Web coating method with continuous coating over splices

摘要

A method and apparatus for continuously coating moving web and splices with a coating fluid. The system includes a slide coating die having a slide surface with at least one feed slot for extruding the coating fluid onto the moving web. The slide coating die defines a coating gap with the moving web. The coating gap is adjustable between a coating position and a splice coating position. A web guide is positioned to guide the moving web in a first direction past the slide coating die such that a coating bead of the coating fluid can be formed in the coating gap. A vacuum system is positioned to generate a reduced pressure condition along a lower surface of the slide coating die. The vacuum system defines a vacuum gap with the moving web. The vacuum gap is adjustable independent of the coating gap between a coating position and a splice coating position. A detector signals an increase in web thickness. A controller is functionally connected to the detector. The controller adjusts the coating gap and the vacuum gap to the splice coating position in response to an increase in web thickness in excess of a predetermined magnitude while maintaining a stable coating bead.