Kit for Expanding a Liquid Coating Device, Liquid Coating Device, and Method for Drying a Surface

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention relates to a modular kit (assembly kit) for enhancing devices that apply liquid coatings and require controlled drying, such as those used for manufacturing thin films in processes like solar cell fabrication. The kit involves the use of at least one lateral wall and connecting means, which can be attached to a coating device equipped with a laminar gas (air or inert gas) flow for drying. The purpose of the lateral wall(s) is to block or control the lateral flow of gas that occurs when the main gas stream strikes the coated surface, improving the uniformity of the drying process and resulting in smoother, more homogeneous thin films, particularly for sensitive materials like perovskites. The invention covers both the structure (kit/modules), the adapted device, and a method for better drying of surfaces.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improving the production of thin films for photovoltaic solar cells (e.g., perovskite solar cells).
• Enhancing drying uniformity in industrial roll-to-roll liquid coating lines (e.g., for flexible electronics, display manufacturing).
• Optimizing inkjet printing or spray coating processes where uniform film drying is critical, such as in printed electronics or sensors.
• Controlling solvent evaporation in chemical or pharmaceutical coatings for precise material properties.
• Adapting existing laboratory or production-scale liquid coating equipment to achieve higher product quality and process scalability.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Provides more homogeneous drying by blocking unwanted lateral gas flows, leading to smoother and more uniform thin films.
• Improves the crystallinity and reduces defects in sensitive coated materials (e.g., perovskite layers), thus enhancing device performance and longevity.
• Retrofittable and modular—can be easily added to existing coating systems, reducing the need for costly new equipment.
• Scalable design suitable for large-scale industrial production as well as laboratory use.
• Cost-efficient and simple solution using easily manufactured components (e.g., plates, connectors, hinges).
• Enables process parameter flexibility (adjustable wall angles/positions) for different coating/drying scenarios.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly kit for enhancing a device for coating with a liquid, said device being provided at least with a laminar gas flow 1, specified by an air meter, in order to carry out a drying process. The assembly kit at least comprises: a. an at least first lateral wall (2', 2", 12', 12", 22', 22", 32', 32", 32'") for securing to the coating device, and b. a connecting means (3', 3", 13', 13", 23', 33') for securing the at least first lateral wall (2', 2", 12', 12", 22', 22", 32', 32", 32'"), wherein c. the at least first lateral wall (2', 2", 12', 12", 22', 22", 32', 32", 32'") has at least one edge which can be positioned at a distance to the laminar gas flow 1 by means of the connecting means (3', 3", 13', 13", 23', 33') such that the at least first lateral wall (2', 2", 12', 12", 22', 22", 32', 32", 32'") at least partly blocks a laterally deflected gas flow when the coating device is in use. The at least one lateral wall and the connecting means are open on the rear face with respect to the laminar gas flow. The invention additionally relates to a device for coating with a liquid, said device being provided at least with a laminar gas flow 1 and being complemented by the assembly kit, to such an air meter, and to a method.