inlet port area of the inlet plate directly above the substrate. The inlet port area is approximately equal to the substrate area.

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: An apparatus for use in electrostatically applying coating material to an object includes a nozzle which directs a flow of coating material toward the object. A power supply unit provides an electric field to electrostatically charge the coating material. Control circuitry is provided to monitor the operating efficiency of the power supply unit and to provide an output signal when there is an impending failure of the power supply unit. The control circuitry monitors the relationship between an input current to the power supply unit and an output current from the power supply unit. When the relationship between the input current to the power supply unit and the output current from the power supply unit is outside of a predetermined range, the control circuitry is effective to provide an output signal to notify an operator that there is an impending power supply unit failure.

Abstract: A molding apparatus is provided which comprises a lower mold portion and an upper mold portion movable into engagement with the lower portion. A movable spray head is disposed on a traversing rack mounted within a retractable coating box. The coating box upper surface contains a first opening corresponding in size and shape to the outer periphery of the mold cavity of the upper mold and a second opening which corresponds in size and shape to the opening of an overspray recovery transition piece disposed at a position adjacent the fully disengaged upper mold portion. Prior to a molding operation, the coating box engages the upper mold permitting both the transition piece opening and cavity opening in the top surface of the box to align with the transition piece and cavity, respectively.

Abstract: A substrate is located within a deposition chamber, the substrate defining a substrate plane. A barrier plate is disposed in spaced relation above the substrate and substantially parallel thereto, the area of said barrier plate in a plane parallel to said substrate being substantially equal to said area of said substrate in said substrate plane, i.e. within 10% of said substrate area. The barrier plate has a smoothness tolerance of 5% of the average distance between said barrier plate and said substrate. A mist is generated, allowed to settle in a buffer chamber, filtered through a 1 micron filter, and flowed into the deposition chamber between the substrate and barrier plate to deposit a liquid layer on the substrate. The liquid is dried to form a thin film of solid material on the substrate, which is then incorporated into an electrical component of an integrated circuit.

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.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray coating apparatus having a spray nozzle which has a spray orifice for atomizing coating material. The nozzle orifice may be round or, preferably, is in the form of a slot to impart a flat shape to the atomized material. The spray nozzle is mounted to be rotated on a body of the spray gun so that the atomized material particles are driven radially outwards in addition to the forward direction and are thereby distributed uniformly in the cloud of sprayed material. A brake may be provided to slow down the rotation when greater penetration into cavities in the article being painted is desired. In invention may be used in either power spray coating apparatus or liquid spray coating apparatus.

Abstract: A CRT panel developing apparatus includes a body; a panel fixing portion, which is placed in the upper portion of the body and is structured so as to ground the conduction layer of the panel; a developing gun, which sprays powder that has been coated with organic matter on to the panel fixed to the panel fixing portion; a supply line, which is a passageway for the powder and air to be supplied to the developing gun; an air supply apparatus and a powder supply apparatus which are connected to the supply line; a powder charging portion, which is formed on the supply line that charges the powder that passes through the supply line; a turbulent air line which supplies air to the powder charging portion; a power supply apparatus that supplies electrical power to the powder charging portion; an evaporation portion, where the organic matter evaporates; an evaporation air line which supplies air to the evaporation portion; an evaporated organic matter line, which connects the evaporation portion and the supply line;

Abstract: A hand sanitizing apparatus which uses at least two electrostatic emitters to dispense germicidal fluid to substantially all the surfaces of a user's hands when both hands are placed in proximity to the electrostatic emitters. The apparatus comprises a frame on which are mounted electrostatic emitters in preferably two cells which separate spray directed at one hand from spray directed at the other hand, a reservoir of germicidal fluid in fluid communication with the electrostatic emitters, a power source adapted to supply electrostatic energy to the electrostatic emitters, and a dispensing cycle actuator which is operated by the user to distribute electrostatic energy from the power source to the electrostatic emitters so that a predetermined quantity of germicidal fluid is directed from each electrostatic emitter toward each of the user's hands during the dispensing cycle. In one embodiment each hand is sprayed with an opposite charge.

