Device for transporting glazing through a coating-depositing plant

Abstract

A method for transporting a fixed glazing to be equipped with a coating, particularly a curved glazing, through a coating plant. The glazing is transported by a transport device through the plant such that one of its main sides is covered with protection against the coating substance that is to be deposited. The side of the glazing that is to be protected when the coating is being deposited is kept in contact with a flexible fabric attached to the transport device.

1 : A coating apparatus, comprising: 
 a transport device configured to transport glazing, that is to be coated with a coating substance, through a coating plant such that a main side of the glazing is at least partially covered with a flexible fabric against the coating substance that is to be applied, wherein during a coating-depositing operation, a peripheral contour of the main side of the glazing is impressed into the flexible fabric attached to the transport device, and    wherein the flexible fabric prevents deposition of the coating substance on the main side.    
   
   
       2 : The coating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible fabric has a cut-out so as to improve mating or shaping of a surface of the fabric to the main side of the glazing.  
   
   
       3 : The coating apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein a face of the fabric forms part of a box or frame with closed sides in order to prevent ingress of coating particles through the sides.  
   
   
       4 : The coating apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the cut-out in the flexible fabric is located at approximately a middle portion of the glazing.  
   
   
       5 : The coating apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the cut-out is approximately 50-70% of a size of the main side of the glazing that is at least partially covered with the flexible fabric.  
   
   
       6 : The coating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein contact between the glazing and the fabric is improved by mechanical tensioning devices hooked to an outer edge of the glazing.  
   
   
       7 : The coating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a contour of the flexible fabric is substantially similar to the contour of the glazing.  
   
   
       8 : A coating apparatus, comprising: 
 a transport device configured to transport glazing through a coating plant such that a main side of the glazing is at least partially covered with a protection against a coating substance that is to be applied to the glazing,    wherein during a coating-depositing operation, at least part of the main side of the glazing that is to be protected, is kept in contact with a flexible fabric attached to the transport device by mechanical tensioning devices hooked to one or more outer edges of the glazing to prevent a deposition of coating substance.    
   
   
       9 : The coating apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the fabric is equipped to increase its flexibility, with a cut, an outline of which is smaller than the outline of a smallest piece of fixed glazing that is to be transported.  
   
   
       10 : The coating apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein contact between the glazing and a face of the fabric is improved by a mechanism to ensure application across an entire surface of the side.  
   
   
       11 : The coating apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein contact between the glazing and the fabric is improved by local application of a partial vacuum from a rear of the face of the fabric.  
   
   
       12 : The coating apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the glazing is transported while placed on a slightly tensioned face of flexible fabric.  
   
   
       13 : The coating apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the glazing is transported in an upright position.  
   
   
       14 : A coating apparatus, comprising: 
 means for transporting glazing through a plant for depositing a coating substance on one of the sides of the glazing;    means for covering at least part of the other side of the glazing with a flexible fabric; and    means for impressing a peripheral contour of the other side of the glazing into the flexible fabric attached to the means for transporting, so as to prevent the coating substance from being deposited on the other side.    
   
   
       15 : A coating apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising means for tensioning the face of the fabric.  
   
   
       16 : A coating apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the fabric is tensioned over a box or a frame, the surface of which is larger than the surface of the largest piece of glazing that is to be transported.  
   
   
       17 : A coating apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the fabric has a cut-out, the outline of which is smaller than the outline of the smallest piece of glazing that is to be transported.  
   
   
       18 : A coating apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising means for improving the surface contact between the surface of the glazing that is to be covered and the surface of the fabric.  
   
   
       19 : A coating apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the means for improving the surface contact are mechanical tensioning devices protruding slightly beyond the edge of the surface of the glazing that is to be coated.  
   
   
       20 : A coating apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the means for improving the surface contact are suction cups acting from the rear of the face of the fabric.