Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
276 words
A method of applying coating liquid to a moving web of paper, comprising the steps of: applying coating liquid to one surface of a moving web of paper carried through an application zone having spaced front and rear edges, a wall intermediate the edges and spaced from the web and from the front and rear edges, and laterally spaced side edges, the application zone being defined between the front and rear edges; forming and maintaining a reservoir of coating liquid under pressure on the web throughout the application zone; doctoring the coating liquid on the web at the rear edge of the application zone; maintaining the coating liquid throughout the application zone under pressure by substantially sealing the side edges of the zone and by establishing a first liquid seal in a first gap defined between the web and the front edge of the application zone which extends substantially across the width of the web and by establishing a second liquid seal in a second gap defined between the wall and the rear edge of the application zone, whereat the web is doctored, which extends substantially across the width of the web; and continuously flowing coating liquid under pressure into the application zone to substantially completely and continuously fill the first and second gaps with coating liquid for forming the first and second liquid seals, for sealing off the front and rear edges of the zone and preventing entry of air and foreign matter through the gaps thereat and into the zone, and for maintaining a pressurized area of coating liquid throughout the zone between the front and rear edges and for continuously purging the zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
276 words
A method of applying coating liquid to a moving web of paper, comprising the steps of: applying coating liquid to one surface of a moving web of paper carried through an application zone having spaced front and rear edges, a wall intermediate the edges and spaced from the web and from the front and rear edges, and laterally spaced side edges, the application zone being defined between the front and rear edges; forming and maintaining a reservoir of coating liquid under pressure on the web throughout the application zone; doctoring the coating liquid on the web at the rear edge of the application zone; maintaining the coating liquid throughout the application zone under pressure by substantially sealing the side edges of the zone and by establishing a first liquid seal in a first gap defined between the web and the front edge of the application zone which extends substantially across the width of the web and by establishing a second liquid seal in a second gap defined between the wall and the rear edge of the application zone, whereat the web is doctored, which extends substantially across the width of the web; and continuously flowing coating liquid under pressure into the application zone to substantially completely and continuously fill the first and second gaps with coating liquid for forming the first and second liquid seals, for sealing off the front and rear edges of the zone and preventing entry of air and foreign matter through the gaps thereat and into the zone, and for maintaining a pressurized area of coating liquid throughout the zone between the front and rear edges and for continuously purging the zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as in claim 1, including the step of causing the coating liquid delivered under pressure to the application zone to flow under pressure through the first gap reversely of the direction of web travel and under pressure through the space between the wall and the web and to and through the second gap in the direction of web travel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the continuously flowing step includes the step of introducing coating liquid into the application zone between the front edge of the zone and the wall for flowing both through the first gap and across the wall and through the second gap to establish the first and second liquid seals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method as in claim 1, including the steps of independently moving the front edge of the application zone toward and away from the web to adjust the size of the first gap between the web and the front edge for maintaining the first liquid seal, and moving the wall toward and away from the rear edge of the application zone to adjust the size of the second gap for maintaining the second liquid seal, whereby the coating liquid is maintained under pressure in the application zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the doctoring step includes doctoring the coating liquid on the web within about 0.01 second of its application to the web.