Patent ID: 8434422

Claim:
A coating apparatus, the coating apparatus being for substantially simultaneously forming a plurality of coatings on a substrate, the coatings being disposed in a two-dimensional arrangement thereon, the coating apparatus comprising a spreader assembly, basal support member, and one or more spacers, wherein: (a) the spreader assembly is for substantially simultaneously spreading at least four liquid coating precursors in a two-dimensional arrangement on a substrate, the spreader assembly comprising a plate and a plurality of spreading means: (i) the plate having spaced apart top and bottom surfaces, spaced apart sides, and defining a plurality of apertures therethrough between the top and bottom surfaces, the apertures being disposed in a two-dimensional arrangement and dimensioned for allowing dispensing of the liquid coating precursors through the apertures in the plate and onto the substrate and the plurality of spreading means being less than, equal to, or greater than the plurality of apertures in the plate, and (ii) the plurality of spreading means extending downwardly from the bottom surface of, and being in operative connection with, the plate so that each spreading means, or a portion thereof, is disposed proximal to a different one of the apertures, or a portion thereof, in the plate; (b) the basal support member comprising a guide member for defining a coating direction, the basal support member defining at least one through-hole therein, the at least one through-hole being disposed for receiving the plurality of spreading means of the spreader assembly; and (c) each spacer being disposed in direct physical contact with the spreader assembly and the basal support member, thereby establishing a spaced-apart distance between the substrate and the plurality of spreading means.