Moving The Base Patents (Class 427/424)
  • Patent number: 5520951
    Abstract: In a sealant applying apparatus, a three-axis orthogonal type robot is installed at any location, and the three-axis orthogonal type robot is provided with an X axis arm, a Y axis arm and a Z axis arm. The Z axis arm has fixed thereto a reversing unit inclinable about the axis thereof. A workpiece is fixed to the reversing unit, and the surface of the workpiece to which a sealant is to be applied can be made substantially horizontal by the driving of the reversing unit. A sealant discharging apparatus is provided in such a manner that a discharge nozzle is positioned above the workpiece, and the sealant discharging apparatus is fixed by a support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masateru Yasuhara
  • Patent number: 5516545
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus for uniformly coating discrete substrates by application of a controlled volume of fluid per unit surface area of a substrate. In one aspect, the invention provides a process comprising providing a fluid reservoir; and flowing fluid from the fluid reservoir without substantial interruption through one or more fluid applicators, the fluid applied with a controlled volume per unit surface area of the substrate, said fluid flow from the reservoir commencing and terminating to provide a fluid layer up to the perimeter of the substrate. The invention also provides fluid application apparatus which enable application of a uniform fluid layer, including apparatus that provides termination of fluid flow without fluid dripping or trailing of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Leonard R. Sandock
  • Patent number: 5510066
    Abstract: A preparing of a self-supporting or free-standing three-dimensional unitary structural body by a method including generating successively a plurality of cross-sectional layers of the body, one layer top of the other and with the layers joined together to form the body and with the generating of a cross-sectional layer comprising placing a plurality of drops of a liquid composition, containing a first reactant, in a pattern of discrete drops making up the cross-sectional layer and subsequently placing a plurality of discrete drops of other liquid composition, containing another reactant, in contact with the placed drops ion the pattern so that the first reactant and the other reactant react to provide a solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Guild Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Fink, Thomas J. Ward, Joel C. Preston
  • Patent number: 5506004
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for coating a golf ball, wherein the coating efficiency of the paint is high and a uniform coating can be formed. According to the method, the paint is sprayed on a golf ball moving with rotation on the circumference of a circle having a diameter of 0.5 to 1.5 m from a disc charged with 60,000 to 130,000 V, which is rotating at 20,000 to 40,000 rpm and is inclined or moving in the vertical direction, or a paint is sprayed in a direction at an angle of 45.degree. or less to the horizontal direction from a disc charged with the above voltage, which is rotating at the above number of revolutions, to coat the golf ball so that a ratio of the maximum film thickness to the minimum film thickness may be 1.5 or less after one round of coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoto Maruoka, Yoshikazu Yabuki, Kuniyasu Horiuchi, Masatoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5482744
    Abstract: A heat transfer element (2) for use in boiling a liquid is produced by spraying a substrate, such as a heat exchanger tube, with a plasma of liquified metal particles and concurrently spraying the substrate with liquid carbon dioxide to provide a cooling effect. Preferably the metal particle spray (4) and the carbon dioxide spray (8) are spaced apart, and there is relative movement between the sprays and the substrate, such that a given area of the substrate is precooled by the cold carbon dioxide just prior to liquified metal particles impinging thereon. A shroud (6) may assist in directing the liquid carbon dioxide first onto the substrate, then into the spray of liquified metal particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Star Fabrication Limited
    Inventor: Stephen F. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5478597
    Abstract: Process for coating hollow objects exhibiting an opening, and beverage cans in particular, in which the hollow objects are immersed completely and with the opening downward in a paint-filled submersion bath, the openings being moved into the vicinity of nozzles for the paint, which are located underneath the surface of the liquid in the submersion bath and which at least partially displace the air trapped in the hollow objects immersed in the submersion bath by means of streams of paint discharging from the nozzles. With this process hollow objects can be painted uniformly inside and outside in one step without its being necessary to turn them either to fill them with paint when immersed in the submersion bath or to drain them after their being lifted out of the bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Klaus Jorgens
  • Patent number: 5478595
    Abstract: A disk body (1) is arranged so that a portion of the coating forming surface thereof exists over a spray region A of a substantially circular cross-section made by a nozzle (10) for production of super fine particles to spray a coating forming agent, and the coating forming agent is sprayed while the disk body (1) is being rotated about the center thereof. The section near the peripheral edge of the disk body (1) passes through the section near the center of the spraying region where the density of fine particles is higher; however the passing speed thereof is fast, so the deposit efficiency of fine particles per unit area of the disk body (1) is lower, while the section near the center of the disk body (1) passes through the section near the peripheral edge of the spray region where the density of fine particles is lower; however, the passing speed thereof is slow, so the deposit efficiency of fine particles per unit area of the disk body is higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Kimitoshi Matou
