Method and apparatus for applying a coating material to sheets

(19)

(11)

EP 1 234 683 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: 02076790.1

(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 the coating material;
(c) a dispenser (7) in fluid communication with the source for controllably dispensing a quantity of the water-based coating materia at a desired rate ;
(d) an intermediate carrier (20) supported adjacent said dispenser, said intermediate carrier having a transfer surface extending to said path of the sheet members, wherein said transfer surface is adapted for contact with the overlapped sheet members along said path, said transfer surface being presented to said dispenser for receiving the coating material at a location spaced from said transverse contact with the overlapped sheet members, said intermediate carrier being advancable to transfer the coating material from said dispenser to said overlapped sheet members;
(e) a detachment roller (39) located adjacent the path of the sheet members and adapted for contact with the sheet members after application of the coating material, said detachment roller being connected to a source (40) of vaccum and adapted to apply said vacuum to the sheet members for detaching the sheet members from the intermediate carrier; and
(f) 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.