Device to reduce electrostatic pattern transfer in coating processes

A support roller for use in a coating machine, the roller comprising a metal core having an outer cover of dielectric material, the cover having an outer surface into which an engraved pattern has been cut, the core being provided with a second pattern having ridges under the engraved pattern in said cover such that the ridges are in register with the cuts of the engraved pattern and lie directly below said cuts in the engraved pattern in said cover, the maximum thickness of said dielectric cover being substantially equal to the depth of said engraved pattern in said cover multiplied by the relative permittivity of the cover, the registry of the engraved pattern in the cover and the second pattern in the core being such that when an electrostatic field generated between a coating liquid and a web supported on the roller is calculated to be substantially uniform at a liquid surface, a resulting coating is substantially free of electrostatically induced defects.