  • Patent number: 5478605
    Abstract: Two rubber wiper blades are united with each other at lip portions so as to form a tandem rubber wiper blade, and notches are provided on both sides of a common lip portion at the center portion thereof. By providing the notches, a joint portion of the two rubber wiper blades is formed, which enables the tandem rubber wiper blade to be easily torn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Fukoku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiju Ichise
  • Patent number: 5474799
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for coating an electromagnetic coil, particularly stator coils for an electric motor, with an insulating catalyzed resin material. The catalyzed resin material is a two component material comprising an epoxy resin and a catalyst. The catalyzed resin material is a free flowing liquid at a first temperature and begins to cure rapidly at a second elevated temperature. The stator coils are first heated by supplying current to the stator coils to raise the temperature of the stator coils to the first temperature. The free flowing liquid catalyzed resin material is dispensed through nozzles onto the stator coils as the stator coils and the nozzles move relative to each other. After the liquid catalyzed resin material has been dispensed in a predetermined amount, at predetermined locations, for predetermined times, the catalyzed resin material is allowed to penetrate the stator coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventors: James L. Thigpen, Walter G. Stiffler, James B. Keys, David T. McKinney, Sidney Bell
  • Patent number: 5458721
    Abstract: A laminate is made by applying a plurality of parallel fine lines of adhesive to a first web, intermittently agitating the adhesive prior to deposition to intermingle the adhesive to form spaced apart bands extending across the fine lines, and then applying a second web over the adhesive to join the webs together. The intermittent cross bands prevent migration of particles and leakage along said fine lines. When diapers are made from the laminate, waistbands are formed in the areas of the cross bands. Apparatus is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: John Raterman
  • Patent number: 5437726
    Abstract: An apparatus for tipping surgical sutures includes a drum around which the suture is wound. The drum is placed on a carriage which moves the drum into a chamber wherein selected portions of the suture are passed through a mist of cyanoacrylate tipping agent generated by ultrasonic atomization. The tipping agent quickly cures and the tipped portion of the suture may be cut to create a tipped end for insertion into a surgical needle to form a needle-suture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Proto, Francis D. Colligan, Harold Bellmore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5429840
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing intermittent, discrete patterns of foam coating material, onto discrete substrates or substrate areas, where the patterns have sharp, square leading and trailing edges, as well as side edges. A slot nozzle die has elongated air slots along the slot extrusion opening. Air flow is initiated from both air slots prior to the initiation of the foam flow. Also, the air flow is continued beyond that point in time when the foam flow ceases. The delays between the operations of the air flow and the foam coating flow are on the order of micro seconds. Alternatively, the lead and lag air start and stop times on each side of the foam coating material are different to control the exact disposition of the square cut-on and square cut-off coating edge on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: John Raterman, Jurgen Beneche, Arthur Cieplik, Thomas Burmester, Michael L. Gill
  • Patent number: 5428880
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a vehicle body for automobiles in which at a welding step, a vehicle body and plate-like parts to be mounted onto the vehicle body, such as a bonnet, a trunk lid, fenders and doors, are separately fabricated, and at a painting step, they are separately passed through the same painting step, or separately passed through stages excluding a topcoating and a final drying, following which they are separately subjected to the same topcoating and final drying treatments. At an assembling step, the plate-like parts which have been subjected to fitting-out are assembled onto the vehicle body after completion of fitting-out or replenishment of grease and oils for the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Tomioka, Kengo Takano, Yoichi Sakai, Kazumi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5427822
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for coating horizontal and vertical components of a vehicle body. The designations horizontal component and vehicle component generally refer to the in-body position of such components (panels) after final assembly. In the method, coating is conducted prior to assembly of such components. According to one aspect of the invention, the vertical panels are coated in their in-body position, and then moved to a horizontal position while baking sufficiently to set the coating. Preferably, the horizontal position is maintained for the entire bake cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel C. Bracciano
  • Patent number: 5419930
