Abstract: An apparatus continuously smoothes a wet coating of magnetizable particles and binder on a moving flexible web. A first longitudinal end of a flexible film is held in contact with the wet coating on the substrate and is free to drag against the wet coating. The first longitudinal end is deflected toward the substrate along a line extending transversely between the first and second transverse ends. The amount of deflection is adjusted and varied during coating to adjust the radius of curvature of the deflection of the first longitudinal end. A smoothing bar or a cylindrical rod, with or without a sharp edge, can hold the flexible film in position. The deflection and adjustment can be performed by a screw. Alternatively, a cylindrical rod is used by itself.

Abstract: A wet gravure coating of fine magnetizable particles can be smoothed by a rectangular piece of flexible film that is secured at one end in flat jaws of a clamp to leave its opposite end free to drag against the coating, thus causing the flexible film to form an arc between its secured end and the convergence of the flexible film with the wet coating. The jaws also secure a flat plate which has a straight edge that deflects the arcuate portion of the flexible film toward the coating along a line extending transversely across the full width of the flexible film. The plate can be repositioned during the smoothing to adjust the radius of curvature of the arc in order to correct any defects that may appear in the smoothed coating. When the backing web is wide and is advanced at economically high speeds, the free end of the flexible film can be tensioned so that its trailing edge becomes bowed and in contact with the coating over its full width.