Foil transport apparatus

摘要

The feed direction (V) of the foil (4) running onto the transport roll (6) forms an angle alpha not equal to 0 deg or 90 deg with the roll axis. As a result, the foil on the roll surface (8) or on a belt sliding on the roll is coiled in the form of a helix, and is transported in a sliding manner in the axial direction (T) along a transport section (L) of the roll. An Independent claim is also included for the use of the apparatus for continuous transport of a foil to be coated from an outer location under atmospheric pressure into a continuously operating coating chamber (42) with reduced pressure, or from such a chamber to an outer location. The length of the axial transport section (L) corresponds to the axial extent of the coils (14',14) on the transport roll (6). The coils of the foil in the circumferential direction of the roll contact the roll surface at least over 360 . The transport roll passes through openings in separating walls, with the foil running onto and off the roll outside these walls. Such separating walls serve as walls of coating chamber with reduced pressure. The clearance (16) is chosen so that the pressure difference between the chamber interior (42) and the outer location (41) remains constant. Elastic sealing elements can be used to maintain a specified pressure difference. The opening in a separating wall can be connected to suction pump for removal of the gas entering from the outer location (41). The feed direction (V) is reversible. The maximum foil thickness can be as much as 2 mm. Preferably the foil thickness 0.0005-0.003 mm. The coating installation includes a vapor coating unit, a PVC or a CVD unit for production of preferably metal and/or metal oxide and/or metal nitride coatings.