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 a workpiece has an insulating separator valve mechanism for electrically separating a paint supply passage for supplying an electrically conductive paint to a coating gun, into a paint supply passage to which a high voltage will be applied and a paint supply passage to which no high voltage will be applied. The insulating separator valve mechanism has a first valve body connectable to said paint supply passage through a first on/off valve, and a second valve body connectable to said paint supply passage through a second on/off valve. While the first and second valve bodies are connected to each other and the first and second on/off valves are closed, a paint trap is cleaned by a cleaning medium, which is discharged into a second dump passage. A process of cleaning the paint trap for a paint color change is efficiently and reliably carried out to reliably remove paint residuals from the paint trap.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for controlling the spray of positively-charged coating particles towards a grounded or negatively-charged dielectric material having a dielectric constant less than 4.0 and in the form of a hollow container.

Abstract: An apparatus 100 is provided with: a supply section 1 for supplying a paper base material P; a storage section 21 for storing a white fine particles coating; a development section 2 having a sleeve 22 for holding the white fine particles coating from the storage section 21, a blade 23 for controlling a thickness of the white fine particles coating held by the sleeve 22, and a charge drum 24 for absorbing the white fine particles coating from the sleeve 22; a transfer section 3 for electrostatically transferring the white fine particles coating absorbed by the charge drum 24 onto the paper base material P; a fixing section 4 having a heat roller 41 and a press roller 42, and for fixing the white fine particles coating on the paper base material P; and a ejection section 5 for ejecting the paper base material P fixed the white fine particles coating by the fixing section 4. By using the apparatus 100, the thermal transfer image receiving sheet S on which a high quality image can be formed, is produced easily.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process as well as a device for deacidification of printed materials and paper products of all kinds, especially books. In order to avoid the so-called half-moon effect, i.e., an inadequate treatment caused by the narrow spaces between the individual book pages in the region of the book spine (7), with the invention the air jet, e.g., in the form of double jet consisting of an opening jet (10) and an active-substance jet (11), is so positioned relative to the book (1) that the active-substance jet and/or the opening jet enters essentially from one side (e.g., the bottom side) of the book (1) and exits at the opposite-lying side (e.g., the top side). Appropriately, the opening jet (10) as well as the active-substance jet (11) are inclined relative to the book spine (7). The active-substance jet (11) is moved relative to the book (1) by means of a swing arm (3).

Abstract: While plural kind of powder paints of different hues are mixed with each other without melting for preparation of a powder paint of a desire hue, a fluidity improver possessing a charge control function is simultaneously mixed into the powder paints without melting. The mixed powder paint containing the fluidity improver is charged, and then electrostatic powder coating is performed by the charged powder paint.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coating an article on a flat line, powder coating system comprises a powder coating booth with a reduced inlet opening for articles to be coated and an enlarged outlet opening for coated articles. Powder spray guns of the tribo-electric type, or having internal charging electrodes, are arranged in rows with parallel tube spray heads and are disposed at a shallow angle with respect to the conveyor to spray powder onto the articles generally in the direction of conveyor movement. Baffle plates are installed under the spray guns so that any powder which collects on the spray guns does not fall on the articles being coated. Oversprayed powder is collected from a part of the booth intermediate the spray guns and the enlarged outlet opening. Preferably, the thickness of powder coating on the articles in the precured condition is measured and the system is controlled so that the coating thickness is uniform and of the desired thickness.

Abstract: A device for extinguishing a fire in an electrostatic coating facility has at least one coating nozzle associated with high voltage, the nozzle being connectable with an extinguishing agent reservoir via a conduit. With previously known extinguishing agents, the problem emerges in connection with the aforementioned coating facilities, that a longer lasting cleaning process follows even after only a short extinguishing process. In order to avoid this problem, desalinated water is used as the extinguishing agent in the extinguishing agent reservoir.

