# US 2013/0156975 A1 · Device and method for coloring anode coatings using the device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0156975 A1 - Document ID: US20130156975A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/443,487 - Filed: 2012-04-10 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Assignees: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited; Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd. - Inventors: SHU-XIANG ZHOU; CHIA-WEN TSAO - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156975A1 ## CPC - C25D 7/001: {Magnets} - B05D 5/06: to obtain multicolour or other optical effects (B05D5/02 takes precedence) - C25D 5/009: {Deposition of ferromagnetic material} - C25D 17/007: {Current directing devices} - C25D 21/12: Process control or regulation (controlling or regulating in general G05) - C25D: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR - B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02) ## Abstract A device for applying a magnetic field to a container comprises an adjustable magnetic field generator. The adjustable magnetic field generator is adjacent to the container and has a magnet having one magnetic pole adjacent a wall of the container and another magnetic pole away from the wall of the container. The adjustable magnetic field generator comprises a magnet. The intensity of magnetic field applied to the container gradually decreases from the container wall adjacent the magnetic pole of the magnet to the opposite container wall. Method for coloring anode coatings using the device is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for applying a magnetic field to a container, comprising: an adjustable magnetic field generator, the adjustable magnetic field generator being positioned adjacent to the container and having a magnet having one magnetic pole adjacent a wall of the container and another magnetic pole away from the wall of the container, the intensity of magnetic field applied to the container gradually decreasing from the container wall adjacent the magnetic pole of the magnet to the opposite container wall. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnet comprises a north magnetic pole and a south magnetic pole, one of the north or south magnetic pole is adjacent to the container, the other of the north or south magnetic pole is located away from the container, the intensity of magnetic field applied to the container gradually decreases from the container wall adjacent the magnetic pole of the magnet to the opposite container wall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable magnetic field generator comprises a rheostat electrically connected to the magnet, the rheostat adjusts the galvanic current through the adjustable magnetic field generator to adjust the intensity of magnetic field. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a base board and a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall vertically extending from the periphery of the base board. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device further comprising a supporting structure, the supporting structure is detachably fixed to the container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the supporting structure comprises at least two opposite fastening blocks, and at least one bracket, the two opposite fastening blocks is respectively secured on the top surfaces of the second sidewall and the fourth sidewall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein each fastening block defines a latching groove to clasp the bracket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bracket comprises a connecting rod, and two latching portions, each latching portion mates each latching groove to detachably mount the bracket to the fastening block. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bracket further comprises a main rod connected with the connecting rod, a plurality of elastic portions and a plurality of hooks, the elastic portions are fixed to the main rod, two hooks are defined on the two opposite ends of each elastic portion, each two adjacent elastic portions at the same side of the main rod and is clasped by each two hooks that defined on the elastic portions. ### Claim 10 A method for coloring anode coatings using the device, comprising: providing a device, the device comprising a container, supporting structure and a adjustable magnetic field generator; supporting structure the adjustable magnetic field generator being adjacent to the container and having one magnetic pole adjacent a wall of the container and another magnetic pole away from the wall of the container, the adjustable magnetic field generator comprising a magnet; providing a coloration solution containing magnetic pigment, the coloration solution held in the container; providing a workpiece, the workpiece comprising a surface coated with an anode coating; coloring the workpiece; gradually decreasing the intensity of magnetic field applied to the container from the container wall adjacent the magnetic pole of the magnet to the opposite container wall by the adjustable magnetic field generator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising suspending the magnetic pigment in the coloration solution. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the magnetic pigment comprises Fe3O4 particles attached with pigment. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the magnetic pigment has a diameter of about 40 nm to about 120 nm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the coloration solution further comprises water soluble organic substance. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the water soluble organic substance is polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl acetate or hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide.