A method of dispensing a brushable substance onto a surface comprises (1) with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a twist-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the brushable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and to a brush that is communicatively coupled to the valve; and (2) controlling flow of the brushable substance from the valve to the brush.

A height detection apparatus successively changes the brightness of white light from a first level to a second level in accordance with a position of a Z stage and captures an image of interference light while moving a two-beam interference objective lens relative to a paste film in an optical axis direction, detects, as a focus position, a position of the Z stage where the intensity of interference light is highest in a period during which the brightness of white light is set to the first or second level, for each pixel of the captured image, and obtains the height of the paste film based on a detection result.

Fastener-coating tools (100), kits (200) thereof, and methods (300) of coating a fastener assembly (50) are disclosed. Fastener-coating tools (100) comprise a non-permeable body (102) and a permeable body (112) that laps over at least a portion of an outer surface (110) of the non-permeable body (102), laps over all of a terminal surface (116) of the non-permeable body (102), laps over at least a portion of an inner surface (108) of the non-permeable body (102), spans an internal cavity (106) of the non-permeable body (102), and defines a fastener cavity (114) that is sized and shaped to receive a portion of a fastener assembly (50) to be coated.

Fastener-coating tools (100), kits (200) thereof, and methods (300) of coating a fastener assembly (50) are disclosed. Fastener-coating tools (100) comprise a non-permeable body (102) and a permeable body (112) that laps over at least a portion of an outer surface (110) of the non-permeable body (102), laps over all of a terminal surface (116) of the non-permeable body (102), laps over at least a portion of an inner surface (108) of the non-permeable body (102), spans an internal cavity (106) of the non-permeable body (102), and defines a fastener cavity (114) that is sized and shaped to receive a portion of a fastener assembly (50) to be coated.

Moving an article after a material, such as a hot-melt adhesive, has been applied to a surface of the article is accomplished with an article transfer apparatus. The apparatus is comprised of a belt having a plurality of apertures extending there through that are effective to communicate a vacuum pressure from an inner surface of the belt to a contacting surface of the belt. The vacuum pressure secures and adheres the article to the contacting surface of the belt as the belt conveys the article. The vacuum pressure is distributed along the inner surface of the belt by a vacuum chamber, which is between a compression roller and a second roller.

Moving an article after a material, such as a hot-melt adhesive, has been applied to a surface of the article is accomplished with an article transfer apparatus. The apparatus is comprised of a belt having a plurality of apertures extending there through that are effective to communicate a vacuum pressure from an inner surface of the belt to a contacting surface of the belt. The vacuum pressure secures and adheres the article to the contacting surface of the belt as the belt conveys the article. The vacuum pressure is distributed along the inner surface of the belt by a vacuum chamber, which is between a compression roller and a second roller.

There is provided a method of measuring a film thickness of a transparent material on a substrate. A first object (transparent material) is applied onto a first substrate surface, and a second object (transparent material) is applied onto a second substrate surface. The method includes: measuring a first relative height of a front surface of the first object with respect to the first substrate surface at a position without the first object; measuring a second relative height of the front surface with respect to a back surface of the first object; and calculating a refractive index of the transparent material, based on the first relative height and the second relative height. The method includes measuring a film thickness of the second object, using a third relative height of a front surface of the second object with respect to a back surface of the second object and the calculated refractive index.

Systems and methods of applying self-seal strips of multiple different adhesives are disclosed. In one embodiment, two spaced apart spoked applicator wheel assemblies are positioned beneath a web of moving shingle stock such that each of the applicator wheels applies dots of different adhesives in an alternating pattern. In other embodiments, a layer of a second adhesive is deposited onto previously applied dots of a first adhesive to form layered adhesive dots with dual properties of both adhesives.

A solution treatment apparatus applies a coating solution onto a substrate. The apparatus includes a holder holding and rotating the substrate; a coating solution supplier supplying the coating solution to the substrate on the holder; and an inner cup surrounding the holder from a lateral side and having a peripheral edge side upper surface inclining down outward in a radial direction from an apex part located below a peripheral edge side of the substrate on the holder. The inner cup has discharge ports formed along a circumferential direction at the apex part; and the discharge ports are formed to discharge a cleaning solution and make the cleaning solution flow down along the peripheral edge side upper surface of the inner cup, thereby cleaning the peripheral edge side upper surface, and to discharge the cleaning solution outward in the radial direction and obliquely upward.

A solution treatment apparatus applies a coating solution onto a substrate. The apparatus includes a holder holding and rotating the substrate; a coating solution supplier supplying the coating solution to the substrate on the holder; and an inner cup surrounding the holder from a lateral side and having a peripheral edge side upper surface inclining down outward in a radial direction from an apex part located below a peripheral edge side of the substrate on the holder. The inner cup has discharge ports formed along a circumferential direction at the apex part; and the discharge ports are formed to discharge a cleaning solution and make the cleaning solution flow down along the peripheral edge side upper surface of the inner cup, thereby cleaning the peripheral edge side upper surface, and to discharge the cleaning solution outward in the radial direction and obliquely upward.