Abstract: In this process comprising fluidizing the enamel powder in a fluidization vessel by blowing air in the bottom of the latter, steam is also introduced in the vessel in the course of the fluidization. The relative humidity is adjusted in the vessel to a value between about 15 and 45% in respect of a temperature in the vessel of between about 20.degree. and 30.degree. C. A steam boiler (12) is connected to the fluidization vessel (1) for this purpose.

Abstract: A modified low-density flexible polyurethane foam product having a relatively high degree of firmness as well as commercially acceptable dielectric heat sealing characteristics. The product formulation includes an intermediate constituted by a mixture of polyol and a polymer/polyol in a ratio imparting to the product a predetermined degree of firmness, and a thermoplastic additive whose dielectric loss index is greater than the loss index of polyurethane foam to impart to the product an acceptable dielectric heating response in a high frequency electric field. This response is enhanced by acrylonitrile/styrene components included in the polymer/polyol.

Abstract: Articles such as printed wiring board substrates (10) often having hundreds of tiny through-bores are coated with particles (76) in fluidization apparatus (55). Such apparatus (55) includes a base (56) having a frame (61) to receive reciprocation forces applied to an arm (65) and to transmit the same to a fluid bed assembly (68). Assembly (68) includes a plenum (71) for distributing gas, a holder (75) for a bed of particles made fluid-like by gas diffusing therethrough and columns (69) for supporting a work chamber (85). Connected to the bed assembly (68) is the chamber (85) having sidewalls (86-89) formed sufficiently strong to uniformly distribute horizontal vibratory forces thereover. Vibrators (91 and 92) are mounted to opposing sidewalls (88 and 89), respectively, to apply horizontal forces against such sidewalls and gases therebetween.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for filling a cable core unit with powder in a fluidized bed in which the unit is vibrated laterally by introducing energy pulsations into the bed, the pulses being transmitted as successive waves through the powder particles to transfer the energy to the unit and set up the vibration. In preferred constructions, the pulsations are set up by a reciprocating piston means disposed beneath the upper surface of the powder. There may be two or more piston means spaced in the feed path direction for the unit or a single piston extending.

Abstract: A system and process for electrodynamic powder coating of conducting and non-conducting substrates using an electrodynamic fluidized bed. The system generally includes a coating applicator means for applying charged particles to the substrate to be coated, and postcharging means for applying to the substrate an additional charge of such polarity as to cause an increase in the electrostatic forces holding the coating particles to the substrate. The system further includes a precharging means for precharging the substrate with a charge of such polarity as to effect more uniform coating of the substrate and a higher rate of coating. Where the substrate to be coated is a continuous web, the system includes a conveying means for conveying the web through the various positions adjacent to the three aforementioned means.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for filling multi-conductor cables, particularly a telecommunication cable with several insulated wires surrounded by a covering and a sheath, with a mixture of powders which expand with the absorption of moisture. The conductors are fed in spaced relation into the entrance of a casing having an interior, frusto-conical wall which decreases in diameter from its entrance to its exit. The exit is small in diameter compared to the entrance so that the conductors converge as they pass from the entrance to the exit. Intermediate the entrance and the exit, the conductors are subjected to the powders which are caused to follow a helicoidal course by a screw which directs them toward the exit. Due to the shape of the casing wall, the powders are forced toward the conductors.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a recombinant lead acid battery includes placing two or more cell packs in a battery container and then loading the container into a frame mounted on a rotary capstan. The container is transferred to a moulding station and the plate straps and intercell connectors are moulded around the plate lugs. The container is then transferred to a coating station and the intercell connectors are dipped while still hot into a fluidized bed of epoxy resin particles. The particles adhere to the intercell connectors and are cured by their heat thereby forming an impervious layer around them. This layer acts as an electrolyte creepage barrier and prevents the surface of the intercell connectors acting as an electrolyte path for intercell ionic leakage.

