Abstract: A filter rod making machine is provided with an apparatus for applying plasticizer to a band of fibrous filter material wherein the application rate of the plasticizer is independent of the filter tow weight or width of the band passing through the apparatus. The plasticizer is added to the underside of the moving band by means of a rotatively mounted brush in rotating communication with a plasticizer supply source wherein the amount of plasticizer added to the band is dependent upon the amount of plasticizer metered by a constant volume pump. The rotatively mounted brush delivers liquid plasticizer in the form of a spray to the underside of the moving band. Variable changes in the level of the liquid plasticizer in the reservoir varies the amount of plasticizer being presented to the band, maintaining constant absorption rate regardless of tow band width.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically pretreating and paraffining biological specimens in a single vessel for the preparation of specimen blocks to be microtomed into thin slices for microscopical study. A rotary selector valve assembly with a built-in gate valve placed a plurality of reagent vessels, containing various reagents including molten paraffin, in and out of communication with the processing vessel in a prescribed sequence. An air pump coacts with directional control valves to evacuate the processing vessel for drawing the successive reagents into same via the rotary selector valve assembly and to deliver gas under pressure into the vessel for the discharge of the reagents therefrom back into the respective reagent vessels. For automating the apparatus a level sensor is provided to the processing vessel in order to close the gate valve and to set the pump out of operation whenever a reagent is drawn into the processing vessel to a predetermined level.

Abstract: Textile yarn is led through the front face of a die 11, which is located on a moistening device 8, before being fed to the texturing jet 15. The die is fed from a pipe 7 leading from a moisture tank 1 and has an outlet aperture on its front face at the termination of an internal bore. The quantity of fluid fed to the tank 1 is so adjusted by means of a flow regulator 5, that a fluid level h is maintained in the tank, which corresponds to a throughput of fluid through the bore of the die 11 which is matched to the titre and the rate of flow of the yarn.

Abstract: A marking apparatus comprises a plurality of containers of colored inks and a solvent connected to a mixing chamber and a rotating applicator. Insulated wire is marked by passing it through the applicator housing which collects the excess colored ink. The excess ink may be returned selectively to either the mixing chamber or a disposal container. Solvent purging of the system permits rapid changeover of colors.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a foamed treating medium to a sheet-material workpiece has a chamber through the open top of which the foamed medium is introduced, and an open bottom through which the foamed medium is discharged towards the workpiece to be treated. To assure that the upper surface of the foamed medium in the chamber is always maintained at a constant level, an equalizing member extends across the open top of the interior of the chamber, and a drive is provided which reciprocates or otherwise moves the equalizing member relative to the open top so as to smooth out any portions of the foamed medium which extend upwardly beyond the desired level.

Abstract: Method of coating or impregnating a guided web-shaped substrate with a flowable medium, which includes monitoring the composition of the flowable medium; continuously measuring the rate of travel of the substrate; applying a metered amount of flowable medium to the substrate at a given feeding point, corresponding to the monitored composition of the flowable medium and corresponding to the measured rate of travel of the substrate; continuously measuring the amount of flowable medium not yet accepted by the substrate; and regulating the transfer of flowable medium to the moving substrate corresponding to the measured amount of flowable medium to maintain a constant amount of flowable medium applied within pre-determined limits, and an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a liquid utilizing surface tension of the liquid for control of amount dispensed.

Abstract: A device for application of lacquer or the like to a sheet in a printing press. The lacquer is applied by an applicator cylinder having an associated applicator roller. Lacquer is fed from a fountain having a fountain roller which is slowly driven, the lacquer being transferred from the fountain roller to the applicator roller either directly or through intermediate rollers to form a nip in which the lacquer tends to build up. The amount of lacquer transferred by the fountain roller per unit time is determined by a metering roller which engages the fountain roller. A sensing device located at the nip senses the level of lacquer buildup and produces an output signal upon departure of the building from an optimum level. In one embodiment of the invention the output signal is utilized to bring about a corrective adjustment in the position of the metering roller so that the buildup at the nip tends to be restored to optimum level.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder stencil duplicator includes ink-applying means in the form of a coating member offering a fixed nip between the coating member and a cylinder of the duplicator, ink being applied to one side of that nip and being held back as a wedge at the nip during rotation of the duplicator cylinder. The dispensing of ink to the wedge is controlled in response to variations in the capacitance between the coating member and the cylinder, so that when the ink wedge drops below a given threshold value further ink is dispensed.

