which is juxtaposed to but spaced slightly from the web such that a space or gap 78 between the edge and the web at a forward leading or upstream end of the application zone is relatively small and less than one inch as will be described excess coating material introduced into the application zone from the chamber 32 and through the metering slot 34 overflows from the zone through the gap 78 and forms a liquid seal in the gap at the forward end of the zone thereby enabling pressurized application of coating material onto the web in the zone a splash plate 80 extending downwardly and outwardly from a forward edge of the orifice plate holder guides liquid coating material flowing through the gap into a trough not shown for collection and recirculation the two side ends of the coating material supply chamber 32 are sealed by end plates 82 and 84 having respective brackets 86 and 88 for mounting the end plates to the rear wall 28 fig3 at the two side ends of the application zone the spaces between the coater blade 40 and the orifice plate 72 are sealed off by edge dams 90 only one of which is shown which seal with the upper ends of the front wall 30 and forward lip of the wall 38 as well as with the orifice plate doctor blade and roll supported web 26 thereby to define a generally closed coating material application zone 92 downstream from the metering slot 34 and between the web doctor blade and gap 78 to the extent described the applicator is generally of the type disclosed in detail in aforementioned u s pat no 4 250 211 issued to the assignee of the present invention the teachings of which are.