Abstract: A sensing probe unit includes an electrically nonconductive polymeric layer charged with a permanent electric charge to form an electret and intimately bonded to a compensating metal electrode. In the fabrication, the polymeric layer is cleaned and the metal electrode affixed to one surface by vapor deposition, lamination or baking. The polymeric layer may also be applied by coating the electrode with dielectric particles and then heating the subassembly to fuse the particles into an integral layer and to bond the fused layer to the electrode. The subassembly is thermally destressed and the polymeric layer is thereafter charged by triboelectric charging, corona discharge or electron beam charging, or by liquid contact charging processes. In the latter, a Freon-type or other similar liquid having good wetting properties and high evaporation rate is used as a contact charging liquid which creates a particularly stable electret. The sensing probe is stored to prevent loss of charge and sensitivity.

Abstract: A fluidizable bed structure with a rigid support for carrying a bed of fluidizable powder, the support being at least two inches deep and having its porosity formed by interstices which reduce in total area from the lower surface of the support to its upper or support surface. A fluidizable bed structure is also described having a support which has an electrode contacting it with the depth of the support from its upper surface to the electrode sufficient to prevent arcing from the electrode to the upper surface.

Abstract: A fluidization unit comprising a fluidizer (2) and a chamber (1) for containing a granular, powdery or like substance (3) to be fluidized. The chamber has at least one air-tight wall and the fluidizer comprises an assembly of an air-tight base sheet member (5), a porous sheet member (4), and a peripheral sealing member (6), holding the sheet members apart in a fixed relationship. In operation, said fluidizer is placed in the chamber with its air-tight base member resting against an air-tight wall of the chamber. A preferred application is in the handling of powders for electrostatic enamelling.

Abstract: An electrode for a fluidizable bed coating apparatus comprising a plurality of electrically conductive tubes and a tube carrier. The tubes extend from the carrier and have free ends at which there is a concentration in intensity of an electric field when the tubes are connected into an electric circuit, and the tubes channel fluidizing gas through them and through the concentrations in intensity of the electric field.

Abstract: A container is provided with a coating having a frosty appearance comprising an olefin-vinyl ester copolymer the exterior surface of which is hydrolyzed following application of the coating to the exterior surface container. Surface hydrolysis of the olefin-vinyl ester coating significantly improves container-to-container lubricity without appreciably affecting the mechanical properties of the coating.

Abstract: A powder spray chamber balances the downward forces of gravity on the coating particles with upward exhaust forces to suspend the coating materials adjacent the work piece for a longer period of time than would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: A method for polymer coating of chain link fence is disclosed. The thermoplastic polymer is applied in a fluidized bed after the fence is woven. The fence is compressed in the fluidized bed to allow coating of all portions of the chain link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed by which electrical conductor cable can be produced utilizing electrostatic coating means, which method and apparatus are highly convenient, uncomplicated and economical to carry out. An outstanding and unique feature of the cable produced in accordance herewith resides in the presence of a web portion of reduced cross-section connecting the individual conductors, by which manual severence of one from another is facilitated. Most desirably, the apparatus and method provide means for producing individual insulating coatings on each of the conductors, which means ideally utilizes an electrostatic cloud coating technique.

Abstract: Imidazole or substituted imidazole is adducted with acrylate ester, an epoxy, or an isocyanate followed by neutralization with lower fatty acid or alkylene or aromatic dicarboxylic acid. The product is a curing agent which is combined with an epoxy resin to form a powder coating.

Abstract: A process for forming an olefinic resin film on a metal substrate, which comprises[A] forming a multilayer coated film consisting of an olefinic resin film as a surface layer portion and a cured epoxy resin film as an under layer portion on a metallic substrate by a single coating operation using a multilayer film-forming coating composition comprising as main resinous components(a) a solid powder containing an olefinic resin having a melt index of 0.3 to 80 g/10 minutes,(b) a solid powder containing a polar group-containing modified olefinic resin having a melt index of 0.3 to 80 g/10 minutes, and(c) a film-forming resinous material comprising an epoxy resin having a number average molecular weight of about 350 to about 4,000 and an epoxy equivalent of 150 to 3,800 and a curing agent therefor, and[B] then heat-bonding an olefinic resin lining material to the olefinic resin surface layer of the multilayer coated film.

