Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. The polymeric material is then at least partially solidified. The soluble material is then removed such as by solvent washing to thereby produce desired porous articles. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

An atomizing spray nozzle device includes an atomizing zone housing that receives different phases of materials used to form a coating. The atomizing zone housing mixes the different phases of the materials into a two-phase mixture of ceramic-liquid droplets in a carrier gas. The device also includes a plenum housing fluidly coupled with the atomizing housing and extending from the atomizing housing to a delivery end. The plenum housing includes an interior plenum that receives the two-phase mixture of ceramic-liquid droplets in the carrier gas from the atomizing zone housing. The device also includes one or more delivery nozzles fluidly coupled with the plenum chamber. The delivery nozzles provide outlets from which the two-phase mixture of ceramic-liquid droplets in the carrier gas is delivered onto one or more surfaces of a target object as the coating on the target object.

A method and apparatus for applying or dropping granules onto the asphalt coated surface of a moving sheet in shingle manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes sharing each drop between two or more blend rolls with a subsequent blend roll or rolls applying a partial drop directly on top of partial drops already applied by a first blend roll or rolls. High production speeds can be accommodated since each roll can be operated at slower rotation rates and with slower acceleration and deceleration requirements than would be required if the full granule drop were applied during the same time interval with a single blend roll.

The disclosure relates to a coating apparatus for applying a layer of particles to a receiving surface. The apparatus comprises a pressurized air source, an application chamber partially bounded by the receiving surface into which an air stream is delivered by the air source, an air return path for returning air from the application chamber to an intake of the air source to form an air circulation loop, a dosing device for introducing particles to be coated onto the receiving surface into the air circulation loop, and a controller serving to regulate the dosing device so as to maintain the particle concentration within predetermined limits. A method of applying a layer of particles is also provided, as well as printing systems benefiting from the present coating apparatus.

A method and apparatus for applying or dropping granules onto the asphalt coated surface of a moving sheet in shingle manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes sharing each drop between two or more blend rolls with a subsequent blend roll or rolls applying a partial drop directly on top of partial drops already applied by a first blend roll or rolls. High production speeds can be accommodated since each roll can be operated at slower rotation rates and with slower acceleration and deceleration requirements than would be required if the full granule drop were applied during the same time interval with a single blend roll.

An automatic production apparatus for high-thermal-conductivity flocking pad includes a conveyor belt system, a cutting assembly, an electrostatic flocking assembly, a perfusion device and a thermosetting device, wherein the electrostatic flocking assembly is connected to a power supply which is configured for outputting a step-wave voltage through a bottom screen mesh thereof. The polymer matrix is conveyed through the conveyor belt system, and is stretched, flocked in the step-wave electric field, shrunk, poured and dried to form a flocking pad product with high-thermal-conductivity. In this invention, the polymer matrix is stretched and shrunk to make the flocking be dense by regulating and controlling the speed of the conveyor belt system, a step-wave electric field is provided during the flocking process, and meanwhile, the flocking, pouring and curing time is regulated and controlled.

An apparatus for coating or mixing of loose items is provided. The apparatus includes a rotatable bowl shaped to contain a quantity of loose items for coating or mixing as the bowl is rotated. The rotatable bowl includes a plurality of discharge openings. A drive shaft is configured to rotatably support the bowl. A closure ring is positioned to close the discharge openings. The closure ring is retractable while the rotatable bowl is rotating to allow coated or mixed items to fall through the openings to unload the coated items from the rotatable bowl after coating/mixing is complete.

A popcorn seasoning machine is disclosed. The popcorn seasoning machine includes a receptacle having a forced air system. A user then inputs a selected seasoning and popcorn into the device and depresses a control button for injecting air into the interior of the container for mixing popcorn and the seasoning. As a result, the seasoning is evenly distributed on the popcorn to facilitate an enjoyable popcorn eating experience. The device further includes an air pump therein which manually provides are to a vent platform to a top end of the receptable. The top end also includes a hingedly attached dome which seals the top end of the receptacle.

A member includes a base material structure and a surface layer on the base material structure. The surface layer includes a particle that includes Y—O—F. The base material structure includes interface layers in contact with the surface layer. The interface layers of the base material structure include fluorine.

A method for producing an abrasion-resistant wood-based panel with a top side and a bottom side. At least one decorative layer, in particular as a printed decoration, is provided on the top side. The method includes applying at least one first resin layer to the at least one decorative layer on the top side of the wood-based panel, uniformly scattering abrasion-resistant particles onto the first resin layer on the top side of the wood-based panel. The first resin layer on the top side of the wood-based panel provided with the abrasion-resistant particles is not dried after application. The method also includes applying at least one second resin layer to the first, moist resin layer provided with the abrasion-resistant particles on the top side of the wood-based panel, and then drying the assembly of first resin layer and second resin layer on the top side of the wood-based panel in at least one drying apparatus.