APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF APPLYING LUBRICANT COATINGS TO MAGNETIC DISKS VIA A VAPOR FLOW PATH INCLUDING A SELECTIVELY OPENED AND CLOSED SHUTTER

Lubricant coatings are applied as lubricant vapor to magnetic disks in a lubricant vapor flow path between the disks and a reservoir for liquid lubricant that is heated to the vapor. The flow path includes a vapor chamber between the reservoir, an apertured diffuser and a shutter for selectively and simultaneously unblocking and blocking the flow path. While the shutter is closed lubricant vapor stays in the vapor chamber. While the shutter is open the lubricant vapor flows via the flow path from the reservoir to the holder. During substantial lulls in applying disks to the flow path, the shutter is closed and vaporizing heat is applied to the liquid lubricant so pressure in the vapor chamber causes the volume of liquid in the reservoir to remain substantially constant.