Abstract: A system for heating and coating a weld joint in a pipe comprising; a heating and coating ring for placement on the pipe over the center of the weld joint; the ring having an open position to permit the same to be placed over the pipe and a closed position wherein the ring surrounds the pipe; the ring having a powder dispenser mounted thereon for dispensing a powdered coating material therefrom onto the surface of the pipe; the ring also having a pair of induction heaters mounted thereon, each induction heater including an induction coil comprising a length of hollow copper tubing wound in an elliptical pattern a multiplicity of times, each coil being bowed correspondingly to the curvature of the pipe; the induction coils being disposed in a cylindrical surface adjacent to, and parallel with, the surface of the pipe when the ring is in the closed position; a motor for rotating the closed ring around the pipe; a source of electrical energy for applying an alternating electric potential to the induction coils t

Abstract: A horizontal Bridgman single crystal growing apparatus using a direct monitoring electric furnace suitable for a single crystal growing of III-V, II-VI group compound semiconductor materials (InP, CdTe, etc.) including a gallium arsenide (GaAs). The apparatus is composed of: a heater wire being formed around a quartz tube for supporting, a cylindrical double quartz tube arranged with cooling water or gas inlet and outlet for circulation externally and coated with gold thin film on the internal wall surface thereof, thereby the high temperature heating over 1240.degree. C. is possible to obtain within a short period of time and also the cooling is possible, and whole process of the single crystal growing can be observed directly with naked eyes.

Abstract: A powder supply device for use in the formation of a coating by a laser beam treatment has its delivery pipe from the powder and carrier gas dispensing apparatus fitted with an expansion chamber into which the powder and gas enter via an inlet pipe carrying a powder diffuser. The expansion chamber has a conical part leading into an outlet pipe for carrying powder and gas to a discharge nozzle at a reduced rate determined by the rate of escape of gas from the expansion chamber via an exhaust pipe fitted with a flow regulator.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for forming a plastic coating on a metal strip. A metal strip is cleaned, surface treated, coated with an electrostatically charged plastic powder in an enclosed chamber using a plurality of spray guns positioned on both sides of the strip, inductively heated to above the melting point of the powder, and maintained in an infrared heater until the fused powder is flowed into a coating having a smooth surface and a uniform thickness. Thermoplastic and thermosetting coatings, having thicknesses of at least 10 microns formed using total induction and infrared heating times of less than 60 seconds, can be fabricated without cracking.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for the deposition of silicon and the formation of silicon films. More specifically, the process provides an aerosol generating technique, wherein silicon powder of optimum particle size is aerosolized, charged, and then electrostatically deposited onto high melting point substrates, which may include semiconducting, insulating, and conducting materials such as silicon, sapphire, and molybdenum, respectively. The powder coated substrates are subsequently heat treated at optimum times and temperatures, resulting in the formation of polycrystalline silicon films.

Abstract: Plastic ophthalmic lenses are coated with a scratch-resistant coating using a spin coating process. The lenses are separated from lens mold pieces, and the lenses are routed through a coating system where the lens coating is applied. A conveyor moves the lens mold pieces toward an inspection station while the corresponding lenses are moving through the coating system. The operation of the lens coating system and the conveyor are coordinated so that the coated lens and the lens mold pieces from which that lens was made are delivered as a group to the inspection station.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for metal plating a substrate. The apparatus includes a chamber adapted to receive metal carbonyl gas. The chamber includes an infrared transparent window. The infrared transparent window has a cooling passage filled with liquid coolant. The liquid coolant has a temperature below which decomposition of the metal carbonyl gas occurs. The liquid coolant prevents decomposition of the metal carbonyl gas on the infrared transparent window. The liquid coolant also is substantially infrared transparent for allowing infrared radiation through the infrared transparent window and cooling passage into the chamber. An infrared radiation source sends infrared radiation into the chamber through the infrared transparent window and cooling passage to heat the substrate to a temperature at which decomposition of the metal carbonyl gas occurs.

Abstract: An automated coating apparatus includes a coating unit for applying a curable liquid material to the entire edge-to-edge surface area of one side of a flexible sheet. The sheet is then received on a rotatable drum adjacent the curing device, and moved back and forth next to the curing device to cure the liquid material. The drum includes a plurality of apertures in communication with a regenerative blower for retaining the sheet on the drum during the curing operation without contacting the uncured liquid material on the opposite face of the sheet. The curvature of the drum functions to essentially counteract the tendency of the sheet to curl during the curing operation.

