Abstract: A glue application system (10) for applying glue to books (12) moving from a binder (16) along a predetermined path (14) includes a first roller (30) which rotates in the predetermined path to apply glue to the books. A heater (114) maintains the temperature of the first roller at a predetermined temperature. A second roller (32) rotates in the predetermined path, downstream of the first roller, to apply glue to the books. A second heater (130) maintains the temperature of the second roller at a temperature less than the temperature of the first roller. A glue reservoir (50) disposed below the first and second rollers contains a supply of liquid melted glue (56). A pump (70) pumps liquid melted glue up to the first and second rollers. An electric motor drive assembly (89) is selectively engageable to drive the pump when a binder drive assembly (79) is not driving the pump.

Abstract: In the method described, a compound substantially in the form of a paste is fed by means of a pump from a storage container (1) to a metering device (3) which determines the amount of paste to be applied to a workpiece (B). From the metering device, the paste is fed to a spray head (S) where it is mixed with compressed air from a cylinder (4) or other suitable supply and sprayed on to the workpiece (B). The amount of compressed air supplied to the paste for spraying purposes is controlled by means of a control unit (6) in such a way that a strip of substantially constant width is applied to the workpiece (B).

Abstract: An external pipe covering apparatus is provided for coating exterior surfaces of uncoated longitudinal, helical and girth weld joints of a pipe to provide protection against corrosion, to minimize the weld projection by filling in any voids on either side of a weld, and to further provide a uniform smooth surface for a later applied tape. The apparatus is moved along a pipe by a crane or similar mechanical device. The apparatus has a carriage to which is attached wheels, a reservoir attached to the upper frame of the carriage for holding liquid resin, a circular member having at least one sensor therein attached to the lower frame of the carriage, a microprocessor attached to the upper frame of the carriage, a circular dispenser for dispensing liquid resin having at least one nozzle and at least one solenoid valve attached to the lower frame of the carriage for dispensing resin from the reservoir, and a pump for delivery of liquid resin to the nozzle.

Abstract: A spray coating apparatus (10) for applying a paint composed of a controlled mixture of two liquid components. A first gear pump (32) is disposed in a spray booth (30) and pumps the first component to an applicator (14). A second gear pump (36) in the spray booth (30) pumps the second component to the applicator (14). A manifold (44) is disposed between the two gear pumps (32, 36) and the applicator (14) for converging the two paint components. A variable speed motor (16, 20) controls the rate of fluid pumped by each of the gear pumps (32, 36). Each motor (16, 20) includes an encoder (27, 29) sending feedback signals to an adjustor module (24) which computes an instantaneous ratio between the volumetric flow rates of the first and second components and compares this instantaneous ratio with a reference ratio, then adjusts the instantaneous speed of each motor (16, 20) thereby adjusting the ratio between the volumetric flow rates of the first and second components with respect to the reference ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus for premetered "patch" coating discrete, incremental surfaces or substrates, such as printed circuit boards, integrated circuits and the like, with a pre-configured layer of a liquid in which a controlled volume per unit area of the liquid is applied to the substrate are disclosed. The liquid is dispensed from an applicator slot that is fluidly coupled to a liquid containing chamber. The volume of the liquid in the liquid containing chamber is varied in order to (1) sharply and distinctly start the coating "patch" by producing a pulse of liquid that flows out of the applicator slot to form a connecting bead of liquid coating on the coating surface and (2) sharply and distinctly terminate the coating "patch" by removing the bead of liquid connecting the applicator slot with the coated surface. The width of the coated "patch" is determined by the length of the applicator slot.

Abstract: A system for applying a coating of wax and fungicide to the surface of fruit applies the coating in two stages. The first stage sprays onto the fruit a mixture of both wax and fungicide, while a second stage sprays onto the fruit wax alone. The fungicide is thereby concentrated immediately adjacent the fruit, where it is most effective in controlling fruit decay, and the wax is at its full concentration at the outside of the coating, where it can provide an optimum surface shine.

Abstract: Silicone application apparatus and method for applying a controlled amount of silicone emulsion to the surface of a moving web such as a continuous web in a printing press. The applicator comprises a silicone supply tank, a silicone emulsion applicator tray, a pump for pumping silicone emulsion from the supply tank to the applicator tray, and applicator rollers in contact with the silicone emulsion in the tray and the moving web to apply the silicone emulsion to the moving web. The application tray includes an operating level drain to maintain an operating level of silicone emulsion in the tray, a overflow drain at a higher level which prevents overflow of the application tray in the event that the operating level drain is clogged.

