Abstract: An atomizer has a chamber holding a liquid containing particles of a desired material. Aerosol particles are formed by using an aspirating nozzle or ultrasonic vibrator and the aerosol particles are carried in a gas flow. The aerosol particles are treated by increasing the charge on the aerosol particles by contact with a high voltage electrode and the aerosol particles are passed through inertial separator stages to remove large aerosol particles from the flow so they are not discharged from the atomizer.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for providing a piston travel indicator for a railroad brake includes coating the components of the brake assembly with a powder. The powder coating may include an epoxy, a polyester or combinations thereof. After the selected components of the railroad car brake assembly are sprayed with the powder, the components are heated in an oven for curing the powder to form a coating on the components. The coating may be applied in dual or multiple colors to the railroad car brake components. A piston travel indicator on the hollow rod is provided by coating the hollow rod of the piston with more than one color at specific intervals for enabling a person to visually observe the colors for determining the travel of the hollow rod and indicating if the brake is functioning properly.

Abstract: Provision of two or more powder coatings different in hue, lightness and/or saturation as base colors makes it possible to mix the base color powder coatings in accordance with a desired color and hence to conduct color matching upon performing powder coating. It is therefore no longer necessary to stock a large number of powder coatings, in other words, it is therefore possible to systematically produce fewer powder coatings in greater quantities. This can achieve rationalization in production, storage, physical distribution, management and the like and also a cost reduction in each of these stages. For example, coatings of desired color tones, especially coatings excellent in artistry can be formed in accordance with a fluidized-bed, electrostatic coating process making use of a powder-fluidizing container by preparing in advance only three primary colors of yellow, red and blue or optionally five primary colors additionally including black color and white color.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a coating on the exterior surfaces of a plurality of elongate members, such as wires, including positioning a plurality of elongate members substantially parallel to each other, coating the exterior surfaces of each member with a coating, removing any excess coating from desired portions of each member and curing the coating to adhere the coating to each member.

Abstract: For the application of a coating material to an object, the coating material is conveyed along a conduit by means of an entraining gas. For good conveying conditions, the entraining gas is made to travel at high velocity. In order that the velocity of the coating material discharged at the coating zone is not excessive, a partial vacuum source extracts part of the entraining gas from a point upstream of the outlet, via a separate conduit. This results both in an improved rate of deposition of the coating material on the object to be coated and in a particularly uniform coating.

Abstract: A conduit coating which is made by covering a surface thereof with a polymeric material which may include an additive made of bacteriostatic, bacteriocidal, fungicidal, fungistatic or mildew-suppressing material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a multicoat finish, in which a pigmented basecoat is applied, dried and coated over with a powder clearcoat, and subsequently basecoat and powder clearcoat are stoved together. The invention is characterized in that the powder clearcoat employed has a particle size distribution in whicha) no more than 15% by weight of the powder clearcoat particles have a particle size smaller than 10 .mu.m;b) for at least 40% by weight of the powder clearcoat particles the common logarithm of the quotient of the largest and the smallest particle size is less than or equal to 0.25; andc) at least 98% by weight of the powder clearcoat particles have a particle size smaller than 100 .mu.m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a powder coating, in which a suspension of powder particles is sprayed and the spray jet is directed onto the substrate to be coated, characterized in that1.) a suspension of powder particles in a liquefied gas is employed, the gas having been liquefied under a pressure of not more than 20 bar, and2.) the liquid gas is vaporized before, during or after the spraying of the suspension.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrostatic chucks, methods for their use, the electrostatic deposition of particles on an objects, and the objects themselves that have been subjected to electrostatic deposition. In one aspect, the present invention provides an electrostatic chuck for electrostatically attracting an object or objects wherein the object is used in chemical or pharmaceutical assaying or manufacturing, and optionally wherein the object is less than or equal to one millimeter in average width or diameter. The objects can be pharmaceutical substrates, for example, such as a pharmaceutical tablet. Additional embodiments of the invention provide chucks and their use to electrostatically attract particles, such as a pharmaceutically active ingredient, to a substrate, such as a tablet.

Abstract: A powder coating control system comprising a plurality of gun controls associated with a like plurality of powder spray guns. Each of the gun controls stores a plurality of presets spray parameters. Each of the gun controls responds to part identification signals and part position signals to select in real time one of the stored presets of spray parameters and trigger its respective powder spray gun ON and OFF to apply a powder coating to the moving part in accordance with the selected set of spray parameters. The control system further permits a gun purge cycle to be programmed either before or after the powder coating process is executed. The control system automatically initializes and brings each of the gun controls to an operable state on-line with the system control.

