Method and apparatus for applying coatings, for instance for sanitary products

Abstract

A process for applying a coating (M) of a material onto a web (W) includes the step of providing a source (6) of the material to be coated in the fluid state. The source includes one or more output nozzles (11) for emitting the coating material in the fluid state in a first direction (X1). A drive unit produces a relative movement of the output nozzle (11) with respect to the web (W), such a movement taking place in a second direction (X2). The first (X1) and second (X2) directions form an angle (α) therebetween of less than 45°, and preferably about 5°. The web is preferably kept flat and extending in the second direction (X2) at the region where the coating material (M) is applied onto the web (W) and the output nozzle (11) is positioned with respect to the web (W) in such a way that, in travelling from the nozzle (11) to the surface of the web W being coated, the coating material (M) follows a free path over a given distance (d).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.