    Abstract: In the method described, a compound substantially in the form of a paste is fed by means of a pump from a storage container (1) to a metering device (3) which determines the amount of paste to be applied to a workpiece (B). From the metering device, the paste is fed to a spray head (S) where it is mixed with compressed air from a cylinder (4) or other suitable supply and sprayed on to the workpiece (B). The amount of compressed air supplied to the paste for spraying purposes is controlled by means of a control unit (6) in such a way that a strip of substantially constant width is applied to the workpiece (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: SCA Schucker GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Schucker
  • Patent number: 5418009
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing intermittent, discrete patterns of coating material, such as hot melt adhesive, onto discrete substrates or substrate areas, such as book spines, sift-proof carton flaps and pinch-bottom bags. The adhesive patterns have sharp, square leading and trailing edges, as well as side edges. A slot nozzle die has elongated air slots along the slot extrusion opening. In the operation of the apparatus, the air flow is initiated from both air slots prior to the initiation of the hot melt flow. Also, the air flow is continued beyond that point in time, when the hot melt flow ceases. The delays between the operations of the air flow and the hot melt flow are on the order of micro seconds. Coating weights down to 1 gram per square meter at about 350 meters per minute substrate speed are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: John Raterman, Jurgen Benecke, Arthur Cieplik, Thomas Burmester, Michael L. Gill
  • Patent number: 5415898
    Abstract: A method of blasting IC frames as electronic components with a suitable apparatus, which prevents the frames from being caught by position restriction means during transfer, and eleiminates necessity for particular operations even if frames of different widths are continuously fed.The blasting is carried out by turning a conveyor belt (8), which has support plate members (11) juxtaposed thereon and has a support groove (D) of an inverted triangular sectional shape formed thereon, jetting slurry onto the IC frames (F) merely placed on the slope surfaces inside the support support groove from a nozzles (2), turning then the frames by a reversion device (3) so as to place them on other slope surfaces, and jetting the slurry from other nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Gaisha Ishii Hyoki
    Inventors: Mineo Ishii, Teruyuki Nakano
  • Patent number: 5409733
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing intermittent, discrete patterns of coating material onto discrete irregular substrate areas, such as electronic circuit boards, where the patterns have sharp, square leading and trailing edges, as well as side edges. A slot nozzle die has elongated air slots along the slot extrusion opening. In the operation of the apparatus, the air flow is initiated from both air slots prior to the initiation of the coating material flow. Also, the air flow is continued beyond that point in time, when the coating material flow ceases. The delays between the operations of the air flow and the hot melt flow are on the order of micro seconds. Alternatively, the lead and lag air start and stop times on each side of the film of coating material are different to control the exact disposition of the square cut-on and square cut-off coating edge on the circuit board. The air flow carries the film coating material to the circuit board for deposition in discrete areas thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Bentley Boger, Jurgen Benecke, Arthur Cieplik, Thomas Burmester, Michael L. Gill
  • Patent number: 5405650
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a non-woven fabric printed with a decorative pattern. A fibrous starting material whose individual fibers are capable of movement relatively to one another under the influence of applied fluid forces is subjected to a fluid stream for entangling the fibers to form a unitary fibrous network. The unitary fibrous network is impregnated with liquid binder which solidifies and consolidates the non-woven fabric. Before the binder has cured and is still in a liquid condition, the unitary fibrous network is printed with a decorative pattern. Subsequently, the unitary fibrous network is dried to simultaneously cure the binder and the colorant forming the decorative pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Flavio Metta, Real Contant
  • Patent number: 5387444
    Abstract: A system and method for effecting the continuous, in-line coating of workpieces, freely supported upon a conveyor, utilizes an ultrasonic spray unit for delivery of a photo-polymerizable coating material. The deposited liquid is immediately irradiated to initiate curing, and the system and method are particularly well adapted for the formation of conformal coatings on printed circuit boards, utilizing two-part coating compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Dymax Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew G. Bachmann
  • Patent number: 5374346
    Abstract: A process of electroplating comprising formation of a semiconductive coating over an article having both metallic and non-metallic portions, dissolving the metal surface underlying the semiconductive coating and removing the semiconductive coating by a high pressure water spray. The process is useful for the formation of printed circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: John J. Bladon, Carl Colangelo, John Robinson, Michael Rousseau
  • Patent number: 5372856