Abstract: A coating material dispensing and charging system comprises first electrical conductors extending between first electrically non-conductive supporting members, a power supply coupled across the first conductors and articles to be coated to maintain a high magnitude electrostatic potential difference across a space defined between the first conductors and the articles, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material into the space, and a supply of coating material for the dispenser. The first electrical conductors comprise electrically conductive filaments surrounded by electrically non-conductive sheaths.

Abstract: A method of marking appliances is described. The method comprises coating an appliance or other substrate capable of producing an electrostatic charge with a first powder paint layer. This first layer is then either cured or a second powder paint layer is applied immediately thereafter in the desired design or lettering. The layered substrate is then allowed to cure. The invention presents the advantages of eliminating the need of a volatile ink and the capability of being performed in one step.

Abstract: Polyurethane/polyurea polymers can be electrostatically painted without first being coated with a conductive primer. Disclosed is a process for electrostatically painting polyurethane/polyurea polymers, the process having a step of including a non-volatile metal salt conductivity inducing material. The conductivity of the polymers of the present invention can allow them to be charged with sufficient charge density to permit efficient paint transfer to the polymer surface. Also disclosed is a composition of at least two adjacent layers, one layer being an outer layer of electrostatically applied paint, and the other an inner layer of polyurethane/polyurea polymer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for imprinting a catalyst and/or adsorbent composition on a flat or corrugated substrate. The coated substrate is useful in pollutant treating devices to remove pollutants from a gas.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process and a system for transforming a liquid into a solid material using light energy. In particular, a solution containing a parent material in a liquid form is atomized in a reaction vessel and directed towards a substrate. The atomized liquid is exposed to light energy which causes the parent material to form a solid coating on a substrate. The light energy can be provided from one or more lamps and preferably includes ultraviolet light. Although the process of the present invention is well suited for use in many different and various applications, one exemplary application is in depositing a dielectric material on a substrate to be used in the manufacture of integrated circuit chips.

Abstract: Apparatus for powder spray coating comprises means (4) for electrostatically-charging powder entrained in air, a conduit (6) for transporting the electrostatically charged powder from the charging means (4) to an internal chamber (12) in a spray head (8), the spray head (8) having at least one passage (16) from the internal chamber (12) to at least one nozzle (17) from which the powder is discharged, and a deflector (18) mounted externally of the spray head (8) and adjacent to the or each nozzle (17) to deflect the discharged powder into a flat spray pattern, the spray head (8) and the flat spray pattern being substantially symmetrical about a common longitudinal axis. The apparatus is particularly suitable for coating a large surface area, or a plurality of small objects hung in a planar array. Preferably multiple triboelectric type charging means (4) are used and a single pump is used to supply powder to the multiple charging means through a common distributor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for coating the inner surface of metal containers by deposition of specific polyolefin compositions on the separate parts of the containers, subsequent assembly of the parts and melting of the polyolefin compositions.

Abstract: A method of fluxing a cast light-weight metal substrate for thermally adhering sprayed metallic coatings thereto, comprising: (a) preparing the substrate to be clean of grease and oil and to have a uniform and homogeneous surface energy; (b) electrostatically depositing a dry flux powder coating onto such prepared surface; and (c) thermally depositing melted metal onto and across the flux coated surface to further thermally activate the flux if not already activated, for stripping away any substrate oxides and to thermally metallurgically bond the deposited molten metal to the substrate.

Abstract: A process for improving the performance and extending the life of railroad brake assemblies includes coating the components of the brake assembly with a powder. The powder coating may include an epoxy, a polyester or combinations thereof. After the selected components of the railroad car brake assembly are sprayed with the powder, the components are heated in an oven for curing the powder to form a coating on the components. The components of the railroad car brake assembly which may be coated include a cylinder body, a lock plug, a push rod end, a piston body, and a release spring. The powder coating of the railroad car brake assembly reduces corrosion, reduces abrasion, maintains slippage due to reduced friction, and reduces the amount of repairs and replacement of the railroad car brakes.

Abstract: While plural kind of powder paints of different hues are mixed with each other without melting for preparation of a powder paint of a desire hue, a fluidity improver possessing a charge control function is simultaneously mixed into the powder paints without melting. The mixed powder paint containing the fluidity improver is charged, and then electrostatic powder coating is performed by the charged powder paint.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the outflow of fluid powder from a container can be used for controlling the expulsion of powder out of a powder-spraying apparatus for electrostatic coating. The disadvantages of a mechanical closing device are avoided by introducing closing air into an extraction pipe for extracting fluidized powder out of a container. The closing air is introduced through a pipe which opens into an orifice in the casing of the extraction pipe. The mass flow of fluidized powder can be controlled by an appropriate setting of a pressure in the extraction pipe in relation to the pressure in the fluid bed, that is to say by the introduction of closing air at an appropriate pressure.