Abstract: A method of increasing the abrasion resistance of glass articles is disclosed. It has been found that by providing a vitreous substrate with a micro-roughened surface and an overlayer of dry lubricious organic coating, substantially increased lubricity and abrasion resistance is obtained. When the micro-roughened surface is provided by bonding a discontinuous distribution of discrete particulate material to the surface, a substantial increase in abrasion resistance and lubricity is realized even without the overlayer of dry lubricious coating thereby making the present invention particularly adaptable to use in the hot end of a glassware manufacturing process. Further, when the particulate material is fusible at about the annealing temperature of the glassware and is applied at the hot end, the particulate material will protect the glass surface through the hot end by bearing the major part of any loads created by contact between the glassware and other objects in its transport through the hot end.

Abstract: A fluidized bed has an aperture plate which is inclined to the horizontal, to cause excessively large or dense particles to migrate to a collection point from which they may be removed from the particulate mass. Disruption of fluid flow through the aperture plate due to settled out particles is thus avoided. Preferably the aperture plate is made of a material which has the same permeability as the fluidized mass, thus inherently providing flow regulation necessary for even fluidization above the slope plate. To make investment casting molds, a gravity "rainsander" device is coupled with a fluidized bed. When slurry used in the mold making process drips from a pattern it falls into the fluidized bed thereby converting the errant drops into particulate balls which are conveniently removed.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for the fluidized bed electrostatic coating of workpieces, especially those of continuous length, such as metal wires. The apparatus includes a control grid spanning the plenum chamber and establishing an electrical effect by which deposits of improved uniformity can be produced at lower operating voltages.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for the fluidized bed electrostatic coating of workpieces, especially those of continuous length, such as metal wires. The apparatus includes a cloud control grid spanning the coating chamber, upon which may be impressed voltage and/or variable current effects, and which may be modified with depending horizontal conductors, to introduce additional cloud control capability.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the tack spinning of materials and has particular reference to the formation of tack spun materials by applying a theromplastic polymer to a backing or carrier sheet to form a pattern or layer thereon and then heating the layer and contacting the layer with a second surface whereby separation of the carrier from the second surface results in separation of the thermoplastic polymer within its plane to draw fibres therefrom on progressive separation. The preferred embodiment of the invention involves two backing sheets prepared between a pair of nip rollers to form a sandwich structure with a layer of thermoplastic tack spinnable material and separating the same on the downstream side of the nip to provide the fibres disposed substantially transverse to the plane of the carrier sheet. The invention also describes novel apparatus for performing this operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making an electrical cable (10) which includes a plurality of insulated conductors (11) bound together in close proximity to one another to form a cablecore. A sheet of insulative material (13) surrounds this cable core and this assembly in turn is further surrounded with a conductive shield (14). An insulative sheath (16) surrounds the entire assembly. Integral with the conductive shield are means (15) for providing shield continuity when the insulative sheath and conductive shield are entered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an electrically conductive layer on a corrosion-resistant layer which covers a cable. The cable is passed through a powder accumulating tank in which are mixed an electrically conductive powder and binder powder so as to allow the mixed powder to initially adhere to the surface of the cable. The mixed powder is then pressed against the surface of the cable first at a cable outlet of the powder accumulating tank and then with a powder applying device in which an endless powder applying belt or cloth is rotated around the cable at a rotational speed dependent upon the linear speed of the cable. The surface of the cable is then heated to melt the binder powder and cause the electrically conductive powder to yet more firmly adhere to the surface of the cable. The cable is then cooled and wound.

Abstract: A method for making an electrochemical cell electrode involves depositing a layer of dry carbon/hydrophobic polymer powder on the surface of a substrate by dispersing the powder as a cloud in a chamber over the substrate and pulling the powder onto the substrate by drawing a vacuum under the substrate. The electrode is subsequently compacted and sintered. Typically the carbon component of the powder is catalyzed, such as with platinum. Thus, the method is for applying a catalyst layer on an electrode substrate. The method is particularly adapted to the high speed manufacture of electrodes.

