Abstract: A rotary dispenser that provides for airlessly applying a fluidic coating material to a target surface. The rotary dispenser of the present invention includes an angled fluidic passage therein, a fluid control body and a motor driven shaft to which the rotary dispenser is operationally attached. The rotary dispenser, with its angled fluid passage, provides a flow conduit which produces a series of overlapping circular spray patterns. The resulting spray patterns can be controlled to provide a narrow line spray pattern with clearly defined edges. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a spray pattern for coating the interior surface of hollow objects. A method of using the rotary dispenser in various coating applications is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microdeposition system (20) and method deposits precise amounts of fluid material onto a substrate. A microdeposition head (50) includes a plurality of spaced nozzles. A positioning device controls a position of the microdeposition head relative to the substrate. A controller (22) includes a positioning module that communicates with the positioning device and that generates position control signals for the positioning device. A nozzle firing module communicates with the microdeposition head (50) and selectively generates nozzle firing commands to define features of at least one layer of an electrical device, such as resistors, traces and capacitors on a printed circuit board, polymer light emitting diodes, and light panels.

Abstract: A patterned coating on a prosthesis, for example a stent, and a method for forming the coating are disclosed. Additionally, an apparatus for forming the patterned coating is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously coating and measuring a part. The apparatus includes a part support, a sprayer and a part measurer positioned adjacent to the part support and a display device positioned adjacent to the part support. The sprayer applies a coating to a section of the part while the part measurer continuously measures a dimension of the section of the part being coated. In one embodiment, an initial amount of coating and a final amount of coating are applied to the section of the part based on the dimension measurements and desired dimension of the part. In another embodiment, the amount of coating applied to the part is based on the desired coating thickness. As a result, the apparatus and method of the present invention significantly reduces the margin of error related to the application of coatings to parts.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing liquid coating patterns of varying width. The system uses a film coater, a liquid supply coupled in fluid communication with the film coater and configured to supply liquid to the film coater under pressure, and a liquid pressure regulator operatively connected to the coater. The liquid pressure regulator selectively adjusts the pressure of the liquid supplied to the film coater and is operated by pressurized air. A selector valve is coupled to the liquid pressure regulator. First and second air pressure regulators are coupled to the selector valve and can selectively deliver air at first and second pressures to the selector valve. The selector valve is moved between first and second positions for selectively delivering air under either the first pressure or the second pressure to the liquid pressure regulator to thereby cause the liquid to be delivered to the film coater at different pressures to change the width of the dispensed pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously coating and measuring a part. The apparatus includes a part support, a sprayer and a part measurer positioned adjacent to the part support and a display device positioned adjacent to the part support. The sprayer applies a coating to a section of the part while the part measurer continuously measures a dimension of the section of the part being coated. In one embodiment, an initial amount of coating and a final amount of coating are applied to the section of the part based on the dimension measurements and desired dimension of the part. In another embodiment, the amount of coating applied to the part is based on the desired coating thickness. As a result, the apparatus and method of the present invention significantly reduces the margin of error related to the application of coatings to parts.

Abstract: When a coating film is formed on a substrate, the inplane uniformity of the thickness of the coating film is enhanced to improve through put. Above the substrate, there are provided main and auxiliary nozzles separately movable, and monitoring means for monitoring the state of the surface of the substrate to detect the occurrence of an uncoated region on the surface of the substrate. On the basis of previously prepared coating data, a coating liquid is spirally applied on the substrate by the main nozzle. Then, if the monitoring means detects the occurrence of the uncoated region in a coated region in which the coating liquid has been applied by the main nozzle, a control part detects whether it is required to supply the coating liquid to the uncoated region. If it is required, the coating liquid is supplied to the uncoated region by the auxiliary nozzle. On the other hand, the portion of occurrence of the uncoated region has been grasped by the control part.

Abstract: A dispenser for a liquid crystal display panel includes a syringe having a nozzle provided at an end thereof, a body in which the syringe is mounted, a vertical driving stepping motor for moving the body in a vertical direction, a first sensor for detecting whether the nozzle of the syringe is in contact with a substrate, a second sensor for detecting a gap distance between the nozzle and the substrate, and a main unit for controlling the vertical driving stepping motor in response to an output from the second sensor to obtain a desired gap distance between the nozzle and the substrate.

