Abstract: A coating system for applying to a face of a moving continuous web a coating of predetermined thickness of a liquid coating composition, thereafter drying the thus-coated web under substantially constant drying condition, and collecting the dried coated web on a take-up roll, is provided with an arrangement for removing from the coating any portions exceeding the predetermined thickness which would not be completely dried during drying and would adhere to and contaminate surfaces coming in contact therewith, such as guide roller surfaces or the adjacent windings on the take-up roll. The arrangement includes web wiping means for contacting excessively thick regions of the coating which is adapted to be displaced from an inoperative position remote from the web to an operative position contacting the excessively thick regions of the coating, the displacement being actuated in response to the detection on the web of excessively thick coating regions.

Abstract: A curtain coater for applying a layer or film of a liquid coating composition as a falling curtain on a surface of a continuous web moving around an arc of a backing roller, has a curved air shield arranged in closely spaced parallel relation to the roller periphery extending around a segment of said periphery directly upstream of the falling curtain to define an air gap through which the web passes before reaching said curtain. At the opposite end regions of the air shield and also at opposite side regions thereof are provided means, such as projections or sections of increased thickness, for increasing the resistance to air flow in the gap at the end and side regions compared to the air flow resistance in the region of the shield intermediate the end and side regions. A suction device communicates with the gap in the intermediate region to reduce the air pressure therein.