Abstract: For forming a metal film of a desired property on a substrate, a target and the substrate are placed in a pressure-reducing chamber, and then pulse laser is irradiated to the target. This causes the component materials, such as ions, electrons, neutral atoms, cluster, fine grains and liquid drops, of the target to be emitted from the target, and then laser induced plasma is produced. These emissions of substances have spatial and timewise distribution determined by physical and chemical states. Then, a shielding plate having an opening is placed between the target and the substrate, and from the materials, only the material emitted in a predetermined direction is selected to control the property of the film deposited on the substrate. By locating a filter between the target and the substrate to open for a predetermined period of time, only the material emitted at a predetermined velocity can be selected. Further, by applying a predetermined d.c.

Abstract: An apparatus for light curing of an adhesive resin coating on a continuous string-like linear product is shown. It consists of an elongated chamber having a light reflective inner side wall and removable end caps. The product coated with the adhesive resin is passed through the chamber through transverse slots formed in the end caps. The ultraviolet curing light is injected into the chamber by a light guide inserted through the peripheral side wall. Nitrogen gas may be also passed through the chamber to enhance the curing process of the resin.

Abstract: Drawn optical fiber is provided with at least one layer of a coating material. The coating material typically is a UV curable material and provides the optical fiber with mechanical and environmental protection. It has been found that the temperature at which the optical fiber is cured has a pronounced effect on the modulus of the cured coating material. In order to provide a coated optical fiber of which the coating material has a desired modulus, the temperature of the coating material during cure is controlled by controlling the amount of energy of infrared wavelength which impinges on the coating material.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying one or more films of coating material to a running substrate of paper or the like has an endless belt which is trained over pulleys so that its upper reach advances toward a transfer station for coating material and its lower reach advances toward a station for the application of liquefied solvent-containing material. The underside of the lower reach of the belt is heated by a set of infrared heaters so that the liquefied coating material is applied to preheated portions of the belt. This promotes and contributes to predictability of expulsion of solvent from the film along the upper reach of the belt and ensures more predictable solidification of coating material ahead of the transfer station.

Abstract: A rotating cylindrical target has material ablated therefrom by a laser beam trained to contact the surface along a line parallel to the rotation axis, thereby avoiding problems of crater formation which arise with disc-shaped targets.

Abstract: A continuous finishing process for flexible materials using a continuous printing machine of the thousand dot type. A small controlled amount of a finishing product, comprising 90 to 100% of photopolymerizable active material, is deposited at a rate of 5 to 35 g/m.sup.2 per pass in the printing machine. The finishing product is then photopolymerized, and a satining or graining operation is performed. The above stages are repeated until the desired finish is obtained.The finishing product is photopolymerizable under ultraviolet radiation and comprises unsaturated prepolymers, liquid monomers, and photoinitiators.The apparatus comprises at least one module comprising a continuous printing machine, an ultraviolet radiation oven, and a satining or graining machine, these various machines being placed so as to achieve a continuous conveying of pieces to be treated from one machine to the other.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous manufacture of high temperature superconducting wires is disclosed. A core on which the superconductive ceramic substance is caused to directionally solidify from the melt is drawn through the melt in such a manner as to obtain an oriented microstructure conductive to high critical current carrying capacity. This also produces a macrostructure with appropriate mechanical strength and flexibility independently of the superconducting substance chosen.

Abstract: A developer material coating apparatus for coating a developer toner on a support member such as a plain paper to form an image on the support member, includes a developer toner coating unit for triboelectrically charging the developer toner and electrostatically coating the charged developer toner on the support member and at least one of heaters for heating the support member before and/or after the support member being coated with the charged developer toner, thereby to heighten adhesion between the support member and the developer toner.

Abstract: A thin sample on a surface such as a tissue specimen on a microscope slide is exposed to treatment liquid such as a stain, antibody of nucleic acid probe. The treatment is accelerated by exposing the treatment liquid on the surface to infrared radiation. A device is disclosed for placing such slides into a treatment chamber, for example as a plurality of slide pairs held vertically, with treatment liquid held in capillary gaps between each slide pair. An infrared radiation source provides radiation into the treatment chamber to accelerate the treatment of samples on such slide (on one or both surfaces facing each capillary gap) by the treatment liquid.

Abstract: A system for pipe lining including a forward seal and a following spreader defining a chamber therebetween for receiving flowable lining material. The spreader is immediately followed by a cylindrical elongate platen formed of radiant-energy transparent material. A radiant energy source is mounted in the platen for transmission of radiant energy through the platen and into the lining material simultaneously with the forming of the lining material into position by the platen as the apparatus moves along the interior of the pipe.

