Edge removal apparatus for curtain coating

摘要

The method involves moving the support (12) along a path through a coating zone, and forming one or more layers of coating liquids to form a composite layer. A free falling curtain (10) is formed from the composite layer within the coating zone which extends transversely of the path and impinges on the moving support. The falling curtain is laterally guided by edge guides (11) arranged so that the curtain coats less than the width of the support. The falling curtain is maintained in wetting contact with the edge guides by distributing flushing liquid from the edge guides contiguous with the falling curtain. Liquids are removed from an edge of the falling curtain by providing a blade (15) extending from an edge guide into the falling curtain to intercept a part of the free falling curtain and positioning the blade above the impingement of the falling curtain on the support. The blade is angled into the free falling curtain so that the blade is closest to the support where the part of the free falling curtain is intercepted and farthest from the support at an edge guide. The method also involves removing by a suction element the liquids of the free falling curtain intercepted by the blade. Air is blocked to the suction element from a direction of the exit of the element and directing the suction element to draw air from a direction of an entrance of the element towards the curtain.