Lexmark International, Inc.

Lexmark Intellectual, Inc.

Gillian Ross

Bradley Leonard Beach

James Douglas Gilmore

Jean Marie Massie

Scott Shiaoshin Wu

Kathryn Dowlen Mullins

John D Ringo

An apparatus and process are provided for forming a tubular article. A tube holder is mounted to a support stand via an automatic alignment device. A tubular metal sleeve is placed in the tube holder. A coating material is provided. A bullet-shaped or spherical element is passed through the metal sleeve such that the element runs along an inner circumferential surface of the metal sleeve. The automatic alignment device allows the metal sleeve and the tube holder to level themselves such that the element is substantially aligned with the metal sleeve as the element moves through the metal sleeve. The element spreads the coating material generally evenly along the inner circumferential surface of the metal sleeve as the element passes through the metal sleeve.

Process and apparatus for forming a tubular article

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Gillian Ross