Abstract: Changing (varying, irregular) resist thickness on semiconductor wafers having irregular top surface topography or having different island sizes, affects the percent reflectance (and absorption efficiency) of incident photolithographic light, and consequently the critical dimensions of underlying features being formed (e.g., polysilicon gates). A low solvent content resist solution that can be applied as an aerosol provides a more uniform thickness resist film, eliminating or diminishing photoresist thickness variations. A top antireflective coating (TAR) also aids in uniformizing reflectance, despite resist thickness variations. The two techniques can be used alone, or together. Hence, better control over underlying gate size can be effected, without differential biasing.

Abstract: A process for improving the electrostatic charge developed on a resin powder composition for electrostatic coating of solid objects and the method of application thereof. The resin powder comprises (i) a thermosetting or thermoplastic resin and (ii) an electrostatic property modifying agent (polyalkylene ether, polyalkylene glycol, polyethoxylated stearyl alcohol) incorporated in the resin or on the surface of the resin. The methods of application of the powder involves charging the powder by electrical induction/conduction and spraying the charged powder onto a grounded solid object to which it adheres prior to the thermal fusing to produce a permanent finish.

Abstract: A device electrically insulates the supply of paint for an electrostatic paint sprayer from the charged paint near the sprayer. In the electrostatic paint sprayer, the paint that is sprayed from a nozzle is charged to a high potential. Because the paint is electrically conductive, the charged paint will conduct charge toward the supply. The present invention runs the paint supply through a vessel of insulating material. The vessel has baffles with openings that divide the flow into droplets, thus creating a discontinuity in the supply stream. Charge accumulated on the interior wall of the vessel attracts oppositely charged droplets, causing them to accelerate and splatter against the interior wall. The resulting coating of electrically conductive paint on the interior wall can create an electrically conductive bridge that destroys the insulating effect of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for powder coating the surfaces of objects provides a spray source of charged powder coat particles that engage the surface of the object. The thickness of the layer of particles can be regulated by measuring the resulting electrostatic surface potential generated by the particles. The layer of particles is treated by applying a balanced air flow positively and negatively-charged air ions that neutralize and transport surface particles from the object. The resulting surface has an electrostatic surface potential that is substantially equal thereon. This equal electrostatic surface potential translates into an even thickness coating along the object's surface. The treated surface is then cured by conventional heating and cooling processes to form a finished powder coat finish.

Abstract: A triboelectric coating process for applying 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 about 30 and 45 microns and a particle size distribution (all percents defined in weight percent) of:0-5% larger than 88 microns,85-95% larger than 15.56 microns and94-100% larger than 11 microns.

Abstract: A golf ball has a surface uniformly covered with a paint coat so that carrying properties of dimples can be stably elicited. A paint to which is applied a voltage of more than 50,000 V is supplied to a disk revolving at a speed of more than 15,000 rpm for atomization, the atomized paint being coated on the surface of the golf ball to form a paint coat within a thickness range of 5 to 60 .mu.m, with a maximum/minimum coat thickness ratio of 1 to 2.

Abstract: A method of providing particle deposition on a semiconductor wafer or other surface first provides a flow of clean gas into a deposition chamber that purges the chamber prior to introduction of the wafer, and after introduction, continues the flow of clean gas. An aerosol is mixed into the clean gas flow for a desired length of time, so that as the combined flow passes through the deposition chamber particles are deposited on the wafer supported in the chamber. After the deposition has continued for either a desired particle count or a length of time, the flow of aerosol is discontinued, and a clean gas flow sheath is provided over the wafer as it is removed from the chamber. The apparatus carries out this method by providing a source of a clean gas, valves for controlling aerosol introduction into the clean gas, and a support for the wafer in the path of gas introduced into the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the electrostatic charge developed on a resin powder composition for electrostatic coating of solid objects and the method of application thereof. The apparatus comprises a device for charging the powder by electrical induction/conduction such that the powder particles have a resistivity of from about 10.sup.9 to about 10.sup.13 ohm.meters at 20 percent relative humidity and spraying the charged powder onto an grounded solid object to which it adheres prior to the thermal fusing to produce a permanent finish.

