Abstract: A powder coating booth has a bottom surface on which powder is collected and from which the powder should be removed. Two scrapers are supported on a transport device which move them together. Each scraper is movable from its respective end of the booth toward a central collection region. Since the scrapers are moved simultaneously, one is moving toward the collection region while the other is moving away. As a scraper moves toward the central collection region, it scrapes powder from the surface and delivers it to the collection region. Each scraper swings into an operating, surface scraping position as it moves from its respective end of the booth toward the collection region, and swings into an upraised, non-scraping position, as each moves from the collection region back to the end region. A cable with scraper engaging flights on it is movable for engaging the scrapers and for moving and for swinging them.

Abstract: In an isotope separation system in which hot, isotopically separated vapor is deposited on enriched product and depleted tails plates, deposit adherence is improved and plate cooling simplified. The tails plate is liquid-cooled to a lower temperature which permits the product plate to be radiatively cooled by it simplifying product plate cooling and lowering its temperature to reduce the tendency for the product plate deposit to separate during temperature cycling. In one embodiment plate surfaces are cleaned of impurities in a vacuum by allowing the temperature of the tails plates to reach the relatively low operating temperature prior to proceeding with the deposition. In another embodiment plate surfaces are provided with rough surfaces to promote air penetration during deposit stripping, which permits the formation of a brittle, more easily severed bond between plate and deposit.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing dirt and debris from clumps of down cotton that are released from slots of a group of retrieving belts as the belts pass around a rotating pulley that causes the slots to open includes a first group of approximately semi-circular, parallel tines disposed adjacent to the portions of the belts passing around the pulley. A plurality of fingers extending from the pulley and between the belts into the region bounded by the first group of tines and the belts urges the released clumps slidingly along the tines, and apply forces that loosen dirt and debris, which pass between the tines. The clumps ejected from the upper end of the region are received by pegs of a rotating peg drum and are moved against a second group of approximately semi-circular, parallel tines. The pegs tend to "thump" the cotton clumps as they slide along the second group of tines, further breaking up dried mud and debris therein and causing it to pass outward between the tines of the second group.

Abstract: The cleaner includes an elevator for moving a tire vertically toward a stationary cleaning head which is made up of spreader rollers for spreading the tire beads a sufficient distance to admit a powered cleaning brush, along with cleaning fluid application and removal apparatus, into the tire interior during such tire movement. The elevator further supports and rotates the tire with respect to the brush during cleaning while the spreader rollers, together with additional fixed guide rollers, maintain the tire vertical and in alignment with the brush. The elevator lifts each tire from a horizontal conveyor which alternately discharges a cleaned tire and receives a fresh one. During cleaning, the brush is movable transversely along an arcuate path within the tire interior at selected contact pressure and is driven alternately in opposite directions. The cleaner is suited for usage in a system for producing self-healing tires.

Abstract: Charged residual toner is removed from a photoreceptor by simultaneously (1) exposing the photoconductive layer of the photoreceptor to light, (2) charging the photoconductive layer to the same polarity as that of the toner, (3) vibrating the photoreceptor to dislodge the toner by entraining the photoreceptor about a roller while rotating the roller about an eccentric axis, and (4) subjecting the toner to a force (e.g. vacuum or gravity) which draws the toner away from the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning carpet. The pile of the carpet is first lifted, opened and agitated by stiff rotating brushes and beater bars, separating the foreign matter therein from the pile and bringing the matter to the surface of the carpet. The carpet is then vacuumed removing the separated matter therefrom. A film of cleaning agent is then sprayed through a hand-held wand over the carpet encapsulating the carpet fibers. The wand communicates with a portable pressurized supply of cleaning agent. After a short setting, the carpet is scrubbed with counter-rotating or rotary brushes. The agent is then allowed to dry and the residue removed with a vacuum.

Abstract: A method of descaling a rod comprises forming at least one bend in the rod and rotating the bent portion in an appproximately circular path while maintaining it in a space having a distribution of separated cleaning particles therein in a suspended relationship relative thereto. The rotating bent portion strikes the distributed particles and is cleaned thereby.

Abstract: A method of treating a surface of an extensible hydrocarbon article by positioning the article in a chamber from which extraneous oxidizing agents are excluded, extending the article, and treating the extended surface with a fluorinating gas which may contain elemental fluorine or a mixture of same with an inert gas such as nitrogen. The treatment provides improved frictional characteristics, chemical inertness, and other desirable properties.