Robert E Lovelace

US Patent:

20020114893, Aug 22, 2002

Filed:

Dec 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/742172

Inventors:

Robert Lovelace - Fort Collins CO, US
David Gruszcynski - Webster NY, US
Daniel Suter - Penfield NY, US

International Classification:

B05D001/30

US Classification:

427/420000

Abstract:

A method is taught for preparing a coating hopper prior to initiation of coating a liquid coating composition at a predetermined coating flow rate onto a moving substrate wherein the coating hopper includes at least one internal flow path therethrough. The internal flow path(s) of the coating hopper are drained. The liquid coating composition is introduced into internal flow path(s) at a purge flow rate which may be determined empirically. The internal flow path(s) are filled with the liquid coating composition and with the liquid coating composition then discharging from the internal flow path(s) onto a slide surface of the coating hopper, the liquid coating composition flowing down the slide surface and over a lip of the coating hopper at the purge rate to a drain. The flow of the liquid coating composition through the internal flow path(s) is maintained at the purge rate until air within the internal flow path(s) has been displaced from the coating hopper. Preferably, the internal flow path(s) are flushed with water prior to draining.