Abstract: Vapor deposition of a thin film is accomplished by employing a pulsed laser to irradiate at least a region of a homogeneous stoichiometric complex material pellet with sufficient energy density to accomplish congruent evaporation of constituents of the material. The energy density is further at least sufficient to cause at least a predetermined portion, a central forward lobe, of the evaporant to have approximately the same stoichiometry as the irradiated material. A substrate is positioned to allow deposit thereon of that lobe portion of the evaporant as a thin film.

Abstract: A rotatable substrate supporting mechanism for use in a chemical vapor deposition reaction chamber of the type used in producing semi-conductor devices is provided with a susceptor for supporting a single substrate, or wafer, for rotation about an axis normal to the center of the wafer. The mechanism is provided with a temperature sensing system for producing signals indicative of sensed temperatures taken at the center of the susceptor and at various points about the periphery thereof. A gas purging system is provided for inhibiting the flow of reactant gas in unwanted areas of the reaction chamber and in the supporting system itself. Rotational driving of the mechanism is accomplished by a variable speed motor under control of a circuit which stops and starts the rotation at controlled speeds and stops the rotation at a home position for enhancing the handling of the wafers.

Abstract: A heating lamp assembly for use with semiconductor reactors has a reflector assembly constructed of tubes joined together by heat conductive spacers to provide for water cooling of the reflector assembly, has mounting pins for providing variable spacing of heating lamps, and water manifolds on each side of the reflector assembly for directing water through the cooling tubes. One or more blocking gates are mounted on the lamp mounting pins to direct cooling air flow across the heating lamps.

Abstract: A reflector apparatus with multiple reflecting facets for chemical vapor deposition reactors. For vertical and barrel reactors, the facets are annular and fit around the bell-jar shaped process enclosure. The facets may be adjusted by orienting or curving the reflecting facet surfaces so that the radiant energy from the reactor susceptor may be reflected back to the susceptor and wafers as desired for uniform heating of the processed semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A rotatable substrate supporting mechanism for use in a chemical vapor deposition reaction chamber of the type used in producing semi-conductor devices is provided with a susceptor for supporting a single substrate, or wafer, for rotation about an axis normal to the center of the wafer. The mechanism is provided with a temperature sensing system for producing signals indicative of sensed temperatures taken at the center of the susceptor and at various points about the periphery thereof. A gas purging system is provided for inhibiting the flow of reactant gas in unwanted areas of the reaction chamber and in the supporting system itself. Rotational driving of the mechanism is accomplished by a variable speed motor under control of a circuit which stops and starts the rotation at controlled speeds and stops the rotation at a home position for enhancing the handling of the wafers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of casting a shape. A laser or electron gun is directed at a fusible powder in a fluidized bed. The beam melts the powder and the melted powder fuses and solidifies on a surface to form the shape. Also disclosed is apparatus for casting a shape. The apparatus includes a fluidized bed containing a fluidized powder, a surface within the bed on which the shape is cast, an electron beam or laser directed at the surface, which has an energy sufficient to fuse the powder, means for controlling the level of the powder in the fluidized bed relative to the surface, and means for controlling the horizontal position of the surface relative to the beam.

Abstract: The solidification characteriztics of a solidifiable liquid film are monitored by effecting relative movement between a stylus and the film and monitoring the resistance to movement of the stylus through the film as the film is solidifying. The film may be subjected to ultraviolet radiation or elevated temperature to cause solidification. The resistance to movement may be monitored electrically in which case it may be recorded as a trace or a chart recorder.

Abstract: A silylation method wherein a resist coating applied on a substrate is reacted with an organic silane compound under the irradiation of a deep ultraviolet ray to render regions of the resist coating durable to oxidative ion etching, whereby a fine pattern is formed. The resist coating includes a layer of an active polymer which is reactive with an organic silane compound under the irradiation of a deep ultraviolet ray to be combined with silyl groups, and a layer of an inert polymer which is not reactive with an organic silicone compound under the irradiation of a deep ultraviolet ray. A desired pattern is formed with the resist coating by ordinary lithographic technique, and then the active polymer layer of the pattern is allowed to contact with an organic silane compound while being irradiated with a deep ultraviolet ray to introduce silyl groups into the active polymer layer of the pattern so as to form masking regions durable to oxidative ion etching.

