Abstract: A process and apparatus for dip-coating intermediate and/or discrete discontinuous portions of longitudinal devices, including medical devices such as catheters and guidewires. The apparatus provides a chamber in which both the desired portion(s) of the device and the coating solution can be controllably contacted. A controlled coating can be achieved within the chamber by providing and controlling one or more of the following relationships: a) the manner in which a chamber (containing solution) is itself moved with respect to a static device, b) the manner in which the device is moved with respect to a fixed chamber position containing a fixed volume of solution, and/or c) the manner in which both the chamber and device are fixed in position, and the coating is achieved by adding and removing a volume of solution from the chamber.

Abstract: A process for coating a metal substrate includes: (a) applying a liquid basecoating composition to a surface of the substrate; (b) exposing the basecoating composition to air having a temperature ranging from about 10° C. to about 30° C. for a period of at least about 30 seconds to volatilize at least a portion of volatile material from the liquid basecoating composition, the velocity of the air at a surface of the basecoating composition being less than about 0.5 meters per second; (c) applying infrared radiation and warm air simultaneously to the basecoating composition for a period of at least about 30 seconds, the velocity of the air at the surface of the basecoating composition being less than about 4 meters per second, the temperature of the substrate being increased at a rate ranging from about 0.02° C. per second to about 0.4° C. per second to achieve a peak temperature of the substrate ranging from about 20° C. to about 60° C.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for applying an electrocatalytic or a protective coating to a metal substrate or repairing a damaged area of the same, consisting in a thermal treatment of a precursor of said catalytic coating by means of a hot air jet from a blower. The temperature of the substrate is locally controlled by means of surface temperature sensors or by an infrared measuring system. The metal substrate may be an exhausted electrode structure, in which case the reactivation is easily carried out at the plant site without any need of sending the structure to the producer. The method of the invention is particularly useful for reactivating anodes for oxygen evolution as it permits to avoid the risky procedure of detaching the anode from the current conductor.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for drying and/or curing topcoatings and multicomponent composite coatings applied to surfaces of metal or polymeric substrates which include applying infrared radiation and warm, low velocity air simultaneously to the coating for a period of at least about 30 seconds and increasing the substrate temperature at a predetermined rate to achieve a specified peak temperature. Infrared radiation and hot air are applied simultaneously to the coating for a period of at least about 3 minutes and the substrate temperature is increased at a predetermined rate to achieve a specified peak temperature, such that a dried and/or cured coating is formed upon the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Processes for coating metal or polymeric substrates are provided which include the steps of: (a) applying a liquid basecoating composition to a surface of the substrate; (b) exposing the basecoating composition to air having a temperature ranging from about 10° C. to about 50° C. for a period of at least about 5 minutes to volatilize at least a portion of volatile material from the liquid basecoating composition, the velocity of the air at a surface of the basecoating composition being less than about 0.5 meters per second; (c) applying infrared radiation and hot air simultaneously to the basecoating composition for a period of at least about 2 minutes, the velocity of the air at the surface of the basecoating composition being less than about 4 meters per second, the temperature of the metal substrate being increased at a rate ranging from about 0.4° C. per second to about 1.2° C. per second to achieve a peak substrate temperature ranging from about 120° C. to about 165° C.

Abstract: Processes for drying primer coating compositions applied to a surface of a substrate are provided in which the primer coating composition, if a liquid or powder slurry, is exposed to low velocity air having a temperature ranging from about 10° C. to about 50° C. for a period of at least about 30 seconds to volatilize at least a portion of volatile material from the liquid primer coating composition. Next, infrared radiation and low velocity warm air are applied simultaneously to the primer coating composition (liquid, powder slurry or powder) for a period of at least about 1 minute during which the temperature of the substrate is increased at a rate ranging from about 0.2° C. per second to about 2° C. per second to achieve a peak substrate temperature of the substrate ranging from about 30° C. to about 120° C.

Abstract: A molding station for molding a colored product of a synthetic resin mixed with a colorant and a coating station for applying a colored clear coat to the surface of the molded colored product are disposed adjacent to each other for highly efficient production of colored clear coated, molded colored products. The molded colored product is charged directly from the molding station into the coating station. The hue of the molded colored product and the hue of the colored clear coat are seen as mixed to the eye. A plurality of hues may be available for each of the colorant and the colored clear coat, so that a variety of hues can be achieved on colored products by a combination of hues of the colorant and the colored clear coat without maintaining a large stock or inventory of different colorants or colored clear coats.

