Method and apparatus for coating fasteners

An apparatus for applying a coating material on fasteners, comprising:

• means for advancing the fasteners including means for magnetically holding one end of the fasteners;
• feed means for continuously supplying fasteners to said advancing means and for positioning the fasteners into substantially uniform alignment;
• a transfer wheel for transferring fasteners from said feed means to said magnetic holding means, said wheel being adapted to rotate synchronously with said advancing means and to accommodate a plurality of fastener sizes;
• a heating station for heating at least a portion of the fasteners;
• an application station spaced from said advancing means and having an associated supply of a coating material for applying said coating material on said heated portion of said fasteners;
• means for rotating said magnetic fastener holding means during the application of the coating material;
• and
• a cooling station for cooling the fasteners.

An apparatus for applying a coating to a fastener having at least a shank portion, comprising:

• means for supplying a continuous and aligned supply of fasteners;
• a traveling belt for advancing the fasteners for heating and coating, said belt including uniformly spaced, rotatable magnetic carrying members;
• a wheel for transferring the fasteners from said supply means to said belt, said wheel including a first set of notches positioned at the outer perimeter for holding the fasteners, and a second corresponding set of notches on one side of said wheel;
• means for moving the fasteners from said first set of notches to said magnetic carrying members, said means for moving including a striking element biased toward said second set of notches, whereby said second set of notches are configured to move said striking element away from the fasteners and then release said striking element to move said striking element toward said traveling belt;
• means for rotating said magnetic carrying members for a predetermined length along said traveling belt;
• means for heating the fasteners;
• and
• means for applying a coating to the fasteners.

An apparatus for applying a coating to a fastener, comprising:

• means for providing a continuous and aligned supply of fasteners;
• means for advancing the fasteners for coating, said advancing means including travelling belt means with magnetic carrying members thereon;
• means for transferring the fasteners from said providing means to said advancing means, said transferring means being adaptable to accommodate a plurality of fastener sizes and configurations, said transferring means further including first and second sets of notches and means for moving the fasteners from said first set of notches to said magnetic carrying members, said means for moving including a striking element biased toward said second set of notches, whereby said second set of notches is configured to move said striking element away rom the fasteners and then release said striking element to move said striking element toward said travelling belt means;
• means for heating the fasteners;
• means for applying a coating to the fasteners;
• and
• means for controlling the degree of surface coating on the fasteners.