Abstract: A dispenser for a liquid crystal display panel includes a substrate on which at least one image display is formed, a table on which the substrate having at least one image display part is loaded, and at least one syringe horizontally movable to change position in relation to the table for supplying a sealant on the substrate to form a seal pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a dispenser includes: a table that can move horizontally in forward/backward and left/right directions for receiving a substrate of at least one liquid crystal display panel; first and second dummy aligning plates on the table with a certain space therebetween; a syringe for supplying a sealant onto the first and second dummy aligning plates to form first and second alignment patterns; a first image camera for detecting an image of the first alignment pattern; a second image camera for detecting an image of the second alignment pattern; and an alignment controller for aligning the image of the first image camera with a first reference position and the image of the second image camera with a second reference position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for applying a coating on an end of an optical fiber by dipping said end into a unsolidified coating liquid. In a first sequence, the fiber end is moved towards the surface (18) of the liquid by a gripping means (11). The distance between the end face (26) of the fiber and the surface of the liquid is measured continuously by measuring means including a vision camera (23). The measured actual distance value is compared with a preset distance value and the first moving sequence is ended when the actual distance value is equal to the preset value. In a second sequence, the fiber end is dipped a predetermined depth in the liquid.

Abstract: An automated dispensing system and method for dispensing a viscous liquid material along an imperfect dispensing path. In a first scan, a scanning apparatus determines a dispensing path. A dispensing apparatus dispenses the viscous liquid material along the dispensing path. In a second scan, the scanning apparatus measures a dimension of the dispensed material. Object not meeting an acceptable liquid height are rejected.

Abstract: A paste applicator and paste application method for die bonding apply paste to adhere a semiconductor chip on a substrate. Data on paste application volume and application pattern which can be identified from paste thickness and chip size are stored. A dispensing flow rate calculator calculates dispensing flow rate of a dispenser based on the paste application volume data and application pattern data when the paste is dispensed from the dispenser and pressure fed to an application nozzle for applying paste. Based on this calculated dispensing flow rate and application pattern data, a dispenser controller controls the dispenser and a transfer table controller controls the transfer table for moving the application nozzle.

Abstract: A programmable electronic fluid dispenser with computer controlled direct drives of a motor, connecting rod, and attached piston in a yringe is used to dispense accurate quantities of liquids with varying viscosities. The pistons are driven to dispense an amount and then the piston is reversed, overcoming any mechanical backlash, to prevent any leakage or oozing from the dispenser tip. A computer controls several dispensers cwith their outputs co-mingled. The desired proportions controlled by the computer driving the pistons.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously coating and measuring a part. The apparatus includes a part support, a sprayer and a part measurer positioned adjacent to the part support and a display device positioned adjacent to the part support. The sprayer applies a coating to a section of the part while the part measurer continuously measures a dimension of the section of the part being coated. In one embodiment, an initial amount of coating and a final amount of coating are applied to the section of the part based on the dimension measurements and desired dimension of the part. In another embodiment, the amount of coating applied to the part is based on the desired coating thickness. As a result, the apparatus and method of the present invention significantly reduces the margin of error related to the application of coatings to parts.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed of.

Abstract: The coating material is supplied to a coating die provided with a manifold chamber, a draw-in chamber provided with a diaphragm, a supply passage and a discharge opening. The coating material is stored temporarily in the manifold chamber, is supplied through the supply passage to the discharge opening, and is discharged through the discharge opening onto the surface of the base sheet. The discharge of the coating material through the discharge opening is interrupted by deforming the diaphragm so as to form a draw-in chamber. The ball nut is driven by the servomotor so as to move the ball screw axially away from the supply passage to deform the flexible diaphragm so that the coating material is drawn into the draw-in chamber to interrupt discharging the coating material through the discharge opening. Thus, the coating material is applied intermittently to the substrate.

Abstract: When a resist film is formed by discharging a resist solution onto the front face of a wafer housed in a cup, a relation between the film thickness of a resist film and the line width of a circuit pattern when the resist film is exposed into a predetermined pattern and thereafter developed is obtained in advance, from that relation, a line width with less variations corresponding to the changes in film thickness of the resist film is selected from among line widths within a designated region to form a resist film to have the film thickness corresponding to the selected line width. Accordingly, the line width of the circuit pattern after development is not likely to vary regardless of the changes in film thickness of the resist film formed on the wafer.

