Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a dust inhibitor consisting of a 50% oil, 50% water emulsion in a ratio of 0.5% by weight to milled fiberglass blowing wool is disclosed. The apparatus senses the weight of fiberglass being milled and selectively and automatically sprays the emulsion on the fiberglass as it is being transported through the production system.

Abstract: An improvement in apparatus for applying a coating to a surface of a moving workpiece including a coating dispenser having at least one coating outlet for dispensing a stream of coating. A dispenser control unit is operatively coupled with the dispenser for normally initiating and terminating the dispensing of the stream of coating as predetermined parts of the workpiece surface come into alignment with the coating outlet in response to the speed and position of the workpiece surface. The invention provides a minimum coating control coacting with the dispenser control unit for depositing a coating of a selectable minimum length to at least one portion of the workpiece surface, said selectable minimum length being substantially less than that achievable by said dispenser control unit alone.

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: A control circuit for a solenoid driver for a dispenser having inherent pull-in and drop-out delays. The circuit includes a tachometer that generates pulses representative of the speed of a conveyor that conveys a substrate upon which the dispenser dispenses fluid. A sensor generates a trigger signal indicating that the substrate is at a preselected location. Delay counter circuitry, enabled through the trigger signal, generates an enabling signal after receiving a preselected number of pulses. Duration counter circuitry, enabled by the enabling signal, generates an initial driving signal of a preselected signal duration. Compensator circuitry receives the initial driving signal and modifies it so as to compensate for the pull-in and drop-out delays so that fluid is deposited for the dispensing duration upon the substrate commencing at the preselected position.

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: Articles such as fruit on a conveyor are spray coated with liquid wax from a transverse row of sequentially pulsed spray nozzles controlled by microcomputer signals to solenoid nozzle valves. The computer is programmed to receive inputs from operator controlled panel switches which can be set to select the number of nozzles in the row; an excursion time during which all nozzles in a row spray and a pulse time during which one nozzle sprays. The computer limits the nozzle pulse time to dwell time equal to the quotient of the number of nozzles and the pulse time. The nozzles are automatically cleaned out by compressed air if the supply of fruit to the conveyor is interrupted for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A seed coating machine comprising an upper mixing drum wherein a liquid adhesive coating is applied to seed and where the rate of application is regulated by a valve controlled by the seed feeder. Coated seed is dried to a state of tackiness and passed to a second, lower mixing drum. A variety of powders are applied onto the tacky seed after being mixed and sifted in a screen distributor. The resulting coated seed has an outer powder layer which adheres to the inner adhesive coating.

Abstract: Apparatus for spraying at least one finishing substance onto a material (such as leather) passing a plurality of spray booths having sprayer devices associated therewith. Various inputs relating to (a) sprayer device position, (b) the location and area of material on a moving conveyor carrying the material, (c) conveyor movement, and (d) other related inputs are directed to a single computer unit which communicates command signals which effect the closing of selected normally open valves corresponding to respective sprayer devices. The apparatus provides for limited overspray, accounts for delay following a computer command signal due to valve response time, and include various corrections related to embodiments having sprayer devices which move in nonrectilinear paths. A rotary transformer coupling for improving communication between the computer unit and the valves is provided in rotating sprayer arrangements which have a plurality of sprayer devices, each of which follows a circular path.

Abstract: An adhesive applicator has a nozzle through which adhesive can be dispensed to sheets of a set as the sheets are driven seriatim past the nozzle. Adhesive is furnished in a cartridge which is pressurized so that the adhesive is delivered from the cartridge to the nozzle under pressure. A valve controls the flow of adhesive from the nozzle, and the valve is under control of a logic and control unit. The logic and control unit receives signals from various sensors or detectors indicating, inter alia, the presence of an adhesive cartridge, the level of adhesive in the cartridge, the flow of adhesive from the nozzle, and the amount of adhesive in a collection bottle which receives surplus adhesive dispensed from the nozzle but not applied onto a sheet. The logic and control unit is capable of operating the valve that controls flow of adhesive from the nozzle so that adhesive is selectively dispensed from the nozzle to all but one sheet of a set of sheets.