Abstract: Expanded graphite sealing rings having particles of PTFE captured at least in a surface layer are disclosed. The sealing rings are produced by impregnating porous rings, cut from a sheet of low density expanded graphite, with a PTFE dispersion and then compressing the rings to a desired final density. Impregnation is accomplished in the presence of an electric field.

Abstract: The method for painting metal plates and. sections includes the steps of pre-treating the section surfaces for preparing the surfaces for painting, distributing a first paint on the section, bringing the section to a first temperature for a time adapted to start a polymerization process of the first paint, cooling the section in order to stop the polymerization process at a selected phase, distributing a second paint at selected locations of at least one surface covered with the first paint which is different from the second paint, bringing the section to a final temperature for a selected time required for the complete polymerization of the first and second paints.

Abstract: The electrostatic fluidized bed coating apparatus and system employ a vertically extending gaseous vortex of charged particles. Effects of variations in particle distribution, size, and electrostatic charge strength are minimized by the vertical orientation, enabling the production of coatings of exceptional uniformity. The apparatus is especially suited for construction to simultaneously coat a number of strands of wire or the like.

Abstract: A process for measuring the thickness of a layer of powder upon the surface of a workpiece comprises depositing a layer of powder on the surface of the workpiece and simultaneously on the surface of an adjacent wire, directing the powder coated wire past a sensor capable of measuring the diameter of the powder coated wire, and comparing the diameter of the powder coated wire to the diameter of the uncoated wire.

Abstract: An electrically chargeable dielectric coating powder and a triboelectric coating process for applying the powder to substrates are described. The coating powder is a mass of finely divided, heat fusible dielectric plastic material having an average particle size (Mv) of between 30 and 45 microns and a particle size distribution (all percents defined in weight percent) of:95%-100% smaller than 88 microns,5%-15% smaller than 15.56 microns and0%-6% smaller than 11 microns.Preferably the coating powder has 0% larger than 88 microns and an Mv=about 30-40, preferably 35-40 microns. More preferably the particle distribution further includes10%-15% smaller than 15.56 microns and4%-6% smaller than 11 microns, andan Mv of between about 35 and 36 microns. Most preferably the particle distribution further includes:about 11.5% smaller than 15.56 microns andabout 4.3% smaller than 11 microns, andan Mv of about 35.9. Preferably the powder is a thermosetting resin composition.

Abstract: A workpiece is electrostatically coated by an internal-voltage-application-type rotary atomizing electrostatic coating apparatus. An electrically conductive paint is supplied to the internal-voltage-application-type rotary atomizing electrostatic coating apparatus, and a voltage applied to the internal-voltage-application-type rotary atomizing electrostatic coating apparatus is controlled depending on an area of the workpiece which is to be coated, for thereby varying a coated pattern width on the workpiece.

Abstract: Glass objects and glazed ceramic objects have a durable thin lustruous coating of a flux-free and frit-free inorganic based luster pigment particles. An application method comprises initially applying the pigment particles to a surface of the glass or ceramic object at a level of from about 0.1 gram to about one gram per square foot and then heating the surface to a temperature and for a time sufficient to fix the luster pigment particles directly to the surface. The resultant lustrous coating is less than about 25 microns in thickness.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder coating method of forming an undercoating film having a volume specific resistivity of not more than 10.sup.13 .OMEGA..multidot.cm and a thickness of not more than 200 .mu.m on a metal surface and forming an overcoating layer on the undercoating film by electrostatic powder coating. The undercoating film is composed of a plurality of layers with only the top layer containing a conductive material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for powder coating three dimensional articles (12) carried on a conveyor (14) includes a controller (36) for controlling the rate at which coating material is discharged from a gun (16), so that the rate is proportional to the surface area of the surface portions of the article (12) as they pass the gun (16). Some surface portions topographically have a greater surface area which must be covered, while others are flat or have cut-out regions, requiring less coverage or no coverage at all. In powder coating operations, the discharge rate is controlled via automatic or programmed control of an electro-pneumatic air regulator (42) which regulates the supply of pressurized air to a powder pump (24) connected to the spray gun (16). The apparatus (10) assures uniformity in coating for a three dimensional article (12) with multiple surface portions of varying topography such as curves, angles, cut outs, etc., while minimizing the amount of wasted coating material.

