Apparatus for applying a liquid to a passing web

An apparatus for applying a liquid to a web moving in a predetermined web-travel direction, the apparatus comprising:

• an applicator element having a surface extending transverse to the direction and positioned to contact the moving web;
• means for applying the liquid to the surface such that the liquid is transferred to the moving web where the moving web contacts the surface;
• a shield directly engaging a portion of the surface between the web and the surface, whereby where the shield extends between the moving web and the surface there is generally no transfer of the liquid from the surface to the moving web;
• and
• formations on the shield conducting the liquid away from edges of the shield and including a groove on a face of the shield turned toward the surface and extending generally in the direction and indentations on the face of the shield to each side of the groove, the indentations being arrayed to extend or lie in lines extending at an acute angle to the groove and each having, relative to the travel direction, downstream ends closer to the groove than upstream ends.