    Abstract: A coating or spraying gun is so disposed as to be movable back and forth in a given direction of travel of the member to be coated, including a body of an automotive vehicle, and to reciprocate in a direction different from the direction of travel of the member. The reciprocating stroke of the coating gun is altered depending upon the length of the member in the given direction. By altering the speed at which the coating gun moves back and forth in the direction of travel in accordance with the length of the member in the given direction, a pass pitch of the coating gun can be made constant. A coating region of the member is divided into coating sections or blocks in the given direction, and the sections are coated one after another. In this case, the reciprocating track of the coating gun is altered in accordance the radius of curvature of the sections. This arrangement enables a portion of a complex shape, such as a pillar, to be coated by moving the coating gun along the complex shape of the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 5364658
    Abstract: A method for coating individual items each having two plain and parallel sides comprises two process steps, wherein an item is first sprayed with a coating when it passes a spray box, and wherein the coating is then hardened, with at least two mutually adjoining sides of the item being treated in both steps. The method comprises two stages, each of which comprises both process steps, and where the item in the first stage at least in the second step is supported on a side which is not treated, after which the remaining sides on the item are treated in the second stage where the item is supported on a side which was treated in the first stage. The items at least in the second step in one of the stages are supported on the one parallel side by vacuum between the item and a conveyor belt. The contact between the item and the conveyor belt is initiated by air jets directed towards the conveyor belt. An apparatus is also proposed for carrying out the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Bodilsen Holding A/S
    Inventor: Anders E. H. Jeppesen
  • Patent number: 5360516
    Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of substrates with fluidized material in repetitive patterns during application cycles. The treatment patterns made with this invention can be altered by changing machine operating parameters. The patterns of fluidized material are applied to substrates using intermittent charges of compressed air. The intermittent charges of compressed air pass through a venturi slot which creates a region of low pressure in the charges adjacent to a region where the fluidized material accumulates between application cycles. This region of low pressure helps to entrain the fluidized material in the charge of compressed air. After the fluidized material is entrained in the charge of compressed air, the charge deposits the fluidized material on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Edwin L. Cutright, G. Robert Scott, Howard W. Vogt, Jr., Richard B. Reich
  • Patent number: 5360645
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for conformally coating an associated generally planar substrate such as vehicle window glass with a coating material includes first (12), second (22), and third (32) coating guns. The first (12) and second (22) coating guns are aimed at opposite sides (42; 44) of the planar substrate and can simultaneously spray a coating thereon. The third coating gun (32) is aimed toward a third side (46), or edge, of the associated substrate. Therefore, the apparatus can simultaneously spray a coating material on target areas on opposite sides and an included edge of a planar substrate such as a vehicle windshield. The third coating gun has an axis which makes an angle .alpha. with a plane containing the substrate to be sprayed. The first and second guns are offset from each other a distance "X", so that overspray from one gun will not foul or coat the other gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: James E. DeVries
  • Patent number: 5344668
    Abstract: A flowable substance is applied to at least one predetermined area of a major surface of a plate-shaped fuel cell component by directing at least one stream of the flowable substance toward a predetermined zone that is situated in a plane along which the major surface of the component extends, facing the stream. The size of the predetermined zone is smaller than that of the predetermined area, and relative movement along the plane is effected between the component and the predetermined zone in such a manner that at least the entire predetermined area of the major surface gradually advances through the predetermined zone in a predetermined advancement direction and path. The stream is controlled in such a manner that it is in existence only while the zone is completely within the predetermined area, and until the zone has coincided with all of the predetermined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: International Fuel Cells Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Rempe, Robert C. Stewart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5342657
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying a fluid to a moving continuous web whereby fluid is collected and stored in a multichamber cylinder when application of fluid to the web is ceased, and substantially all of the fluid collected and stored is promptly and directly retrieved from the multichamber cylinder after application of fluid to the moving continuous web has recommenced. A storage chamber of the multichamber is sized to receive an amount of fluid such that the fluid level is below the bristles of an applicator brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph F. Budjinski, Steven M. Campbell, E. Theodore Ward
  • Patent number: 5324547
    Abstract: A method of applying a metallic paint to an object conveyed by means of a conveyor, by reciprocating one or more rotary atomizing electrostatic painting machines at right angles to the direction in which the object is conveyed. The speed of the reciprocation of the painting machines is controlled according to the speed of the conveyor so that the pitch between the adjacent orbits of the strokes of the reciprocation of the machines drawn on the object may become a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Ohhashi, Shin Kawaguchi, Kenji Fukuta
