Abstract: A non-marking web conveyance roller has a generally irregular surface with a plurality of rounded up features that promotes superior venting of entrained air. The surface finish of the roller, formed by a thermal spray process, prevents the formation of impression and honing defects on the conveyed web.

Abstract: A coating method and apparatus are taught for coating a liquid composition onto a surface of a moving web. A coating hopper for delivering the liquid composition to the surface of the moving web is provided with a rotatable backing roller. The moving web is wrapped around a portion of the rotatable backing roller with the rotatable backing roller supporting the moving web through a dynamic wetting line. The rotatable backing roller includes a plurality of circumferential grooves therein at a groove pitch of at least two per millimeter. An electrostatic field generated across the gap between the moving web and the liquid composition immediately prior to the dynamic wetting line. The method and apparatus permit either coating at a higher speed or higher viscosity than may be achieved in the prior art, or greatly reduced groove line nonuniformity at a given coating speed and viscosity.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a surface of a moving web of material, particularly photosensitive web material. A particle transfer roller is disposed adjacent the moving web, and driven to a pre-determined speed approaching but not greater than a sensed speed of the moving web. A passive one-way clutch coupled to the particle transfer roller is engaged, such that when the driven particle transfer roller contacts the moving web, the moving web drives the particle transfer roller. A cleaning station is disposed adjacent the particle transfer roller so as to provide renewal of the particle transfer roller.