Patent ID: 6540830
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: B05C

Abstract:
An applicator assembly for use in the application of a polymeric coating to the ends of a substrate, comprising:an applicator mounted generally above the substrate to apply a stream of coating solution to said substrate, said substrate being mounted to rotate under said applicator about a first axis, and said applicator being moveable with respect to said substrate in a direction parallel to said first axis; said applicator assembly further comprising a wiper assembly, said wiper assembly comprising: a transfer block mounted for movement relative to the substrate in a direction parallel to said first axis of rotation of the substrate from a first end of said substrate to a second end of said substrate; at least one wiper arm mounted on the transfer block for rotation about a second axis parallel to said first axis, said second axis being displaced from said first axis a predetermined distance, and said wiper arm having a length sufficient to bridge said predetermined distance and engage said first or second ends of said substrate; a rotary drive operatively associated with said wiper arm to cause rotary movement of said wiper arm between a position of engagement with said first or second ends and a position displaced from said substrate; a linear drive operatively associated with said transfer block to cause said transfer block to move parallel to said first axis in coordination with said applicator between said first and second ends of said substrate; and wherein said applicator applies coating solution to the wiper arm when said arm is rotated into engagement with said first or second end of said substrate and said coating solution is allowed to flow onto the end of the substrate as said substrate is rotated.