  • Patent number: 5314712
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for providing an electrically matched pair (20) of insulated metallic conductors (21, 21). Insulation is applied to successive portions of a length of wire-like metallic conductor (22) after which a colorant material (37) is applied to the surface of a plastic insulation material of a first portion of the length of the metallic conductor which is being moved along a path of travel. Facilities are provided for shielding a supply of the colorant material from the moving insulated metallic conductor and for then exposing a second portion of the length of the insulated metallic conductor to a different colorant material. The insulation and the colorant materials and their disposition with respect to the insulation are such that the dielectric constant of one insulated metallic conductor of the pair is substantially equal to that of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Larry L. Bleich, Wendell G. Nutt, Stephen T. Zerbs
  • Patent number: 5314722
    Abstract: Material is uniformly applied to the entire outer peripheral surface of a rotating object by using a robot. The material is discharged toward the rotating object from a nozzle (2) of a material discharging device mounted on the distal end of a robot arm, with the nozzle moved along the outer peripheral surface of the object, e.g., a truncated cone (1), rotating at a predetermined speed. A robot control device periodically calculates coordinates (x, R, 0) in a work coordinate system (P5-XwYwZw), including a target moving position (x) of the nozzle in the direction of the rotation axis and a corresponding target nozzle moving position (R) in the radial direction which are individually expressed as a function of the time elapsed after the start of the material applying process (S12). These coordinates are converted to a robot-base coordinate system (OB-XBYBZB) (S14) and converts the result to data for respective robot axes (S15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventor: Hirohiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5308658
    Abstract: Improved non-electrostatic spray coating process and apparatus are provided. The process and apparatus of the present invention permit significant reduction in over-spray conditions as well as, the disadvantages and drawbacks associated therewith, without causing corresponding reduction in coating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert V. Morris
  • Patent number: 5302204
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing an imitation stone finish on a workpiece. The method includes first spraying the workpiece with an intermediate coating of pigmented, catalyzed material. Then, the workpiece is sprayed with a mottling coating, which is a pigmented mixture of solvents. The apparatus has two pair of spray guns. The first pair of spray guns spray a quantity of pigmented, catalized urethane material onto the workpiece. The second pair of spray guns spray a quantity of a pigmented mixture of solvents onto the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Clark Moulding, Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Hayslip
  • Patent number: 5300539
    Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for incorporating additives into or onto polymer granules by high speed/high intensity mixing of entrained polymer granules and additive particles, wherein the additive is provided in the form of an additive dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Ananda M. Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 5298277
    Abstract: A coating method which reduces the nonuniformity of a sprayed coating film at an end portion of a moving workpiece. A spray gun moves along a locus in a direction transverse to a conveying direction of the workpiece. The dimensions of the workpiece and passage of an end portion of the workpiece past the spray gun are detected. A reduced amount of coating material is sprayed at an end portion of the workpiece in response to the determination of passage of the end portion past the spray gun in order to prevent an increase in thickness of the coating film at the end portion. In the case of electrostatic spraying, an increase in film thickness at the end portion can be prevented by reducing or nullifying the electrostatic voltage applied to the end portion of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventor: Akio Hirose
  • Patent number: 5290587
    Abstract: A method of making a capillary tube for providing increased control of electroosmotic flow in electrophoretic separation. A resistive coating solution is formed so that a tube coating having a high electrical resistivity may be achieved. An electrically conductive material, such as carbon black, is homogeneously mixed with a polymer, such as polyimide, in a solvent. The content by weight of the electrically conductive material is less than 20 percent and is preferably within 7 percent to 8 percent, relative to the content by weight of the polymer. The resistive coating solution is applied to the exterior of the tube until a thickness is reached which achieves a desired resistance across the coated exterior surface. Typically, a multi-layered coating is formed. The coating solution may be applied while rotating the capillary tube or, alternatively, while the capillary tube is drawn past an applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: James E. Young, Mark Bateman, Jurgen A. Lux
  • Patent number: 5273784