Abstract: An electron beam exposure method is described which provides a means of curing spin-on-glass formed on a semiconductor wafer which insulates the conductive metal layer and planarizes the topography in the process of manufacturing multilayered integrated circuits. The method utilizes a large area, uniform electron beam exposure system in a soft vacuum environment. A wafer coated with uncured siloxane spin-on-glass is irradiated with electrons of sufficient energy to penetrate the entire thickness of the spin-on-glass and is simultaneously heated by infrared heaters. The wafer is exposed to a predetermined dose of electrons while simultaneously raised to a peak temperature in a soft vacuum environment. The electron beam and infrared heaters are then extinguished and the substrate cooled before removing from vacuum.

Abstract: A precursor solution formed of a liquid polyoxyalkylated metal complex in as solvent is applied to a substrate in the formation of a metal oxide thin film. The liquid thin film is baked in air to a temperature up to 500.degree. C. while UV radiation having a wavelength ranging from 180 nm to 300 nm is applied. The thin film can be twice-baked at increasing temperatures while UV radiation is applied at one or both bakings. The film is then annealed at temperature ranging from about 700.degree. C. to 850.degree. C. to produce a thin-film solid metal oxide product. Alternatively, the UV radiation may be applied to the liquid precursor, the thin film may be annealed with UV radiation, or combinations of such applications of UV radiation to the precursor, to the thin film before or after baking, and/or UV annealing may be used. The use of UV radiation significantly reduces the leakage current and carbon impurity content of the final metal oxide.

Abstract: A fluoro-carbon resinous laminate has a crack-resistant surface on a fluoro-carbon resinous layer thereof produced by coating a single surface or both surfaces of a plastic film with a single layer of a fluoro-carbon resinous dispersion, and a method of producing the laminate. To produce the fluoro-carbon resinous laminate, which is a minimum of 10 .mu.m in thickness, a single surface or both surfaces of a plastic film are coating with a single layer of concentration-adjusted fluoro-carbon resinous dispersion and then dried, followed by curing the resinous dispersion in a thermal treating furnace with heated atmospheric air or by adding organic solvent to the resinous dispersion, the enabling production of a fluoro-carbon resinous laminate having a surface appearance in which cracks cannot visually be identified.

Abstract: Materials variously treated with sodium silicate were studied until enough information was obtained to find a way to solve the problems that have prevented sodium silicate from being the used as a fire retardant. These problems are: 1) water solubility (miscible with water), which results in extensive leaching when exposed to water, 2) cracking, chipping and peeling of treated surfaces, and 3) surface granulation. During flame tests it was discovered that sodium silicate formed a foam-like material, and this material was found to have become water insoluble, yet its elemental composition had remained virtually identical to that of the unmodified sodium silicate. This investigator proposes that under the influence of heat and dehydration, sodium silicate undergoes a polymerization process resulting in particles sizes too large to dissolve in water, and then developed a mechanism to explain how the process could occur.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a flat composite plastic structure, for example a floor covering, comprising a textile web and at least one layer of a plastic, for example a polyvinyl chloride, on the reverse side or on the top side, which impregnates the textile web, according to which process:a) the textile web is made available,b) a plastisol is made available,c) the textile web is coated with a layer of plastisol,d) a radiant surface is obtained by combustion of a combustible gas in contact with a porous structure,e) the layer of plastisol is heated, using the radiant surface, in order to remove the volatile organic fraction of the coated layer and to cause the plastisol to gel,wherein the combustion of the combustible gas takes place under flameless, catalytic conditions.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for producing printing plates comprising rapid, efficient drying of solvent-containing resin compositions of the printing plates and apparatus useful therefor. Printing plates processed employing invention methods and apparatus are ready for use in printing applications in a relatively short period of time, especially compared to the time required for conventional convection drying. Moreover, printing plates processed according to the present invention method and apparatus are not subjected to excessive levels of heat, as is frequently the case with conventional convection drying. Excessive heating tends to be detrimental to the performance properties of the polymeric resin. In a particular aspect of the present invention, there are provided novel compositions which, upon drying according to the methods described herein, undergo a color change, thereby indicating when the drying process is substantially complete.