Abstract: The decoating device 21 comprises a spraying section 22, a heating zone 9, a cleaning station 23 and a gumming station 24. Containers 5a, 5b, 5c for various developing liquids are connected via a multiway valve 5 to one or more flat-jet nozzles 6 in the spraying section 22. A first sensor 4 registers the incoming printing plate 1 and actuates the multiway valve 5 in order to admit decoating liquid from one of connected containers 5a, 5b or 5c to the flat-jet nozzle(s) 6. The decoating liquid sprayed past the printing plate 1 is conveyed via a collecting trough 7 into a collecting container 8. The thin film of decoating liquid on the printing plate 1 is heated to the preselected temperature by means of the radiator 25 in the heating zone 9. A pair of squeezing rollers 11 cleans the printing plate surface. A second sensor 14 registers the front edge of the printing plate 1 and then switches on the cleaning station 23 and gumming station 24 known per se.

Abstract: During the pre-soldering or tinning of printed circuit boards, as a rule, also the drill holes or bores and, in particular, the through-metallized drill holes are filled in an undesirable manner with solder. This solder must be removed before mounting the electrical components or elements upon the printed circuit boards. A simple apparatus is disclosed for this purpose, affording a faultless de-soldering of the drill holes, without deleteriously affecting the properties of the solder material. The printed circuit boards, in a condition where the solder applied during the pre-soldering operation is still molten, are accelerated at least once and thereafter suddenly brought to standstill in such a fashion that the excess solder is knocked or propelled out of the drill holes.

Abstract: A rotary screen printing apparatus for delivering coating fluid from the inside of a print cylinder through patterned openings onto an adjacent advancing substrate, having a print cylinder support frame, a drive mechanism for rotatably driving the print cylinder, a resilient suspension device for supporting the print cylinder at high rotational speeds, an adjacent radiant heater for generating heat energy for absorption by the print cylinder, an enclosure substantially surrounding the print cylinder and confining the radiated heat therein, at least one infrared sensor for sensing heat emitted from the print cylinder, and a control circuit for controlling the radiant heat energy from the heater in response to the sensed emitted radiant energy, about a manually controlled set point.

Abstract: The process serves to impregnate planar carrier materials, especially those in the form of continuous webs, with synthetic resin to manufacture a stackable product, such as, e.g., paper-prepregs to be used for the manufacture of synthetic-resin-laminated panels.For the process, a highly viscous liquid synthetic resin coating (5) is applied to one surface of the carrier material (1), the coating is heated to a higher temperature, during or after which, respectively, the synthetic resin (4) of the coating (5) is at least in part absorbed by the carrier material (1). The carrier material (1') thusly coated with synthetic resin is then briefly subjected to such pressure, e.g., with the aid of a pair of pressure rollers (9), that the synthetic resin (4) evenly permeates the carrier material. For the concurrent impregnation of several carrier materials (1), the superposed carrier materials (1') coated with synthetic resin can be subjected to mechanical pressure.

Abstract: A system for the thermal and/or liquid treatment of edge supported substrates, such as printed electronic circuit boards and hybrid circuits. The system includes an elongated tunnel treating chamber. The system includes a conveyor system comprised of a pair of lubricant-free tape conveyors supported for movement through the treating chamber on a pair of elongated tracks. The lubricant-free tape conveyor is comprised of a closed loop flexible steel tape provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart vertical tabs throughout its length. The tabs are in longitudinal alignment, spaced inwardly from the edges of the tape and provide lateral support for substrates suspended between a pair of conveyor tapes.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying partial surface coatings to textile substrates, particularly adhesive compounds in fixing inset technology. A cylinder rotatable about a cylindrical axis has inner and outer cylindrical surfaces with perforations extending through these surfaces. A coating head mounted inside the cylinder has a coating nozzle adjacent and facing the inner surface. The head includes a feed duct, a main duct extending from the feed duct and an opening chamber extending from the main duct. The opening chamber is bounded by two sealing lips adapted closely to the inside of the cylinder, supported by a mounting structure for the chamber and defining an outlet opening therebetween for controlling flow from the chamber. The structure has rods attached to the lips and adjustably coupled to the coating head to enable the opening to be adjusted in width.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the quality of recordings from electrophotographic recording apparatuses by calculating the surface charge remaining on the recording medium adjacent the development electrode and adjusting the voltage of the development electrode to match the remaining surface charge; controlling the corona charger to operate at two levels, a first level for charging the surface of the recording medium and a second lower level at which neither light nor ions are emitted; controlling the fuser lamp in response to changes in ambient temperature, line voltage, and the rate of recording medium advancement to obtain optimum toner fusion without damage to the recording medium; deactivating the toner pump and air knife blower if the recording medium has not moved for a predetermined period of time, and further including a development electrode design for maintaining a uniform layer of toner adjacent the recording medium.