    Abstract: A method of painting a portion of a shell of a brake booster which is joined together by a caulking operation. A pair of members are disposed in opposing relationship to each other, and a shear caulking operation is applied to the outer periphery thereof at a plurality of locations, thereby joining the members together to define a shell. The shell is held so as to be rotatable about its axis, and a nozzle of a paint applicator is disposed in opposing relationship with the outer periphery of the shell. By intermittently rotating the shell through a given angle, paint is applied successively to only the caulked portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Jidosha Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Yamashita, Hidefumi Inoue
  • Patent number: 5271970
    Abstract: A polymeric sheet structure consists of an adhesion-promoting coating on at least one surface of the substrate. The adhesion-improving coating is produced by treating this substrate surface with an electrical corona discharge between high voltage electrodes and a grounded counter-electrode while simultaneously spraying an aerosol into the corona discharge zone. The aerosol contains, for example, an aqueous emulsion of thermoplastic and/or crosslinkable components as an adhesion-promoting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: John D. Gribbin, Lothar Bothe, Peter Dinter
  • Patent number: 5269808
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for tipping surgical sutures which includes winding the suture around a drum while continuously monitoring the suture diameter in x and y directions and adjusting the tension on the suture to control the suture diameter as it is being wound. The drum is then placed in an apparatus which passes selected portions of the suture through a mist of cyanoacrylate tipping agent generated by ultrasonic atomization. The tipping agent quickly cures and the tipped portion of the suture may be cut to create a tipped end for insertion into a surgical needle to form a needle suture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Proto, Francis D. Colligan, Harold Bellmore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5266349
    Abstract: Spray coating, particularly flat spray coating of circuit boards. Applicant's method of discrete conformal coating eliminates "railroading" at the edges of the flat spray web and assures precise control of the amount of coating material placed on the circuit board surface, as well as on the varying and complex circuit board components. The method includes pressurizing the coating; longitudinally advancing a surface to be coated, such as a circuit board, beneath the coating, while simultaneously feeding the coating onto the advancing surface as a plural series of aligned droplets extending transversely across the advancing surface. The feeding of coating is triggered "ON/OFF" so as to define longitudinally the series of droplets feeding onto the advancing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Specialty Coating Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Hendrik F. Bok
  • Patent number: 5258073
    Abstract: A system and method for preventing a deposition of a coating medium on at least a predetermined area of workpieces to be at least partially spray coated with the coating medium during a continuous spray coating operation. A covering arrangement is applied to the at least one predetermined area of the respective workpieces upon which the deposition of the coating medium is to be prevented prior to the continuous spray coating operation. The covering arrangement and the workpieces are simultaneously and synchronously advanced to the spray coating station so as to enable the continuous spray coating operation of the workpieces, with the predetermined areas covered by the covering arrangement being protected from deposition and/or contamination by the coating medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Precision Tool, Ltd.
    Inventor: Christian Meier
  • Patent number: 5252364
    Abstract: Disclosed is the method for coating automotive vehicle bodies, in which the upper vehicle body section and the floor member, constituting a vehicle body of the automotive vehicle, are conveyed simultaneously by the same conveying device at least up to the undercoating step for coating them with an undercoating paint. After the undercoating step, the floor member are separated from the upper vehicle body section at an appropriate timing, followed by separate conveyance to the following step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Inoue, Naoyuki Ikemizu
  • Patent number: 5252353
    Abstract: In a moistener for moistening a mixed succession of objects of a substantially limited number of different height profiles and having a nozzle, methods for controlling movement of the nozzle are presented. These methods include a nozzle initialization process, a nozzle pre-positioning process and a nozzle holding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. DiGiulio, Edilberto I. Salazar
  • Patent number: 5246731
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing solder on the terminal pads of printed circuit boards in which a solder resist layer or layers having a thickness corresponding to the desired solder height border the pads. Molten solder from a reservoir is directed by nozzles against the sides of the board to fill the cavities extending above the terminal pads while the board is moving via a conveyor mechanism relative to the reservoir. The cavities when filled with molten solder are covered by a suitable element such as a flexible belt or roller. The molten solder within the covered cavities is then cooled below its solidification point and the covering element removed. If desired, part or all of the solder resist layer or layers may then be stripped from the board to leave solder pads extending above the surface of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Velie Circuits, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry N. Velie
  • Patent number: 5229166