Abstract: A gasket and a process for preparing it are described characterized in that a sealant coating for the gasket is a compressible, resilient, foamed cured resin. The resin, which may be an epoxy, polyester, or polyurethane resin, is comminuted while partially cured, admixed with a blowing agent, and applied, preferably electrostatically, to a base sheet of a gasket. The resin is finally cured while activating the blowing agent to form the compressible, resilient, foamed sealant coating.

Abstract: A method for polymer coating of chain link fence is disclosed. The thermoplastic polymer is applied in a fluidized bed after the fence is woven. The fence is compressed in the fluidized bed to allow coating of all portions of the chain link.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the fluidized bed electrostatic coating of workpieces, especially those of continuous length, such as metal wires. The apparatus includes a control grid (normally grounded), which spans the coating chamber and establishes an electrical effect which densifies and regulates the cloud of charged particles therewithin. Objects (also normally grounded) passed through the cloud so produced may therefore readily develop a uniform deposit upon all exposed surfaces.

Abstract: An automatic coating system for making set-up by coating a wax pattern with a refractory material, for use in a lost wax process. The system has a set-up pickup device adapted to pickup the set-ups by one from a set-up pool, a slurry dipping device for dipping the set-up in the slurry of the refractory coating material, a sanding device adapted to deposit sand to the coated set-up and a set-up taking-out device for taking the set-up out of the system. These devices are disposed on a common circle. The system further has aset-up transportation device located at the center of the circle. The transportation device has a plurality of beams extended radially outwardly to positions of the devices on the circle and supported by a shaft which is rotatable and movable up and down. Each beam has an arm which is adapted to hold the set-up. The beams of the transportation device are cyclically moved up and down and rotated back and forth to transport the set-ups from one to the next devices disposed on the circle.

Abstract: A process for encapsulating electrical components with a continuous layer of synthetic resin material contemplates induction heating of the component by high frequency current with the component leads covered by heat insulating material, and subjecting the heated component to a vortex bath of synthetic resin powder so as to fuse or sinter the powder to the component. Because the leads have not been heated, no resin is sintered thereto, so that scraping or other removal of resin from the leads to make electrical contact therewith need not be undertaken as an additional step. During hardening of the resin the heat insulation may be left in place on the leads to allow the hardened resin to form "feet" on a base of the component, or the heat insulation may be displaced slightly to allow flow of the hardening resin around the lead without forming a fillet.

Abstract: A method for making an electrochemical cell electrode involves depositing a layer of dry carbon/hydrophobic polymer floc powder on the surface of a substrate by dispersing the powder as a cloud in a chamber over the substrate and pulling the powder onto the substrate by drawing a vacuum under the substrate. The electrode is subsequently compacted and sintered. Typically the carbon component of the floc is catalyzed, such as with platinum. Thus, the method is for applying a catalyst layer on an electrode substrate. The method is particularly adapted to the high speed manufacture of electrodes.

Abstract: The conductors of a cable core unit are powder filled by passing the core unit through a fluidized bed of powder with the conductors substantially closed together. The filled cable core unit can be wrapped with tape after exit from the fluidized bed. Cable cores may be filled also by passing them through a fluidized bed. The core units of the cores may be closed together or separated, but the conductors of each unit are closed together.

Abstract: For powder filling of cables, in a fluidized powder bed, it has been proposed to pass the cable core through the bed in a substantially closed condition. There is a limit to the number of conductors a core can have for effective filling. In the present invention the cable core is opened up into a number of core units by passing through an opening member. The opening member is freely ridable on the cable core and has a hole for each unit. The opener is held against a support member and an air bearing formed between the two members. Air is also usually fed to the holes in the opener member through which the core units pass to prevent flow of powder out from the bed. The opening member can be positioned in the fluidized bed or outside immediately prior to passage of the cable core through the bed. The units are each in a substantially closed condition in the bed and the units close to a single core also in the bed.

