Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for coating an article having apertures therein with a coating material and removing the coating material disposed within the apertures formed by the coating of the article, comprising the steps of: immersing the article in coating material stored in a housing to substantially coat the article; removing the article form the coating material; and emitting ultrasonic waves in the direction of the article for impacting against the article and the coating material disposed within the apertures thereof to substantially remove the coating material from the apertures.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for coating an article having apertures therein with a coating material and removing the coating material disposed within the apertures formed by the coating of the article, comprising the steps of: immersing the article in coating material stored in a housing to substantially coat the article; removing the article form the coating material; and emitting ultrasonic waves in the direction of the article for impacting against the article and the coating material disposed within the apertures thereof to substantially remove the coating material from the apertures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of depositing the coating material removed from the apertures into the coating material in which the article is being immersed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said emitting step is performed subsequent to said removing step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said emitting step is performed above the housing so that the removed coating material falls into the coating material stored in the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said emitting step comprises the step of moving the article in a first direction relative to an ultrasonic wave source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said emitting step comprises the step of moving the ultrasonic wave source in a second direction, transverse to the first direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said emitting step applies ultrasonic waves through a gaseous medium.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for coating an article having apertures therein with a coating material and removing the coating material disposed within the apertures formed by the coating of the article, comprising: means for storing a supply of the coating material; means for immersing the article in the coating material and removing the article therefrom to substantially coat the article; and means for emitting ultrasonic waves in the direction of the article for impacting against the article and the coating material disposed within the apertures thereof to substantially remove the coating material from the apertures.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for coating an article having apertures therein with a coating material and removing the coating material disposed within the apertures formed by the coating of the article, comprising: means for storing a supply of the coating material; means for immersing the article in the coating material and removing the article therefrom to substantially coat the article; and means for emitting ultrasonic waves in the direction of the article for impacting against the article and the coating material disposed within the apertures thereof to substantially remove the coating material from the apertures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 8, wherein said emitting means applies ultrasonic waves to the article subsequent to said immersing means removing the article from said storing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 8, wherein said emitting means is positioned above said storing means so that the removed coating material falls into the supply of coating material of said storing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 8, wherein the coating material removed from the apertures in the article is deposited in said storing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 8, wherein said immersing means moves the article in a first direction relative said applying means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 8, wherein said emitting means moves relative to the article in a second direction, transverse to the first direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 8, wherein said emitting means applies ultrasonic waves through a gaseous medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 8, wherein said emitting means comprises an ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 15, wherein said ultrasonic transducer comprises a concave surface adapted to focus the ultrasonic waves along a common axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 15, wherein said emitting means comprises a movable carriage, said ultrasonic transducer mounted thereon for movement therewith relative to the article.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 8, wherein said emitting means comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 18, wherein said plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in two sets of ultrasonic transducers disposed on opposite sides of the article and arranged in opposite matching patterns to provide uniform application of ultrasonic energy density to the article.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 8, wherein said emitting means is spaced apart from the article.