Method and apparatus for producing a uniform film on a substrate
A coater and drier system for uniformly depositing a film on a substrate or backing member. A vacuum bar positioned under the substrate is utilized to smooth out and make the substrate uniform as it passes beneath a spreader bar member or roller member in order to provide a layer of film forming liquid material on a substrate of a prespecified thickness.
1 . A method of forming a film member having uniform thickness;
providing a backing member;
applying film material in a liquid form on said backing member;
spreading said liquid film material evenly on said backing member;
applying a vacuum suction to said backing member in order to provide a planar surface for said liquid film material; and
drying and solidifying said liquid film material into a solid film member.
2 . The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said backing member is made of a paper material.
3 . The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said liquid film material includes an aqueous solvent.
4 . The method as described in claim 1 wherein said liquid film material includes a material selected from the group comprising a drug, a medicine, a cough suppressant, a breath freshener, an analgesic, an antihistamine, and an antacid.
5 . The method as described in claim 1 wherein said liquid film material is spread by a spreader bar member.
6 . The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said vacuum suction is applied by a vacuum bar member.
7 . The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said drying and solidifying step is performed in a housing and wherein heated air is introduced into said housing.
8 . The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of removing said backing member from said solid film member.
9 . The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of dividing said solid film member into smaller separate pieces.
10 . The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said liquid film material includes a drug ingredient and wherein said solid film member is removed from said backing member and divided into smaller separate single dosage-sized pieces.