Abstract: There is described a process for producing, in a continuous manner, a gradient dyeing across the width of a long strip of a plastic sheet and an apparatus used therefor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the orientation of the plastic strip is maintained substantially constant during the passage through a dye bath, and the dye liquid level is repetitively varied by use of a liquid level control means. This invention is particularly useful for making gradient-dyed plastic sheets which in turn are used for making sunglass lenses.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive applicator comprises an enclosed wheel glue pot (2) the sides (3, 4, 5) of which fit closely to the sides of the applicator wheel (6), a doctor blade (7) preceding the applicator wheel, an anti-stringout wheel (8) following the applicator wheel, a remote tank (9) forming a reservoir for adhesive, a flexible hose (10) from the tank (9) to the glue pot (2), a pump (11) for feeding adhesive from the tank (9) through the hose (10), heating means for the tank and hose and glue pot, passages (12A, 12B, 13-FIGS.

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: Disclosed is a particle level sensing apparatus which comprises a particle container at least two electrodes disposed at a predetermined position in the container for providing a capacitance therebetween, an element for detecting a change in the capacitance which occurs depending on whether or not the particles are present between the electrodes, and an element for imparting vibration to at least one of the two electrodes thereby preventing adhesion of the particles to the electrodes.

Abstract: The application of fluid additive to a moving filter tow for production of filter rod for cigarettes, is controlled by a system which provides monitoring of rate of application of the additive by weight. Fluid additive, such as plasticizer, is pumped from a measuring cylinder to an applicator booth, excess additive draining back to the cylinder. Pressure in the cylinder is monitored by a transducer and a control circuit is provided to compare the rate of loss of additive from the cylinder (as measured by change in pressure) with a required value and adjust the supply pump by way of a motor and gearbox accordingly. Fluid additive is periodically supplied to the cylinder from a flask and reservoir.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for achieving thin film deposition, of uniform composition, from evaporated alloys. A source of wire alloy, selected for the particular thin film deposition on a substrate, is continuously fed through a region of high speed electron bombardment confined to an end of the wire, for evaporation of the wire in the vicinity of the substrate. An ion flux detector controls the rate of feeding of the wire source in accordance with the detected flux to lay down a uniform thin film of predetermined thickness. A high potential is established between the wire and the source of the electrons and the liberated electrons are guided by the electric field toward the end of the wire being evaporated, which serves as an anode.

Abstract: An apparatus for painting the inner surface of the welded side seam of a can body with its top and bottom open. The apparatus uses an applicator roll having an annular projection with an acute vertical angle formed in the middle and both edges of the outer periphery.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the amount of toner in the supply hopper of an electrophotographic copying machine includes a transmitting element in the hopper for generating an ultrasonic acoustic wave and a receiving element in the hopper in operative relation to the transmitting element for receiving the ultrasonic acoustic wave reflected from toner in the hopper, the magnitude of the reflected wave being representative of the level of toner contained in the hopper.

Abstract: In this invention yarn finish is supplied to the yarn applicator supply pan with the level controlled by intermittent admission of air to the top of a distribution tank through an air tube which is intermittently submerged and sealed with yarn finish at the same level as the supply pan. The tube opening is located within another tube connected to the bottom of the distribution tank with a tee which also connects to the supply pan. As the level of yarn finish in the supply pan drops due to use by the finish applicator, the level in the bottom tube also drops, uncovering the opening at the end of the top tube, permitting flow of air into the top of the distribution tank, releasing an equal amount of yarn finish through the tee and conduit to the supply pan, raising the level in the supply pan and the bottom tube until the opening of the top tube is covered and sealed preventing further flow of air until the level drops again due to use by the finish applicator, repeating the same intermittent supply process.

