Coater enclosure and coating assembly including coater enclosure

摘要

The present invention provides an enclosure for a coating apparatus, the coating apparatus being of the type comprising a coater face adapted for the flow of a fluid thereover. The fluid flows over the coater face in the form of a film having one or more edges contacting the coating apparatus at one or more "edge contact surfaces." The enclosure defines a partially enclosed space above one or more of the edge contact surfaces. The atmosphere within the partially enclosed space can be at least partially saturated with solvent vapor to prevent or inhibit drying of coating fluid at the edge contact surfaces. Also, the enclosure has a shape that allows visibility of and access to a substantial portion of the coater face of the coating apparatus.