Patent ID: 8123074

Claim:
An apparatus for applying a fluid to a substrate, comprising: a main body including a fluid feed passage connectable to a fluid source; a nozzle arrangement coupled to the main body, the nozzle arrangement including a substantially slot-shaped nozzle opening and a distributor passage in fluid communication with the fluid feed passage and the nozzle opening; a piston rod including a first end disposed within the distributor passage and a second end positioned outside the nozzle arrangement, the piston rod mounted for translation within the distributor passage to adjust an effective length of the distributor passage along which the fluid is directed through the nozzle opening; and a clamping device coupled to the nozzle arrangement, the clamping device including a housing, a U-shaped opening in the housing configured to receive the piston rod, a first bore in the housing, a clamping element positioned at least partially within the first bore, the clamping element including a second bore perpendicular to the first bore and configured to receive the piston rod, and a clamping screw in the first bore and engaged with the clamping element, the clamping screw configured to move the clamping element within the first bore and thereby selectively engage and disengage the piston rod to respectively prevent and allow translational movement of the piston rod in the distributor passage.