Abstract: In an apparatus for coating fabric sheets with plastic stiffening strips and including a conveyor 15 for feeding sheets through the nip between a drive roller 16 and a printing cylinder 14, a flexible doctor blade 20 wipes unused plastic and fluff contaminant from the cylinder. The wiped material falls into a collecting trough 21 and is screw conveyed to a supply reservoir 24, from which it is filtered and pumped back to the printing cylinder feed reservoir 18 under the control of a level sensor 19 mounted therein.

Abstract: An electrically operated device such as a duplicating machine has a recptacle for accommodating a fluid for the chemical treatment of sheet material and like objects. The receptacle may be in the form of a dip tank designed for passing sheet material therethrough. This dip tank is connected via a supply conduit to a storage tank and the supply conduit includes a pump controlled by an automatic charging and metering unit for supplying fluid to the dip tank. A drain conduit leading to the storage tank is connected to the dip tank. This drain conduit includes a solenoid valve for stopping or allowing the flow of fluid through the drain conduit.

Abstract: Plates made of porous material are strengthened by impregnation with a hardening fluid. The plates are stacked, subjected to vacuum in a chamber and immersed in the treating fluid, and pressure is then exerted on the fluid. The apparatus includes a chamber which contains a body of the fluid and which can be made airtight by applying a cover. The cover carries a support frame which carries a stack of plates, the cover having a hoisting device to lower the frame and stack into the fluid. A vacuum source and pressure source are connected to the container through a control valve.

Abstract: A developer level sensor installed on the sidewall of a developer container in a developing apparatus consists of an oscillator circuit with multiple coils, the mutual inductance of which is adjusted by a moveable electric conductor. The lower limit level of developer sensed may be adjusted by the positioning of a control plate.

Abstract: A rotary envelope machine gum box construction is taught which provides an independent frame assembly of the meter roll and gum pond elements. The independent frame is pivotally secured to the primary machine frame at one end of the independent frame with micro-adjusting jack screw abutments at the other independent frame end. Differential adjustment of the jack screws will skew the meter roll axis to the picker roll axis. The edge line of the doctor blade may be skewed relative to the meter roll surface by push/pull screws between the independent frame and the doctor blade ends. Liquid gum is pumped from a remote supply reservoir, the gum box pond level being controlled by a fiber optic liquid level sensor which regulates the gum pump operation. Gum is delivered from the pump to a removable manifold block which distributes the gum to the pond ends for a nonstagnation zone, end-to-middle pond flow pattern.

Abstract: A device and method for accurately dispensing liquid photopolymer in accurate predetermined configuration to form a printing plate blank. The device gravity feeds the photopolymer from a first manifold through capillary tubes to a second manifold machined in an elongated member together with a doctor blade portion, laying down a carefully sculptured sheet. The sheet is formed into a printing plate upon exposure to actinic light through an indicia carrying negative. The invention may have other applications.

Abstract: The magnetic brush development apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on a photoconductive material by a magnetic brush formed on a development sleeve comprises a hopper whose outlet for supplying one-component type magnetic developer to the development sleeve is positioned in proximity to the surface of the development sleeve, and a developer detecting apparatus comprising a light emitting element and a light receiving element is positioned in proximity to the outlet of the hopper and the surface of the development sleeve. The light emitting element and the light receiving element are positioned so as to hold therebetween a transparent container for allowing the developer to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for replenishing an electroless plating bath with those of its components which are consumed during plating operation, in order that the concentration of components be maintained as nearly constant as possible in the working bath. The system involves withdrawing from the bath a small sample stream at fixed rate, and subjecting this automatically to a sequence of analyses. The system is particularly adapted to control of electroless copper solutions comprising copper ion, hydroxide and formaldehyde as the consumable components. Sequential analyses are made of the sample stream for these components using instrumentation to control actuators which introduce replenisher solutions into the plating tank in response to signals generated by the instruments whenever deviation occurs from a pre-set level. Standardized test solutions of known concentration and rate of feed are introduced into the test stream to optomize test conditions during the analyses.