Abstract: A borosilicate glass composition suitable for porcelain enamel applications is disclosed. Accordingly, a black, cobalt-free composition which contains a significant amount of iron oxide was found to be suitable for enameling cast iron and non-pickled steel substrates. The inventive glass is suitable for applications requiring black color, acid resistance, thermal durability and water vapor resistance. In particular, the inventive glass can be used both as a ground coat and a cover coat.

Abstract: A method for matting a recording medium comprises supplying a humidifying gas stream onto the outer periphery of an atomized stream of fine droplets of an aqueous solution containing a matting agent by atomizing device along the atomized stream for affixing the fine droplets on the recording material, drying the liquid material in a drying chamber for forming micro-projections of the matting agent. Convex-shaped micro-projections of the matting agent, strongly affixed on the recording medium, are formed without contaminating the working environment.

Abstract: A device for the electrostatic spraying of a coating material comprising at least one charge electrode and equipped with an activating trigger connected to the means of supply of the coating material characterized in that it comprises means of adjusting the supply voltage of the said electrode sensitive the to position of the trigger. Thanks to this device, it is possible to control the value of the charge electrode supply voltage during coating as a function of the geometrical configuration of the object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of preparing an InSb thin film, which comprises a step of physically sticking InSb powder onto a major surface of a substrate, and a step of depositing an InSb thin film on the major surface of the substrate provided with the as-stuck InSb powder by a method such as vacuum evaporation.

Abstract: The coils on dynamo-electric machine parts (such as electric motor armatures or stators) are stabilized and coated by electrostatically coating them with resin powder, and then fusing the powder into a continuous resin coating on the coils. For example, the powder may be fused by heat generated by briefly passing a relatively large electrical current through the coils. If desired, the coils may be formed with wire which has an outer layer of bonding material. Activation of the bonding material, which may occur simultaneously with fusing of the resin powder, bonds adjacent coil wires together.

Abstract: A powder spray coating system has a controller configurable to a variety of different system configurations. Configuration data is keyed by an operator from menu prompts and stored for use by a microprocessor based operating program to operate the supply of powder and air to a powder spray gun. The microprocessor also presents information from monitored parameters of the system, including the supply air dew point which is monitored to provide warning signals of potential condensation in the system. Dew point detection is accomplished by measuring temperature and relative humidity and comparing the measurements with values for air at the maximum acceptable dew point. Alternatively, measurement of absolute humidity and supply air pressure are used to compute the dew point of the air which is compared with the actual temperature and maximum dew point temperature.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate, including the steps of: providing a space between an anode substrate constituting an anode and a cathode substrate constituting a cathode using an insulating member inserted between the anode substrate and the cathode substrate, supplying the providing space with particles of a coating material, preferably a metal or a metallic compound, evacuating the space, and generating an electric field in the evacuated space to cause vibration of the particles to coat the anode substrate and the cathode substrate with the particles of the coating material. According to the substrate coating method of the present invention, a coating with a high purity having excellent adhesion to a substrate and a uniform thickness can be formed on a substrate at normal temperatures at a high efficiency. Furthermore, according to the substrate coating method of the present invention, a coating can be formed on a substrate at a low electric power.

Abstract: A process of powder coating of workpieces in which initially a workpiece is coated with color powder such that the powder adheres to the workpiece and subsequently the powder is baked in an oven, in which subsequent to coating and prior to baking the powder adhering to the workpiece is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation within a particular, defined surface portion so that the powder within the defined surface portion will gelate and stick to the workpiece, and in which the color powder adhering to the workpiece outside of said defined surface portion is removed subsequent to irradiation.

Abstract: In a method of electrostatic painting, the air to be conveyed towards the spraying nozzle (10) of a gun (9) together with the powdered paint, is enriched with at least one additive gaseous fluid consisting of at least one gas supplied from a feeding bottle (136, 137, 138, 139) and/or vapor obtained by submitting the air to bubbling through a working liquid (115). The additive fluid which has a greater electric conductivity than the air, causes an increase in the paint amount coated on the workpiece (11) in relation to the paint amount sprayed from the nozzle (10).

