Vacuum coating installation and coupling device
US6471837B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC23C14/568
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A vacuum coating installation has at least a central distribution station which can be evacuated and has a transport arrangement driven in a controlled manner essentially along a plane, for the material to be treated. One operating station for the distribution station as well as at least two processing stations for the material to be treated are provided. The three or more stations communicate by way of operating openings with the distribution station, through which openings the material to be treated can be transported from one station into the other by the transport arrangement for the material to be treated. The material to be treated is formed by individual workpiece holders of the installation, each having a plurality of workpiece supports. On at least one of the processing stations, a drive and a driving connection, which can be established and released in a controlled manner, between the drive and the workpiece supports of a workpiece holder introduced in the processing station is provided for ensuring a three-dimensional workpiece processing in the processing station.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.