Abstract: A coating system is provided with a controller which transforms a demand signal responsive to the speed, relative to the dispensing apparatus, of an object to be coated, into a control signal which adjusts for the non-linear output characteristics of the flow of coating powder through the dispensing apparatus to cause the material to be dispensed with a uniformity that is corrected for the non-linear relationship between those output characteristics and the speed of the object. In the preferred embodiment, the system corrects for the non-linear characteristics of different powder pumps in dispensing different powder coating materials upon objects carried by variable speed conveyors. A plurality of stair-step tables are stored in the memory of the controller. Each table represents a different selectable powder pump to provide a desired powder pump output characteristic.

Abstract: A system for administering fish attractant to a lure at the tip of a fishing pole held by a fisherman through a nozzle outlet remote from the fisherman. The system includes a reservoir containing the fish attractant and a pump responsive to a switch controlled by the fisherman for transferring the fish attractant from the reservoir to the outlet. In a preferred embodiment the switch is a proximity switch responsive to movement of the fishing lure in front of the nozzle and the system includes a timing circuit for automatically returning the switch to its initial condition stopping the pump.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dispensing fluid material whereby the fluid is discharged from a nozzle onto a workpiece. Delivery of fluid to the nozzle is controlled by a metering valve located in close proximity to the nozzle. The flow of dispensed fluid is sensed by a pressure transducer disposed to sense the pressure drop across the nozzle. The pressure transducer generates a feedback signal which can be applied by way of a closed loop control system to an electropneumatic servovalve which operates a double-acting air cylinder the pressure drop across the nozzle thereby controlling the flow of dispensed fluid in accordance with a driving signal. Where the dispenser is carried by a robot, the driving signal can be correlated to the relative speed between the workpiece and the nozzle to accurately control the amount of fluid per unit length contained in a bead deposited on the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A computer controlled concrete injector pump and process for lining pipe comprises a pump chamber having an outlet connected to a spray lance through a first check valve and having first and second inlets, one inlet being connected through a second check valve to a hopper, and the second inlet being connected to an injector tube having a piston moveable therein by a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is controlled by a programmable logic controller in a control system which has provisions for operator input of lining process parameters. The volume and flow rate of material from the pump may be controlled accurately by controlling the movement of the piston within the injector tube. The valve housing of the second check valve between the chamber and the hopper is split into two portions which are connected by a quick-disconnect coupling. The valve housing may be separated for access to its interior for maintenance and cleaning.

Abstract: A separator manufacturing apparatus comprises a transfer roller with a plurality of annular shaping grooves having a predetermined shape in cross section which are formed in the outer circumferential surface of the roller in its circumferential direction, a resin feeding device with a nozzle means to feed a hot-melt type resin having highly adhesive properties to the annular shaping grooves of the transfer roller, a base paper feeding device to feed a continuous paper at a predetermined speed to a part of the outer circumferential surface of the transfer roller at the same time of feeding the resin to thereby form by transfer a plurality of ribs having a predetermined shape corresponding to the annular shaping groove on a surface of the continuous paper, and a parting agent coating device for applying before the feeding of the resin a thin layer of parting agent to at least portion of the annular shaping grooves on the transfer roller.

Abstract: Apparatus to apply brazing flux to a joint between two vertically oriented parts. A reservoir containing liquid brazing flux is in liquid flow communication with a pump capable of metering a fixed amount of flux when actuated. A nozzle in liquid flow communication with the pump has a housing with an outer casing and an inner casing spaced from the outer casing to form a passageway. The inner casing is open at one end to receive the parts to be joined and has two spaced apart opposing side walls with ports in each side wall in liquid flow communication with passageway. The nozzle and parts are moved relative to each other to position the joint between the two parts adjacent the ports in the side walls of the inner casing. Actuation of the pump will deliver the fixed amount of liquid brazing flux to the joint.

