Abstract: An improved machine for coating one side of thin sheets, particularly sheets of paper. In this machine, sheets of paper coated by means of an applicator roller are detached from the roller by compressed air ejected from an air nozzle and then are passed onto a conveyor belt which conveys them away from the roller. The belt is provided with openings, and the upper strand of this belt passes over a casing forming part of a vacuum device which also has one or more openings and which includes a vacuum pump. Because of the resulting vacuum which acts through the openings in the belt and in the casing, the sheets are more rapidly detached from the applicator roller and more uniformly placed upon the conveyor belt.