An e-coat line includes a frame supporting a process track configured to extend along a process direction, a workpiece rack moveably supported on the frame, and a plurality of electrodes supported on an electrode rack. The rack includes support members configured to hold a plurality of hollow workpieces in a predetermined arrangement, and the workpiece rack is moveable relative to the frame between a raised position and a lowered position. The plurality of electrodes are supported on the electrode rack in a predetermined arrangement complementary to the predetermined arrangement of the plurality of hollow workpieces on the support members. The electrode rack is moveable relative to the workpiece rack in a direction crossing the process direction between a first position, in which the plurality of electrodes are extended along and overlapping with the support members to fit within the plurality of hollow workpieces, and a second position, in which the plurality of electrodes are retracted away from the support members to be removed from the plurality of hollow workpieces.

A lateral applicator kit for a pipe has a first and a second application unit that are configured to apply a primer material or other substance to the exterior and interior lateral walls of a pipe. The first unit receives primer through a first supply engagement feature, which is in fluid communication with a first material reservoir internal to the first application unit and further in fluid communication with an application receptacle configured to receive, and apply primer to, the exterior lateral surface of a pipe. The application receptacle has at least one first material applicator connected across at least one first application opening through which primer is absorbed and distributed to the pipe. The application receptacle has a tapered, flexible applicator wall for adaptably accommodating a range of pipe diameters. The second unit is similarly but inversely configured to adaptably apply primer to the interior surface of a fitting.

Tubulars are immersed in electroless nickel coating solution to coat the tubulars. Prior to the coating step the tubulars are blasted with a clean medium and washed and rinsed in alkaline solution. The tubulars are arranged in a bunk for washing, rinsing and coating. LLDPE stretch wrap applied to outer portions of the tubulars prevents coating of the outer portions. The tubulars are electrically separated from the bunk and the coating solution tank, and the tank is provided with anodic protection to prevent coating of the tank. The bunk is provided with a header assembly to provide solution flow through the tubulars via nozzles on the header assembly in addition to flow caused by the vortex effect created by velocity of fluid exiting the nozzles. The bunk is arranged in the solution tank so that the tubulars are at an angle to horizontal to efficiently remove hydrogen gas. Solution flow to the header assembly is filtered to remove particulates.

A lateral applicator kit for a pipe has a first and a second application unit that are configured to apply a primer material or other substance to the exterior and interior lateral walls of a pipe. The first unit receives primer through a first supply engagement feature, which is in fluid communication with a first material reservoir internal to the first application unit and further in fluid communication with an application receptacle configured to receive, and apply primer to, the exterior lateral surface of a pipe. The application receptacle has at least one first material applicator connected across at least one first application opening through which primer is absorbed and distributed to the pipe. The application receptacle has a tapered, flexible applicator wall for adaptably accommodating a range of pipe diameters. The second unit is similarly but inversely configured to adaptably apply primer to the interior surface of a fitting.

A lateral applicator kit for a pipe has a first application unit and a second application unit that are configured to apply a primer material or other substance to the exterior and interior lateral surfaces of a pipe, respectively. The first application unit is configured to receive primer through a supply engagement feature, which is in fluid communication with a reservoir cavity internal to the first application unit and further in fluid communication with at least one perforated annular wall of an application receptacle configured to receive, and apply primer to, the exterior lateral surface of a pipe. The second application unit is similarly but inversely configured to apply primer to the interior lateral surface of a pipe by receiving primer into a supply receptacle, which is transferred through at least one spout set into and through an annular distributing container connected annularly around the supply receptacle.

A lateral applicator kit for a pipe has a first application unit and a second application unit that are configured to apply a primer material or other substance to the exterior and interior lateral surfaces of a pipe, respectively. The first application unit is configured to receive primer through a supply engagement feature, which is in fluid communication with a reservoir cavity internal to the first application unit and further in fluid communication with at least one perforated annular wall of an application receptacle configured to receive, and apply primer to, the exterior lateral surface of a pipe. The second application unit is similarly but inversely configured to apply primer to the interior lateral surface of a pipe by receiving primer into a supply receptacle, which is transferred through at least one spout set into and through an annular distributing container connected annularly around the supply receptacle.

A method of manufacturing a solar heat collection pipe includes an inner circumferential film forming step of forming an antireflection film on an inner surface of a glass pipe and an outer circumferential film forming step of forming an antireflection film on an outer surface of the glass pipe. These film forming steps are performed so that a part of a coating film through which a coating material is flowed when the coating material is discharged from the glass pipe in a coating material discharging step of the inner circumferential film forming step and a part of a coating film with which the coating material is in contact when the glass pipe is lifted from the coating material in a lifting step of the outer circumferential film forming step are positioned within a half circumference of the glass pipe in a circumferential direction of the glass pipe.

A method for pre-treating a catheter prior to using the catheter in a medical procedure, and a related apparatus, are provided. The method comprises exposing, in a plasma chamber positioned in a medical care center, and under sterile conditions, intraluminal surfaces and extraluminal surfaces of the catheter to plasma. The plasma is electromagnetically-generated adjacently to the intraluminal surfaces and extraluminal surfaces, thereby rendering, at least temporarily, the intraluminal surfaces and extraluminal surfaces of the catheter hydrophilic.

The present application discloses a method of forming a hydrogel-coated substrate, wherein the hydrogel has antifouling and antimicrobial properties. The method comprises applying an aqueous pre-hydrogel solution to a substrate, polymerizing the aqueous pre-hydrogel solution, thereby forming a coated substrate having a conformal hydrogel coating and a non-conformal hydrogel coating, contacting the coated substrate with a swelling agent, and removing the non-conformal hydrogel coating from the coated substrate, thereby leaving the conformal hydrogel coating on the substrate to form the hydrogel-coated substrate. The aqueous pre-hydrogel solution comprises a monomer with antimicrobial activity, a monomer with antifouling activity, and either a polymer, oligomer, or macromer which, when polymerized together, form a hydrogel. Also disclosed is a coated substrate and a hydrogel coating.

A method of manufacturing a solar heat collection pipe includes an inner circumferential film forming step of forming an antireflection film on an inner surface of a glass pipe and an outer circumferential film forming step of forming an antireflection film on an outer surface of the glass pipe. These film forming steps are performed so that a part of a coating film through which a coating material is flowed when the coating material is discharged from the glass pipe in a coating material discharging step of the inner circumferential film forming step and a part of a coating film with which the coating material is in contact when the glass pipe is lifted from the coating material in a lifting step of the outer circumferential film forming step are positioned within a half circumference of the glass pipe in a circumferential direction of the glass pipe.