Abstract: A supply line for supplying a sealant from a sealant supply source to a sealing robot has pressure sensors and is coupled to relief valves through branch lines. If the pressure in the supply line excessively rises or drops, then the relief valves are opened to release the pressure from the supply line and the supply pump is inactivated. The pipes, devices, and pump on the supply line are therefore protected from damage. The sealing robot has an sealant applicator gun movable with respect to an article to which the sealant is to be applied by the sealing robot. A pump driving device is controlled to vary the rate at which the sealant is discharged from the pump as a function of the speed of relative movement of the sealant applicator gun with respect to the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a fluid such as an insecticide to grain or similar material that is carried by a conveyor. A flap device which is formed from a sheet of resilient flexible material is pivotably mounted at one of its ends to a supporting structure which is located above the conveyor, and the flap device is positioned to contact and ride over the material that is carried by the conveyor. A distributor extends across the width of the flap device and includes a series of distribution channels which open to a lower surface of the flap device. The fluid is delivered to the distributor and is directed into the material which, in being carried by the conveyor, is contacted by the flap device. A sensing device is incorporated in the apparatus for detecting the degree of pivotal movement of the flap device as it rides over the material on the conveyor and, thus, for providing a measure of the quantity of material on the conveyor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying a flow of insulating material such as silicone to predetermined locations on printed circuit boards to avoid damaging the components on the circuit boards, such as solenoids and buzzers, whose functions will be impaired by the application of such material thereto. The apparatus is comprised of a pump which delivers a flow of insulating material to a manifold, the manifold having a plurality of lengths of flexible tubing attached thereto which serve as nozzles for dispensing the flow of insulating material. A printed circuit board is mounted on a conveyor and the conveyor is advanced until the printed circuit board is under the manifold, at which time the manifold is lowered to place the nozzles in close proximity to the printed circuit board so that the flow of insulating material will be directed to predetermined locations on the printed circuit board. The flexible nozzles are selectively positioned to direct the flow to those predetermined locations.

Abstract: A system for dispensing multiple discrete streams of a high viscosity liquid material, and particularly, systems such as those for applying sealants to the seams of an automobile body on a production line. The system is provided with a multi-speed pump for supplying the viscous liquid from a reservoir at high pressure to a distribution manifold from which it is distributed at regulated rates to a plurality of extrusion guns through drop lines from the manifold. A motor speed control which is settable to a number of predetermined motor operating speeds which selects the speed of the multi-speed pump in response to the combination of guns which is activated, so that the dispensing rate can remain the same regardless of which other guns are activated. Regulators which include volumetric metering pumps are included in the drop lines at each of the guns, with controls coordinated with the motor speed control.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting chemical vapor deposition reduced pressure, comprising: means for feeding reactive gases; a reaction vessel for depositing a film layer from the reactive gases by application of thermal energy, light energy or electric energy singly or in combination; an exhaust means for exhausting unnecessary reactive gases and unnecessary reaction products from the reaction vessel and for vacuumizing or reducing pressure of the reaction vessel, including a turbo molecular pump and a pressure control valve interposed between the reaction vessel and a roughing rotary pump; and a method of chemical vapor deposition using such apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing repetitive cycles of panel coating operations using a programmable manipulator including a manipulator arm movable along a plurality of axes. The apparatus comprises a hand unit carried on the manipulator arm. The hand unit is movable so as to bring the brush held by it into resilient contact with an area of the panel to be coated. A coating material is injected into the brush at a predetermined rate while the brush is held in resilient sliding contact with the panel and while the manipulator arm moves about the panel to coat a preselected area of the panel. After the preselected area of the panel has been coated, the manipulator arm is moved to move the brush out of contact with the panel. Between coating cycles, the manipulator arm moves the brush into a storage chamber where it is treated to prevent the coating material from caking on the coating brush.

Abstract: A method of an apparatus for insuring application of a preselected amount of processing fluid to photographic film material are disclosed. A weight sensing device weighs a container of the fluid and permits pumping of the fluid if there is an adequate amount of fluid contained in the container. A magnetic sensing arrangement also effects reversal of the pumping after a preselected length of material has had fluid applied thereto. At the completion of fluid application, the fluid is evacuated from the nozzle.

