Patent ID: 6494952
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: B05C

Abstract:
An apparatus for applying a thin film of a liquid coating onto a curved surface of an article, the article having a fastening edge, the apparatus comprising:a rotatably drivable turntable; a receptacle for the article to be coated, said receptacle being mounted to said rotatably drivable turntable and fixed thereto against relative rotation, said receptacle being provided with a suction cone; and a nonrotatably mounted process pot which surrounds said rotatably drivable turntable and said receptacle, said nonrotatably mounted process pot defining an inner wall, an outer wall, an open end, and having a top part, a bottom part and a spray ring which surrounds the surface of the article to be coated, said spray ring being retained at the open end of said process pot, and being provided with a central inflow opening, wherein: a first annular gap is defined between said spray ring and said top part of said nonrotatably mounted process pot, said first annular gap extending to beneath the fastening edge of the article; an annular flow passage is defined between said spray ring and the article; the cross section of said first annular gap being substantially less than that of said annular flow passage; said suction cone points toward said bottom part; a further annular gap is defined between said suction cone and said inner wall of said process pot; and a pressure relief chamber is situated within said suction cone and inwardly of said further annular gap, said pressure relief chamber being jointly defined by said bottom part and said suction cone.