Abstract: A control for regulating the application of glue to a defined area of a moving paper board box blank includes a sensor for detecting the presence of the leading and trailing edges of a moving defined glue application area; a glue applicator spaced a fixed distance from the sensor; a pulse generator providing pulses indicative of movement of the application area; and counting means which are connected to the sensor, glue applicator and pulse generator. The sensor initiates a counting action at detection of the leading edge of a glue application area. The counting means initiates glue application after a predetermined number of counted pulses representative of the fixed distance between the sensor and glue applicator. The sensor initiates a second counting action at detection of the trailing edge of a glue application area and the counting means stops glue application after the same predetermined number of pulses representative of the sensor glue applicator fixed distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapid, efficient and safe de-icing and cleaning of primarily aircrafts. A de-icing and cleaning system, includes one or more devices for spraying the object in question, preferably aircrafts, with a liquid or gas or irradiating the object, and includes a mechanism for sensing the position of the object relative the devices, and is disposed for controlling the devices to automatically start and stop the spraying and irradiation in response to the position of the aircraft relative the devices.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the automatic coating of articles. The apparatus has a spray device controlled by a programmed control device. A transport device transports the articles along a predetermined path to a coating position and then away therefrom after coating. A sensor monitors the position of the article and generates signals representative thereof, preferably generating one signal each time the article moves a predetermined distance (e.g. 2 cm.) along the path. A second sensor generates additional signals to the control device when an article passes a predetermined point, also indicating which of several types of articles has been detected. The control device controls the spraying process responsive to these signals. If desired, portions of the article that are moved sequentially into the coating position can be sprayed in different manners, e.g. with the spray devices positioned or oriented differently, or using different coating materials, etc. The control device is preferably reprogrammable.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveyor for powdered to granular bulk material, having adjustable conveyance capacity, is disclosed, the capacity being adjusted by electromagnetic adjustment of a pressure regulator disposed in a conduit used to supply a propellant for drawing the bulk material from a storage container thereof and for conveying it. A supplemental supply of gas, which may be but need not be different from the propellant gas, may be provided to control the flow of propellant gas independently of the first pressure regulator. In this case, the flow of the supplemental gas may itself be controlled by a second pressure regulator. The pressure regulators operate according to the diffuser or Venturi principle. The device may be particularly advantageously applied to the spray-coating of articles with a bulk material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for applying a light coating of fluid to the outer surface of a circumferential strip of one end of a cylindrically shaped article. The article is stabilized against angular axial movement while being advanced and rotated, in a planar path, through a treating zone. An airborne mist containing fine particles of the fluid is produced. This mist is transported to the treating zone and directed to impinge upon said circumferential strip. The impinged fluid mist is then leveled to achieve a uniform coating.

Abstract: Apparatus for permanently and protectively mounting "wet" thin sections of biological specimens on microscope slides, wherein each specimen is initially bathed in a low-volatile solvent containing a low concentration of first polymerizable material. Such solvent is allowed to evaporate, whereby the liquid polymerizable material permeates and protects the specimen. Following solvent evaporation, a second polymerizable material is layered over the specimen. Preferably, the first and second polymerizable materials comprise a mixture of low-volatility, low-viscosity, liquid acrylic reactomers and a U.V. light-sensitive catalyst system. A conventional cover slip or other planar transparent member can be positioned over the polymerizable materials, and the same are polymerized by exposure to U.V. radiation. The first and second now-polymerized materials encapsulate the specimen on the microscope slide, become integral and completely hardened and are fully devoid of any solvent.

Abstract: A device for regulating the thickness of gum applied to a paper product comprising means applying gum to said paper product, means for detecting the thickness of the gum being applied to said paper product and producing a control signal which varies with said thickness, and means connected to said detecting means for receiving said control signal and automatically adjusting the amount of said gum being applied to obtain a desired thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for spray marking lumber boards with paint at predetermined locations while they are being conveyed past the device for further processing. A tachometer and a photoelectric unit are employed for determining the location and speed of the board. A solenoid-operated paint sprayer is used to deliver the paint to the boards. Electronic control circuitry is provided to activate the paint sprayer and properly coordinate the operation of paint sprayer with the location and speed of the board so the board is marked at the desired locations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a boom sprayer assembly for applying herbicides, or the like, in a controlled pattern about a row of trees, bushes, etc. A boom arm of changing length and angular position carries a bell-shaped sprayer hood which is free to rotate independently of the spray nozzle it encloses. The hood acts as a position sensing element to guide the boom so that the desired spray pattern is put down around the row of trees or bushes without permitting the spray to reach the foliage of the bushes or tree trunks.

Abstract: There is disclosed a control circuit which provides a control signal for initiating operation of a glue applicator to cause the applicator to apply glue to a predetermined area on an article moving past the applicator, which circuit automatically compensates for variations in the speed of the article.