Apparatus for coating a multiple number of layers onto a substrate

An apparatus for simultaneously coating at least two layers of liquid coating compositions onto a surface of a substrate, said apparatus comprising:

• means for defining an extrusion slot having an extrusion outlet adapted to be located in proximately spaced relationship relative to the substrate so that an unsupported bridge of liquid coating composition may be extruded through said slot to span the gap between said outlet and the substrate;
• means for defining a downwardly inclined planar slide surface upon which a second liquid coating composition is adapted to flow as a layer before being coated on the substrate, said slide surface being located above said extrusion slot and being directed at an acute angle relative thereto;
• means for defining an exit opening located adjacent the upper end of said slide surface through which the second liquid coating composition is adapted to pass before being deposited onto said planar slide surface;
• means for defining a rigid lip portion which extends from and is continuous with the lower end of said planar slide surface and is adapted to have the second liquid coating composition flow thereon, said lip portion being directed in the direction of liquid flow at an angle of lesser inclination to the horizontal than that of said planar slide surface, and said lip portion being located proximate to and generally above said extrusion outlet so that the coating composition on said slide surface is adapted to flow upon the bridge of coating composition between said extrusion outlet and the substrate;
• and
• means for supporting said substrate proximate to and generally horizontally spaced from said lip portion and for generally vertically moving said substrate across and into contact with said bridge of liquid coating compositions so that the surface of the substrate picks up the one or more layers of liquid coating composition in superimposed substantially distinct layered relationship.