Abstract: A patterned coating on a prosthesis, for example a stent, and a method for forming the coating are disclosed. Additionally, an apparatus for forming the patterned coating is disclosed.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a bonding paste applicator and a method of applying a bonding paste which allow satisfactory paste applying quality and excellent operability to be realized. A bonding paste application method for applying a bonding paste by making a drawing with a paste applying nozzle made to move to a position, where a chip is mounted on a substrate, comprises the steps of storing in advance in a storing unit 46 a drawing pattern for controlling each of X, Y and Z axes to move a paste applying nozzle and a drawing pattern setting table 53 to show a category corresponding to the size of a chip to be bonded, selecting a drawing pattern corresponding to the size of the chip, which has been designated, by means of a drawing pattern selecting unit 54 and obtaining a speed pattern for each of the X, Y and Z axes based on the selected drawing pattern by means of a speed pattern computing unit 55.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for coating a concavity of a building board. The apparatus includes a conveyor for transferring the building board and one or more coating nozzles for paint jetting a coating to the concavity formed in a surface of the building board. Each of the one or more coating nozzles is a jetting nozzle including a center jetting orifice, which is for jetting paint as a regulated jet in the form of a paint membrane, and one or more air-jet orifices, which are for jetting air along one or both of right and left edges of said paint membrane. The coating nozzles are controlled based on information of a cross-sectional geometry in crosswise direction of the concavity.

Abstract: A vacuum treatment system in which a part (9) is provided inside a vacuum treatment chamber (1). A potential (&phgr;9) which deviates from the system reference potential (&phgr;0) by approximately at least ±12 V is applied to said part. A sensor and/or an actuator (11) is/are arranged on said part. In addition, the invention comprises an electronic unit (13) which is connected to the sensor and/or actuator. Processing signals on the unit (13) is considerably simplified in that the electronic unit (13) is operated as a reference potential on the potential (&phgr;9) of said part (9).

Abstract: A process and system for use during the growth of a thin film upon the surface of a substrate by exposing the substrate surface ti vaporized material in a high vacuum (HV) facility involves the directing of an electron beam generally toward the surface of the substrate as the substrate is exposed to vaporized material so that electrons are diffracted from the substrate surface by the beam and the monitoring of the pattern of electrons diffracted from the substrate surfaces as vaporized material settles upon the substrate surface. When the monitored pattern achieves a condition indicative of the desired condition of the thin film being grown upon the substrate, the exposure of the substrate to the vaporized materials is shut off of otherwise adjusted. To facilitate the adjustment of the crystallographic orientation of the film relative to the electron beam, the system includes a mechanism for altering the orientation of the surface of the substrate relative to the electron beam.

Abstract: A method for reducing retooling costs, particularly relative to painting processes for vehicles. The method includes dividing the order into groups based on color, painting them in color order, and then sequencing them into the original build order. If a paint defect occurs on a vehicle, then it is removed from the optimized product order sequence and repaired. Upon completion of the repair, the repaired vehicle is reinserted back into the optimized product sequence to be repainted. Between each different color, a paint purging process occurs.

Abstract: An official postal product, and a method and apparatus for making the official postal product. The official postal product includes a first image area having an official postal indicia a second image area having a personal image. A protective coating is placed over the second image area such that official cancellation mark placed over the second area will not permanently adhere to the personal image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a method for applying a medium in the form of liquid, powder or paste to a substrate, having a container for the medium and a transport device which takes the medium from the container and discretely distributes it. In a propelling device the medium is selectively transferred from the transport device to the substrate with a propellant which is separate from the medium, or in the propelling device the medium is selectively removed from the transport device, and the remaining medium is transferred from the transport device to the substrate.

Abstract: An upper die unit (37) and a lower die unit (39) are disposed in opposition, with a gap, to a substrate (31) being conveyed, and provided with coating agent supply flow paths (97, 99) which have inlet paths (103, 105) for a coating agent to flow in and delivery ports (101, 102) for delivering the coating agent to coat the substrate (31) therewith. An accumulation piece (119, 121) installed in a flow path part (97b, 99b) of each die unit (37, 39) moves in the direction in which it goes away from the flow path part (97b, 99b), drawing in the coating agent, dwelling the delivery of the coating agent from the delivery port (101, 102), forming a non-coated part (F), and repeats a reciprocating action, repeating a coating and non-coating. An elastic plate (355) on a way of the coating agent supply flow path (339) is displaced in accordance with advance/retreat actions of a piston member (363) caused by a rotation of a cam (387).

