Abstract: A sufficient number of pick-and-place devices (e.g., rolls) whose periods of contact with a substrate are equal or substantially equal to one another are used to form continuous void-free uniform coatings despite the occurrence of unintended or intended coating caliper surges, depressions or voids. The wetted surfaces of the devices contact and re-contact the coating at positions on the substrate that are different from one another. Extremely uniform and extremely thin coatings can be obtained at very high rates of speed. The pick-and-place devices also facilitate drying and reduce the sensitivity of drying ovens to coating caliper surges. Equipment containing the pick-and-place devices is simple to construct, set up and operate, and can easily be adjusted to alter coating thickness and compensate for coating caliper variations.

Abstract: The uniformity of a wet coating on a substrate is improved by contacting the coating at a first position with the wetted surfaces of periodic pick-and-place devices, and re-contacting the coating with such wetted surfaces at positions on the substrate that are different from the first position and not periodically related to one another with respect to their distance from the first position. A coating is applied to a substrate by applying an uneven wet coating, contacting the coating at a first position with the wetted surfaces of periodic pick-and-place devices, and re-contacting the coating with such wetted surfaces at positions on the substrate that are different from the first position and not periodically related to one another with respect to their distance from the first position. These methods can provide extremely uniform coatings and extremely thin coatings, at very high rates of speed. The coatings can be applied in lanes with sharply defined edges and independently adjustable coating calipers.

Abstract: Continuous void-free uniform coatings are formed on substrates of limited length. The substrate is wrapped around a mounting roll and nipped between the mounting roll and one or more pick-and-place contacting rolls. Coating liquid is applied to the substrate or to a pick-and-place roll, preferably as a pattern of stripes. The mounting roll, substrate and pick-and-place rolls are caused to rotate for a plurality of revolutions. Wetted surface portions of the pick-and-place roll repeatedly contact the substrate, the coating is repeatedly picked up from and placed onto the substrate, and the coating becomes more uniform. Extremely uniform and extremely thin coatings can be quickly and easily obtained, with easy adjustment of the final coating thickness.

Abstract: A sufficient number of pick-and-place devices (e.g., rolls) whose periods of contact with a substrate are equal or substantially equal to one another are used to form continuous void-free uniform coatings despite the occurrence of unintended or intended coating caliper surges, depressions or voids. The wetted surfaces of the devices contact and re-contact the coating at positions on the substrate that are different from one another. Extremely uniform and extremely thin coatings can be obtained at very high rates of speed. The pick-and-place devices also facilitate drying and reduce the sensitivity of drying ovens to coating caliper surges. Equipment containing the pick-and-place devices is simple to construct, set up and operate, and can easily be adjusted to alter coating thickness and compensate for coating caliper variations.

Abstract: The uniformity of a wet coating on a substrate is improved by contacting the coating at a first position with the wetted surfaces of periodic pick-and-place devices, and re-contacting the coating with such wetted surfaces at positions on the substrate that are different from the first position and not periodically related to one another with respect to their distance from the first position. A coating is applied to a substrate by applying an uneven wet coating, contacting the coating at a first position with the wetted surfaces of periodic pick-and-place devices, and re-contacting the coating with such wetted surfaces at positions on the substrate that are different from the first position and not periodically related to one another with respect to their distance from the first position. These methods can provide extremely uniform coatings and extremely thin coatings, at very high rates of speed. The coatings can be applied in lanes with sharply defined edges and independently adjustable coating calipers.

Abstract: The uniformity of a wet coating on a substrate is improved by contacting the coating at a first position with the wetted surfaces of periodic pick-and-place devices, and re-contacting the coating with such wetted surfaces at positions on the substrate that are different from the first position and not periodically related to one another with respect to their distance from the first position. A coating is applied to a substrate by applying an uneven wet coating, contacting the coating at a first position with the wetted surfaces of periodic pick-and-place devices, and re-contacting the coating with such wetted surfaces at positions on the substrate that are different from the first position and not periodically related to one another with respect to their distance from the first position. These methods can provide extremely uniform coatings and extremely thin coatings, at very high rates of speed. The coatings can be applied in lanes with sharply defined edges and independently adjustable coating calipers.

Abstract: Continuous void-free uniform coatings are formed on substrates of limited length. The substrate is wrapped around a mounting roll and nipped between the mounting roll and one or more pick-and-place contacting rolls. Coating liquid is applied to the substrate or to a pick-and-place roll, preferably as a pattern of stripes. The mounting roll, substrate and pick-and-place rolls are caused to rotate for a plurality of revolutions. Wetted surface portions of the pick-and-place roll repeatedly contact the substrate, the coating is repeatedly picked up from and placed onto the substrate, and the coating becomes more uniform. Extremely uniform and extremely thin coatings can be quickly and easily obtained, with easy adjustment of the final coating thickness.

Abstract: The uniformity of a wet coating on a substrate is improved by contacting the coating at a first position with the wetted surfaces of periodic pick-and-place devices, and re-contacting the coating with such wetted surfaces at positions on the substrate that are different from the first position and not periodically related to one another with respect to their distance from the first position. A coating is applied to a substrate by applying an uneven wet coating, contacting the coating at a first position with the wetted surfaces of periodic pick-and-place devices, and re-contacting the coating with such wetted surfaces at positions on the substrate that are different from the first position and not periodically related to one another with respect to their distance from the first position. These methods can provide extremely uniform coatings and extremely thin coatings, at very high rates of speed. The coatings can be applied in lanes with sharply defined edges and independently adjustable coating calipers.

Abstract: A sufficient number of pick-and-place devices (e.g., rolls) whose periods of contact with a substrate are equal or substantially equal to one another are used to form continuous void-free uniform coatings despite the occurrence of unintended or intended coating caliper surges, depressions or voids. The wetted surfaces of the devices contact and re-contact the coating at positions on the substrate that are different from one another. Extremely uniform and extremely thin coatings can be obtained at very high rates of speed. The pick-and-place devices also facilitate drying and reduce the sensitivity of drying ovens to coating caliper surges. Equipment containing the pick-and-place devices is simple to construct, set up and operate, and can easily be adjusted to alter coating thickness and compensate for coating caliper variations.

Abstract: An air conveyor system is provided for transporting a stream of articles en masse along a channel from a generally upstream position in a generally downstream direction towards a generally downstream position. A conveyor surface has opposing edges with the channel therebetween and a plurality of air propulsion slots extending through the surface, these slots being directionally oriented to propel articles pneumatically on the surface in the downstream direction. A plenum is provided for connecting to a source of air under pressure and in communication with the slots. At least one guide member defines at least one boundary for the channel, by being mounted adjacent at least one of the opposing edges of the surface in alignment with the downstream direction to generally direct flow of articles in the downstream direction by impeding article movement across the member.