Abstract: A primer composition for use in the fluidized-bed dipcoating of thermoplastic resin powder, comprising a polymeric compound formed by polymerization of a diene compound, admixed with either magnesium oxide alone or magnesium oxide together with cobalt ion and/or manganese ion.

Abstract: Cable core units comprising conductors grouped together by twisting are fed through a fluidized bed to fill voids with fluidized powder by flow of the powder between the grouped conductors. While still in the bed, the units are then deflected around rollers to cause relative displacement of the conductors which causes more complete filling of the voids with powder and powder redistribution to create uniformity of powder fill. Cable cores may also be filled with the core units closed together or separated in the bed but with units closed together when a core is deflected around the rollers.

Abstract: A powder coating composition comprising a homopolymer or copolymer of polyvinylidene fluoride having a melt flow index of 10 to 300 grams per ten minutes, determined in accordance with ASTM D 1238, Condition J and 5 to 50 weight percent of a glass having a grain size of 1 to 300 .mu.m; an improvement in a method of coating a metal or inorganic oxidic surface wherein a powder coating composition containing polyvinylidene fluoride is applied to such surface and fused thereon, the improvement residing in employing as the powder coating composition one containing 5 to 50 weight percent glass, based upon the weight of the polyvinylidene fluoride polymer; a coated object having a metallic or inorganic oxidic surface which is coated with a polyvinylidene fluoride homopolymer or copolymer which coating contains 5 to 50 weight percent, based upon the weight of the polyvinylidene fluoride, of glass particles, especially glass particles of a grain size of 1 to 300 .mu.m.

Abstract: A powdery polyurethane lacquer which comprises (a) a hydroxyl-group containing polyester resin with an OH number of 40-240 and (b) an .epsilon.-caprolactam-blocked polyisocyanate, selected from the group consisting of triisocyanatoisocyanurate of 3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylisocyanate and mixtures of said triisocyanatoisocyanurate with monomeric or oligomeric 3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-cyclohexylisocyanate; wherein the .epsilon.-caprolactam-blocked triisocyanatoisocyanurate has at least two blocked isocyanate groups and wherein the .epsilon.-caprolactam-polyisocyanate is present in an amount sufficient to cause hardening of said mixture of (a) and (b). The lacquer is especially useful for electrostatic coating of substrates.

Abstract: The method of coating an elongated metallic member with a thermosetting plastic powder coating or with a thermosetting plastic powder undercoating and a thermoplastic powder outer coating, is significantly improved by passing the coated elongated metallic member through at least one induction coil to heat the metal and thereby the coating to the curing temperature of the thermosetting plastic powder and holding the temperature for the curing time. Curing temperatures, which depend upon the thermosetting plastic powder coating being cured, are sufficient to fully cure the material within seconds.

Abstract: A modified conjugate fibre product is formed by applying a predetermined amount of finely-divided particles to a conjugate fibre product and heating the product in an open, substantially tensionless condition at a non-sticking temperature (as defined) for 2 to 40 minutes. By this method, the particles penetrate into the fibre product without inter-fibre sticking taking place.

Abstract: A coating powder is disclosed which is prepared from a solventless non-aqueous composition of a solid epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent weight of about 400 to about 8000, a Durran's softening point of at least 70.degree., a solid polyanhydride curing agent at least about 50 mole % of which is trimellitic anhydride, and a cross-linking agent having the general formula R.sub.3 SnX where each R is selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, and alkaryl up to C.sub.20 and X is selected from acetate, propionate, butyrate, halogen, and hydroxyl. The composition is dry-blended and then melt-mixed at 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. To prepare the coating powder, it is then cooled, crushed, and ground to a particle size of less than 100 microns. The coating powder is electrostatically applied to a conductor and is cured above the melting point of the resin.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a treatment bed with a fluidized, circulating medium comprises a fluidization container having intake means for a fluidization agent and means for vibration in the longitudinal direction comprises a fluidization grid consisting of a plate having a plurality of vents arranged in rows alternating with a plurality of rectilinear unvented strips, the strips being parallel to the vertical plane containing the direction of the vibrations.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the tack spinning of materials and has particular reference to the formation of tack spun materials by applying a thermoplastic polymer to a backing or carrier sheet to form a pattern or layer thereon and then heating the layer and contacting the layer with a second surface whereby separation of the carrier from the second surface results in separation of the thermoplastic polymer within its plane to draw fibres therefrom on progressive separation. The preferred embodiment of the invention involves two backing sheets prepared between a pair of nip rollers to form a sandwich structure with a layer of thermoplastic tack spinnable material and separating the same on the downstream side of the nip to provide the fibres disposed substantially transverse to the plane of the carrier sheet. The invention also describes novel apparatus for performing this operation.