Abstract: A load port of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a plurality of kinematic coupling pins and a plurality of sensors integrated with the pins. The contacts of the sensors have upper portions that protrude from the pins. Thus, when a cassette is place on the load port, the sensors can reliably sense whether the cassette is resting properly and/or can determine whether the cassette contains wafers. Once such determinations are made in the positive, a command signal is issued that serves to load the wafers into a chamber of the manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: A coating method has running step of running a nozzle and/or a base material, change step of changing discharge-port slit widths of said nozzle, and coating step of discharging a coating solution from said slit and coating said base material with said coating solution; wherein said running step, change step, and coating step are executed by combining them.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a circumferential deposition thickness distribution on a substrate includes a motor that rotates the substrate and a position sensor that senses a position of the substrate. At least one deposition thickness sensor senses the deposition thickness of the substrate at multiple positions on a circumference of a circle centered about an axis of rotation of the substrate. At least one controller drives a vapor source used to emit material for a deposition on a substrate. The at least one controller is coupled to the position sensor and the deposition thickness sensor. The controller synchronously varies an emission rate of material from the vapor source with respect to the position of the substrate to control the circumferential deposition thickness distribution.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a deposition thickness distribution on a substrate includes a motor that rotates the substrate and at least one deposition thickness sensor that senses the deposition thickness on the rotating substrate at two or more radii. At least one actuator varies a shadow of a mask that is disposed over the rotating substrate, wherein the shadow has a surface area that is less than an unmasked surface area of the rotating substrate. A vapor source deposits material on the rotating substrate. A process controller is coupled to the thickness deposition sensor and the at least one actuator. In response to an output of the deposition thickness sensor, the process controller varies the shadow of the mask along a radius of the substrate to control the deposition thickness distribution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for accurately controlling the quantity of material dispensed from dispensing systems. In one aspect of the present invention, a dispensing system includes a calibration system, which collects and measures an amount of material dispensed during a calibration routine. The calibration dispensing pattern and the amount of material dispensed from the dispensing system during the calibration routine are representative of an actual dispensing pattern. The measured amount of material collected during the calibration routine is compared with a target quantity. The dispensing system is adjusted if the difference between the quantity of collected material and the target quantity is greater that a predetermined tolerance.

Abstract: Since a widely applicable high quality plasma display equipped with a phosphor layer suitable as a highly precise plasma display can be produced continuously at a high productivity level, an industrially advantageous method and apparatus for producing a plasma display can be provided. The highly precise plasma display obtained in the present invention can be widely used in the display field, for example, for wall mounted television sets, information displays, etc.

Abstract: A process for depositing polycrystalline silicon on substrates, including foreign substrates, occurs in a chamber at about atmospheric pressure, wherein a temperature gradient is formed, and both the atmospheric pressure and the temperature gradient are maintained throughout the process. Formation of a vapor barrier within the chamber that precludes exit of the constituent chemicals, which include silicon, iodine, silicon diiodide, and silicon tetraiodide. The deposition occurs beneath the vapor barrier. One embodiment of the process also includes the use of a blanketing gas that precludes the entrance of oxygen or other impurities. The process is capable of repetition without the need to reset the deposition zone conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a small volume of a selected liquid, such as a biological sample or reagent, onto a substrate. The device includes a tube adapted to contain the liquid. An elongate fiber is disposed within the tube for axial movement therein between raised and lowered positions. Upon shifting or oscillating the fiber between its raised and lowered positions, a liquid spot can be formed at a selected position on the substrate. The device is readily adaptable for the production of micro-arrays having a great number of individual spots.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a multiple head dispensing system having independently controlled dispensing heads. Each of the dispensing heads may be independently controlled to provide simultaneous, asynchronous operation and to allow dispensing of different materials onto substrates. Independent control of the dispensing heads is accomplished under the control of a controller in conjunction with a plurality of gantry systems, each of which positions one of the multiple dispensing heads over a substrate that is to receive dispensing material. In some embodiments, each gantry system utilizes two drive mechanisms, arranged in parallel, that provide movement of the dispensing head over an x-y plane. Multiple conveyor systems are utilized that allow parallel processing of work products in the dispensing system.