Abstract: An electrically chargeable dielectric coating powder and a triboelectric coating process for applying the powder to wood substrates are described. The coating powder is a mass of finely divided, heat fusible dielectric plastic material having an average particle size (Mv) of between 30 and 45 microns and a particle size distribution (all percents defined in weight percent) of:95%-100% smaller than 88 microns,5%-15% smaller than 15.56 microns and0%-6% smaller than 11 microns.Preferably the coating powder has 0% larger than 88 microns and an Mv=about 30-40, preferably 35-40 microns. More preferably the particle distribution further includes10%-15% smaller than 15.56 microns and4%-6% smaller than 11 microns, andan Mv of between about 35 and 36 microns. Most preferably the particle distribution further includes:about 11.5% smaller than 15.56 microns andabout 4.3% smaller than 11 microns, andan Mv of about 35.9. Preferably the powder is a thermosetting resin composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermosetting powder paint comprising, as essential components, (A) a copolymer of particular composition composed of a glycidyl group-containing monomer, styrene and other monomer copolymerizable therewith and, as curing agents capable of reacting with the component (A) to crosslink the component (A), (B) an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid and (C) a linear anhydride of an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid; a coating method using the above thermosetting powder paint; and a coated article obtained by using the above thermosetting powder paint. The above thermosetting powder paint, when used as a paint for automobile, has excellent storage stability and gives a coating film having excellent appearance, properties, weathering resistance and yellowing resistance; therefore, the paint can be favorably used particularly as an top coat and an intermediate coat for automobile and its parts.

Abstract: Wood is electrostatically coated with a thermosetting powder coating system in which a mixture of a self-curing epoxy resin and a catalyst therefore is extruded and a low temperature curing agent are both pulverized and the powders are blended with conventional additives to make a coating powder which is deposited on a wooden substrate and heated to cure. The mixture of resin and catalyst does not cure within the extruder but it is made to cure at low temperatures by the separate addition of the curing agent. A small amount of the low temperature curing agent, insufficient to cause substantial curing during extrusion may be used in place of the catalyst.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for strengthening and sizing paper which comprises the step of applying a composition comprising (a) an isocyanate and (b) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising at least one polyol having an ethylene oxide content of at least 1%, wherein said composition does not contain water to the paper by means of an electrostatic spraying device having a linear orifice.

Abstract: Controlled release solid forms, apparatus and method for preparing solid forms for controlled release of an active ingredient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating plasma processing and in particular chemical plasma enhanced vapor deposition, plasma polymerization or plasma treatment of barrier materials onto the interior surface of containers barrier materials are useful for providing an effective barrier against gas and/or water permeability in containers and for extending shelf-life of containers, especially plastic evacuated blood collection devices.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for electrostatically applying a coating composition onto dielectric materials which have a dielectric constant less than 4.0. In this process, a positive charge is induced onto a coating composition. The dielectric material is electrically isolated, negatively charge, or both. The positively-charged coating composition is sprayed onto the dielectric material. If the dielectric material is charged negatively, the process of the present invention further includes the step of maintaining at least a portion of the negative charge on the dielectric material while positively-charged coating particles are being sprayed thereon.

Abstract: A spray device and method for the coating of objects with powder coating material. A high voltage electrode or several electrodes are located on only one side of the coating material stream in the vicinity of a spray orifice for electrostatically charging the coating material. A first flow of compressed air is directed over the electrodes to keep the coating material from accumulating on the electrode and to shape the envelope of the sprayed coating material. A second stream of compressed air is directed at the stream of coating material to counteract the deflection of the stream by the first flow and by the effects of the high voltage. Better coating efficiency (reduced loss of sprayed powder) is achieved than with electrodes arranged on both sides of the coating material stream.

Abstract: A method for plating zinc substrates with 24K gold. The method includes precleaning the substrate; applying a paint base coat electrostatically; curing the base coat; plating the gold by vacuum metallization; applying a clear paint top coat; and curing the top coat.

Abstract: A powder coating system for difficult to handle powders includes a powder hopper containing fluidized powder particles, a pump body connected to the hopper and having an inlet in communication with the hopper, an ejector nozzle mounted to the pump body and aimed at an outlet thereof, a second nozzle mounted to the pump body and aimed at the inlet thereof and a powder application device for receiving powder particles from the outlet of the pump body and spraying them onto an article to be coated. The ejector nozzle sprays pressurized air toward the outlet to transport powder particles along a flow path which extends from the powder hopper into the pump body via the inlet and then out of the pump body via the outlet. The second nozzle sprays air pulses at the inlet in a direction opposite the particle flow along the flow path caused by the ejector nozzle. This spray from the second nozzle creates microvibrations in the inlet of the pump body to eliminate powder particle adherence and cohesion thereat.