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: Laboratory drier for the simulation of industrial lacquer drying installations, containing an irradiation space with IR emitters and a convection space adjacent to this and having ventilated and heated drying gases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying pressure sensitive adhesive to a substrate, in which the adhesive is deposited on a transfer surface, such as a circulating transfer belt, dried, and subsequently transferred to a plurality of overlapping sheets. The sheets are preferably coated with a primer or a low adhesion backsize, or both, prior to application of the adhesive.

Abstract: A process for the in-line, high speed manufacturing of magnetic products is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of printing onto a substrate, drying the ink print, making the appropriate cuts or scores on the substrate, applying a slurry of magnetizable material onto the substrate to create the magnet, drying the applied material, magnetizing the magnetic material and cutting and forming the substrate to the desired dimensions. Each of these steps may be performed in a single, in-line manufacturing operation running at high speeds.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modifying a fluoropolymer including the following steps: providing a fluoropolymer surface, adding a solution including a a reactive species to the fluoropolymer surface, and exposing the reduced fluoropolymer surface to ultraviolet radiation in the presence of ozone or oxygen. The method reduces the discoloration of the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: A method of applying chemical charge-modifiers to a permeable sheet including the steps of: providing a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having relatively low surface energies; providing an aqueous solution containing amphiphilic macromolecules, the solution having a relatively high surface tension; contacting the solution containing amphiphilic macromolecules under shear stress conditions with the permeable sheet so that at least a portion of the amphiphilic macromolecules are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to form a coated permeable sheet; and contacting the coated permeable sheet with a solution containing chemical charge modifiers to incorporate chemical charge modifiers onto at least a portion of the amphiphilic macromolecules.

Abstract: An article and a method of making surface modified synthetic diamond substes at temperatures below 500.degree. C. for electronic packaging applications are described. The article consists of a synthetic diamond substrate, the surface of which has been modified by providing an adherent thin coating of a ceramic (alumina) material so as to enable metallization of synthetic diamond by current industrial methods. The method of surface modification comprises deposition of a thin transition metal layer on the synthetic diamond substrate prior to low temperature reactive vapor deposition of aluminum followed by annealing in an oxygen atmosphere.

Abstract: A solid lubricant application procedure is combined in-line with a steel strip processing method which comprises processing steps upstream and downstream of the lubricant application procedure. The latter comprises applying the lubricant material in molten form or as a solution and may include temperature adjusting steps both upstream and downstream of the lubricant material-applying step. The space for incorporating the lubricant application procedure into the steel strip processing line is limited. The strip speed in the lubricant application procedure is synchronized with the strip speed normally attained in the steel strip processing method in the absence of an in-line lubricant application procedure. The steps of the lubricant application procedure are constrained to accommodate the space limits and strip speed synchronization requirement imposed on the lubricant application procedure when it is combined in-line with the steel strip processing method.

Abstract: A high-strength tube fabrication method including the steps of: (a) preparing a polyester yarn gauze, (b) preparing a PVC emulsion, (c) coating the first side of the gauze with a layer of PVC emulsion, (d) steam drying the gauze, (e) coating the second side of the gauze with a layer of PVC emulsion, (e) steam drying the gauze so as to obtain a plastic cloth, (f) baking the plastic cloth to fully dryness, (g) polishing the both sides of the plastic cloth, (h) cutting the polished plastic cloth into strips subject to the size of the tube to be made, (i) sealing each plastic cloth strip into a tube, and (j) rolling up the tube thus obtained into a reel.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of fabricating a printing medium that is suitable for use with ink jet printing. The method includes preparing a polymeric dope solution. The polymeric dope solution is metered onto a substrate. A porous coating layer is formed on the substrate from the polymeric dope solution using a phase inversion technique. At least one component of an ink solution placed upon the porous coating layer is drawn into the porous coating layer to cause the ink solution to dry on the porous coating layer.

Abstract: A method for producing surface-treated paper, in particular of fine paper, and a dry end of a paper machine that makes use of the method. A paper web that has been dewatered by pressing is dried in the forward dryer section, in which drying energy is applied to the paper web over the entire length of the forward dryer section asymmetrically in the z-direction from the side of the bottom face of the web. This step is carried out by a number of successive groups with single-wire draw that are open downward. In this manner, shrinkage of the web both in the machine direction and in the cross direction is reduced or at least partially prevented, which shrinkage tends to take place when the dry solids content becomes higher. Paper broke is removed from underneath the drying groups that are open downward substantially by the force of gravity onto the broke conveyor placed underneath.