Abstract: A dispensing system and method for dispensing material onto a substrate. The dispensing system includes a frame, a support, coupled to the frame, that supports the substrate at a dispensing position in the dispensing system, and a dispensing head, coupled to the frame, that dispenses the material onto the substrate. The dispensing head includes a motor unit having a first motor coupled to an output drive mechanism, and a dispensing unit, removably coupled to the motor unit, having a material outlet from which the dispensing material is dispensed, the dispensing unit having a dispensing mechanism coupled to the material outlet and coupled to the output drive mechanism of the motor unit such that operation of the first motor causes the dispensing mechanism to dispense material through the outlet.

Abstract: A photo-fiber link glue control system (10) for accurately placing a pattern of glue on a sequential series of targets traveling with a conveyor (54) through the system (10). The system (10) includes an air reservoir (18) and a glue tank (24) for storing glue to be applied to the series of targets. A glue head (32) is connected to receive glue from the glue tank (24) for application to the series of targets. The lead and trailing edge of the target is detected by photo-eye sensors (44, 46) which generate a target position signal indicative of the sensed position. The pressure within the air reservoir (18) and glue tank (24) are monitored and a control device (36) stores a pattern in which the glue is to be applied to the target.

Abstract: A coating apparatus which comprises a feeding means to feed a coating liquid, a coating liquid applicator having a slot extending in one direction to discharge the coating liquid fed by the feeding means, and a conveying means to move at least either the coating liquid applicator or a substrate to be coated with the coating liquid relatively one to the other, comprising: (a) a first control means which comprises (a-1) a position detecting means to detect positions of the coating liquid applicator or the substrate which is moved by the conveying means, and (a-2) a controller capable of stopping the coating liquid applicator or the substrate which is moved by the conveying means at a position detected by the position detecting means such that a start-of-coating line of the substrate is in register with the slot of the coating liquid applicator and capable of starting the movement of the coating liquid applicator or the substrate which is stopped at the position; and (b) a second control means which comprises a

Abstract: An end effector in a transport module includes a body and a web defined by a panel and first and second flanges at opposite panel ends. The first flange is attached to the body. The second flange is displaced from, and transverse to, the panel. Rods extending through the flanges into the body rigidify the web. Springs disposed in holes in the body and extending between the first flange and the body balance the web relative to the body. The second flange and a ledge on the body adjacent the first flange support the substrate opposite ends with the central portion of the substrate displaced from the body and the web. A robotic assembly formed from a plurality of arms is coupled to the body. The arms are pivotable relative to one another and to the body between contracted and expanded relationships. With the arms contracted, the body and the web are rotatable in the transport module between positions facing the cassette module or the process module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying swatches to a continuously traveling web, which is usually preprinted, and which is severed into sheets of a predetermined repeat length. When going from one size of repeat length to another size of repeat length, swatch-applying cylinders are profiled to match the cylinder velocity to the web velocity during a swatch application over a first portion of a revolution of the swatch cylinder and then the rotational velocity is changed substantially during a sync recovery portion of the cylinder's revolution. Preferably, the adhesive, which is applied to the web to adhere the swatches, is by an adhesive cylinder which is similarly provided with a matching velocity portion of a revolution and a sync recovery portion at a different velocity. The cutting operation is preferably by a knife cylinder which is also similarly profiled.

