A slot-die coating apparatus for manufacturing a patterned coating layer (3) on a substrate (1) comprises a substrate carrier (6), a coating device, a sensor facility (70) and a controller (80). The substrate carrier (6) is arranged on a support for providing the substrate (1). The coating device comprises a head-side unit and a support-side unit (50, 55; 52 resp.) that are mutually movable with respect to each other by a motor (52, 56). The head-side unit comprises a translator part (52) and a slot-die coating head (2). The support-side unit (55) comprises a stator part (56) of the motor. The controller (80) controls the motor (52) to position the slot-die coating head at a desired distance (Ds). The support-side unit (55) has a mass that is at least equal to the mass of the head-side unit (50), and the support-side unit (55) is flexibly coupled to the support (60).

An apparatus for spray painting, such as a spray booth, includes a system for conveying pieces to be painted; a supply circuit to a spraying tool; a spray nozzle carried by a support arm movable along a predetermined direction; and a product change station having a discharge system and arranged in a predetermined position with reference to the working path of the support arm. The spraying tool is combined with a first coupling terminal which moves with the support arm and is sealingly coupled with a discharge duct, which has a second coupling terminal with the first coupling terminal, the two terminals being automatically movable by motorized movement members when aligned along a portion of their paths for mutual approaching and separation.

An apparatus and process for applying a coating material onto a substrate as a non-uniform layer of coating material, the method including providing a distribution manifold having a cavity and a plurality of dispensing outlets in fluid communication with the cavity, creating relative motion between a substrate and the dispensing outlets in a first direction, and dispensing coating material from the dispensing outlets while simultaneously translating the plurality of dispensing outlets in a second direction non-parallel to the first direction. Using the process, coated articles having a useful non-uniform coating or coatings can be prepared, in particular self-adhesive vapor permeable air and moisture barrier membranes for use as architectural structure wraps.