Abstract: A hot vitreous substrate 1 travels on a conveyor 2 through a coating station 5 where a metal compound is formed in situ on a face of the substrate 1 by pyrolytic decomposition of coating material 9 sprayed towards the substrate from a spray head 6 which repeatedly traverses the substrate path. Radiant heating means 11 located on the side of the substrate 1 being coated directs radiant heat towards the transverse region swept by the zone of impingement 10 of the coating precursor material 9 on the substrate 1.

Abstract: A process for forming a flux of atoms of an element which includes the forming of a target made up of the element and the irradiation of the target by a pulsed laser whose energy density per pulse is equal to or greater than the emission threshold of the atoms of the elements, but which energy density is below the ablation threshold of either one of the element or the compound which forms the target. The process also relates to the deposition of an insulating, semiconductor or metallic layer of an element or a binary, ternary or quaternary compound which is optionally doped and which utilizes the steps of a heating of a substrate and the growing on the heated substrate of an epitaxial layer of either the element or the compound from at least one atomic flux. The atomic flux is produced by irradiating of a target through the use of a pulsed laser.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for selectively depositing metal films on metal and semiconductive surfaces of a substrate wherein the depositing surface of the substrate is isolated from undesired impinging radiation, such as infrared radiation.

Abstract: A photochemical vapor deposition apparatus includes a reactor housing having a window in one wall above a reaction chamber in the housing. A transparent curtain divides the reaction chamber into a reaction zone and a flush zone. At least one substrate is mounted in the reaction zone in light communication with the window so that ultraviolet radiation may penetrate through the window into the reaction zone. The window is kept clear by a gas flowing through the flush zone.

Abstract: A system for the thermal and/or liquid treatment of edge supported substrates, such as printed electronic circuit boards and hybrid circuits. The system includes an elongated tunnel treating chamber. The system includes a conveyor system comprised of a pair of lubricant-free chain conveyors supported for movement through the treating chamber on a pair of elongated tracks. The lubricant-free conveyor is comprised of a plurality of successively interconnected wire links each comprising a horizontal member in engagement with the top surface of the track, a pair of spaced apart generally vertical members spaced from the horizontal member and connected thereto and in loose engagement with the sides of the track, and an integral substrate-supporting pin extending outwardly from one of the vertical members. The pins of each conveyor are directed inwardly toward each other to support a substrate therebetween by its edges.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for curing a coating applied to an optical fiber. An elongated ultraviolet lamp and the optical fiber emerging from the coater are located at focii of an elliptical mirror which focuses the ultraviolet energy onto the coated fiber. The fiber is surrounded by a cylindrical chamber that is transparent to ultraviolet light. The chamber includes a jacket through which there flows a fluid which absorbs infrared energy. A cooling gas flows from a annular slot located at the bottom end of the chamber. The slot is so angled that gas flowing therefrom is directed upwardly and inwardly toward the coated fiber so that there exists within the chamber a recirculating flow of cooling gas. This enables the cooling gas to repeatedly absorb heat from the coated fiber and give up that heat to the chamber wall which is cooled by the fluid.

Abstract: A photochemical vapor deposition apparatus which includes a reaction chamber, a means for introducing a starting gas for film formation into the reaction chamber and a means for irradiating the starting gas with a light of high energy and deposites a thin film on a substrate placed in the reaction chamber by utilizing the photochemical reaction, characterized in that the apparatus includes a means for heating in advance to high temperature the starting gas to be introduced into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A cosmetic apparatus is disclosed for curing an ultravoilet sensitive coating and bonding material applied to the surface of a person's fingernail optionally including an artificial nail tip attached thereon. The apparatus comprises an enclosure having a front face which defines an opening for the reception therein of the artifical nail tip when applied to the fingernail. A plurality of lamps are disposed within the enclosure for emitting ultraviolet light within the enclosure for curing the ultravoilet sensitive coating and bonding material when the person positions the fingernail and applied nail tip within the enclosure. An electrical timer switch controls the energizing of the plurality of lamps and the time period to which the coating and bonding material within the enclosure is exposed to the ultravoilet light.