Abstract: A substrate is spray coated with a composition containing an epoxy resin-modified polyester binder which is water-dilutable upon base neutralization of the free carboxyl groups and is prepared via the reaction of A) a polyester containing (cyclo)aliphatic groups having at least six carbon atoms derived from (a.sub.1) a polycarboxylic acid with at least three carboxyl groups and/or (a.sub.2) a polyol with at least one carboxyl group, and (a.sub.3) a polycarboxylic acid with two carboxyl groups and (a.sub.4) a polyol; and (B) a bisphenol epoxy resin.

Abstract: A method for providing an electric field having a desirable configuration and strength for the electrostatic coating of phosphors on a fluorescent glass envelope at a controlled temperature comprising enclosing a fluorescent glass envelope with at least one electrically conductive charge retaining member at a desired temperature for the duration of the actual electrostatic coating operation wherein charged phosphor particles are attracted to the interior of the glass envelope and the charge is dissipated to the charge retaining member which remains substantially electrically isolated during the coating process. The process is most suitable adapted to an asymmetric fluorescent glass envelope.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for depositing a latex coating on an article made of elastomer,wherein a continuous layer of a hydrophilic inorganic pulverulent material is deposited at the surface of the elastomer and the said article is immersed in an aqueous latex suspension.The invention also relates to a composite article based on silicone elastomer comprising a latex coating, said composite article including a film made up of a hydrophilic inorganic pulverulent material at the interface between the silicone elastomer and the latex.

Abstract: A system for coupling a grounded color changer to an electrostatic coating material sprayer electrically isolates the color changer from a high voltage at the sprayer. The system has a fluid path extending from the color changer to the sprayer and a reservoir is coupled to the fluid path at a connection point intermediate the color changer and sprayer. To fill the system with coating material to be sprayed, the fluid path to the sprayer is first filled with coating material from the color changer, following which the remaining coating material to be sprayed during the coating operation is flowed from the connection point into the reservoir. At least a portion of the fluid path between the connection point and the color changer is then cleaned of coating material to electrically isolate the reservoir and the sprayer from the color changer. Coating material is then delivered from the reservoir to the sprayer for being subjected to a high voltage and emitted in an electrostatically charged atomized spray.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for electrostatically applying a coating, such as solder mask, to a substrate such as a circuit board. A grounded conveyor system includes electrically conductive means for suspending the substrate from the conveyor and grounding the substrate. An atomizing spray nozzle provides an atomized, electrically charged spray of the coating material in the direction of the grounded substrate. A focusing element is positioned to confine the spray to a desired pattern, and a receiving backplate, which carries a charge opposite that of the spray, is positioned behind the substrate to attract the charged coating particles that do not impinge on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of coating stereolithographic parts and smoothing over characteristic surface discontinuities having alternating recesses and peaks. A stereolithographic part is first substantially covered with a substance capable of becoming less viscous when heated at a temperature which does not substantially thermally degrade the part, wherein the heated substance has an appropriate surface tension. Then, the substance is heated to that temperature until the substance flows preferentially into the recesses of the surface discontinuities and away from the peaked surface discontinuities. The substance will thereafter form a short surface connection over the recesses of the discontinuities through the surface tension of the heated substance. The substance is then polymerized or hardened either by cooling, thermally setting or by UV curing.

Abstract: A process of producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member which can be used in many copying machines and printers is here disclosed, and this process comprises the step of spraying two or more kinds of charge generating materials on an electroconductive support by a coating apparatus in which each of independent spray devices is disposed for each of the charge generating materials, in order to form a photosensitive layer containing the two or more kinds of charge generating materials on the electroconductive support, whereby the electrophotographic photosensitive member is obtained in which the photosensitive layer is formed on the electroconductive support.

Abstract: A patterned decorative material is prepared by a method which comprises applying a thermosetting powder coating material to a base plate; melting of the thermosetting powder coating material by heating; simultaneously embossing the coating layer and the base plate while the melted thermosetting powder coating material has a gel fraction formed by a hardening reaction of 0 to 75 weight percent; and further heating to form a hardened coating on the base plate. The patterned decorative material is excellent in appearance, corrosion resistance, weathering resistance and abrasion resistance and is free from the defects of conventional steel plates coated with polyvinyl chloride and the like, such as formation of craze and loss of luster.