Patent ID: 8808457

Claim:
A tool for in-line depositing a multilayer coating on a discrete substrate, said tool comprising: a proximal end configured to accept said substrate; a distal end opposite said proximal end; an accumulator cooperative with at least one of said proximal end and said distal end such that said accumulator contains a batch of said substrates at least before, after or between steps of deposition of said multilayer coating; at least one surface treatment chamber comprising a thermal evaporation device configured to deposit a non-oxide material, said thermal evaporation device disposed in said accumulator and configured to enhance the ability of individual layers of said multilayer coating to adhere to said substrate or an adjacent layer; and at least one housing disposed substantially between said proximal and distal ends, said housing defining a common vacuum and a substantially linear deposition path therein, said common vacuum configured to be coupled to a vacuum source and said substantially linear deposition path arranged to facilitate transport of said substrate through said housing, said housing comprising: at least one transport means configured to convey said substrate along said substantially linear deposition path; at least one organic layer deposition station configured to deposit at least one organic layer of said multilayer coating onto said substrate; at least one curing station configured to cure an organic layer deposited by said organic layer deposition station; at least one inorganic layer deposition station configured to deposit at least one inorganic layer of said multilayer coating onto said substrate; and at least one thermal control contamination reduction device to control the migration of material making up said organic layer from said organic layer deposition station in which said material originated.