Abstract: Magnetically responsive microparticles and a method for their production are described. Oppositely charged core particles and magnetite are heterocoagulated, redispersed and optionally coated. The microparticles are colloidally stable and have negligible retentivity.Having now fully described the invention, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth herein.

Abstract: A power coating composition comprises at least one film-forming polymeric material and has dry-blended therewith two or more dry-blended additives selected from solid, particulate, inorganic, water-insoluble materials which may be ceramic or mineral materials and/or may be oxides, mixed oxides, hydrated oxides, hydroxides, oxide-hydroxides or oxysalts of metals and metalloids, at least 95% by volume of the powder coating composition having a particle size not exceeding 50 microns.

Abstract: A process for preparing a coated article which includes the step of electromotively coating an article molded or extruded from a composition having a conductivity of at least about 10.sup.-14 Siemens/cm (S/cm) comprising (a) a thermoplastic polymer, thermoset polymer, or mixture thereof and (b) an electronically conductive charge transfer complex or inherently semiconducting polymer different from (a). It has been discovered that the process of the invention provides a means by which electromotively coated polymer articles may be conveniently prepared.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an insulator 62 on one major surface of a uniaxial tension focus mask 25 includes the steps of: positioning a mask sheet 27, having a multiplicity of openings 42 that extend from a first major surface of the mask sheet through a main body portion thereof to an oppositely disposed second major surface, at a distance from a charging gun 72, 172 having a source 74, 174 of a dry-powdered insulative material; charging and directing the dry-powdered insulative material toward the first major surface of the mask to provide a coating of the charged, dry-powdered insulative material thereon, and providing means 70, 272 for preventing the charged, dry-powdered insulative material from extending into the openings 42 and being deposited onto the main body portion of the mask surrounding the openings and the second major surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rubber article includes the steps of shaping a green article and blowing a solvent-free powdery release agent made of powder particles onto the green article in order to coat the green article with the release agent. The release agent contains at least 10% vulcanized rubber powder and a compound preventing rubber adhesion within the release agent. During blowing an electrostatic potential difference is provided between the green article and the release agent for driving the powder particles of the release onto the green article. The green article coated with the release agent is subsequently placed into a vulcanization mold where the green article is vulcanized.

Abstract: A method of applying a film of coating material to a web of pulp product on a machine and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The coating material is directed in a fluid against the surface of a web of pulp product in the form of a high volume low velocity atomized spray mist from high volume low pressure spray nozzles with an exiting air pressure from the spray nozzle of 1 to 10 psig, preferably 3 to 6 psig.

Abstract: The disclosed present invention relates to a method of applying a metallic coating, such as a finish paint coating to an automobile. This method comprises two processes or stages using a bell-shaped rotary atomizer and a metallic paint. The amount of paint ejected from the rotary atomizer, shaping air pressure, and coating speed are maintained at approximately the same values during both the first and second processes. In the first process, the peripheral speed of the bell-shaped atomizing head is set within a range of 39 to 65 m/s. In the subsequent second process, the peripheral speed of the bell-shaped atomizing head is set to a lower value than in the first process, that is, within the range of 21 to 39 m/s, and the reduction rate of the nonvolatile (NV) value is set to 3% or more. This method improves the orientation of a bright pigment, enabling the automobile to appear high-grade, and providing a quality metallic coating.

Abstract: A method and material is disclosed for protecting glass surfaces in a stack of glass sheets by applying an interleaving material comprised of polyethylene having a number average molecular weight of at least 150,000 to one or both major surfaces of the glass sheets. The glass sheets are then stacked in face-to-face relation for shipment or storage.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for strengthening and sizing paper which comprises the step of applying a composition comprising (a) an isocyanate and (b) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising at least one polyol having an ethylene oxide content of at least 1%, wherein said composition does not contain water to the paper by means of an electrostatic spraying device having a linear orifice.

Abstract: A nitrogen-containing compound of the following general formula (1) is kneaded into a resin molding material, the kneaded mixture is molded and the surface of the resulting article is subjected to corona discharge treatment. Further, a coating material having electrostatic charges is sprayed and deposited on the article after the corona discharge treatment. This can provide a shaped resin article with remarkably improved electrical conductivity from a less electrically conductive resin, without substantially deteriorating the physical properties and the color of the article. Further, electrostatic coating excellent in coating efficiency, surface appearance, productivity or the like is possible. ##STR1## where R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group or alkenyl group of 5 to 21 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 represents --H or --CH.sub.3, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be the same or different and each represents an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, A represents --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or ##STR2## and n is 1 to 5.