Abstract: A solvent-containing coating composition is applied to a work to a thickness larger than a running limit thickness and is subjected to a setting step of evaporating the solvent in the coating composition applied to the work and a hardening step of hardening the coating composition after the setting step while the work is rotated about a substantially horizontal axis after the coating step to prevent the coating composition on a vertical surface of the work from running or sagging. The coating composition is arranged so that the coating composition has a flowability and at the same time the solvent accounts for not more than 30% by weight of the coating composition at a time during the setting step or the end of the same.

Abstract: Wet color cards prepared with water-based emulsion paints applied in layers of at least 75 g/m.sup.2 are dried using infra-red dryers irradiating the uncoated side of the cardboard or paper cards.

Abstract: Thermosetting powder coating compositions adapted to form a grainy textured finish on heat sensitive substrates, especially wood products, such as particle board, conductive particle board, and medium density fiber board, without damaging the substrates comprise an epoxy resin, particularly bisphenol A type epoxy resins having low viscosities, either a catalytic curing agent comprising an imidazole, a substituted imidazole, or adduct of an imidazole or substituted imidazole and an epoxy resin, or a curing agent comprising an adduct of a polyamine and an epoxy resin, or a combination of the catalytic curing agent and curing agent, a texturing agent, a flow control agent, optional extender, and optional pigment. The thermosetting powder coatings have a cure time/temperature ranging from about 30 seconds at about 350.degree. F. peak substrate temperature down to about 20 minutes at about 225.degree. F.

Abstract: This is a system and method of in-situ coating, baking and curing of dielectric material. The system may include: dispensing apparatus for dispensing spin-on material; a lamp module 50; a window 54 connected to the lamp module 50; an environmental control chamber 56 connected to the window 54; an access gate 60 for wafers 58 in the environmental control chamber 56; a spin chuck 62 inside the environmental control chamber 56; and an exhaust pipe 64 connected to the environmental control chamber 56. The lamp module 50 may contains infra red and ultra violet lamps. In addition, the coating chamber may process dielectric material such as spin-on glass, silicon dioxide and various other spin-on material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a water-based paint composition comprising sodium silicate, water, water-soluble base, metal oxide pigment, and zinc oxide as an adhesion promoter. Preferably, it further comprises glass frit and surfactants. In other aspects, it is directed to the method of making the composition, and glass sheets having a cured paint field thereon, and the method of making such glass sheets.

Abstract: A solid lubricant application procedure is combined in-line with a steel strip processing method which comprises processing steps upstream and downstream of the lubricant application procedure. The latter comprises applying the lubricant material in molten form or as a solution and may include temperature adjusting steps both upstream and downstream of the lubricant material-applying step. The space for incorporating the lubricant application procedure into the steel strip processing line is limited. The strip speed in the lubricant application procedure is synchronized with the strip speed normally attained in the steel strip processing method in the absence of an in-line lubricant application procedure. The steps of the lubricant application procedure are constrained to accommodate the space limits and strip speed synchronization requirement imposed on the lubricant application procedure when it is combined in-line with the steel strip processing method.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing copper clad laminates from a copper substrate without a conventional or infrared oven. The method contains the steps of: (a) preparing a precursory coating composition which can be subsequently cured to become polyimide; (b) coating the precursory coating composition on a copper substrate; and (c) exposing the precursory coating composition to an infrared heater provided in an infrared curing apparatus. The infrared heater is selected such that it emits infrared rays of wavelengths correponding to the absorption spectrum of the precursory coating composition. A plurality of infrared heaters can be provided in the infrared curing apparatus, each can be designed to have a different effective heating length and/or operated at a uniquely predetermined surface temperature for optimum energy efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process which comprises the steps of producing moldings from intrinsically conductive polymers on a substrate, the moldings being conductive layer components having a specific conductivity of >10.sup.-2 S/cm, by depositing a predetermined amount of a metastable dispersion of the intrinsically conductive polymers to form the conductive component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of coating a permeable sheet with amphiphilic proteins, the method including the steps of: 1) providing a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having relatively low surface energies; 2) providing an aqueous solution containing amphiphilic proteins, the solution having a relatively high surface tension; and 3) contacting the solution containing amphiphilic proteins under shear stress conditions with the matrix of fibrous material so that at least a portion of the amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces.