Abstract: A system for applying a coating to an article of manufacture comprises a first conveyor assembly which conveys articles through a coating booth for application of a coating. The first conveyor assembly has a section aligned with and in close proximity to a section of a second conveyor assembly at which the articles are transferred to the second conveyor assembly. The second conveyor assembly transports the articles to a bake oven wherein the coating is baked on the articles. By this arrangement, residual coating material is not baked on the carriers of the first conveyor assembly and hence coating removal processes to clean the carriers are avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying electrically conductive coating material, such as water-based paint, includes a manifold connected to a high voltage electrostatic power supply and to one or more coating dispensers, and, a number of coating transfer units which are movable between a discharge position or station at the manifold and a filling station physically spaced from the manifold. Each of the transfer units includes a combined shuttle and pumping device which initially receives coating material at the filling station, and is then movable to the discharge station where the coating material is transferred from the pumping device, through the manifold, and then to one or more coating dispensers for deposition onto a substrate.

Abstract: A spray coating device for the electrostatic spray coating of articles. The device includes a spray appliance which is carried by an elongated tubular support housing through which all connecting conduits for the spray appliance extend. The tubular support can be supported by a carrier device, such as a reciprocator, located outside of a spray booth and can extend through a side wall opening in the spray booth for positioning the spray appliance in the spray booth. The spray appliance may be a powder coating material applicator. Preferably, the top surfaces of the spray appliance and the tubular carrier are substantially continuous and without significant steps and of the smallest possible size in order to minimize the deposit of coating material and dust.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying a spacer material having a sprayer for spraying the spacer material; a charger for applying an electrical charge to the spacer material; and a device for imparting a potential to an electrode disposed in the rear of a plate for constituting a liquid crystal cell wherein the potential causes an electrical attraction to take place between the charged spacer material and the electrode.

Abstract: An electrostatic coating product spraying device comprising: at least one sprayer having an electrostatic charging mechanism; and a support structure supporting the at least one sprayer, the structure including elements which are at ground potential, wherein the support structure includes an electrostatic shield positioned and arranged so that the electrostatic charging mechanism is located between the electrostatic shield and an object to be coated. The electrostatic shield is maintained at a potential differing from ground potential.

Abstract: An electrostatic coating system includes an electrically nonconductive coating material tube is disposed in an electrically conductive handle portion of the spray gun and extends into an electrically nonconductive barrel or extension portion of the spray gun. The coating material tube is preformed to and maintains a configuration corresponding to a configuration of a passage in the handle and extension portions of the spray gun. A packing cartridge is connected between the trigger and the spray gun valve and has a tapered end portion which is encircled by an O-ring seal which engages a tapered bore in the extension portion of the spray gun. The handle portion of the spray gun is grounded through a conductive inner layer of an air conduit connected to the spray gun. An atomizing air passage extends from the handle portion of the spray gun through the extension portion to the nozzle. A pattern air passage also extends from the handle portion through the extension portion to the nozzle.

Abstract: A method and system for supplying electrically conductive coating materials to an electrostatic dispenser with a parallel arrangement of subsystems selectably coupled to the dispenser by a four-port system voltage blocking valve, which electrically isolates the subsystems. The subsystems each include first and second piston cylinders that alternatingly receive a selected coating material from a corresponding manifold and supply the coating material to the dispenser by a subsystem voltage blocking valve, which isolates the dispenser from the manifold, when coupled to the dispenser. The first and second piston cylinders of each subsystem also alternatingly receive a solvent from the corresponding manifold and direct the solvent to a waste receptacle by a corresponding subsystem voltage blocking valve when the subsystem is not coupled to the dispenser.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for spraying powder into the interior of welded hollow can bodies from a spray gun mounted to the welding arm of a can forming machine. The spray gun can either apply a stripe of highly charged powder on the welded seam areas of hollow can bodies, or can simultaneously apply a coating of powder having a first thickness on the longitudinally welded seam areas and a second thickness less than the first thickness on the remainder of the interior surface. Air is vented off from the powder flow being transported through the welding arm so that the powder to air ratio is increased. Air is introduced at the downstream end of the welding arm to provide a suction force to help draw the powder flow through the welding arm and to increase the velocity of the powder flow for better tribo charging of the powder in the gun and to improve spray pattern stability.

