Patent ID: 7431771

Claim:
Apparatus for applying a foamed composition to a traveling substrate that has a tendency to be dimensionally unstable, comprising: a pair of closely spaced driven guide rollers over and between which the substrate is guided with sufficient roller engagement and controlled tension to minimize dimensional distortion; a foam applicator having a substrate engaging foam dispensing nozzle face positioned within the space between said rollers to deflect the substrate inwardly between the rollers, said face extending in close proximity to said rollers to minimize the free extent of travel of the substrate between said rollers and said nozzle face, thereby minimizing dimensional distortion of the substrate as it travels between said rollers and across said applicator face; and said substrate is flat with first and second opposite surfaces, said pair of guide rollers is a first pair of guide rollers over which the first surface of the substrate is guided and said foam applicator is a first applicator for applying foam to the second surface of the substrate, a second pair of closely spaced driven guide rollers to which the substrate travels from said first pair of guide rollers and over which the second surface of the substrate is guided with sufficient roller engagement and controlled tension to minimize dimensional distortion, and a second foam applicator having a substrate engaging foam dispensing nozzle face facing the first surface of the substrate and positioned within the space between said rollers of said second pair to deflect the substrate inwardly between the rollers, said face of said second foam applicator extending in close proximity to said rollers of said second pair of rollers to minimize the free extent of travel of the substrate between said second pair of rollers and said nozzle face of said second applicator, thereby minimizing dimensional distortion of the substrate as it travels between said rollers of said second pair and across said applicator face of said second applicator.