Abstract: The present invention is a marking device which is hand-held and which a user uses to mark in order to count each of a plurality of items in a set and to automatically record the count. As the hand-held marking device counts each of the items, it simultaneously displays the number of the items counted. The hand-held marking device includes a cartridge and a transducer both of which are mechanically coupled to a casing. The cartridge is replaceable and has a marking tip for marking off items at one end and a plunger at the other end. The transducer has a contact-trigger. The cartridge is slideably coupled within the casing so that when its marking tip contacts any surface, its plunger engages the contact-trigger of the transducer thereby producing an input pulse. The hand-held marking device also includes a counting and displaying system, a reset switch and a display.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for coating a moving web and for independently controlling the coating's width, thickness and uniformity of thickness along the length of the web. A back-up roller supports the moving web on a portion of the roller's periphery. A stationary and pliant smoothing film is positioned adjacent the exposed surface of the web which is supported by the back-up roller. A coating liquid is metered to the confluence of the web and the smoothing film, the metering rate being selected to produce a desired coating width. A pliant pressure generating means, in the form of a membrane or a force web, holds a length of the smoothing film against the moving web with a static force whose magnitude is selected in accordance with a desired coating thickness. The relative position of the back-up roller and the pressure generating means determines the length of coincidence of the moving web, the coating liquid, and stationary smoothing film.

Abstract: A wide traveling web is coated on one side thereof by passing the web through a pool of non-Newtonian coating liquid. The pool is replenished by a conduit manifold having at least one inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. The outlet ports communicate directly with the pool. The inlet port and the outlet ports are interconnected by a plurality of branching conduits. All branching conduits subject the coating liquid to substantially identical flow rheology in that the branching conduits are of substantially equal length and substantially equal fluid shear characteristic.

Abstract: A wide moving web is coated on one side thereof by passing the web through an elongated pool of non-Newtonian coating liquid. The pool is contained at its opposite ends by walls or dams, these dams being spaced a distance less than the width of the web, such that the side edges of the web are not coated. The dams are constructed and arranged such that the coating liquid approaches the adjacent web edge in an amount which increases as the depth of the pool of coating liquid increases. Monitoring means view the opposite side edges of the coated web. When the coating begins to retreat toward the center of the web, pool replenishment is increased. When the coating begins to approach the edges of the web, pool replenishment is decreased. The sensor whose coating is closest to the web edge is in control of the pump. If the coating reaches an edge of the web, the coating apparatus is stopped.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for coating a moving web and for independently controlling the coating's width, thickness and uniformity of thickness along the length of the web. A back-up roller supports the moving web on a portion of the roller's periphery. A stationary and pliant smoothing film is positioned adjacent the exposed surface of the web which is supported by the back-up roller. A coating liquid is metered to the confluence of the web and the smoothing film, the metering rate being selected to produce a desired coating width. A pliant pressure generating means, in the form of a membrane or a force web, holds a length of the smoothing film against the moving web with a static force whose magnitude is selected in accordance with a desired coating thickness. The relative position of the back-up roller and the pressure generating means determines the length of coincidence of the moving web, the coating liquid, and stationary smoothing film.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for coating both sides of a moving web and for independently controlling the coatings' width, thickness and uniformity of thickness along the length of the web. A moving web is supported on a backing surface. Two stationary and pliant smoothing films are positioned one adjacent each surface of the web, including the web surface which is supported by the backing surface. A coating liquid is metered to each side of the web at the confluence of the web and the two smoothing films, the respective metering rates being selected to produce a desired respective coating width. A pliant pressure generating means, in the form of a membrane holds a length of one smoothing film against the moving web with a static force whose magnitude is selected in accordance with a desired coating thickness. The relative position of the backing surface and the pressure generating means determines the length of coincidence of the moving web, coating liquid, stationary smoothing films and pressure generating means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a viscous fluid to a moving substrate is disclosed. The invention includes providing a die assembly from a pair of plates which are separated by shim means to define a fluid passage. The fluid passage communicates with a fluid reservoir having an opening bounded by smooth surfaces for contacting the substrate. The supply of ink is metered to the passage. The substrate is moved in contact with the smooth surfaces and the fluid is applied thereto by the reservoir. The trailing or downstream edge of the smooth surface is formed with an acute angle. Other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a viscous fluid to a moving substrate is disclosed. The invention includes providing a die assembly formed from a pair of plates which are separated by shim means to define a fluid passage. The fluid passage communicates with a fluid reservoir having an opening bounded by smooth surfaces for contacting the substrate. The supply of ink is metered to the passage. The substrate is moved in contact with the smooth surfaces and the fluid is applied thereto by the reservoir. The trailing or downstream edge of the smooth surface is formed with an acute angle. Other features are also disclosed.