Abstract: New and improved structures in tools subject to wear and attrition when engaging or engaged by work or material being worked on thereby. Synthetic diamond material is formed in situ on a select portion or portions of the surface of a hard substrate or tool support to define or cover the portion of the tool substrate adjacent the work operated on by the tool in a manner to provide a hard wear resistant work engaging surface or surfaces which offers substantially greater resistance to abrasion and frictional deterioration than the material of the substrate or tool base. In one form, the synthetic diamond material is formed on and welded to the surface of the substrate in a single operation involving the application of intense radiant energy beamed against particles of carbon which are converted to a solid synthetic diamond structure of defined shape directly against the solid substrate.

Abstract: A composite laminated structure is provided which includes a thin copper or other conducting material laminated to a polyimide having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion which in turn is bonded to a polyimide which has a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). This polyimide is in turn bonded to a relatively thick base such as stainless steel. The thicknesses of the polyimide and copper and the specific coefficients of thermal expansion of all of the material are so selected that in the absence of support from the stainless steel the stresses between the various layers are balanced in such a way that the two layers of polyimide and the copper remain essentially flat. This allows for a stainless steel substrate to have a portion etched away or otherwise removed so as to form a hinge region; and when the stainless steel is removed, the remaining structure will remain essentially flat and not curl either toward the stainless steel or toward the copper.

Abstract: A coating of paint on a panel is dried by directing a narrow jet of air from a supply, preferably from an air mover, held at a predetermined distance from the panel towards one edge region of the panel, the jet being substantially narrower, when it reaches the panel edge region, than the length of the panel edge and the jet being inclined to the plane of the panel such that the air from the jet is entrained by the panel in a spreading laminar flow across the panel surface from that edge region to all the other edges thereof. This induces such laminar flow over substantially the whole surface and replaces vapor-laden air closely adjacent the surface with fresh air to accelerate drying. In a painting booth for cars several such air movers use part of the bulk air flow in the booth.

Abstract: The method for firing enamel on a metal article (2), subjected to a prior step for depositing, onto part of its surface, an enamel frit slip, followed by a step for obtaining a bisque on said component, comprises a step for exposing the article to infrared radiation of a maximum emission wavelength in a firing chamber (1).

Abstract: Bubble-free solder stop lacquer coatings of circuitboards are obtained for high conductor runs and close spacing, in that one proceeds from a photopolymerizable low-solvent lacquer, which is heated to pouring viscosity through a heatable roll and doctor blade by means of infrared lamps and is poured onto cooled circuitboards as a lacquer curtain.

Abstract: The method of repair paint curing for an automotive production line having a prep area, a spray booth, and an infrared oven, with a plurality of longitudinally spaced infrared heating panels upon its opposite sides and top includes the steps of conveying a vehicle from the prep area into a spray booth, locating upon the vehicle body the prepped area to be painted, and manually inputting a code to a computer control for selectively energizing only one of the heating panels immediately adjacent the prepped area. Additional steps include spray painting the prepped area, indexing the vehicle into the oven, and automatically energizing only the selected heating panel to apply preset heating and drying temperatures to the painted area for preset temperatures and time periods in accordance with a preselected program for the computer for drying and curing the painted area, all of the other heating panels remaining inactive. An apparatus in disclosed to practice the method of repair paint curing.

Abstract: A drying method and a device employs each apply to a substrate having a coated layer thereon, a first infrared radiation which has a high transmissivity relatively to the coated layer and a high absorptivity relative to the substrate, and a second infrared radiation which has a high absorptivity relative to the coated layer. The first infrared radiation is applied to the coated layer on the substrate and the second infrared radiation is subsequently applied. The energy transmitted through the coated layer is absorbed in the substrate and changed into heating energy to heat the substrate surface. Solvents in the coated layer are evaporated due to the heat passing from the heated substrate surface to the back surface of the coated layer. The energy absorbed by the coated layer accelerates the hardening of the coated layer.

Abstract: A process for producing thin photoresists on printed circuit boards wherein a metallic-layered substrate is conveyed beneath a free falling curtain of a photopolymerizable substance, said substance having a viscosity of 30-120 seconds DIN cup 4 @ 25.degree. C. and being applied at a curtain height of 5-25 cm. above the board to form a coating having a dry film thickness up to about 1.5 mil after the coated surfaces are dried, whereupon the surfaces are available for photoimaging, developing, etching and stripping operations.