Abstract: Powder filling of a cable, or cable unit, is improved by passing the cable, or unit through a fluidized bed of powder, and vibrating or shaking the cable, or unit in a direction substantially normal to the direction of movement of the cable, or unit, through the bed.

Abstract: Broadly, finely divided material or particles which are readily carried in or by a gaseous or vaporous fluid are caused to impinge upon solid polyolefin particles to maintain fluidized during contacting by use of a gaseous or vaporous material carrying said particles. In one embodiment, carbon black reactor smoke at a suitable temperature is employed to fluidize a bed of finely divided polyolefin, e.g., polyethylene, thus producing particles of plastic containing carbon black pigment. In this embodiment, off gas from the fluidized zone, preferably on separation from entrained solids, is burned in a wet pellet dryer in which carbon black from a carbon black reactor effluent is processed. Recovered solids can be returned to the fluidized operation. The carbon black-impregnated polyolefin product is recovered from the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A powder composition having good melt flow under zero shear conditions is disclosed. A process for preparing this powder composition is also disclosed. The composition comprises a thermoplastic elastomer such as a block copolymer of styrene and hydrogenated butadiene as well as a melt flow modifier. The melt flow modifier is preferably a partially hydrogenated styrene/alpha methylstyrene random copolymer. The composition may additionally contain adhesion promoters and stabilizers against oxidation and ultraviolet light. A process for coating substrates such as a glass bottle with this composition, as well as the coated glass bottle, is also disclosed.

Abstract: For powder filling of cables, in a fluidized powder bed, it has been proposed to pass the cable core through the bed in a substantially closed condition. There is a limit to the number of conductors a core can have for effective filling. In the present invention the cable core is opened up into a number of core units by passing through an opening member. The opening member is freely ridable on the cable core and has a hole for each unit. The opener is held against a support member and an air bearing formed between the two members. Air is also usually fed to the holes in the opener member through which the core units pass to prevent flow of powder out from the bed. The opening member can be positioned in the fluidized bed or outside immediately prior to passage of the cable core through the bed. The units are each in a substantially closed condition in the bed and the units close to a single core also in the bed.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a new class of polyetheramide-imide phenolic resin blends. More particularly, the invention is concerned with polyetheramide-imide phenolic resin blends which exhibit melt viscosities suitable for solventless-dry powder coating and curing of polyetherimide insulating films on various substrates. The polyetheramide-imide phenolic resin blends are also suitable for the manufacture of filaments, fibers, films, molding compounds, coatings, etc.

Abstract: A process for producing a bond at the interface between an encapsulant and he object to be encapsulated is provided. A selected resin with curing agent is coated and oven cured on the object to be encapsulated and thereafter a copolymer coating is applied to the assembly in a fluidized bed and the assembly is oven cured. The resulting product is then injection molded with a suitable polyethylene material.

Abstract: This invention is for providing a bearing lining on a backing, for example of aluminum, and uses polyphenylene sulphide which has good bearing properties, in combination with a base comprising a component of a metal from Group I or Group II of the Periodic Table, to effect a good bond between the lining and the backing.

Abstract: A process for converting a length of wire into a spring which is then heat treated and exposed to a fluidized bed for coating, the quality of the resulting coating being indicative of the quality of the heat treatment.