Method and apparatus for applying a coating material to sheets

(19)

(11)

EP 1 234 682 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	02.10.2002 Bulletin 2002/40

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	28.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/35

(21)	Application number: 02076789.3

(22)	Date of filing: 13.07.1995

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: B42C 3/00, B42C 9/00

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB IT

(30)

Priority:

17.08.1994 US 291610

(62)	Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
	95926266.8 / 0776274

(71)	Applicant: MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY
	St. Paul, Minnesota 55144 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Vogel, Mark S. Saint Paul, MN 55133-3427 (US) Tsujimoto, Kim K. Saint Paul, MN 55133-3427 (US) Stifter, Gregory F. Saint Paul, MN 55133-3427 (US) Pierre, Bernard F. Saint Paul, MN 55133-3427 (US) Leriche, Frederic P. Saint Paul, MN 55133-3427 (US)

(74)	Representative: Warcoin, Jacques et al
	Cabinet Régimbeau 20, rue de Chazelles 75847 Paris cedex 17 75847 Paris cedex 17 (FR)

(54)	Method and apparatus for applying a coating material to sheets

(57) The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying a water-based coating material to a plurality of sheet members comprising :

(a) a conveyor (4) for conveying a plurality of the sheet members in overlapped end to end relation along a path ;
(b) a source of water-based coating material ;
(c) a dispenser (7) in fluid communication with the source for controllably dispensing a quantity of the water-based coating material at a desired rate;
(d) a intermediate carrier (20) supported adjacent said dispenser, said intermediate carrier having a transfer surface extending to said path of the sheet members, said intermediate carrier including : (i) a backing layer having a first major surface ; and (ii) a silicone coating applied to said first major surface, said silicone layer having a textured outermost major surface forming said transfer surface adapted for receiving the coating material from said dispenser and facilitating release of the coating material therefrom, wherein said transfer surface is adapted for contact with the overlapped sheet members along said path, at a location spaced from the point at which coating material is applied to the transfer surface, said transfer surface being advancable to transfer the coating material from said dispenser to said overlapped sheet members ; and
(e) a means to reduce the water content of the coating material prior to transfer of the coating material from the intermediate carrier to the overlapped sheet members.