Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a traveling paper web includes a coating applicator disposed in movably-controlled spaced adjacency with the paper web, which is supported on a rotating backing roll. The coating applicator permits a controlled introduction of a fresh portion of an aqueous slurry of coating material which is mixed with a recirculated portion of coating material in a controlled manner to prevent the formation of large vortices within the coating applicator. The coating material flows successively through mixing, convergent, and recirculation channels, all of which are defined on one side thereof by a distinct surface of a flow stabilizer which is positioned centrally in a cavity in the coating apparatus.

Abstract: A controlled crown roll utilizes a crown support piston with a glide shoe with a cavity in the face of the glide shoe centered under the nip loading line. The cavity is surrounded by a land area, the majority of which is located away from the nip load. Use of a low viscosity hydraulic fluid, for example, 15.6 cP, with a hydraulic film thickness of 0.002 inches, results in significantly lower friction between the glide shoe and the interior surface of the rotating mantle. Recesses in the piston sides form hydrostatic thrust bearings which perform the centering function for the piston and the glide shoe.