Abstract:
The invention relates to a quasi-continuously operating coating device for the coating of moulded bodies, in particular for pharmaceutical products, such as tablets, drops, pressed moldings and granulates. The coating device comprises a rotating coating drum, divided into several drum longitudinal sections by a transport element, whereby the introduction of the process medium for all segments occurs individually and depending on the appropriate stage of the coating process. The moulded bodies are conveyed through the drum in an axial direction by means of said transport element. In an ideal embodiment the transport element is in the form of a cylindrical screw.
Abstract:
The device for surface coating of small parts is comprised essentially of a device (10) with sequentially arranged processing stations, namely a dip station (11), a drip station (12), a centrifuge station (13) and an emptying station (14). The drums (1) filled with small parts are conveyed from station to station via a longitudinal conveyor (27). Each station has its individual drive, with which the drums (1) can be brought into rotation. The drums are comprised of half shells (2) and (3), which are axially slideable relative to each other, which are opened for filling and closed during processing.
Abstract:
This invention provides a method of providing a barrier coating over the surfaces of a plurality of sinkers (10), each having a line passageway (21) therethrough, and to sinkers (10) having a barrier coating (25, 27) over the exposed surfaces thereof including the line passageway (21). According to the invention, sinker bodies (11) are pressed from metal iron powder and immersed to paint the line passageway (21). The external surface of the body (11) is then cleaned so that the sinker may be handled leaving the passage coating (26) intact. The body is conveyed through successive spray stations at which opposite sides are painted and rolled over between painting stations for this purpose. Different barrier coatings such as epoxy coatings may be applied to the line passageway and the exterior surface.
Abstract:
Conveyors are provided for tumbling and transferring parts to be subjected to treatments, including electroplating in a series of treatment tanks. The conveyors are supported on the treatment tanks for pivotal movement between a position in which the parts are received from a parts feeder to a treatment position in which the parts are subjected to tumbling and immersion within a treatment solution to a drain position for during of the treatment solution and drying and next to a discharge position where they are discharged either to another conveyor in a next treatment tank or to a subsequent station for further processing. Movement of the conveyors to the several positions is carried out by tilt devices which vary the slope of the upper run of each conveyor. A plating tank includes anode baskets disposed adjacent the load-receiving end of the upper run of the conveyor and cathode danglers for contacting the parts on the upper run to establish a current path comprising danglers, the parts, the electrolytic solution and the anodes. Circulation of electrolyte is provided establishing a circulation path past the anodes through an inlet opening in the parts receiving hopper portions of the conveyor.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for uniformly contacting an article with a treatment solution. Preferred embodiments are methods of uniformly tinting of contact lenses or uniformly surface modifying contact lenses. The method involves suspending the lens in the treatment solution by application of fluid flow, preferably sinusoidal or pulsed, in a direction opposite the stagnant force (i.e., sum of buoyancy and gravity forces) on the article. The fluid flow prevents the lens from contacting the container structure for periods sufficient to cause non-uniform treatment conditions, while continuously mixing the treatment solution to maintain uniform concentrations throughout.
Abstract:
A modular parts surface treatment system includes a number of modular units each having integral conveying means for transporting the parts through the unit and delivering them to the next unit. The system includes a single modular cleaning unit, preferably for dry, mechanical cleaning of the parts. The modular cleaning unit reciprocates along a set of tracks to deliver cleaned parts to each of several side-by-side modular treatment units which tumble the parts in a bath of treatment solution and then drain them before discharging them onto the conveyor of a modular transfer unit. The modular transfer unit delivers the parts to a modular rinse unit having an inclined conveyor submerged at one end in a tank of rinse water. This conveyor transports the parts through the rinse water and lifts them above the rinse water for draining. If needed, the parts may be passed through a second modular rinse unit, or through a modular additional surface treatment unit, which may be similar to a modular rinse unit or to the modular treatment unit, and then through a second modular rinse unit. Finally, the parts are dried in a spin dryer or dry heated by air on an in-line conveyor unit.
Abstract:
A coating system includes a plurality of liquid immersion workstations positioned along an arcuate path, the plurality of liquid immersion workstations defining a single complete coating process for a sequence of objects. A plurality of curing workstations are configured to independently receive objects of the sequence of objects exiting the plurality of liquid immersion workstations. An articulated robotic arm has a base positioned inside the arcuate path in top plan view such that the robotic arm is operable to carry each object of the sequence of objects through each of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations and to exactly one of the plurality of curing workstations. An articulated robotic hand is provided at a distal end of the robotic arm and configured to grasp and hold each of the objects and to oscillate the object while submerged in each of the plurality of liquid immersion workstations.
Abstract:
An apparatus to apply seasoning to a foodstuff comprising a plurality of individual food portions comprises a rotatable drum supportable in a generally horizontal position and having an inlet at a first end, an outlet at a second end and a bore extending through the drum from the inlet to the outlet, with a substantial portion of the bore having a generally frustoconical interior with a larger diameter end of the frustoconical interior disposed proximal to the inlet and a smaller diameter end of the frustoconical interior portion disposed proximal to the outlet. In one embodiment, the frustoconical interior portion extends substantially from the inlet to the outlet and converges in that direction. In another embodiment, the generally frustoconical portion extends from a generally cylindrical interior portion, that is intermediate the inlet and the frustoconical interior portion, to the outlet and converges in that direction.
Abstract:
A system and process for maintaining a quiescent surface of a fluid in a fluid container is disclosed. A fluid container has a weir structure for capturing fluid when objects are dipped. The captured fluid is returned to the fluid container at a flow rate that maintains an essentially horizontal fluid surface, regardless of the volume of objects dipped.
Abstract:
An apparatus including an air blower; a rotary airlock; a receptacle having an inner chamber supplied with a plurality of colorant particles; a water supply; and a mixing chamber. The air blower blows air into a bottom section of the rotary airlock, and the rotary airlock receives colorant particles from an output of the receptacle. A rotor shaft of the rotary airlock rotates to cause colorant particles to be transported to the bottom section of the rotary airlock. Air blown into the bottom section of the rotary airlock mixes with colorant particles transported into the bottom section of the rotary airlock to form an air and colorant particles mixture, which is blown out of a first output of the rotary airlock and combined with water to form a water, air, and colorant particles mixture, which is mixed with material in a mixing chamber. The material may be natural mulch.