Abstract: Heat and pressure fusing apparatus for fixing toner images. The fusing apparatus is characterized by the separation of the heat and pressure functions such that the heat and pressure are effected at different locations on a thin flexible belt forming the toner contacting surface. A pressure roll cooperates with a stationary mandrel to form a nip through which the belt and copy substrate pass simultaneously. The belt is heated such that by the time it passes through the nip it's temperature together with the applied pressure is sufficient for fusing the toner images passing therethrough.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for laser induced vapor deposition upon a substrate. The invention includes apparatus isolated from the deposition chamber for preheating the substrate before deposition. A bellows arrangement permits adjustment of the heat applied to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming an image on a light-sensitive material with a light-sensitive layer composed of a photopolymerizable composition, and an apparatus for carrying out the method are described. This method comprises exposing imagewise, heating, and developing a number of light-sensitive materials while the time interval between the heating and developing steps is maintained at a definite level. Changes in sensitivity of the light sensitive material are prevented and images of high sensitivity are obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus which seals a housing to prevent the escape of toner particles therefrom. The toner particles are captured and softened to become tacky. Additional toner particles stick to the tacky toner particles preventing their escape. Each successive layer of captured toner particles soften and become tacky capturing other toner particles thereto.

Abstract: A method for annealing semiconductor samples, especially following ion-implantation of semiconductor samples is disclosed. A furnace on a set of rails is passed over the semiconductor sample which is supported on a stationary wire basket made of low thermal mass, fine tungsten wire. The furnace temperature may be about 5.degree. above the desired anneal temperature of the semiconductor sample such that the sample temperature rises to within a few degrees of the furnace temperature within seconds. Utilizing the moveable furnace insures uniform heating without elaborate temperature control or expensive beam generating equipment.The apparatus and process of the present invention are utilized for rapid annealing of ion-implanted indium phosphide semiconductors within 10 to 30 seconds and at temperatures of approximately 700.degree. C., thereby eliminating undesired and damaging movement of impurities within the ion-implanted InP.

Abstract: A vapor deposition system is provided which uses electromagnetic radiation for heating of a semiconductor wafer. The source of the electromagnetic radiation is typically a lamp having a color temperature corresponding to a wavelength in the range of 0.3 to 0.9 micrometers, and generally for a particular semiconductor to an energy greater than the energy required to cause transitions from the valence band to the conduction band of the semiconductor material used to construct the wafer and more preferably to a color temperature corresponding to an energy substantially at or above the energy required for direct (vertical) transitions from the valence band to the conduction band, thereby providing very high absorption of the incident radiation and very efficient direct heating of the wafer. No substrate is required for conducting heat to the wafer. The radiation is directed by a reflector through a window forming one side of the deposition chamber and impinges directly on the surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A fixing device for heating and fixing an unfixed image such as a toner image on an image supporting medium such as paper, in which the wait time is greatly shortened. The fixing device has a heating-fixing roller and a pressing roller. The pressing roller has a cellulars layer formed chiefly of HTV silicone rubber and having a number of isolated cells containing gases therein, and a relatively thin silicone rubber layer on the cellulars layer. The heating-fixing roller basically includes a thin-walled metal roller having substantially the same diameter as the pressing roller. Preferably, the heating-fixing roller is provided on the side which contacts the toner image.

Abstract: An optical fiber which has just been drawn from an optical preform is provided with an external hermetic coating by using a heterogeneous nucleation thermochemical deposition technique. This technique involves passing the fiber through a reaction zone which contains a gaseous medium that includes a reactant which decomposes, or a mixture of reactants which chemically react, at a predetermined temperature to form the material of the coating. Only the fiber but not the gaseous medium surrounding the same is heated to the predetermined temperature, especially by directing radiation onto the exposed circumferential surface of the fiber, so that the decomposition or the chemical reaction takes place directly on the exposed surface of the fiber rather than in the gaseous medium, accompanied by simultaneous deposition of the coating material on the exposed surface of the fiber. The resulting fiber with hermetic coating can then be provided with an additional polymer coating layer.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable polymeric sheet is coated with a solid sheet of heat-activatable sealant by heating the sheet preferably to a temperature above the crystalline melt point of the polymer, applying, preferably by means of a roller, the sealant sheet to the heated polymer sheet while the polymer sheet is at a temperature capable of activating the sealant so as to adhere it to the polymer sheet. The polymer sheet may be flame-brushed after heating and before application of the sheet of sealant. The technique is particularly useful for sheets intended as wrap-around sleeves for use as enclosures, and which thus have closure rails adjacent opposing longitudinal edges thereof.