Abstract: An electrostatic liquid applicator; such as an oscillating disk paint gun, for spraying a liquid coating material such as paint or the like onto the surfaces of a wide variety of types of articles. The electrostatic liquid applicator includes a stationary bell, an oscillating drive shaft extending through the stationary bell and which is rotatably driven by an air-controlled drive system. An oscillating disk is fixedly mounted on the drive shaft towards the front side of the stationary bell so as to form a spray slot in a liquid plenum in cooperation with the front side of the stationary bell. The drive system includes a body portion which is located at the rear side of the stationary bell, and includes air supply ports and air exhaust ports and forms a sealed space with the rear side of the stationary bell. A drive member projects radially into this space and is anchored to the drive shaft for pivoting the latter between two end positions which are defined within a predetermined angle.

Abstract: Apparatus and a concomitant method for electrostatically depositing select doses of medicament powder at select locations on a substrate. Specifically, the apparatus contains 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 spray device and method for the coating of objects with powder coating material. A high voltage electrode or several electrodes are located on only one side of the coating material stream in the vicinity of a spray orifice for electrostatically charging the coating material. A first flow of compressed air is directed over the electrodes to keep the coating material from accumulating on the electrode and to shape the envelope of the sprayed coating material. A second stream of compressed air is directed at the stream of coating material to counteract the deflection of the stream by the first flow and by the effects of the high voltage. Better coating efficiency (reduced loss of sprayed powder) is achieved than with electrodes arranged on both sides of the coating material stream.

Abstract: A rotary atomizing electrostatic coating apparatus includes a plurality of paint nozzles and a solvent nozzle. Each paint nozzle communicates uniquely with a respective paint source separate by respective paint passages which are pathwise separate from each other. In each paint passage, a respective paint valve is installed. When changing a painting color according to the present invention, the paint filling the operating paint nozzle and the paint passage connected thereto is not washed out by a washing solvent, so that the amount of paint wasted when changing the painting color is decreased to substantially zero and the working time period for changing the painting color is also shortened. A corresponding method of use of such an apparatus is also disclosed which reduces the amount of paint wasted and the amount of solvent used during a step of switching from a first paint to a second paint.

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

Abstract: A resistor housing includes passageways to accommodate high potential electrical connectors. Connection is made from one of the connectors through a high voltage cable assembly to one output of a power supply. The cable assembly includes a length of high voltage, high-flex, shielded coaxial high voltage cable. The center conductor of the cable is finished at both ends with a banana plug. The shield of the cable is terminated. A sleeve of, for example, heat-shrinkable semi-rigid, multiple wall polyolefin, is slipped onto the stripped end of the cable over the exposed shield and the end of the cable jacket. A length of heat-shrinkable tetrafluroethylene (TFE) is slipped over the sleeve and the adjacent region of cable jacket, shrunk, and trimmed flush with the end of the polyolefin sleeve. Paint or solvent from a trigger/dump/solvent manifold is supplied through a feed tube. The feed tube is constructed from an electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray device contains a tube-like spray element (3); at least one charging electrode (12) to transfer electrostatic charges to the powder; at least one counterelectrode (44) arranged in the vicinity of the charging electrode (12), which is connected to an electrical potential (20) different from the charging electrode (12), so that it takes up at least part of the free ions generated during electrical charging of the powder; at least one ring-shaped element (44; 68; 74) which forms or carries the counterelectrode (44; 64; 74, 76) and extends around the downstream segment (72) of the spray element (3), on which it is radially supported; at least one connection ridge (78) outside the spray element (3), which carries the ring-shaped element (74) at its downstream end (79) and can be attached to the spray element (3) by its upstream end; and an electrical connection between the electrical potential connection (20) and the counterelectrode (44) by way of the connection ridge (78).

