Abstract: In combination with at least one vessel for containing a molten salt for chemically hardening or otherwise surface treating objects of glass or similar materials, a conveyor for transporting the objects through a treatment zone comprising at least one vessel for containing a molten salt, the conveyor comprising a plurality of driven sprocket wheels, a sprocket chain trained over the sprocket wheels, the objects so mounted on the sprocket chain as not to permit the objects substantially to change their orientation with a change in the orientation of the sprocket chain, the sprocket wheels and sprocket chain being so arranged that the objects are first carried downwardly into the vessel and are then carried upwardly out of the vessel with the opening of any depression or cavity in each of the objects facing downwardly during the upward movement.

Abstract: An improved transfer device comprised of powered endless surface elements for supporting and moving coated articles in an upright position, such as coated can bodies, from one treatment station, e.g. a coating station to a further treatment station, such as a coating/curing oven. Various parts of the endless surface elements are arranged at selected levels in a trough through which a suitable aqueous medium, e.g. deionized water, is substantially continuously circulated. The height within the trough of this aqueous medium is advantageously controlled relative to the top surface portions of the endless surface elements so that there will be a substantially continuous cleaning of the endless surface elements as excess coating material moves towards and drains from the lower portions of the article being transported while the article is moved through the trough by way of the endless surface elements.

Abstract: In fabricating sealed contacts, often their axially extending leads are solder coated to protect them from contamination and to enhance their solderability into circuits. An apparatus for solder coating the leads, which minimizes their bending, includes a conveying apparatus that moves the contacts through various stages of the solder coating apparatus to form layers of solder on the leads. These layers, which are carefully controlled, are no greater than a certain maximum thickness, and are thinner on the ends of the leads than on the side surfaces thereof.To coat the leads, the contacts are individually mounted in a plurality of holders, each of which is fixed to an individual bead of an endless bead chain of the conveying apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning containers such as bottles for reuse in which the bottles are placed in carriers for movement along a horizontally directed path comprising means operably supporting the carriers for concurrent movement in a vertical path, and jets of cleaning fluid which follow a generally horizontal path and move from a starting position aligned with the bottles while the carriers with the bottles are in a vertically lowered position and return to the starting position while the carriers move the bottles upwardly in the vertical path. The apparatus includes means to coordinate the motions set out above and means to assure proper alignment of jets and bottles.