Patent ID: 7737423

Claim:
Central dryer for electron beam curing with a first application unit to apply a first coating to a web; an irradiation unit in which a first electron beam generator and a second electron beam generator are arranged for irradiation of the web, the irradiation unit having a screen for the electron beam generators, the screen screening against high-energy radiation generated in the irradiation unit, whereby the electron beam generators arranged in the irradiation unit have connections for at least one pump system to generate an operating vacuum; and a web guiding system arranged to (a) feed the web through the screen into the irradiation unit for irradiation after passing through the first application unit, thereafter (b) feed the web through the screen out of the irradiation unit, thereafter (c) feed the web to a second application unit for application of a second coating to the web, thereafter (d) feed the web through the screen back into the irradiation unit for additional irradiation, thereafter (e) feed the web through the screen back out of the irradiation unit.