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying electrically conductive coating material, such as water-based paint, includes a manifold connected to a high voltage electrostatic power supply and to one or more coating dispensers, and, a number of coating transfer units which are movable between a discharge position or station at the manifold and a filling station physically spaced from the manifold. Each of the transfer units includes a combined shuttle and pumping device which initially receives coating material at the filling station, and is then movable to the discharge station where the coating material is transferred from the pumping device, through the manifold, and then to one or more coating dispensers for deposition onto a substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming thin films of chemical compounds utilized in integrated circuits. The method includes steps of forming a precursor liquid comprising a chemical compound in a solvent, providing a substrate within a vacuum deposition chamber, producing a mist of the precursor liquid, and flowing the mist into the deposition chamber while maintaining the chamber at ambient temperature to deposit a layer of the precursor liquid on the substrate. The liquid is dried to form a thin film of a solid material on the substrate, then the integrated circuit is completed to include at least a portion of the film of solid material in a component of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method of electrostatically painting and an apparatus for producing an electric field within a booth includes a paint spray gun charged to a first potential and a target to be painted to a second potential with one of the panels in the booth charged to a third potential intermediate the first potential and the second potential to repel paint particles away from the panel. The paint particles and the panels are charged to the same polarity and the target is of the opposite polarity. The panel is usually a wall, a ceiling and/or a conveyor protection housing within the paint spray booth. The preferred panel comprises an outer insulating layer of plastic, glass or porcelain that is easily wiped of paint and an interior, electrically-conducting layer such as a thin sheet of aluminum. Variations of the panel include a version which is completely enclosed in plastic and a version which is bonded to plastic.

Abstract: A voltage isolation device for controlling the flow of conductive liquid between a liquid supply source and a liquid destination source. The isolation device has an inlet connected to the supply source and has a yoke slide valve positionable along a pair of rods; one of the rods engages a slideable tube at the inlet to provide a liquid seal and the yoke slide valve may be positionable to slide the tube away from the rod to thereby provide a flow path for liquid through the tube and out the slide valve. A pair of seal assemblies each having axially spaced apart seals have formed sealing areas containing a non-conductive seal liquid which is capable of dissolving the conductive liquids being utilized. A scheme is provided to route arcs which result when the charged fluid is connected to the grounded fluid so as to locate the arc away from parts which could be damaged by it.

Abstract: A voltage block device for use with electrostatic spraying apparatus for conductive coatings is disclosed. The device maintains an air gap which electrically isolates a grounded paint supply from a charged spray head to prevent the leakage of potential to the grounded paint supply. The device comprises a tube made of non-conductive material and having ends which are closed by upper and lower caps to define a closed space which is pressurized. A valve secured in the upper cap delivers paint into the closed space to raise the level of conductive coating material therein to the level of an external sensor. In a first mode of operation, valve interlock circuitry opens the valve when the spray head is not charged and the sensor detects a low level of coating material. The valve closes if the level of conductive coating material in the closed space reaches the external sensor or the spray head becomes charged, restoring an air gap which electrically isolates the grounded paint supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the electrostatic charge developed on a resin powder composition for electrostatic coating of solid objects and the method of application thereof. The apparatus comprises a device for charging the powder by electrical induction/conduction such that the powder particles have a resistivity of from about 10.sup.9 to about 10.sup.13 ohm.meters at 20 percent relative humidity and spraying the charged powder onto an grounded solid object to which it adheres prior to the thermal fusing to produce a permanent finish.

Abstract: A full automatic coating system includes an endless metal tape driven to run in one direction along an endless traveling path, a product supplying station for automatically selecting products of a desired type and supplying them to the endless metal tape according to a production control procedure stored in a control unit, a coating station disposed in the traveling path downstream of the product supplying station and including a spray gun for selectively spraying one of coatings of different colors according to instructions received from the control unit, a drying and baking station and a coating removing station disposed in the traveling path downstream of the coating portion in the order named. All the components are linked to operate in timed relation to one another according to the instructions received from the control unit.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer includes an inside surface onto which a coating material is deposited, an opposite outside surface and a discharge zone adjacent the rotary atomizer's inside and outside surfaces, coating material being discharged from the discharge zone. A housing substantially surrounds and houses the rotary atomizer except for a region of the rotary atomizer adjacent and including the discharge zone. The housing includes an inside surface, an outside surface and an opening adjacent the inside and outside surfaces of the housing. The inside surface of the housing and the outside surface of the rotary atomizer are treated so as to render them electrically non-insulative. An electrostatic potential difference maintained across the electrically non-insulative inside surface of the housing and an article to be coated by material atomized by the rotary atomizer causes charge to be transferred from the electrically non-insulative inside surface of the housing to the outside surface of the atomizer.