    Abstract: A method of forming a gummed band on a web of paper (1) is provided. A marginal band (7) forming a seam is projected by one (10) of two devices (10, 11) under the action of compressed-air pressure, the air being pre-heated (20) and passing into a feed line (19), whereas an inside gummed band (6) is formed by the other device (11) fed with cold compressed air through a duct (21). An adhesive is contained in a reservoir (8), kept under pressure by means of a tube (12), and reaches the projection device through another duct (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Fabriques de Tabac Reunies, S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Grossmann, Eduard Ringgenberg
  • Patent number: 5215622
    Abstract: The invention is used in a labeling machine for applying liquid to the surface of the bottles after the labels are applied for the purpose of rendering scratches, abrasions, chipping and chafing of the bottle surfaces invisible. To minimize the space taken by the combination of the labeling machine and the new liquid applicator device, the device is associated with the outfeed starwheel of the labeling machine. The liquid applicator device includes a fixed arcuate friction and applicator surface on which the bottles roll by reason of being orbited in the outfeed starwheel and, while rolling, the bottles receive their coating of liquid from the applicator surface. The applicator surface is spongy and maintains a coating of the liquid on it which is applied to the surface by means of spray nozzles which are timed to spray the applicator surface by projecting a fanshaped spray through the space between successive bottles as the bottles are moving orbitally by the rotating outfeed starwheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Stephan Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 5194297
    Abstract: A particle deposition system having an atomizer, wafer transport, sheath flow means, particle counter and computer control for accurately depositing a desired density of particles onto a surface. The sheath flow keeps an article clean, while the particle flux in the deposition chamber is rising from zero to an equilibrium state. The particle counter measures particle flux by sampling the atmosphere in the deposition chamber. The computer determines when the rate of change of particle flux is substantially zero and then actuates transport of the article completely or partially out of the sheath flow into the mist of falling particles. The computer also calculates the required deposition time for providing the article's surface with a desired particle density, actuating transport of the article back into the sheath flow after the desired density is reached. The operator of the system can specify particle size, desired density and full or partial coverage of the surface with particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: VLSI Standards, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Scheer, Paul A. Konicek
  • Patent number: 5178902
    Abstract: Two methods are provided for applying and forming a protective composite coating on a metallic substrate. In the first method, the substrate is heated to a temperature between about 175.degree. C. and 275.degree. C. and a powdered coating of epoxy resin between 100 and 400 microns thick is applied to the outer surface of the heated substrate. A premixed powder coating of epoxy resin and polyolefin is applied directly onto the epoxy resin coating, forming an interlayer of interspersed domains of epoxy and polyolefin between about 100 and 400 microns in thickness. On to this, powdered polyolefin is sprayed to produce a polyolefin sheath coating for the metallic substrate between 200 and 1000 microns in thickness. In the second embodiment of the method, the interlayer is formed by spraying pure epoxy resin powder and polyolefin powder from separate sources simultaneously onto the substrate. By these methods, a metallic substrate coated with a composite epoxy/polyolefin protective coating is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis Wong, Jiri Holub, Joseph G. Mordarski
  • Patent number: 5175022
    Abstract: A metal fuel for producing power for propulsion is disclosed. The fuel is made up of a metal core, a metal barrier and an oxidizer layer. The combination of materials disclosed provides a means for melting the metal core so that it can be oxidized in an exothermic reaction to produce power. The metal fuel may also be stabilized with respect to auto-ignition by adding a binder layer. A method for producing the metal fuel is also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Stout, Gary G. Wittmer
  • Patent number: 5166000
    Abstract: A solution of amphiphilic molecules and water is atomized to form a mist of droplets which are deposited on a substrate surface to completely cover same with a coating of the solution. The amphiphilic molecules in the coating self-assemble on the surface into a continuous thin film that is less than 500 nanometers thick. The water is evaporated from the coating to leave only the film chemically bonded to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: NanoFilm Corporation
    Inventors: Brij P. Singh, Raj Subramaniam, Scott E. Rickert
  • Patent number: 5164226
    Abstract: An improvement in the process of incorporating a modifier ingredient into the surface region of a resinous article is described herein. The basic process includes immersing the article in a liquid such as water and contacting the immersed article with a solution of a modifier ingredient in a solvent which is immiscible with the liquid. The improvement herein comprises running the process at a temperature lower than ambient or room temperature whereat substantially no solid material is formed on the surface of the water layer during the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Atochem North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Burchill, Maryam Rafiei, Joseph Silbermann