Abstract: A thin-film depositing apparatus of the present invention deposits a sputtered film on a substrate in a sputtering chamber, and removes the substrate having the sputtered film deposited thereon from the sputtering chamber via a load-lock chamber by a robot arm. As a system for controlling the sheet resistance of the sputtered film deposited on the substrate, a measuring device using an eddy current method is mounted in the proximity of a substrate outlet of the load-lock chamber and measures the sheet resistance of the sputtered film of the substrate removed from the substrate outlet. With this structure, it is possible to provide a thin-film depositing apparatus which stably measures the sheet resistance of a thin film deposited on a substrate and performs feedback of the measurement result to control the film deposition conditions so that a thin film to be deposited on a subsequent substrate has a desired thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for applying a protective coating to a lens disc; the procedure comprises the positioning of trays (7) carrying lens discs, on a conveyor belt (9), which comes to a halt opposite a sensor means which detects the lenses; the tray (7) enters a coating chamber (4) provided with a coating diffusor (11); and the tray (7) comes to a halt repeatedly leaving one of the lens carried on the tray (7) opposite the diffusor (11); the pulverised coating material is sprayed onto the lens and then the tray (7) passes on to a drying section (3). The apparatus comprises trays (7) carrying lenses; a means for the transport thereof; a chamber (4), provided with a coating diffusor (11) and a gas extraction means (13); there is also a sensor means (15) and a stopping means for regulating the movement of the tray (7) as far as the drying section (3).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a masking, insulating and/or lubricating barrier coating on a portion of the threads and/or other surfaces of discrete objects such as fasteners utilizing a liquid coating material as provided. The present invention can selectively coat threaded and/or unthreaded surfaces of fasteners having odd shapes, deep threads and extended hubs. The fasteners are subsequently elevated and inverted onto a conveying system that moves them away from the area where the coating material is applied directly into a heat treatment device such as an oven in a continuous on-line process that does not require manual handling of the fasteners.

Abstract: A bead or caulking material is applied to a workpiece, such as a window frame, utilizing a moveable carriage holding a bead dispensing nozzle thereon. The nozzle is mounted on a platform moveable relative to the carriage. The carriage is moved along a predetermined path relative to the workpiece. Bead or caulking material is simultaneously dispensed from the nozzle onto the workpiece. Additionally throughout the movement of the carriage, the nozzle and platform are biased to maintain engagement between a guide surface mounted on the nozzle and a reference surface. The reference surface may be formed as a portion of the workpiece. The platform may include a pair of orthogonally arranged slides with piston cylinder assemblies utilized for biasing each of the respective slides. Sensors may be provided on each of the cylinders for sensing biasing parameters relating to the biasing of the nozzle and the platform with the sensed parameters utilized for controlling the movement of the carriage.

Abstract: The present invention provides semiconductor workpiece position sensors and methods of monitoring the position of a semiconductor workpiece. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of monitoring position of a semiconductor workpiece including providing a process module including a process container having a process fluid therein and a workpiece holder configured to support the semiconductor workpiece, moving the semiconductor workpiece toward the process fluid within the process container, applying a reference signal to the process module, and indicating position of the semiconductor workpiece with respect to the process fluid responsive to the reference signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for forming a coating film for semiconductor processing, including a holder for holding a substrate, a coating solution supply device arranged to face one main surface of the substrate held by the holder and provided with a discharge port for supplying a coating solution onto the one main surface of the substrate, the coating solution forming a band-like stream having a width smaller than that of the substrate, a moving device for moving the coating solution supply device in parallel and relative to the substrate held by the holder to form a coating region and a non-coating region on the one main surface of the substrate, and a clearance retaining device for maintaining constant the distance between the discharge port of the coating solution supply device and the one main surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a multiple head dispensing system having independently controlled dispensing heads. Each of the dispensing heads may be independently controlled to provide simultaneous, asynchronous operation and to allow dispensing of different materials onto substrates. Independent control of the dispensing heads is accomplished under the control of a controller in conjunction with a plurality of gantry systems, each of which positions one of the multiple dispensing heads over a substrate that is to receive dispensing material. In some embodiments, each gantry system utilizes two drive mechanisms, arranged in parallel, that provide movement of the dispensing head over an x-y plane. Multiple conveyor systems are utilized that allow parallel processing of work products in the dispensing system.

Abstract: An automatic means for labeling includes means for scanning a group of objects to determine the coordinates of an object in the group of objects, means for storing data representative of the determined coordinates of the object and means responsive to the data storage means for spraying self adhering materials in separate geometric areas with varying reflective properties to create an identifying pattern on the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for treating a workpiece such as a shoe component. The workpiece treating apparatus preferably includes a transporter for transporting a workpiece along a predetermined path of travel and a storage device for storing a plurality of predetermined parameters of each of a plurality of workpieces. A workpiece identifier is positioned responsive to the storage device for identifying the workpiece during travel along the predetermined path. A workpiece treatment applicator is positioned adjacent the transporter and responsive to the workpiece identifier for applying a treatment a workpiece being transported along the predetermined path of travel. A workpiece treatment position determiner preferably is positioned responsive to the workpiece identifier for continuously determining the position of the workpiece treatment applicator along a predetermined trajectory during treatment of the workpiece.