An apparatus for providing non-contact application of fluids onto web materials and articles is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gravure roll having a hollow rotating shell having a plurality of cavities disposed within the outer surface thereof and a stationary cylindrical core having a central bore and a channel disposed therein. A fluid disposed within a respective cavity of the plurality of cavities disposed within the outer surface of the hollow rotating shell is removed from the respective cavity by the positive pressure when the positive pressure is fluidly communicated from the central bore through the channel and into the cavity from the surface of the stationary cylindrical core.

Apparatus and methods for dispensing small beads of a viscous, mixed fluid material formed by first and second viscous fluids. The apparatus includes first and second metering rods for moving in a reciprocating manner, such that the first metering rod extends into a first fluid passageway, and the second metering rod extends into a second fluid passageway. A mixing passage communicates with the first and second fluid passageways to receive the first and second viscous fluids from the first and second fluid passageways. A dispensing passageway is in fluid communication with the mixing passage, and dispenses a small bead of viscous, mixed fluid material formed by the mixed first and second viscous fluids. A control retracts the first and second metering rods to prevent drooling of the viscous, mixed fluid material from the dispensing passageway after a dispensing cycle.

A device and a method of discharging a liquid in a state of solid particles being dispersed in the liquid with a minimum additional structure for dispersing the solid particles. A discharge device and an application device each include a storage container; a measuring unit having a measuring hole; a plunger disposed in the measuring hole; a nozzle; a selector valve having a first position at which the storage container and the measuring unit are communicated, and a second position at which the measuring unit and the nozzle are communicated; a plunger drive device; a selector valve drive device; and a discharge control device, wherein a discharge control program includes a filling stepinto the measuring hole; an ejection step; an inflow step causing the liquid material in the measuring hole to flow into the storage container; a discharge step; and a stirring step.

A cleaning device for cleaning a liquid contact part of a discharge device, the liquid contact part including an operating space in which a rod-like member is operated, and a supply flow path, the cleaning device including a compressed gas source, a cleaning fluid supply tank, a plurality of supply mechanisms that supply compressed gas and a cleaning fluid, a cleaning fluid collection tank, a liquid contact part fixing jig to which the plural supply mechanisms and the cleaning fluid collection tank are fluidly connected, and which accommodates the liquid contact part of the discharge device, and a control device, wherein the cleaning fluid is supplied to the liquid contact part fixing jig in accordance with pressure values, which are specified separately for the plural supply mechanisms, by the control device. The liquid contact part can be cleaned with a uniform flow without disassembling the liquid contact part.

A composite friction unit of a three dimensional composite body is formed in a system for continuous process manufacturing of composite friction units. The system uses a plurality of rolls of reinforcing fiber fabrics, a resin dispensing system that receives a panel of reinforcing fiber fabric from each one of the rolls and separately dispenses resin through a plurality of dispensing tubes, each associated with a different panel, onto a surface of each panel. A forming die is positioned to receive the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabric after resin is dispensed onto the panels and is configured to form a composite panel from the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabrics. A cutting mechanism cuts a desired shape part from the composite panel.

A system for continuous process manufacturing of composite friction units uses one or more array gates with a plurality of cutouts each sized to receive one of a plurality of reinforcing fiber fabric therethrough. The system also uses a resin plenum with plenum chamber and a plurality of dispensing tube assemblies. Each of the plurality of dispensing tube assemblies corresponds to a different cutout and includes dispensing bores positioned to dispense resin onto one of the reinforcing fiber fabrics. The system also uses a forming die that receives the reinforcing fiber fabrics with the resin to form a composite panel as they pass through the forming die.

A switchable slot valve for a coating plant controls delivery of a pasty coating material. The switchable slot valve has a valve bore incorporated in a valve main body and is aligned in a valve extent direction, and a valve control rod is rotatable to switch between a throughput position and a closed position and is mounted in the valve bore by bearing faces is disposed. To mitigate disruptions by coating material which has made its way into a bearing gap between the valve bore and the bearing faces, depression regions are provided in the region of which the respective outer circumferential part-face does not bear on the inner circumferential face of the valve bore, on the outer circumferential part-faces between the slot-shaped duct inlet and the slot-shaped duct outlet.

An apparatus for providing non-contact application of fluids onto web materials and articles is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gravure roll having a hollow rotating shell having a plurality of cavities disposed within the outer surface thereof and a stationary cylindrical core having a central bore and a channel disposed therein. A fluid disposed within a respective cavity of the plurality of cavities disposed within the outer surface of the hollow rotating shell is removed from the respective cavity by the positive pressure when the positive pressure is fluidly communicated from the central bore through the channel and into the cavity from the surface of the stationary cylindrical core.

A mortar applicator includes: a duct; a piston movably mounted within the duct, dividing the duct into first and second variable volume chambers; a pump fluidly connected to the first variable volume chamber; a nozzle operatively connected to a first end of the duct to discharge mortar contained in the first variable volume chamber; and a motor operatively connected to the piston. A rack and pinion assembly operatively connects the motor to the piston and includes a rack configured to drive the piston and a pinion connected to the motor. In a discharge mode, the motor drives the rack and pinion assembly, moving the piston to force mortar through the nozzle opening to discharge mortar from the mortar applicator. In a refill mode, the pump fills the first variable volume chamber with mortar, forcing the piston to retract. The rack moves with the piston in the discharge and refill modes.

A switchable slot valve for a coating plant controls delivery of a pasty coating material. The switchable slot valve has a valve bore incorporated in a valve main body and is aligned in a valve extent direction, and a valve control rod is rotatable to switch between a throughput position and a closed position and is mounted in the valve bore by bearing faces. To mitigate disruptions by coating material which has made its way into a bearing gap between the valve bore and the bearing faces at least one receiving space is incorporated in an inner circumferential face of the valve bore between the supply duct and the nozzle duct.