Abstract: In a thermo-cementing and folding machine, a gear pump operates to supply adhesive at a rate which is dependent upon the speed of rotation of a main drive shaft, by which workpiece feeding means of the machine is driven. The machine has also a facility for varying the rate of feed of a workpiece by the workpiece feeding means without varying the speed of rotation of the main drive shaft. The ratio of the rotational speed of the shaft to the operating rate of the pump is varied in response to variation of the workpiece feed rate. This arrangement is achieved by computer control, the gear pump being driven by a stepping motor for this purpose. In addition, at the end of each work cycle, use of a stepping motor facilitates "suck back" of adhesive, and a "fast forward" adhesive upon initiation of the next work cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the continuous dispensing and blending of a fluid material with a particulate material in predetermined quantities. A master control is provided for synchronizing the startup and interruption of the systems for furnishing the particulate material and the fluid material and for operation of the blending apparatus, thereby facilitating the continuous operation thereof. The system is particularly adapted for use in the coating of wood furnish with binder adhesive prior to the pressing and heating of the wood furnish to form particle boards and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a multi-component liquid adhesive. A liquid resin reservoir and a liquid hardener reservoir are connected by separate conduit means to resin and hardener mix chamber which is positioned adjacent to a dispenser so that the adhesive can be spread at substantially the same time as it is mixed. Separate resin and hardener pumps are each driven by their own variable output capacity power sources and means are provided for sensing the instantaneous speed of these pumps. These sensors are connected to separate control means for the power sources so that the power output to both of the pumps will be proportional to their respective instantaneous speeds. This apparatus compensates for temperature induced changes in viscosity of the resin or hardener so as to allow mixing proportions to remain constant.

Abstract: Method and apparatus which allows the component leads of pre-taped electronic components to be solder tinned to preserve the solderability and shelf life of such component leads. Pre-taped electronic components and the like are prepackaged in a reel and positioned in the apparatus such that the reel is free to rotate. Both leads of each component are secured to corresponding adjacent component leads by tape. The electronic components are moved through a plurality of processing stages such that one lead of each component is solder tinned, one of the processing stages removing the tape from the leads to enable the soldering thereof. After soldering of the leads, tape is applied thereto. The process is then repeated for the other leads of each component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controllably applying a liquid substance to the surfaces of a plurality of discrete fruit moving along a path at a selected rate of speed and in accordance with the quantity of fruit on said path, the application of liquid substance to the fruit being by more than one nozzle movable transversely over the path at a selected rate of speed. The apparatus includes sensors for determining the speed of advancement of the fruit, that is the speed of the conveyor, a plurality of fingers engageable by the fruit to determine, by absence of engagement of fruit, the quantity of fruit moving along the path, and a control system for regulating the amount of liquid discharged from the nozzles and to correlate the amount of liquid discharged to the speed of advancement of the fruit and the quantity of fruit being advanced. In the method, an optimum effective volume of liquid substance is applied at selected pressures to the sensed quantity of fruit on the path.

Abstract: A controller for uniformly dispensing fluid onto a substrate in response to movement between the dispensing unit and the substrate has a sensor which senses the rate of relative movement and supplies a signal reflective of the movement to an operation device which in turn generates and supplies a control signal to a regulator. The regulator is positioned in the fluid dispensing system and regulates the flow rate of the fluid to the dispensing unit so that the substrate receives a substantially uniform fluid coating per unit length. The operation device receives the signal from the sensing means and computes the rate of relative movement.

Abstract: An adhesive coating machine in which a gear pump for pressure-feeding an adhesive is mechanically driven upon passage of an object matter to be coated with adhesive and ejects the adhesive on the object, and in which after the passage of the object the gear pump is reversely rotate so that the adhesive is prevented from flowing out. A drive wheel is positioned inside the passage of the object and rotated by the object matter to be coated during the passage thereof, thereby driving the gear pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating the threads of articles such as fasteners, pipes, plugs, valves, fittings, etc., includes an indexing table for intermittently moving the articles along an arcuate path, rotatable article spindle assemblies on the table radially spaced apart an equal distance and being stopped at a dispensing station and at a wiping station spaced therefrom equal to such distance. A dispensing head at the dispensing station includes a nozzle for delivering a coating of the sealant onto the threads of a rotating articles, and a wiper wheel at the wiping station wipes the coated threads and presses the coated sealant into the thread roots during rotation of the wheel which likewise rotates the coated articles.

Abstract: A controller for maintaining a constant thickness of a layer applied to work pieces fed through a liquified curtain, the curtain itself being provided through a positive displacement pump which is driven by a motor having means for varying its speed from a remote locate. The work pieces are fed by an infeed conveyor, which is also driven by a motor of the variable speed type, and magnetic pickups or sensors are provided to produce two discrete trains of pulses indicative of the speed of the infeed conveyor, and of the positive displacement pump respectively. A digital readout ratio calculating unit is provided to produce a display indicative of the ratio of these pulse train frequencies, and the unit can be preset to provide an input to low and high limit preset counters.