Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus including a die having at least one applicator slot for translating an applicator liquid through the die. The slot is in flow communication with a die cavity. An expansible chamber device is disposed within the die cavity and changes volume in response to changes in fluid pressure within the expansible chamber device, which may be regulated by a means for controlling the volume of the expansible chamber device. The applicator liquid is translated through the die and delivered from the applicator slot at intervals corresponding to actuation of the expansible chamber device. In some embodiments, the die has a single rectangular applicator slot, and the expansible chamber device is an expandable cylindrical tube disposed within the die cavity. In other embodiments, the fluid within the expansible chamber device is an incompressible liquid.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for forming a die having an applicator slot for translating an applicator liquid through the die. The slot is in fluid communication with a die cavity. An expansible chamber device is disposed within the die cavity and changes volume in response to changes in fluid pressure within the expansible chamber device, which may be regulated by a means for controlling the volume of the expansible chamber device. In some embodiments, the die has a single rectangular applicator slot, and the expansible chamber device is an expandable cylindrical tube disposed within the die cavity. In other embodiments, the fluid within the expansible chamber device may be selected to be a compressible gas. In further embodiments, the fluid within the expansible chamber device may be selected to be an incompressible liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a fluid onto a moving substrate is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a die comprising a die body having a cavity therein, wherein the cavity is in fluid communication with an applicator slot. The die is then oriented such that the applicator slot is positioned so as to dispense the fluid onto the moving substrate. The fluid is introduced into the die cavity such that the fluid is dispensed onto the moving substrate through the applicator slot. At least one end of the slot includes means for preventing lateral widening of the dispensed fluid. In another embodiment, means are disposed at both ends of the applicator slot. The apparatus is particularly useful when the capillary number characteristic for dispensing the fluid onto the moving substrate is less than 0.

Abstract: A method of applying a material to a moving substrate is disclosed. The method includes providing a die comprising a die body having a cavity therein, wherein the cavity is in fluid communication with an applicator slot. The die is then oriented such that the applicator slot is positioned so as to dispense the material onto the substrate. The material is introduced into the die cavity such that the material is dispensed onto the substrate through the applicator slot. At least one end of the slot includes means for preventing lateral widening of the dispensed material. In another embodiment, means will be disposed at both ends of the applicator slot. The method is particularly useful when the capillary number characteristic of the coating process is less than 0.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for coating a workpiece with a coating solution. The apparatus includes a coating chamber in which the workpiece is coated, and a deformable coating solution supply container for supplying coating solution to the coating chamber. The coating chamber and a deformable coating solution supply container are fluidly connected such that the coating solution is flowable between the coating chamber and a deformable coating solution supply container.