Appeal No. 96-0001
Application No. 08/034,532
In the manufacture of coated paper, a coating composition
is applied to the surface of a paper web by means of a
premetering device for the purpose of improving one or more
properties of the paper. To provide a uniform thickness of
the coating composition on a paper web a doctor or so-called
doctor blade is utilized to spread an even and uniform layer
of the coating composition on the paper web. It is known in
the art that because of numerous, well-known variables in the
paper making process a build up is formed on the so-called
“dry” side of the doctor or doctor blade. This build up is
known in the art as stalagmite formation.
Appellant alleges to have discovered an apparatus and
method of using the apparatus which overcomes the prior art
problem of stalagmite formation. Appellant’s process which is
couched in terms of a Jepson-type claim comprises preventing
stalagmite formation on the dry or down stream side of the
doctor or doctor blade by supplying a fluid such as water to
the dry side of the doctor blade. Appellant’s invention also
embraces apparatus for performing the above noted process.
Claim 15, an independent claim directed to appellant’s
improved process, and claim 16, an independent claim directed
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